Advanced Features - FIC VA-502 Manual

VA-502 Mainboard Manual

Advanced Features

This mainboard comes equipped with the most advanced new features that not
only optimize the performance of the latest processors but also enhance the
manageability, power management capabilities, and user-friendliness of your
system. This section provides detailed information on these features, and how
they are implemented on the mainboard.
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Optimized Intel MMXÔ Performance
The mainboard utilizes the advanced features of the VIA 580VPX to
optimize the unrivaled performance of the Intel PentiumÒ processor with
MMXÔ technology, allowing you to enjoy a richer video, audio, digital
imaging and communications experience from the latest generation of
multimedia software. To provide you with additional flexibility, the
mainboard also supports other leading-edge processors featuring Intel's
MMXÔ technology, including the AMD-K6Ô processor.
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Lightning-Fast SDRAM Performance
The mainboard supports the new generation of lightning-fast SDRAM
(Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) via its two onboard 168-
pin DIMM sockets. SDRAM delivers an added boost to overall system
performance by increasing the CPU-to-memory data transfer rate to
528MB/sec compared to 264MB/sec for conventional EDO DRAM.
SDRAM performance on the VA-502 is further boosted by the board's
integrated I 2 C controller, which optimizes the memory timing settings.
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Blistering Ultra DMA/33 HDD Performance
With its integrated Enhanced PCI Bus Master IDE controller that supports
the new Ultra DMA/33 protocol, this mainboard doubles HDD data transfer
rates to 33MB/sec, compared to 16MB/sec for conventional PIO Mode 3,
PIO Mode 4, and DMA Mode 2 devices. By reducing the CPU's workload
and increasing CPU utilization, Ultra DMA/33 significantly improves
system performance when running applications under WindowsÒ 95 and
WindowsÒ NT environments. The Ultra DMA/33 protocol is completely
backward compatible with conventional ATA-2 HDD devices; so the
mainboard also supports existing PIO Mode 3, PIO Mode 4 and DMA
Mode 2 devices using the same cable.
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