Introduction

Since 1989 ABIT Computer Corporation established itself as a definitive leader in manufacturing computer hardware components and peripherals such as VGA and motherboard technologies, ultimately designing some of the most popular hardware solutions over the world. Today some 16 years later we have the nForce4 chipset featuring Scalable Link Interface (SLI) technology, which has proliferated its way around the world with amazing success. ABIT set's forth an example of the latest nForce4 technology with the new AN8 SLI. Packed with innovation, features, accessories and Q-OTES chipset cooling, the AN8 SLI is going to be a new force to reckon with.

ABIT's AN8 SLI is currently at about $120, compared with MSI, Gigabyte and ASUS, it is one of the cheapest nF4 SLI solution you can get on the market as of this moment. The AN8 SLI, with it's entry level pricing and main stream performance, make's this SLI solution a very attractive purchase. Putting cost of ownership in the best bang for the SLI-Buck category, the AN8 SLI will give the budget minded enthusiasts the means to experience the performance of SLI, the stability of ABIT engineering and a company commitment giving you the best ownership experience possible, while offering the best price in the industry.

The AN8 SLI nF4 SLI based AMD Athlon 64/64FX/X2 mainboard offers lush capabilities, featuring 2GHz HyperTransport, dual DDR technology. Some of the other stacked features include, NVIDIA SLI technology, SATA 3G RAID, NV GbE (GigaByte LAN), NV Firewall, IEEE 1394a, ABIT µGuru™, ABIT Q-OTES, AudioMAX. Supports AMD CPU Cool 'n' Quiet technology with a full compliment of accessories that come standard with the motherboard.

The AN8 SLI supports the latest 90 nm technology which is incorporated into the latest AMD processor designs, giving unparralled performance and stability, while maintaining backward compatibility with most AMD Athlon 64/64FX/X2 processing units. Supporting dual channel DDR400 non-ECC un-buffered memory, AMD socket 939 Athlon 64/64FX & Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors, ensures your purchase gives you the ultimate in performance and compatible with the newest processor technologies that breathe unprecedented power and stability to the mainstream segment.

ABIT breaks the rules and releases the first ever Q-OTES (Quiet-Outside Thermal Exhaust System) passive cooling system based on heat-pipe technology for the nF4 chipset. Utilizing heat the latest in pipe technology, Q-OTES cools the motherboard chipset with excellent results while maintaining totally silent operations.

NVIDIA technology includes such features as, nForce4 SLI capable chipset, NVIDIA Gigabit Ethernet with the industry's fastest Gigabit Ethernet performance eliminates network bottlenecks and improves overall system efficiency and performance. Native NVIDIA Firewall protects your PC from intruders by filtering unauthorized traffic. Integrated into NVIDIA nForce4 MCPs, it provides professional grade traffic inspection capabilities, instant on protection, advanced management features. NVIDIA Secure Networking Engine. Supporting NV SATA 3G RAID. Serial ATA 3Gbps data transfer rate with SATA RAID 0/1/0+1 capabilities, NVIDIA Scalable Link Interface.

ABIT uses advanced quality manufacturing which allows lower cost's to the consumer, putting some high-end power and performance in the hands of the entry level user with the best price on the market for its target platform. The CPU support offers the end-user a broad range of processor choices. The ABIT AN8 SLI is capable of running the latest X2 technology with certified CPU speeds of up to 4800+ with a simple update using ABIT's latest product firmware revision, you can flash the board to a supporting BIOS to instantly have the latest and greatest processor support. Let's get on with the review and see some of the features and accessories this board brings to the table.

What we find here is a motherboard that is packed with features with-out all the bells and whistles. Being said, the target user for this board will suite the newcomer and SLI enthusiast who seeks an entry level price with excellent features that will put SLI inside your rig for a very good purchase price.

You will not find dual RAID, dual LAN on this offering, which is not to say its needed for all personalities, as personally, I do not need eight 400GB hard drives in dual RAID configuration, or dual Gigabit LAN etc., so, this board will suite those seeking the power, stability, over-clocking head room for the best price going. Let's move on...

Specifications

• Supports AMD Socket 939 Athlon 64/64FX & Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors up to 4800+
• 2GHz system bus using HyperTransport™ technology
• 2x PCI Express X16, 2x PCI Express X1, 2x PCI slots, 1x AudioMAX
• Four 184-pin DIMM sockets supporting dual channel DDR400 non-ECC un-buffered memory supporting a maximum memory capacity up to 4GB
• Floppy Port supports up to 2.88MB
• 3x USB headers, 1x IEEE 1394 header supporting IEEE 1394 at 400Mb/s transfer rate
• 2x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 IDE Connectors
• High quality AudioMax 7.1 channel audio card
• 4x SATA 3G Connectors
• I/O includes 1x PS/2 Keyboard, 1x PS/2 mouse, 4x USB, 1x RJ-45 LAN Connector, Q-OTES

ABIT Technology

• ABIT µGuru™ Technology
• ABIT Q-OTES™ Technology
• ABIT AudioMAX™ Technology
• ABIT CPU ThermalGuard™ Technology

NVIDIA Technology

• Serial ATA 3Gbps data transfer rate
• Supports SATA RAID 0/1/0+1
• Supports NV SATA 3G RAID
• NVIDIA Gigabit Ethernet
• NVIDIA Secure Networking Engine
• NVIDIA nF4 SLI chipset
• NVIDIA Gigabit Ethernet with NVIDIA Firewall
• Native NVIDIA Firewall