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The ECS P6IWT-Me/i810E motherboard is definitely a business design, complete with the small micro-ATX format and the included network adapter bracket. Even the ECS documentation backs this up with repeated references to "network workstations" and a definite business tone to system integration. The ECS P6IWT-Me/i810E features two DIMM sockets, a network adapter, floppy and dual IDE connectors, and three PCI slots. The absence of an AGP slot is disappointing, especially with the myriad of inexpensive AGP cards currently flooding the market. With 32MB or 64MB modules, the two DIMM sockets don't leave much room for upgrading, and even utilizing 256MB DIMMs, you're still limited to 512MB of total memory. This design philosophy seems to mirror the popular business attitude of setting up multiple workstations and not giving much thought to future expandability.
Like many other ECS motherboards, the P6IWT-Me/i810E implements a dual Slot-1 and Socket 370 CPU design. This allows an open choice of any Intel CPU currently available, and gives you quite a bit of leeway in terms of upgrading. Unfortunately, the P6IWT-Me/i810E does not allow seamless CPU switching, and requires a hardware jumper change when switching between Slot-1 and Socket 370 CPUs. Compatibility is excellent and testing included Slot-1, S370 and FCPGA processors, as well as S370 and FC-PGA Slockets. Please note that, although the P6IWT-Me/i810E features a dual CPU interface, only a single processor can be active at one time.
While the i810E offers a basic AC97 software CODEC for sound duties, the P6IWT-Me/i810E supplements this with the Elite PCI Audio CMI8738 chipset. This chipset features support for DirectSound, DirectSound 3D, A3D 1.0 and legacy SoundBlaster 16 compatibility. All required soundcard connectors are found on the motherboard back-panel, including speakers (4-speaker support), microphone, stereo in and a game/MIDI port. The CMI8738 doubles as a modem and supports 56Kflex and V.90 transmissions and, as it is a one-chip solution, voice modem support is included. In order to use the built-in fax/modem, an optional extension bracket must be installed. This bracket was not included with the review motherboard, and I can offer no opinion on its functionality.
Installing an integrated motherboard is easier and less time consuming than setting up a traditional motherboard. If you're willing to go with the basic P6IWT-Me/i810E on-board components, the entire installation can be performed very quickly. The ECS manual contains all the necessary information and presents it in a logical method, most times with accompanying diagrams. Not having to add an AGP video card, PCI modem or soundcard is a big time saver, and you'll really only have to worry about mounting the P6IWT-Me/i810E and HD/CD-ROM units. Installing a CPU requires setting at least two jumpers, one to select between the Slot-1 and Socket 370 CPUs, and another to change the default front-side bus speed. Adjusting the P6IWT-Me/i810E's FSB speeds is similar to other i810E or VIA Apollo Pro 133 motherboards, with jumper settings for 66, 100 and 133MHz speeds, along with their appropriate PCI/AGP dividers.
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