ABIT KN9 SLI Motherboard Review :: KN9 SLI Layout

The layout is important for several reasons including the location of the FDD cable, airflow of the motherboard, ease of installing the front panel connectors and more. The CPU area of the KN9-SLI board is clear of obstacles. If you want to put a non-standard cooling fan on the CPU, it is possible.

4-pin power

capacitors

The 4-pin power connector is ok the top right hand portion of the board, a easy direct line from the power supply. I really hate when motherboard manufacturers force you to snake the power cable over or around the CPU cooler. The 24-pin ATX connector is the closest connector to the bottom right hand portion of the board, also an excellent position.

Silent OTES

One of the things ABIT is famous for is their silent cooling technology for the North and South Bridge. Their nomenclature for the heat pipe and heat sink combination is called Silent OTES (Outside Thermal Exhaust System). No fans means there is less noise. In operation the chipset was effectively kept cool by Silent OTES, reaching a nominal temperature in operation.

USB

Clear CMOS

IEEE-1394

Front Panel

Three headers are present on the KN9-SLI board, meaning that 10 total USB 2.0 ports are supported. One bracket is present in the bundle, bringing the total in the package to 6. Two IEEE-1394 headers are on the board as well. Every jumper on the motherboard has a tab to pull off, an excellent touch as often the motherboard manufacturer will have tabs that you can't pull.

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