Abit AW8-MAX v1.0

Board Layout:

Although much of the AW8-MAX motherboard layout remains identical to that of the AW8, there are a few points worth reiterating as well as the notable changes to point out. Filling the AW8-MAX with all of the latest features, there isn't much free room on the ATX black PCB. Even with the PCB being packed with components, the layout remains easy to work around and we hadn't found any obstructions or areas to cause concern. Starting with Abit's multi-colored DIMM slots, these four memory locations support DDR2-800/667/533 with a maximum capacity of 8GB thanks to the power of Intel's i955X. Positioned around the system memory slots are three of the six available fan headers. The header nearest the CPU socket is a 4-pin connector that supports PWM, while the two other connectors are both designed for 3-pin auxiliary use. Looking over the AW8 series, a great deal of Abit's attention is positioned upon adequately cooling the motherboard and its components, as we will discuss later on in this article. Also packed in near the system memory, while running parallel along the edge of the PCB, is the 24-pin motherboard connector. The location of the 24-pin connector certainly make it an easy reach if your power supply remains above the motherboard in a traditional ATX fashion or even if it's mounted underneath the motherboard like some Lian Li and Antec chassis' that possess BTX-like traits.

Approaching the bottom portion of the motherboard that is staggered with various components, below the DDR2 slots on the AW8-MAX is an IDE ATA-133 connector, along with the 3V CMOS battery, and four SATA ports. The single onboard IDE connector is rotated 90 degrees and running along the PCB edge, which remains a very common occurrence with motherboard manufacturers, while the four SATA connectors remain grouped together for easy access. The Intel Southbridge powers these four SATA2 ports, which in the instance of the AW8 series is the ICH-7R. Intel's ICH-7R also provides support for Intel Matrix Storage Technology, six PCI and six PCI Express x1 slots, Intel PRO/1000 LAN, Intel Active Management Technology, eight USB2.0 ports, and Intel High Definition Audio. Covering the ICH-7R Southbridge on the AW8-MAX is a passive aluminum heatsink, whose fins strategically shape out "Abit" when looking at them directly. This heatsink is secured by pushpins in two opposing corners. Also positioned in this packed area of the motherboard PCB is the clear CMOS jumper as well as an uGuru ASIC along with an uGuru header, another 3-pin auxiliary fan connector, front panel switches, and an LED display for debugging errors during the boot process. The Abit uGuru ASIC is labeled 951FG-A519LCAB and is manufactured by Winbond. Accompanying the other components towards the lower end of the motherboard is also two USB2.0 headers, floppy disk connector, BIOS chip, and two IEEE-1394b/a headers. The TI (Texas Instruments) Firewire controllers used on the AW8-MAX are of models TSB81BA3 and TSB82AA2, which provide a maximum of two IEEE-1394b ports and a single 1394a port that is located on the rear I/O panel.