Subject: Re: P6 Natoma chipset
To: None <michaelv@HeadCandy.com, neil@domino.org>
From: Shao Ai Wu <m-sw2360@SPARKY.CS.NYU.EDU>
List: current-users
Date: 08/13/1996 11:19:53
>>> You may want to buy the DNE model of the motherboard; it's
>>> newer and it's a BABY size. DNF is a FULL size motherboard
>>> . The only advantage for DNF is that you can fit any full
>>> length add-on card to it without any problem.
>
>>Will it take 4 full length PCI cards?
No. It takes 3 full lenght PCI cards and one half length PCI Card.
The layout of the DNE (baby size) board is pretty much looks like
the DNF (full size) motherboard:
+-----------------------+
+ ram_sock rvm1 rvm2 +
+ ram_sock cpu1 cpu2 +
+ 3_pci +
+ 1_pci/isa +
+ 2_isa +
+-----------------------+
The top PCI slot is limited by CPU_1 socket for DNE. A half
length card should fit. But all other slots fit full length cards.
Please also note that IT IS NOT 4 PCI 3 ISA as quoted before (also
quoted from Supermicro's spec), but its 3 PCI, 2 ISA, and 1 PCI/ISA
shared (from the picture of the spec that I recieved.).
I noticed two visual differences between DNF and DNE boards (besides
smaller):
1. only one transister with heat-sink for DNE (2 for DNF)
this transister is for voltage regulators. I think
DNE is using a different VRM than DNF.
2. 2 fiewer "Q"-logic chips for DNE
total of 5 for DNE and 7 for DNF.
> I don't think you want the baby if you're doing this. Check out the
> full-size model (P6DNF or P6SNF [Dual/Single]):
> http://www.supermicro.com/. There are pretty pictures if you want to
> see how things are layed out. You can also check out
> http://www.asus.com.tw/.
I bought the DNF also. The only problem (if it is a problem) is that
it's difficult to find a case that fits the motherboard; some cases
won't fit even after removing the 3.5" drive bays (because of the
height of the CPU and its heat sink, and the voltage regulators).
I am thinking about getting another DNE board sometime soon.
> I bought my motherboard from Aberdeen, if anyone cares. They seemed
> fairly knowledgeable and competent. http://www.aberdeeninc.com/.
Agreed. I check out Aberdeen before but bought my from Megatrend
Technologies http://www.megacom.com/ because Megatrend Technologies
is a bit cheaper (also knowledgeable, competent, and friendly as Aberdeen).
I have no connection with either one of them but just a happy customer.
Regards,
Shao.