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ECS KA3 MVP

18 Jun 2006

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HWZ's Overall Rating: 8.0

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			<h2 class="header-green">ECS KA3 MVP (CrossFire Xpress 3200 - Socket AM2)</h2>
		<span class="byline">Reviewed by Zachary Chan on Sunday, 18 Jun 2006</span>
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		 		<h2 class="page-title">Introduction</h2>
		 		<h3 class="page_title">Introduction</h3>
<p>Just a few months ago, we reviewed the excellent KA1 MVP motherboard from ECS, one of the few enthusiast-classed Radeon Xpress 200 CrossFire Edition motherboards available back then for the AMD Socket 939 platform. While most manufacturers were awaiting ATI's new CrossFire Xpress 3200 (RD580) chipset, the KA1 MVP filled the role very well. ECS was slated to follow up with the KA2 MVP that would feature the CrossFire Xpress 3200, but the board never materialized. Instead, ECS went back to the drawing board to make further improvements. AMD was also on the verge of revamping their processors and socket configuration, so it seems ECS decided that the successor of the KA1 MVP should be Socket AM2 based instead of releasing another Socket 939 board that would have been bound to be short lived.</p>
<p>Now that Socket AM2 has arrived, ECS finally releases the KA3 MVP. That's right, they've skipped a number. The KA3 MVP is still based on the CrossFire Xpress 3200 chipset, but besides being a Socket AM2 motherboard, ECS has also incorporated ATI's spanking new SB600 Southbridge. With this new addition, the KA3 MVP is positioned to better compete at the enthusiast level with the range of new nForce 590 SLI motherboards out in the market.</p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="404" width="500" src="/files/images/ka3_top.jpg" title="The ECS KA3 MVP Socket AM2 motherboard." alt="" /></p>
<p class="rteleft">Full technical specifications of the ECS KA3 MVP as well as product bundle listed below:-</p>
<ul>
    <li>4 x SATA data cables</li>
    <li>1 x SATA power converter cable (dual plugs)</li>
    <li>1 x 80-conductor Ultra ATA data cable</li>
    <li>1 x 40-conductor Ultra ATA data cable</li>
    <li>1 x floppy drive data cable</li>
    <li>1 x RJ-45 cable</li>
    <li>Top-Hat Flash Module</li>
    <li>FireWire (1 port) and USB 2.0 (2 ports) bracket</li>
    <li>External SATA (1 port) bracket</li>
    <li>Parallel port bracket</li>
    <li>USB and IEEE 1394 connector front panel face plate</li>
    <li>I/O shield</li>
    <li>Driver CDs</li>
    <li>User's guide</li>
</ul>
<p class="rtecenter"><img height="260" width="500" src="/files/images/ka3_rear.jpg" title="Excellent range of connectors on the rear I/O panel. Four USB 2.0 ports, two RJ45s, coaxial and optical S/PDIF outputs, full analog 8-channel audio and a few legacy ports. FireWire is only accessible through the included bracket though." alt="" /></p>			</div>
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