Introduction
The new ASUS K8N-DL is the only workstation/server motherboard from ASUS that supports dual AMD Opteron processors. The board is based on NVIDIA's nForce4 Professional chipset which is basically a modified version of their nForce4 series for the desktop. This single chip solution provided by NVIDIA enables motherboard manufacturers like ASUS to design highly integrated motherboards for high-end workstations or servers.
The highly integrated nature of the board makes it hard to classify it as a board suitable for server applications as the board doesn't come built-in with usual devices like graphics or dual LAN ports. What ASUS has offered with the K8N-DL is a full suite of features more adapted for workstations and even the occasional hardcore user. With devices like an eight-channel audio codec, optical and coaxial S/PDIF output jacks and IEEE 1394a support, it's likely that the board is targeted at high-end digital video editing enthusiasts.
The ASUS K8N-DL dual Opteron motherboard is jam packed with features as we run through some of them on the following pages.
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Let's look at the full technical specifications of the ASUS K8N-DL motherboard below as we discuss the board's features in the next page.
ASUS K8N-DL Technical Specifications
Processor |
- Supports dual
Socket-940 AMD Opteron processors
- Supports AMD64
architecture that enables simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing
- Supports
HyperTransport speeds at 1600MT/s or 2000MT/s
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Chipset |
- NVIDIA nForce4
Professional 2200 (CK8-04)
- Supports 20
flexible PCI Express lanes
- Supports four SATA
and four PATA drives
- Supports RAID 0, 1
and 0+1
- Supports SATA 3Gbps
- Built-in native
Gigabit Ethernet controller
- Built-in TCP/IP
hardware offload engine
- Supports 10 USB
2.0 ports
- Supports 32-bit
PCI devices
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Memory |
- 6 x 184-pin
DDR SDRAM DIMM slots
- Supports dual-channel
DDR 400/333/266 ECC registered modules
- Supports up to 24GB
memory (with 64-bit operating system)
- Supports 2.5V DDR SDRAM
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Storage |
- 2 x Ultra ATA-133 IDE
ports supported by the nForce4 Professional 2200 MCP (up to 4 drives)
- Support for PIO,
UDMA-33, UDMA-66, Ultra ATA-100/133 IDE devices
- 4 x SATA
ports supported by the nForce4 Professional 2200 MCP (up to 4
drives)
- Supports RAID 0, 1
and 0+1
- 4 x SATA ports
supported by Silicon Image SiI3114R
controller (up to 4 drives)
- Supports RAID 0,
1, 0+1 and software RAID 5
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I/O Interface |
- 1x floppy connector
(360KB - 2.88MB)
- 1x serial
port
- 1x parallel port
(SPP/EPP/ECP)
- 1x PS/2 keyboard
- 1x PS/2 mouse
- 4x USB 2.0
ports (4x ports in the rear, 6x ports via bracket)
- 1x RJ-45 Gigabit LAN
port with LED
- 6x stereo jacks for
8-channel audio
- 1x optical S/PDIF
output
- 1x coaxial S/PDIF
output
- 2x IEEE-1394a port (1x
port in the rear, 1x port via bracket)
- 1x game port (via
bracket)
- 5x 3-pin fan connectors
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Expansion slots |
- 1x PCI
Express x1 slot
- 1x PCI Express
graphics x16 slot
- 2x 32-bit 33MHz PCI
slots
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Power Management |
- Supports ACPI
(Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)
- ACPI Suspend modes
supported : S1, S3 and S1&S3
- Power On by PCI, Ring,
USB, Alarm, PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse
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Form Factor |
- E-ATX Form Factor :
12-inch x 10.5-inch (30.5cm x 26.7cm)
- Requires SSI power
supply (with 24-pin and 8-pin 12V plugs)
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BIOS |
- 4Mbit (512KB) Flash
ROM
- Phoenix-Award Flash
BIOS with PnP, DMI 2.0, ACPI, SMBIOS 2.3 and WfM 2.0 features
- Multi-boot on Floppy,
SATA, ATAPI CD-ROM, SCSI, IDE, LAN
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You'll find the following items in the package: -
ASUS K8N-DL motherboard
Single port IEEE 1394a bracket
Dual port USB 2.0 + game port bracket
8x SATA cables
4x SATA power cables (4-pin to dual SATA power plugs)
1x 80-conductor IDE ribbon cable (Ultra ATA-66/100/133)
1x 40-conductor IDE ribbon cable (Ultra ATA-33)
Floppy drive ribbon cable
I/O shield
CD with drivers and utilities
Motherboard user guide