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Transcend AKT4 KT133 Motherboard Review
Transcend AKT4 KT133 Motherboard Review - PCSTATS
Its been a roller coaster ride the past few months. AMD is totally at the top of their game while Intel has seemed to falter along the way. With AMD being such a threat to Intel, it is no wonder that nearly every mainboard manufacturer out there provides a platform for AMD's ever popular Socket A platform.
 75% Rating:   
Filed under: Motherboards Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: Transcend Jun 19 2000   P. Masrani  
Home > Reviews > Motherboards > Transcend AKT4

Overclocking and Stability



With the Socket A platform, the most desired method of overclocking comes in the form of having multiplier switches on the motherboard (or through BIOS settings). Unfortunately, the AKT4 lacks this option. However, what is possible is overclocking your Duron or T Bird by way of manipulating FSB speeds.

All overclocking is thankfully done through the system BIOS. Interestingly, Transcend has implemented FSB speed changes in a different way. Rather than having a predefined number of FSB speeds, the AKT4 allows the user to enter a value which can define FSB speeds between 100 and 132MHz. With our current test setup, we were able to overclock our FSB to 115MHz (the highest we have been able to achieve, similar to the Soltek SL 75KV) resulting in a 690MHz overclock. Anything higher and the system would not even POST.

In addition to FSB speed control, the AKT4 allows the user the option set their memory speeds +33MHz which will bring your DRAM clock to 133MHz. This would certainly provide for an added advantage in overclocking as there are some PC100 DIMMs out there which do allow for such a high overclock. You also have a choice to run your memory at either CAS 2 or 3 but success purely depends on the quality of your memory.

For those interested, the AKT4 also provides for hardware monitoring and allows for 5 voltages, 3 temperatures and 2 fan speeds which should provide enough info for those users who like to go in depth. As it appears that the AKT4 is not meant for serious overclocking, it is quite appropriate that only 2 fan headers have been included.

On the stability front, we were more than happy with this motherboard. With the highest FSB overclock attainable, the AKT4 ran extremely smooth without a single lock up during hours of usage. This is one of the characteristics we remember from the AVE 3 motherboard and we certainly expected the same out of this board. And in the end, it truly delivered.

Conclusions

Good performance and excellent stability make this motherboard a good choice for servers and end users alike. Even the AKT4 audio sounds good! : ) For computer enthusiasts looking to do some heavy tweaking, this motherboard might not be on your shopping list.

From what we have already seen of Transcend's motherboards, stability seems to be the key word over here. From the general end user to the mission critical server, the AKT4 certainly shines through in what they need most stability. Its performance is on par with other Socket A boards out there but we expected more after witnessing the AVE3 take the Asus P3B F head on in performance. As the board tested here is not a retail sample, perhaps Transcend may have been able to tweak the board further before hitting the store shelves.

We certainly look forward to reviewing more of Transcend's products. Who knows, they just might walk away with that Editor's Choice award which had eluded them not too long ago...

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Contents of Article: Transcend AKT4
 Pg 1.  Transcend AKT4 KT133 Motherboard Review
 Pg 2.  Winstone Performance
 Pg 3.  Quake 3 Arena
 Pg 4.  — Overclocking and Stability

 
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