The following features summarise the architecture of the D815EEA Motherboard:
If you are a die hard BX user then you most certainly need to read this, Unlike the old North and South Bridge Architecture
found on the BX and current VIA and AMD chipsets, the i815E chipsets are designed using the Intel's Hub Architecture (IHA),
containing two core elements; namely the 82815E Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) and the 82801AA/BA I/O Controller
Hub (ICH/ICH2). The 82815E GMCH integrates a 133MHz FSB controller, integrated 2D/3D graphics accelerator or AGP (2x/4x)
graphics card, via the supported AGP slot, 100/133MHz SDRAM controller, and a high-speed accelerated hub architecture
interface for communication with the ICH. The ICH comes in two versions 82801AA (i815-ICH) and 82801BA as found in the
D815EEA (i815e-ICH2), the ICH integrates an Ultra ATA/66 controller, USB host controller, LPC interface controller, FWH
interface controller, PICK interface controller, AC 97 digital controller (for both audio and modem applications), and a hub
interface for communication with the GMCH.
The ICH2 has all the features of the ICH plus ATA/100, and 10/100 LAN interface,
dual master USB, and a Communication and Networking Riser slot (CNR). The D815EEA motherboard consist of an integrated Super
I/O LPC bus controller, with five PCI local Bus slots, a CNR (Communication and Network Riser) option which is shared with the
PCI slot 5, Two USB Controllers providing a total of four USB ports, two for the rear and a header for cabling two ports to
the front panel. A 4Mb Flash EEPROM with Intel/AMI BIOS and implementation of Intel's Rapid BIOS Boot, allowing the system to
boot quicker from power on by optimising the POST routine. Onboard Audio is courtesy of Analog Devices AD1885 that is more
than adequate, however should you wish to go one better; Intel has the Creative Labs ES1373 digital controller as optional.
The intricate features of the motherboard continue with a Digital Visual Interface (DVI), which facilitates the insertion of
an optional card supporting Flat Panel, Digital CRT or TV out functionality. The other smart touch to value add is the
inclusion of Diagnostic LEDs, which are mounted on the back-panel and provides a sophisticated method of fault finding ranging
from Power-on to Booting operating system, our test was based on inserting the memory but not pushing it quite home, and the
Video card was a tad out of it's slot, both of these problems were instantly highlighted and the fault diagnosed. These are
common problems amongst new systems that consumers receive via national couriers. Once the system is connected, you do not get
a video signal i.e. your monitor does not display anything except maybe it's signal test screen informing you of the cable
possibly not inserted correctly. Nine times out ten it's your video card that's jumped out of it's slot, Intel's inclusion of
Diagnostic LEDs is a huge step forward in helping to resolve these nasty Dead On Arrival (D.O.A) issues.
Intel however, has also implemented an AGP Retention Mechanism, which allows newer video cards featuring the retention
notch to be securely held during transportation, thus eliminating the problem described earlier. The video card
popping out of its slot is without any doubt the single most reported fault on AGP based systems. Intel has taken note
of this problem and come up with a solution. This is the first motherboard we have had in our labs with this feature
as standard. Maybe other major motherboard manufacturers should begin to offer this option as standard. The D815EEA is
most certainly feature rich, unlike previous Intel motherboards that offered sophisticated features as optional only.
If you are a die hard BX user then you most certainly need to read this, Unlike the old North and South Bridge Architecture
found on the BX and current VIA and AMD chipsets, the i815E chipsets are designed using the Intel's Hub Architecture (IHA),
containing two core elements; namely the 82815E Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) and the 82801AA/BA I/O Controller
Hub (ICH/ICH2). The 82815E GMCH integrates a 133MHz FSB controller, integrated 2D/3D graphics accelerator or AGP (2x/4x)
graphics card, via the supported AGP slot, 100/133MHz SDRAM controller, and a high-speed accelerated hub architecture
interface for communication with the ICH. The ICH comes in two versions 82801AA (i815-ICH) and 82801BA as found in the
D815EEA (i815e-ICH2), the ICH integrates an Ultra ATA/66 controller, USB host controller, LPC interface controller, FWH
interface controller, PICK interface controller, AC 97 digital controller (for both audio and modem applications), and a hub
interface for communication with the GMCH.
The ICH2 has all the features of the ICH plus ATA/100, and 10/100 LAN interface,
dual master USB, and a Communication and Networking Riser slot (CNR). The D815EEA motherboard consist of an integrated Super
I/O LPC bus controller, with five PCI local Bus slots, a CNR (Communication and Network Riser) option which is shared with the
PCI slot 5, Two USB Controllers providing a total of four USB ports, two for the rear and a header for cabling two ports to
the front panel. A 4Mb Flash EEPROM with Intel/AMI BIOS and implementation of Intel's Rapid BIOS Boot, allowing the system to
boot quicker from power on by optimising the POST routine. Onboard Audio is courtesy of Analog Devices AD1885 that is more
than adequate, however should you wish to go one better; Intel has the Creative Labs ES1373 digital controller as optional.
The intricate features of the motherboard continue with a Digital Visual Interface (DVI), which facilitates the insertion of
an optional card supporting Flat Panel, Digital CRT or TV out functionality. The other smart touch to value add is the
inclusion of Diagnostic LEDs, which are mounted on the back-panel and provides a sophisticated method of fault finding ranging
from Power-on to Booting operating system, our test was based on inserting the memory but not pushing it quite home, and the
Video card was a tad out of it's slot, both of these problems were instantly highlighted and the fault diagnosed. These are
common problems amongst new systems that consumers receive via national couriers. Once the system is connected, you do not get
a video signal i.e. your monitor does not display anything except maybe it's signal test screen informing you of the cable
possibly not inserted correctly. Nine times out ten it's your video card that's jumped out of it's slot, Intel's inclusion of
Diagnostic LEDs is a huge step forward in helping to resolve these nasty Dead On Arrival (D.O.A) issues.
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