ABIT KV7 (KT600): Budget Performance in a Small Package
by Evan Lieb on September 7, 2003 10:42 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
ABIT KV7: Board Layout
The general layout of the ABIT KV7 is barely acceptable, mostly due to the KV7’s tiny dimensions. In fact, the KV7 is one of the smallest motherboards in an ATX form factor that we’ve ever come across, challenging even the tiny Albatron PX845PEV Pro.
One of the less important, but still notable, layout mismanagements of the KV7 is the location of the ATX connector. The ATX connector is placed on the left-hand side of the motherboard, just below the lower left portion of the CPU socket. As we’ve mentioned time and again, standard PSUs usually do not have an extra long ATX cable, and this becomes a problem with motherboards that have their ATX connectors located on the left-hand portion of the motherboard. It will increase clutter and can obstruct the installation/uninstallation of the CPU HSF, memory modules, and any other components in that area in which a user may decide to modify or uninstall. If you're using a high-quality PSU with an extra-long ATX connector, you have nothing to worry about. Still, the vast majority of ATX cases come with standard PSU’s with short cables. If you are thinking of purchasing a KV7, you more than likely aren’t going to spend any extra money on anything you don’t have to.
Unfortunately, we see that ABIT continues to place the Primary and Secondary IDE connectors of their enthusiast motherboards at a 45 degree angle to the board. Not only that, but the Primary and Secondary IDE connectors are located at the edge of the motherboard below the AGP slot. This location will make it nearly impossible for a user to use the KV7’s bundled IDE cables, as they will simply be too short to reach the upper bays of an ATX case. What this means is that you will be unable to install optical drives in the first drive bay of your computer case and possibly the second drive bay as well. In the end, we still see no reason for ABIT to continually use this type of location on their desktop motherboards.
One of the more positive aspects of the KV7’s layout is the location of the Floppy connector. If you’re going to install a Floppy drive, the Floppy connector location on the KV7 makes it easier for the user to route the Floppy cable under and alongside the motherboard’s edges. This will reduce any possible cable collision and case clutter, making for a much more neat and organized computer case. Air flow is also improved, though this is less of a concern unless you’re going to load up every imaginable drive and device on this budget motherboard.
The KV7’s DIMM connectors are nicely located well away from the AGP slot. This makes it possible for users to install or uninstall memory modules easily without having to uninstall their video card, which is a time-consuming process that includes steps like unscrewing your video card, unplugging your VGA cable, and physically uninstalling your video card from its AGP slot. This location is becoming more and more common, thankfully.
As always, ABIT is accommodating to enthusiasts, and this couldn’t be better portrayed than with the addition of the four mounting holes required for more powerful Athlon XP CPU HSFs. Cooling enthusiasts will be delighted to hear this, as will the most serious overclockers. Despite this excellent addition, there are good copper HSFs out there that can be bought very cheaply (between $10 and $15) that don't require mounting holes.
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Anonymous User - Sunday, September 21, 2003 - link
Hey morons - get a Life.To All Other human beings:
Does This Board unlock The Tbreds Multiplier wise?
Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
I am sorry if you are upset because I point out errors in your posts, #32. It is not that I think I am smart, it is that these things just pop out at me. In the sentence that begins with "Good lord," a comma should go between "forum" and "so" to separate the clauses. Hope this helps. Talk to you soon!Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
Man, can't you come up with anything new? Your posts all follow the same formula:Step 1: A sarcastic response to my post
Step 2: Repeat whatever I said in my post (i.e. state the obvious
Step 3: A useless suggestion
Your excessive use of sarcasm has reached the point of making me sick. I wonder if you're like this in real life... makes me feel sorry for the people around you. At the same time, I find it pretty funny too because I bet you really do think you're smart, and you're probably trying to prove it to everyone all the time. That was probably how this whole thing started. You wanted to prove me wrong for being "cold and rude" and show everyone who reads these comments how righteous you are, and by being sarcastic show them how "intelligent" you are. I'm sorry buddy, but we're no longer in high school; it takes much more than knowing how to use sarcasm to show you're intelligent. You probably didn't expect a response after patting yourself on the back for making your original comment, and now you're struggling like mad to try and save whatever face you have left. HAHA I hope that in your next post, you'll try and be a little more original, because quite frankly, you're getting pretty boring and predictable.
Oh yes, instead of making multiple posts, I'll just keep everything all in one post.
PUAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA You must be flaming mad because I'm so "stupid" and ruined your little plan.
And now everyone, here is Mr. Hypocrite once again:
"This is not my definition of professionalism, so I choose to discontinue my dialog with someone who cannot maintain a professional discourse."
Good lord, I don't want to insult anyone else in this forum so I won't question your sexuality, aight? Have a nice weekend!!!
BAHAHHAHAHAAHAA!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
In response to your post as #28, I am flattered, but at the same time somewhat embarrassed, by the high regard in which you hold me. I appreciate it.While all of your posts are truly gems, I found your last as #30 to be particularly valuable. It is a significant improvement over your post as #29, where you chose to simply copy a sentence from a prior post of mine. Further, I am very pleased that I have been able to encourage you to desist from your use of vulgarity as your means of expression in a professional context.
As to what my point was, please reread my previous posts the next time you are looking for sentences to copy. Hope to hear from you soon!
Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
PUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
This is not my definition of professionalism, so I choose to discontinue my dialog with someone who cannot maintain a professional discourse.Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
puhahahhahaa, couldn't resist, could you? To be totally honest now, I really look up to you and think you're really smart, so I'd love to continue responding to you and proving your initial point. I mean god, this is just so great, isn't it? I hope you keep responding. =)So um... what was your original point? Dude I totally missed it, if you could enlighten me please? I'm not as intelligent as you, so if you'd just remind me what it was, I'd be extremely grateful. Okay, I think that's about it, can't wait for your response. ;)
Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
I am sorry you misundertood my last post, #26. I meant that it was no fun because it was boring, not because I was impressed with your continued vulgarity. However, it is difficult to resist when I know you will just keep posting as long as I do, particularly when you prove my initial point with every message you write. Looking forward to your next post . . .Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
Aw, poor baby, so it's no longer fun for you? I guess it's no fun when the person you're being an asshole to gives you back the same treatment. I hope you had fun counting and numbering my sentences though... that must have been quite a task. I mean, I had trouble following along with your description of my mistakes, and I had the benefit of someone already numbering them out for me. Of course, I'm not as smart as you are, so maybe that's why I had difficulty. Anyhow, I hope you will stop being a hypocrite and actually *do* the things you will say you will (discontinue your dialog, for example). Oh, and uh, lighten up!!! =)Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
#24 As noted in my post as #22, I have continued to post because it was fun. It has now ceased being so. I am particularly taken aback by your use of vulgarity in what you acknowledge is a professional site. This is not my definition of professionalism, so I choose to discontinue my dialog with someone who cannot maintain a professional discourse. At the same time, I find it moderately amusing that you have adopted a sarcastic tone (e.g., "poor, hurt feelings" Evan) after having derided me earlier for posting sarcastically.Finally, I must confess that I find your posts difficult to follow because of your incorrect omission of commas. For your benefit, I want to point out that commas should go between "site" and "and" and between "comment" and "I" in the third sentence; between "hurt" and "anyway" in the fifth; and between "words" and "my" in the thirteenth. You also have omitted a word, a required conjunction, in the fourteenth sentence. Please take the time to make your posts more readable. Thanks. haha