Unfortunately, Secure IDE works only with Parallel ATA interface, which is a requirement set by the DES algorithm. This is a block code that is why the performance would drop dramatically in case of streaming data flow. And the encoding of the data transferred along the parallel ATA bus really happens in real time. The chip used on Secure IDE card provides up to 1.1GB/sec data coding speed, which is actually more than enough for hard disk drives with ATA-100/133 interface. The tests we carried out prove that Secure IDE doesn’t affect the HDD performance at all.

From the constructive point of view, Secure IDE is designed as follows. The controller card is connected to the HDD on one end and to the mainboard on the other. Moreover, Secure IDE requires external power supply and a hardware key. The hardware key (there are two copies of this key supplied together with ABIT IC7-MAX3 mainboard) is connected to the Secure IDE card via a special cord leading outside the PC case. If the key is connected during the system boot-up, Secure IDE starts decoding the data stored on your system HDD and continues with this until the next system rebooting. If there is no key connected to the cord during system boot-up, you will be unable to access the HDD. Secure IDE is much more reliable than any alternative software solutions, because in its case the entire HDD is completely protected, including the boot-sector and other system info. Besides, Secure IDE doesn’t require any specific software and drivers. All encoding tasks are performed on the hardware level. Therefore, the system CPU is not loaded with extra work, and Secure IDE is compliant with any operating system.

The only disadvantage about Secure IDE solution is a not very neat design of the key cord. Unfortunately, the external part of the cord cannot be disconnected from the case rear panel that is why if you are using Secure IDE you computer will feature a funny “tail”. I think it could be much more convenient to have the port for Secure IDE key integrated into the front panel of the system case, which means that ABIT would have to provide a corresponding front panel bracket for the 5” or 3” bay.

PCB Design

One of the major peculiarities of ABIT IC7-MAX3 mainboard is the CPU voltage regulator circuitry. Trying to design a mainboard, which could be compatible with all Socket478 processors including those based on the upcoming Prescott core, ABIT decided to equip its solution with a more powerful voltage regulator. Especially, since Prescott processor will consume tangibly more than 100W of power. Therefore, the CPU voltage regulator on ABIT IC7-MAX3 differs significantly from regulators implemented on other mainboards.