Network Performance

We used to test the networking speed, and Windows Task Manager for CPU usage. We copied a variety of install files, totalling 752 MB, varying in sizes of 300kb to as much as 450MB per file from the IC7-MAX3 machine, to our IS7 box, which uses a 3Com based Gigabit Ethernet controller. Both systems were connected via a Cat-5E crossover cable, which should prevent any bottlenecks that would arise with our standard 10/100 router.

Download speeds averaged about 27.23MB/sec, and CPU utilization averaged about 26%, with 22% being the low mark.

Uploading the same files averaged about 45.27MB/sec, and CPU utilization averaged about 28%, with 23% being the low mark.

These numbers are in a best case scenario, using Gigabit networking. A quick test of an FTP upload and download of 30 MB resulted with an average of 70kb/sec up and 400kB/sec. This was through a 10/100 router and 10/100 cable modem.

Final Words

For Pentium 4 fans, you'll be hard pressed to find a better board than the IC7-MAX3. Of the three Canterwoods tested today, the IC7-MAX3 finished on top of every benchmark thrown at it. Stability was excellent, especially when running at 1/1 at 250FSB and up.

The IC7-MAX3 was built with the overclocker in mind. The Soft Menu BIOS was pleasant to work with, offering more than enough options for the die hard enthusiast. Maybe a 1.925 - 1.95 option for CPU voltage would have been nice, but 1.9v should be enough for most of us. The Game Accelerator lives up to it's name and really showed it's worth in our UT2003 tests.

The OTES cooling system did it's job well. The PCB is noticably cooler on the back of the motherboard, and feeling the amount of heat being vented out the back of the system, it was obvious that the OTES is not just there for looks. Although overclocking went better with the IC7-MAX3 than it did with the IC7, I can't say for sure if the cooler capacitors and mosfets are the reason so. I will say is that very heat that the OTES is wicking away is the same heat normally trapped in the chassis, so the motherboard cooling is something you'll likely not have to worry about.

At and , ABIT does cover other price segments of the Canterwood crown, so if you don't need all the broohaha, the latter boards offer similar performance. Ringing in at just over , this is a lot of money to spend on a motherboard. There are a couple of competing boards that do cost more, and these boards offer some nice eye-candy like glowing PCBs, and FrontX panels. Personally, I prefer functionality more, and the IC7-MAX3's OTES is well worth the cost. Add the six SATA connections, and Gigabit LAN, and you'll see you're getting your money's worth.

Pros: Excellent performance, overclocking and stability. OTES cooling technology.

Cons: Sound eats into the CPU, expensive.

Bottom Line: For those of you who already own Canterwood boards, is this upgrade necessary? Well, if you squint hard at our benchmarks, the answer is probably no. If you got the cash, I'd say hell yeah. There is some serious performance, waiting to be untapped, and with the stability of the board, you'll be hard pressed to find something better.

If you got any comments, be sure to hit us up in our forums.

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