Video, Audio, SATA and more in a micro-ATX Motherboard
Written: Mar 11 '05 (Updated Mar 13 '05)
Product Rating:
Pros: SATA, USB 2.0, onboard audio/video, solid chipset in a micro-ATX motherboard
Cons: No LAN in this version, Intel skimps on the bundled goodies
The Bottom Line: A very solid motherboard that can handle 3 GHz hyperthreading P4 CPU's and includes 2 SATA ports. It's small footprint hides a big performer!
silverstreak9's Full Review: Intel D865GLC Motherboard
OVERVIEW
Any time we're tempted to buy a motherboard with all of the bells and whistles we seem to gravitate back to the simple and straightforward.
The Intel D865GLC is simple and straightforward. But it has a lot to offer users looking for a motherboard that will fit into a Small Form Factor case.
We selected the D865GLC because it offers some of the key features we wanted for a video editing computer. There are certainly more powerful motherboards out there, but that doesn't necessarily translate into a better system.
We needed stability. Intel's 865G chipset offers that along with support for fast processors that run cooler, DDR RAM that costs less, both IDE and SATA drives, onboard audio and a built-in monitoring system for temperatures and voltages.
Because internet or LAN connectivity can interfere with the video editing process, we chose the D865GLC that doesn't have built-in LAN. If we weren't using the computer for video editing, we probably would have gone with Intel's variation of this motherboard (D865GLCLK) that includes gigabit LAN. In some ways, we regret not just getting the onboard LAN and disabling it before beginning an edit session.
D865GLC Motherboard
Rear Panel Push Out Plate
1 SATA cable
1 IDE ribbon cable
1 IDE floppy drive ribbon cable
Quick Reference Guide (Printed)
Assorted Mounting Screws
Adhesive backed Layout sticker
1 CD ROM with System Utilities, Sound and other Software
FEATURES
Intel's 865G chipset is hardly the newest offering in the motherboard marketplace. But its stability has been proven over time. With a 800MHz Front-Side Bus (or 533MHz,) it can still keep up with the pack. In order to increase the FSB to more than a Gigahertz, you must pay sharply higher prices for faster RAM and a CPU to match.
The Intel G865GLC supports a Hyper-Threaded, 478-pin Pentium 4 (Celeron or Celeron D) processor. We installed a P4 3.2GHz CPU. We stuck with the Northwood version, intentionally avoiding the hotter-running Prescott core.
P4 1.60a, 1.80a, 2a, 2.2GHz and faster.
Celeron or Celeron D 2GHz and faster in 478 pin package
The board will support up to 4 Gigabytes of DDR400/333/266 RAM. We installed 1 Gigabyte of Crucial PC3200 (DDR400) in two of the Intel G865GLC's 4 DIMM slots.
It also sports 2 ATA channels that will handle four IDE devices like hard drives or CD/DVD drives. Many of the newer boards only support 2 IDE devices, which would force you to make one of them a "slave."
The Intel G865GLC has two SATA ports which were essential for our goal of building a video editing computer. SATA is 50% faster than ATA100 drives in comparable configurations.
While the board includes Intel's Extreme Graphics 2 controller, that's hardly what you want for video editing. Instead, we took advantage of its 8X AGP slot to install a Matrox P650 dual-monitor video card. But if you only need one monitor and don't mind that the graphics system will "borrow" memory from the mainboard, it's an easy, cost-saving feature.
For expansion, the Intel G865GLC features 3 PCI slots . That's where we installed our Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme Pro Video Capture and Acceleration card. It's a 3/4 size PCI card that pushed the limits of the Antec Aria case. We also found that it wouldn't install in all of the Intel G865GLC's PCI slots because some components on the board prevented it from seating properly. Slot 2 worked perfectly!
In addition, the Intel G865GLC offers the following peripheral interfaces:
- 8 USB 2.0 ports (4 rear panel/4 board headers)
- 1 Serial Port
- 1 Parallel (printer) Port
- 2 PS/2 ports for the keyboard and mouse
- Audio Ports for SoundMax 4 XL (Analog Devices AD1985 codec)
The SoundMax 4 XL Audio module supports six channel audio with device sensing jacks. We can't attest to its effectiveness in more than 2-channel stereo because we haven't tried it.
Sensaura software that is included allows you to specify your speaker setup (headphones, stereo speakers, Quad speakers, 5.1 Surround sound or digital speakers.)
Interestinly, you can also designate your "Environment Model" randing from a Concert Hall to a Sewer Pipe and even Underwater. There's a test model that plays a music loop so you can try them all. Who thinks this stuff up?
We've found the audio to be quite good piped into a compact stereo system.
The BIOS has fast-starting "Silent Boot" options that skip display of the POST tests, options to keep the fans running at slow speed or shut them down altogether when the computer doesn't need them.
THE BUILD
Like other Intel boards we've used in the past, the D865GLC is a straightforward install. Because Intel literally sets the standards, you can expect the board to fit your computer case and all of the holes to line up properly.
The included shield for the rear ports snaps into place easily in most cases.
We like to install the CPU/Heatsink and fan and the RAM first. We do it by placing a sheet of foam in the cardboard box that came with the motherboard. This allows us to press those modules in firmly and ensure they are correctly seated. Others may have their own methods, but when dealing with the tight spaces of a Small Form Factor case, that's the procedure we prefer.
The Graphics Card is installed after the motherboard is inserted in the case. This motherboard features an integrated retention mechanism that ensures the graphics card is properly seated. If it isn't locked down, it isn't properly installed! You can damage the system if you start up the computer with an improperly seated graphics card.
Intel's "map" of the front panel connections (Power On/Off, Reset, HDD L-E-D etc.) and the internal headers for USB ports was, as expected, perfectly adequate for the task.
The IDE and SATA connectors are "keyed" so connecting them properly is easy.
We connected our Western Digital "Special Edition" Hard Disk as the "Master" on the primary IDE channel while the Plextor 16X DVD/CD burner was installed as the "Master" on the secondary channel.
The Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme Pro Video Capture and Acceleration card must be added to the system after its software is installed.
THE SMOKE TEST
When the system was ready to our satisfaction, we plugged it in and turned it on. This is our favorite moment when building a computer!
As expected, all went well. (No sparks, smoke or dreaded beeps from the BIOS!)
We had already installed the hard drives in the Antec Aria Small Form Factor Computer Case. It has a Drive Cage that is lowered into place after the motherboard is installed.
That made for a quick install of the motherboard. It only took us a little more than an hour from the time we opened the box from Newegg.
Having said that, it's important to remember that installing a motherboard isn't a race. Take all the time you need to make sure everthing is carefully seated and all of the pin connectors are in the proper place.
We don't overclock and this board won't either. We didn't have to change a single jumper for our install.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
The first task we had was to install the Operating System -- Windows XP Professional and Service Pack 2. The system recognized all our drives and the install was straightforward, if tedious.
Next, the Intel Express Installer CD was placed in the Plextor Drive.
Intel gives you a selection of absolutely essential and absolutely worthless components. The good news is that you get to choose.
Here's what you MUST install.
- Intel Chipset INF update
- Analog Devices SoundMAX Cadenza (unless you'll use a soundcard.)
- Native Storage Patch for WinXP (unless you've already installed SP2)
Here's the rest of the offering on disk
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (Read the Manual!)
- Intel Active Monitor (Check temperatures and voltages)
- RealOne Player
- Diskeeper Lite (Skip this...it disables XP's own disk optimization feature which works well.)
- InterVideo WinDVD Recorder (get Nero instead!)
- Sonic Focus (Audio Enhancements for onboard audio)
- NTI CD-Maker (again...go with Nero.)
- Norton Internet Security (3 month trial...decent program)
- RestoreIt Lite (We had trouble un-installing this dog.)
For an "Express Installer" the Intel software makes you do an awful lot of re-boots. Yes, it's necessary and thanks Intel for including this disk.
It's important to note that to take advantage of your USB 2.0 hardware, you're going to have to manually enable it via a rather complex process within Windows XP. This is well-documented in a "Product Update" flyer that is inserted into your "Quick Reference" Guide to the motherboard.
PERFORMANCE
One of the things that has always fascinated me about motherboard enthusiasts is their willingness to pay hundreds of dollars for boards that have features they will never use. RAID is a good example. While you might think that video editing is one of the areas that can take advantage of RAID, it actually isn't necessary with the faster-data-pumping SATA drives. When we have an extra $600 to spend we may try it out, but it won't be in an SFF case.
The truth is that this sub-$100 board probably performs within 5% of the fastest boards out there. Similar boards with the 865 chipset are probably performing within 2%. If you examine the performance charts, you'll find that much more expensive motherboards often don't perform as well as Intel's plain vanilla solutions.
With 8 USB ports (we can actually use all 8 with the Antec Aria case) and two SATA ports plus IDE channels, we have everything we need.
As noted, we use this computer for video editing. It's a very demanding set of applications that sees the software and hardware working together to alter video frames 30 times a second.
So it came as not much of a surprise when Intel's 'Active Monitor' suddenly started screeching at us that the system was overheating!
Zone 2 had gone over the adviseable threshold of 50 degrees Centigrade. We pulled one of the side panels off the Antec Aria and things cooled down.
An e-mail to Intel, however, got an interesting response. Intel engineers advised that Zone 2 (near the CPU) and Zone 1 (near the RAM) came with thresholds set to 50C.
What should we do? "Raise them to 70 degrees Centigrade," Intel said. So we did.
They did NOT advise us to raise the threshold of the CPU temperature. We're using the Northwood version of the P4, which runs a bit cooler than the Prescott core.
SHORTCOMINGS
Intel must be saving money on printing manuals and including extras to boost profits. What's the point of a "Quick Reference" guide that comes in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Italian, French, German, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish?
Are the "Quick References" divided into sections for each language? NO! You have to search through ALL of the languages to find where English picks up again! We like trees and we don't want them chainsawed for our manuals, but come on, Intel. This guide is a mess!
Do you think the stockholders would mind if you shipped two SATA cables with a motherboard with TWO SATA PORTS? Frankly, we're perfectly willing to pay an extra dollar for the motherboard so we don't have to order a second SATA cable and pay separate shipping on it.
Come to think of it, Intel, why don't you stop shipping those shabby grey ribbon cables for the IDE and Floppy drives and start including rounded cables?
We'll help out. Include a bumper sticker advertising your brand and we'll paste it to the car. It might not be OUR car, but there's lots and lots to choose from in the parking lot at work!
CONCLUSION
The Intel D865GLCMotherboard is a quality product that delivers excellent performance in our experience. We're making a lot of demands of this motherboard and we haven't been disappointed.
It's two SATA ports and 8 USB ports will keep this computer in the running for years to come. The onboard audio works very well and is perfectly adequate. We use it with Adobe Audition to create our own music tracks and do speech recording for broadcast video. It has never let us down.
While we don't use the onboard graphics, we have tried it out. It is perfectly adequate for normal office application, the family room computer and even limited gaming.
The Intel D865GLC motherboard is a solid choice and now we've put it in writing.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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