Gigabyte BX2000 BX Slot-1

The Bad

As previously mentioned, AnandTech's 256MB module compatibility test failed when we outfitted the motherboard with a single 256MB Corsair SDRAM module.  Although no extensive testing was conducted with the motherboard's stability when using a full 512MB of RAM (4 x 128MB DIMMs), the short term tests indicated that the board was only somewhat flaky with the added memory.   Unfortunately 256MB modules seem to be a no-go with this motherboard, as they happen to be with most BX boards in its class.

The lack of a voltage adjustment feature, either on-board or in the BIOS humbles Gigabyte's BX2000 as it happens to do most other motherboards.  It's a shame that after nearly a year there have only been two manufacturers (ABIT and MSI) that have implemented a configurable voltage setting on a Slot-1 BX motherboard.

The written documentation could have been improved somewhat, although Gigabyte put together a definitely strong manual, the points of improvement include a better (and more visual) guide to installing and configuring the motherboard as well as a more thorough troubleshooting section, something which is usually lacking with all motherboard manuals.

USB Compatibility

• Number of Front Universal Serial Bus Root Ports: 0

• Number of Rear Universal Serial Bus Root Ports: 2

• USB IRQ Enable/Disable in BIOS: Yes

• USB Keyboard Support in BIOS: Yes

Recommended SDRAM

Recommended SDRAM: Mushkin SEC -GH PC100 SDRAM; Memory Man SEC -GH PC100 SDRAM
SDRAM Tested: 1 x 64MB Mushkin PC100 SDRAM; 1 x 64MB Memory-Man PC100 SDRAM; 1 x 256MB Corsair PC100 SDRAM DIMM (for compatibility testing only)

Manufacturer: The Memory Man
Purchase Web-Site: http://www.memory-man.com

Manufacturer: Mushkin
Purchase Web-Site: http://www.mushkin.com