Network Performance
We used to test the networking speed, and Windows Task Manager for CPU usage. We copied a variety of install files, totalling 758 MB, varying in sizes of 300kb to as much as 60MB per file from the ASUS K8V Deluxe machine, to our ABIT IC7-MAX3 box, which uses an Intel Gigabit CSA controller. We also performed the same test with an ISO image, totalling 761MB.
Both systems were connected via a CAT-5E crossover cable, which should prevent any bottlenecks that would arise with our standard 10/100 router.
Small Files Test - 758MB Total
The 3COM 3C940 did a fair job with the file transfers, and was about seven seconds faster at uploading the files than it was downloading. CPU usage was quite low, averaging 23% while uploading, whereas downloading averaged 18% according to Task Manager.
Large File Test - 761MB Total
With a large, single file, times were improved in both the upload and download tests when compared to the smaller files. CPU usage mirrored the small file tests, but on average, about 3% less. These results were a little better than we've seen with past Realtek solutions, so ASUS seemed to have made a wise choice here.
Final Words
Overall, the K8V proved to be a a fast and reliable motherboard throughout testing, though there were a few issues I had. One strange thing that happened was for whatever reason, the Aperature setting in the BIOS did not like the 256MB setting. Whenever I set it to this, the system completely locked up, and I was forced to reset the CMOS. Lower settings worked fine. This brings me to my next point where I had to reset the CMOS whenever I locked up, as the CPU Parameter Recall didn't seem to work at all. What I expected was everything to be reset to default, but instead, I got nothing but a blank screen.
Ed. Note: A bump in AGP voltage resolved the Aperature problem. I was pretty certain that was done, but upon further testing, it seems that we didn't touch that at all. In the past, this was needed for our nVidia FX5600s, but it seems even our ATI card required it as well. As for the CPU recall, this was resolved by switching our ram to TwinMOS and Crucial. Oddly, the Kingston ram that worked so well with our MSI board started to flake out on us. I had a couple of new sticks of HyperX, and bam, the recall worked.
The other major issue I had was the CMOS reset jumper's position. Considering that I needed to access it several times, it was a little frustrating given that I had a hard time gripping it. A pull tab of some sort should be considered if ASUS cannot move it.
Other than that, overclocking was a mixed bag. Normally, we've had good success overclocking ASUS based boards, but to my surprise, the MSI board reviewed earlier proved to be a better overclocker, which historically, wasn't always the case.
Ed. Note: It took a bit of work, but since the initial publication of the review, but after some work, we managed to level off at 213FSB. As with the Aperature issue, we needed to boost the AGP voltage up from default to about 1.65v.
Saying that, at stock speeds, the K8V Deluxe is one fast motherboard. At speeds under 209FSB, the system ran extremely stable and never hiccuped once. The board is fairly easy to work with, outside of the CMOS jumper, and booted up just fine out of the box. The BIOS issues are bothersome, but it is possible to work around them, and if you choose to do so, you'll have one of the fastest Athlon 64 setups around.
Pros: Excellent stability, great performance, feature rich.
Cons: Poor CMOS jumper placement, and quite a bit of experimentation to fully tweak.
Bottom Line: Originally, we had a problem with the BIOS issues, CPU Recall, and overclocking. Needless to say, after quite a bit of experimentation, we got things running smooth. Out of the box experience could have been better, so you better keep that coffee near by.
