KP6-FX 2 Form-Factor Overview | EPoX Computer KP6-FX2 manual

KP6-FX 2

1-4

1-3 KP6-FX 2 Form-Factor Overview

EPoX KP6-FX 2 is designed with ATX form factor - the latest industry standard of chassis. The ATX form factor is essentially a Baby-AT baseboard rotated 90 degrees within the chassis enclosure and a new mounting configuration for the power supply. With these changes the processor is relocated away from the expansion slots, allowing them all to hold full length add-in cards. ATX defines a double height aperture to the rear of the chassis which can be used to host a wide range of on-board I/O. Only the size and position of this aperture is defined, allowing PC manufacturers to add new I/O features (e.g.; TV input, TV output, joystick, modem, LAN, audio, etc.) to systems that will help them differentiate their products in the marketplace, and better meet your needs.

•By integrating more I/O down onto the board and better positioning the hard drive and floppy connectors material cost of cables and add-in cards is reduced.

•By reducing the number of cables and components in the system, manufactur- ing time and inventory holding costs are reduced and reliability will increase.

•By using an optimized power supply, it's possible to reduce cooling costs and lower acoustical noise. An ATX power supply, which has a side-mounted fan, allows direct cooling of the processor and add-in cards making a secondary fan or active heatsink unnecessary in most system applications.

Expandable I/O			Single chassis
			fan for
			fan for
		ATX	system
		ATX	ATX power
		Power	ATX power
Full length		Sup-	connector
slots		ply	CPU located near
			CPU located near
Floppy / IDE			Power Supply
Floppy / IDE			Easy to
connectors			Easy to
close to			access
close to	3 1/2"	5 1/4"	access
peripheral	3 1/2"	5 1/4"	memory
peripheral	Bay	Bay	memory
bays	Bay	Bay	modules
bays			modules

Figure 1-2: Summary of ATX chassis features

KP6-FX2 specifications

The EPOX Computer KP6-FX2 is a notable motherboard from the late 1990s that garnered attention for its performance and versatility. Designed to support the AMD K6-2 and K6-III processors, the KP6-FX2 was particularly favored by enthusiasts looking to build cost-effective systems without sacrificing capabilities.

One of the standout features of the KP6-FX2 is its socket 7 architecture, which allowed compatibility with a broad range of processors. This flexibility provided users with options to upgrade over time, making it a long-term investment for many builders. The motherboard supports front-side bus speeds of 66/100 MHz, catering to varying performance needs and ensuring that users could benefit from enhanced processing power as new chips were released.

The KP6-FX2 supports up to 768 MB of SDRAM in three DIMM slots, another significant advantage during its time. The motherboard's ability to handle substantial memory was essential for users engaged in demanding applications or multitasking environments. Furthermore, it supports both single-sided and double-sided DIMMs, allowing for even more memory configuration options.

In terms of connectivity, the EPOX KP6-FX2 features an integrated VIA VT82C686B Southbridge, which provides an array of onboard features and I/O connectivity. Users could benefit from integrated PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports, as well as parallel and serial ports, giving them ample options for connecting peripherals. The onboard IDE controller supported up to four IDE devices, accommodating hard drives and optical drives, which was crucial for building a comprehensive system.

The motherboard also included AGP 2X support, which was advantageous for gamers and graphic designers looking to utilize 3D acceleration in their applications. With a dedicated AGP slot, users could install capable graphics cards that enhanced visual performance.

In summary, the EPOX Computer KP6-FX2 is remembered for its robust feature set and adaptability during a time when the PC industry was evolving rapidly. Its compatibility with socket 7 processors, support for substantial RAM, and integrated features made it a valuable choice for both casual users and tech enthusiasts alike. As a product of its era, the KP6-FX2 laid a foundation for future developments in motherboards, paving the way for more advanced technologies.