English

Item Checklist

þ The GA-7VA motherboard

þ 2 Port USB Cable x 1

þ IDE cable x 2/ Floppy cable x 1

o 4 Port USB Cable x 1

þ Motherboard Settings Label

o Audio combo Kit x1

þ GA-7VA user's manual

o IEEE 1394 Cable x1

o RAID Manual

o SPDIF KIT x1 (SPD Kit)

þ CD for motherboard driver & utility (Driver CD)

o I/O Shield

þ Quick PC Installation Guide

 

WARNING!

Computer motherboards and expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. To protect them against damage from static electricity, you should follow some precautions whenever you work on your computer.

1.Unplug your computer when working on the inside.

2.Use a grounded wrist strap before handling computer components. If you do not have one, touch both of your hands to a safely grounded object or to a metal object, such as the power supply case.

3.Hold components by the edges and try not touch the IC chips, leads or connectors, or other components.

4.Place components on a grounded antistatic pad or on the bag that came with the components whenever the components are separated from the system.

5.Ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off before you plug in or remove the ATX power connector on the motherboard.

Installing the motherboard to the chassis…

If the motherboard has mounting holes, but they don’t line up with the holes on the base and there are no slots to attach the spacers, do not become alarmed you can still attach the spacers to the mounting holes. Just cut the bottom portion of the spacers (the spacer may be a little hard to cut off, so be careful of your hands). In this way you can still attach the motherboard to the base without worrying about short circuits. Sometimes you may need to use the plastic springs to isolate the screw from the motherboard PCB surface, because the circuit wire may be near by the hole. Be careful, don’t let the screw contact any printed circuit write or parts on the PCB that are near the fixing hole, otherwise it may damage the board or cause board malfunctioning.

GA-7VA Motherboard

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Gigabyte GA-7VA manual Installing the motherboard to the chassis…, O Shield

GA-7VA specifications

The Gigabyte GA-7VA is a highly regarded motherboard that caters to enthusiasts and general users alike, primarily designed for the AMD Athlon XP and Duron processors. This board stands out for its combination of features, performance, and reliability, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious systems.

One of the key features of the GA-7VA is its support for DDR memory. The motherboard can accommodate up to 2GB of DDR 333/266/200 RAM across its two DIMM slots. This capability not only ensures compatibility with a range of memory types but also provides increased bandwidth, which is crucial for demanding applications and multitasking.

The GA-7VA is built on the VIA KT400 chipset, which offers impressive performance capabilities for its time. This chipset provides support for a 400MHz front-side bus (FSB), ensuring that CPUs can communicate efficiently with the rest of the system. Additionally, the onboard AGP 8X slot allows users to install graphics cards that support advanced graphics technologies, vital for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.

Storage options are ample on the GA-7VA, with integrated IDE channels that support up to four IDE devices, as well as two Serial ATA ports, allowing for modern storage solutions like SATA hard drives and optical drives. The motherboard also includes a Promise PDC20276 RAID controller, providing options for RAID configurations, enhancing data redundancy and performance.

Connectivity features are robust, with built-in audio and LAN capabilities. The AC'97 audio codec offers decent sound quality for everyday use, while the integrated LAN allows for network connectivity without needing an additional network card. This makes the GA-7VA an excellent choice for users who need a reliable and straightforward solution for both desktop and network applications.

The board's layout is designed with ease of use in mind. For example, it allows for straightforward access to the CPU and memory slots, making upgrades and maintenance simpler. Additionally, it supports USB 2.0 connections, providing faster data transfer rates for connected devices.

In summary, the Gigabyte GA-7VA motherboard delivers a well-rounded combination of performance, features, and reliability. With its support for AMD processors, DDR memory, versatile storage options, and connectivity capabilities, this motherboard remains a popular choice among users seeking to build a dependable computing system. Whether for gaming, office tasks, or general use, the GA-7VA stands out as a motherboard that can handle a variety of computing demands while providing great value.