Basic Features: EPoX EP-9U1697 GLi

Specification Epox EP-9U1697 GLi
CPU Interface 939-Pin Socket supporting AMD Athlon 64 / 64FX / 64X2
Chipset ULi M1697 - Single Chip Solution
Bus Speeds 200MHz ~ 500MHz in 1MHz increments
CPU Clock Multiplier Auto, 5x ~ 12x (4000+) in 1x increments, max multiplier dependent upon CPU utilized
Memory Speeds Auto, 100 MHz, 133MHz, 160MHz, 200MHz, 218 MHz, 240MHz
PCI Bus Speeds Async with HT frequencies, Disabled
PCI Express Bus Speeds Async with HT frequencies, Disabled
HT Multipliers Auto, 200MHz, 400MHZ, 600MHz, 800MHz, 1000MHz
HT Link Speed Auto, 8-bit, 16-bit, 4-bit, 2-bit
Core Voltage Auto, -0.200V to +0.250V (in 0.025V increments), (max voltage dependent upon CPU)
DRAM Voltage Auto, +0.00V to +0.70V, (in 0.10V increments)
Chipset Voltage Auto, +0.00V to +0.30V, (in 0.10V increments)
Memory Slots (4) x DIMM, max. 4GB, DDR 400/333, non-ECC, un-buffered memory, Dual Channel Operation supported
Expansion Slots (2) x PCI-E x16 (first slot operates in 1x16 mode, both slots in 2x8 mode)
(1) x PCI-E x1
(3) x PCI 2.3
Onboard SATA ULi M1697: (4) x SATA II
Onboard IDE ULi M1697: (2) x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33
SATA/IDE RAID ULi M1697:
(4) x SATA II
RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5
Onboard USB 2.0 (8) USB2.0 ports (four ports, two headers for four more ports)
Onboard LAN Realtek RTL8201CL PCI 10/100Mb/s Ethernet LAN - PHY
Onboard Audio Realtek ALC-655, 5.1 channel capable AC97 2.3 Audio Codec
Power Connectors 24-pin ATX
4-pin ATX 12V
Back Panel I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard
1 x PS/2 Mouse
1 x Parallel (ECP/EPP)
1 x Serial (COM1)
1 x Audio I/O Panel
1 x RJ45 LAN
1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Out
4 x USB 2.0
Other Features Thunder Probe - Windows based Monitoring Program
Magic Flash - Windows based BIOS Flash Utility
Magic Screen - Windows based Bootup Screen Design Program
CP80P - Post Port Debug LED
EZ Button - On-board Power and Reset Button
BIOS Award 1.0 (2/06/06)

The EPoX EP-9U1697 GLi is a value-based performance board targeted towards the AMD enthusiast user. The board ships with an accessory package that includes the standard assortment of IDE/SATA cables and power connectors. Epox also includes an extensive driver CD along with desktop utilities. Of special note is Epox's Thunder Probe windows based utility that allows for full temperature monitoring and control of the CPU and system fans. Epox also includes the Thunder Flash set of utilities for automatic retrieval and updates to the latest BIOS, BIOS recovery, and boot-up screen customization. More information about the Thunder Flash system can be located here.

This is the Main BIOS Setup Utility section, which displays the change configuration categories available on the board.

This is the Advanced Chipset Features section that contains the subcategories for the DRAM, PCI-E, Power, and HTT configuration sections.

The Power BIOS configuration section allows you to set individual parameters manually for voltage, multipliers, and chipset frequency settings. The range of features available for change is extensive for an entry-level performance board.

The CPU Clock ratio can be adjusted from the Power BIOS section as well as the Memory Clock ratio. The BIOS allows for an Auto setting that will set the memory clock ratio based upon the SPD settings or you can adjust the memory timings manually. We typically found in our testing that the system would adjust the memory clock ratio based on the conservative side if left on Auto.

The Memory Clock settings are extensive on this board with the Auto setting providing an adjusted ratio dependent upon the SPD settings and bus speeds. We discovered in our testing that the Auto selection would typically adhere to the SPD setting no matter the memory clock ratio or HTT settings. We found it best to set the memory manually based on your system settings and memory capability.

Index Epox EP-9U1697 GLi: Features
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  • Palek - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    Gary,

    There is a spelling error in the last sentence of the 1st page:

    "Let's find out how Epox's offering fairs against the competition."

    The correct spelling is "fares" not "fairs".
  • Gary Key - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    I had corrected it on the final draft and somehow it still made it in. My fault for not catching it once the article went live last night. It is corrected now as are the ascending chart figures.
  • Googer - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    Is epox part of Shuttle?

    http://local.google.com/local?q=Epox%20EP-9U1697-G...">http://local.google.com/local?q=Epox%20...utf-8&am...
  • Googer - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    The ULi M1695 is all about upgradeability and the ASrock implementation uses a 20pin PSU where as the Epox implementation needs a 24pin connection. Based on the benchmarks it also looks like you will need to purchase a PCI-e x1 gigabit controller.

    Speaking from experience, my biggest gripe on the ASrock M1695 is the BIOS is very quirky and can be very very slow to POST.

    Epox is the king if you are an overclocker and overall performance is very impressive compaired to the ASrock ULi M1695.

  • Avalon - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    8Mb throughput? Are you sure that's not a mistake?
    The only comment on Epox's ethernet score was that it was not competitive...700Mb vs 8Mb...I'd say something is wrong, or a typo?
  • Palek - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    Yeah, I noticed that, too, then I found the missing "9" outside the graph area. The figure is correct, it's just the layout that is messed up.
  • Gary Key - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    The actual number is 98.9Mb/s. Our graph engine has a small issue with variances that wide. It placed the 9 into the description field. I updated the text statement to reflect this issue. Thank you.
  • Peter - Friday, March 17, 2006 - link

    While you're updating, you might want to correct the research error that the RTL8201 is a "PCI based solution". It is not, it's just a PHY to the ULi chip's integrated 10/100 MAC.

    Oh, and when are you finally going to stop attributing memory performance to chipsets on AMD64?
  • Cygni - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    Might have to pick one of these up...
  • Rock Hydra - Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - link

    The Epox EP-9U1697 GLi displayed superb stability with 4 DDR2 modules in Dual-Channel operation at the settings of 2-2-2-7, but it required the command rate to be increased to 2T.

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