The ECS P4VXAD -Vs.- The Azza P4X2-AV
Battle of the VIA P4X266s!

By, Marco Chiappetta
November 29, 2001

THE Azza P4X2-AV's BIOS:

                 

                 

                 

The Azza P4X2 is also outfitted with an Award BIOS very similar to the ECS product.  The available options were virtually identical.  The Azza P4X2 also had a section titled "Frequency / Voltage Control".  Let's see if we find anything interesting in there...

Unfortunately, we didn't find any Voltage tweaks on the Azza board either.  One redeeming factor is that FSBs are selectable in 1MHz. increments.

Layout and Quality
Solid As A Rock...

THE Azza P4X2-AV's LAYOUT:

We gave the Azza P4X2 a thorough physical inspection as well...

    

The P4X2's Northbridge was cooled in exactly the same fashion as the ECS board.  To reiterate, passive cooling should be more than adequate with the P4X266.  Only hardcore overclockers would be disappointed with the lack of active cooling...then again...there is a very slim chance this board will be in a hardcore overclocker's system!  The external connectors were standard faire.  Slot configuration was better on the Azza P4X2, a 1 AGP, 6 PCI configuration is our preference.

   

The power array is similar, and located in the same position, but the Azza board requires a power supply with the extra 4 and 6 pin power connectors we mentioned earlier.

   

Like the ECS board, the Azza P4X2 is only equipped with two fan headers.  The case header is also located at the lower edge of the board.  On the Azza P4X2 though, the header is clearly labeled, so connecting the power switch and LEDs is still easy, even without a manual.  The Floppy and IDE connectors are all grouped together, mounted perpendicular to the edge of the board.  There are also two extra USB headers on the Azza P4X2, but there was no hardware to take advantage of these connectors supplied with this board either...

Overclocking and Some Numbers...