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Conclusion
So, after taking the SY-K7VTA through its tests and looking at every nook and cranny of the motherboard, is it a motherboard up to the standards that I've grown to get accustomed to with after working with ASUS and ABIT motherboards for such a long time? The motherboard has an overall satisfactory layout, with minor flaws such as the ATX connector being on the wrong side of the processor socket and the 2 CPU fan headers. With 1 universal AGP slot that can take any type of AGP card you throw at it (except for those controversial AGP Pro cards that nobody's seen for consumers to date), 5 PCI slots, which is enough for almost anyone and that 1 shared ISA slot for added compatibility with legacy devices, the SY-K7VTA has the right combination to make anyone happy. It's also nice to see SOYO leave out an AMR or CNR slot (you know, those little slots that you can plug in cheap devices that suck up your valuable CPU resources) because, in my opinion, these little buggers are just a waste of plastic and PCB space.
The boot-up screen is also very nice, even better than those that I've seen on ASUS or ABIT motherboards. It can display information that PC enthusiasts can actually use, such as the FSB and multiplier settings and CPU and motherboard temperatures. The BIOS is also packed full of features, including the extra SOYO menu with instantly accessible overclocking settings such as the FSB clock speed and supplied core voltage. Unfortunately, the BIOS is lacking some useful features such as the ability to set the processor multiplier and the capability to power up the computer using the mouse or keyboard.
So, the question is, would I recommend only an ASUS or ABIT motherboard after reviewing SOYO's SY-K7VTA? The answer is yes and no (don't you just hate these types of answers). Yes, because the K7VTA has convinced me that other manufacturers do have many unique features (I especially liked the boot-up screen), but, at the same time, you really can't beat the brand-name recognition and renowned quality that you get when purchasing an ASUS or ABIT.
My final verdict? If all you think about is getting a product made by the most reputable brand around, then I would still suggest either ASUS or ABIT, but if you're in it for the features, then the SY-K7VTA is an excellent choice for that new Athlon or Duron processor.
Pros
- Informative boot-up screen
- Extra SOYO BIOS menu allows for instant access to common overclocking settings
- 1/5/1 (AGP/PCI/ISA) combination gives best compatibility for everyone
- Rock-solid stability
- Included SOYO 3-in-1 Bonus Pack an added bonus
Cons
- Included accessories a little weak
- No multiplier setting
- ATX connector in bad spot
- 2 x CPU fan headers are no use, 1 is enough
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