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A couple months ago, we got a look at the KT3 Ultra-ARU. It was MSI's first shot at the KT333, and they did a great job by producing a feature packed motherboard. Although we have a KT400 in house, MSI has also released an updated version of the KT3, dubbed the Ultra2. There are several varieties of the Ultra2, and we'll be examining the KT3 Ultra2-R model.
Historically, most users knew well enough to skip the initial release of the VIA chipset. The "A" version would usually follow soon after, correcting a variety of performance issues and bugs. The KT333 is the exception however, as no real "A" version came out. While many consider the KT333 an upgraded KT266A, the chipset manages to stand on its own merits. Like the KT3 Ultra-ARU before it, MSI doesn't skimp with the KT3 Ultra2. Everything one would want in a modern Athlon motherboard is present, such as ATA133, RAID, USB 2.0, and 6-channel audio support. Although the features mirror the previous version, there are some differences in how they are implemented. We'll take a closer look at all of these features, once we dispence with the obligatory "ripped-from-the-website" specifications...
Specifications
CPU: Support Socket A (Socket 462) for AMD® Athlon" / Athlon XP / Duron" processor, 600MHz up to 2000+ MHz processor and higher
Chipset: VIA® KT333 (552 BGA) Chipset, FSB @200/266MHz
VIA® VT8235 Chipset
- Integrated Direct Sound AC'97 audio
- Dual channel Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 master mode EIDE controller
- ACPI
- Integrated USB 2.0 controller
FSB: 100/133 (200/266)MHz clocks are supported
Main Memory:
-Support six memory banks using three 184-pin DDR DIMMs
-Support a maximum memory size up to 3GB
-Support 2.5v DDR 200/266/333 DDR SDRAM DIMM
Slots:
One AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot (AGP specification compliant), support AGP 2.0 4x
One CNR (Communication Network Riser) slot
Five 32-bit Master PCI Bus slots, supports 3.3V/5V PCI bus Interface
On-Board IDE: An IDE controller on the VIA® VT8233A chipset provides IDE HDD/CD-ROM with PIO, Bus Master and Ultra DMA 66/100/133 operation modes, can connect up to 4 IDE devices
Audio: Integrated Realtek® ALC650 Chipset (6-channel S/W audio)
- Direct Sound AC97 Audio
- 6-channel analog output
- Digital SPDIF interface
- Compatible w/ S-bracket
On-Board Peripherals:
- 1 floppy port supports 2 FDD with 360K, 720K, 1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88Mbytes
- 2 serial ports (COMA + COMB)
- 1 parallel port supporting SPP/EPP/ECP mode
- 1 IrDA connector for SIR/ASKIR/HPSIR
- 1 Audio/Game port
- 1 D-Bracket pinheader
- 1 S-Bracket pinheader
BIOS
- The mainboard BIOS provides "Plug & Play" BIOS which detects the peripheral devices and expansion cards of the board automatically.
- The mainboard provides a Desktop Management Interface (DMI) function which records your mainboard specifications.
Dimension: 30.4 cm(L) x 23.5 cm(W) ATX Form Factor, 6 mounting holes.
Special Functions: ATA133 RAID Function, USB Interface
Promise 20276 On-Board
- Support ATA133 IDE RAID 0 or 1
- Can connect up to 4 IDE devices
- Backward compatible to ATA100 RAID 0 or 1
USB 2.0 HC On Board
- Support 4 USB 2.0 ports via external bracket
Controlled by VT8233A Southbirdge
- 4 USB 1.1 Ports
The Bundle
Fuzzy Logic3"
S-Bracket"
D-Bracket"
Live BIOS"
Live Driver"
MSI" DVD 5.1ch
As usual, MSI packs a lot of goodies with their products, and the Ultra2 is no exception. The DVD software isn't too shabby, as it's based on the latest PowerDVD version, which in my opinion, is the best software DVD player.
  
Click to enlarge
Next Page - The Board
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