Abit KV8-Max3

This motherboard takes a departure from the norm thanks to its rather unusual rear panel. Abit has equipped the KV8-Max3 with the usual PS/2 ports, but there is a distinct lack of any serial or parallel connectivity. Instead, there's a range of more modern connectors and an assortment of audio ports relating to KV8-Max3's integrated 5.1-channel sound.

The most unusual addition to the rear panel is the translucent plastic housing that forms the basis of Abit's Outside Thermal Exhaust System (Otes). This acts as a vacuum, expelling the heat produced by the transistors and capacitors through an exit port pointing outside your PC.

The KV8-Max3 caters for a maximum of six USB2 devices. Four slots are built onto the back panel along with a Firewire port, while an additional two can be attached via an expansion header. Unlike some of the budget submissions reviewed later, this expansion header is included as a part of the package.

The KV8-Max3 has a logical and user-friendly layout and 5.1-channel audio, but it is not without its faults. Its three Dimm slots fall foul of a common motherboard idiosyncrasy in that they have been placed rather too close to the AGP slot. This is not a major problem, but if you want to remove or upgrade your memory modules, you may first have to remove your graphics card.

Performance offered by the Max3 was not as impressive as we had hoped. The PCmark 2004 total of 4,499 was enough to place it second overall among its Athlon 64 peers, but this sum was significantly lower than the Pentium 4 motherboard results we recorded last month.

The Max3 is one of the most expensive motherboards of the group but if you like overclocking, its cooling system and commendable blend of features make it one of the better considerations.

Contact: Abit 01438 228 888
www.abit.com