Due to space constraints in most motherboards, the DIMM slots are normally placed quite close to the AGP slot. This poses some problems when you have an AGP card installed (as is normally the case). With the AGP card blocking the space below the DIMM slots, the clips of the DIMM slots cannot be fully released and thus, the SDRAM DIMMs cannot be removed or inserted.

This is really inconvenient if you forgot to insert the SDRAM DIMMs before installing the AGP card. Or if you want to remove them. The AGP card will have to be removed before you can remove/install any DIMM.

Of course, the only way to avoid this is to make a wider board and maybe reduce the number of DIMM slots to two or three. This translates into higher costs and less expandability. So, I guess this is just something we all have to live with. :)

The Power Connector

ABIT retained the position of the power connector next to the back panel connectors. This is a rather bad position because it means that the power cable will have to cross over the CPU cooler's inlet! Therefore, the cable will impede proper airflow to the cooler and reduce the amount of cool air that the cooler can suck in to cool the processor.

The position of the power connector should be moved elsewhere. Ideally, for least interference with airflow, it should be at the top right part of the motherboard, somewhere between the CPU socket and the DIMM slots.

The CPU Socket

Here's the FC-PGA 370 CPU socket. It supports the latest Celeron and Pentium III processors. Nice metal lever with a bent end for easier use. That's better than some motherboards that still ship with straight plastic levers.

Note the number of capacitors lining the side of the CPU socket and the MCH. Quite a forest, eh? ;)