Originally posted by: Hippenmoore
The Anandtech review of this board was favorable, but mentioned some problems with the layout. I think there was supposed to be some obstruction of the AGP slot and PCI slot 1. Did any of you find this to be a problem?
Aside from the normal obstruction you have with modern video card heatsink/fans you mean?
PCI slot 1 is barely usable with my MSI GF4 - 4400 installed. I could probably fit a card in there if I absolutely had to, but it would be a very tight fit and would require a good deal of bending. Since I don't use more than 2 of my PCI slots right now, this isn't much of an issue for me.
The layout issues mentioned in the review are defintely present, just so you know. The ATX connector is in an annoying spot right in the middle of the front of the board and the IDE and floppy connectors are lower than I wish they were. That was the biggest headache for me when I put this system together: take the placement of the connectors, add the insane length of all GF4 4400 cards, and then add the way hard drives are mounted in any of the Antec/Chieftec type cases = major IDE cable crunching and folding. Even with the rounded cables I used, it was NOT easy to get everything attached and routed for good airflow. I managed, but it wasn't exactly fun.
Still, it's a good board as it has excellent memory options/performance as well as the usual good overclocking performance of all the 845PE chip MB's. For the price you can find it for (I got mine for ~$93 shipped last month) it's a good choice. Hope that helps you out.