SiS655 Based Mainboards Galore

by Anton Shilov
04/23/2003 | 04:46 PM

Silicon Integrated Systems announced its SiS655 core-logic quite some time ago, but there are still not a lot of mainboards based on this dual-channel solution. Maybe the problem lies in the fact that SiS is mostly known for its inexpensive devices and not a lot of end-users know that this company also makes quality and fast solutions. At the moment, only five mainboard manufacturers produce SiS655-based mainboards and only one mainboard maker utilises SiS R658core-logic.

Let us take a look at what ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, IWILL and AOpen offer us using SiS’ one and presently only dual-channel DDR SDRAM-supporting chipset for Intel Pentium 4 platform. Since all mainboards are based on the same core-logic, support all Intel Socket 478 processors for 400 and 533MHz Quad Pumped Bus with or without the HyperThreading technology, up to 4GB of PC2100/PC2700 memory and nearly all their I/O features can be seen from the pictures, I doubt there is need to mention these obvious facts, but to pay attention to unique features every mainboard offers.

	ASUS P4SDX mainboard adopts the SiS963L media I/O controller that, in addition to standard I/O functionality, offers 10/100 Ethernet and an S/PDIF (RCA) optical interface. ASUS' proprietary "Instant Music" function allows users to play audio CDs without needing to boot their system and the "CrashFree2 BIOS" feature offers high security and reliability. The mainboard also comes with a 5.25-inch "J-pane"” that can be installed to bring the USB 2.0, S/PDIF out, microphone-in and line-out connectors to the front of a PC.
	MSI 655Max series offers three models: the 655MAX-L, 655MAX-LS and 655MAX-FISR. The 655MAX-LS offers 10/100 Ethernet and Serial ATA-150 interface I/O, while the top ranking 655MAX-FISR offers Gigabit Ethernet, serial ATA RAID and FireWire (IEEE1394).
	AOpen AX45-4D offers on-board FireWire (IEEE1394) connectivity, 10/100Mb/s Ethernet (Realtek’s 8100BL) and 6-channel audio (ALC650E). AOpen includes effective backup, recovery and debugging solutions including the companies own DieHard BIOS, EzRestore and Dr Voice II.
	IWILL P4DR-SATA provides Serial ATA-150 and FireWire support implemented alongside the standard SiS655 features (a mainboard without these additional I/O options implemented is also available). Overclocking is available through IWILL’s MicroStepping technology and the product offers on-board, 6-channel audio via Realtek’s ALC650.
	Gigabyte’s GA-SINXP1394 comes with three daughter cards: a DPS (dual power system) module, a FireWire extension and a Serial ATA-150 expansion card. The product offers Gigabit Ethernet and dual RAID support. Gigabyte also offers less advanced mainboards on SiS655 core-logic.

If you are interested in SiS655 chipset and want to learn more about it please read our review. It is a big pity for SiS as well as for the market that just five mainboard makers offer SiS655-based products since the chipset should be a good alternative for i850E and E7205 powered products.