Mainboard AK35GT2, AK35GT2

Pro:
+ Preis/Leistung
+ viele Slots 
+ Stabilität
+ Overclockingmöglichkeiten
+ guter Onboard-Sound

Das Shuttle AK35GT2R ist ein sehr gutes Board. Es überzeugt vor allem durch gutes Layout, optimalen Erweiterungsmöglichkeiten dank vieler Steckplätze sowie guten Overclockingmöglichkeiten. Auch in den Benchmarks zeigte das Board eine gute Performance. Das allerbeste ist jedoch der wirklich gute Preis z.B. im Vergleich zu einem KT333-Board ASUS. Der Preis von rund 110 Euro ist schon als Schnäppchen einzustufen. Wer also ein sehr günstiges, aber trotzdem zuverlässiges Sockel-A-Raid-System aufbauen möchte, der ist mit Shuttle´s AK35GT2R bestens bedient. Die Boardvariante ohne Raid liegt bei ca. 99Euro. Der Onboard-Sound ist ordentlich und spart dem Normaluser das Geld für eine extra Soundkarte. (...)
Insgesamt hinterlässt das Mainboard bei uns einen hervorragenden Eindruck - die positiven Punkte überwiegen eindeutig. Vor allem User, die ohnhin auf externe Soundkarten, LAN u.s.w. verzichten, kommen voll auf Ihre Kosten. Durch ausreichend Steckplätze wird dem Hobbybastler einiges an Möglichkeiten geboten. Auch Overclockerherzen schlagen bei einer CPU-Spannung von mehr als 2,3 V höher. So viel Potenzial beitet keiner der Konkurrenten.

Translation:

Overall rating: 1.7 (Best is 1.0, worst is 6.0)

AK35GT2R is a top product due to its good price/performance ratio.
Overclocking: very good
Bios/Stability: very good
Value: very good
Quality, appearance: good
Equippment: good

Positive:
+ price/performance
+ many slots
+ stable
+ good overclocking abilities
+ good onboard audio

Gesamtpunktzahl: 5 von 5
Ausstattungs-Note 1,8
Übertaktbarkeits-Note 1,3
Handhabungs-Note 1,9
Service-Note 1,8

Die Shuttle-Platine bietet neben 6 PCI-Slots und 4 Speicherbänken - jeweils 1 mehr als die meisten Mitbewerberinnen haben. (...)

translation:

Total score: 5 out of 5
Equipment-mark: 1.8 (from 1 to 6, best is 1), Overclocking-mark: 1.3, Ease of use mark: 1.9, Service mark: 1.8 - The Shuttle board offers 6 PCI and 4 DIMMs - each one more
than the most boards of the competition!

Die "Budget-Empfehlung" geht bei den Mainboards für AMD-CPUs an das Shuttle AK35GT2R. Zu einem günstigen Preis von 130 Euro überzeugt das AK35GT2R mit ausgewogener Gesamtperformance und erreicht in allen Wertungskategorien die Note "gut".

Abit KX7-333 vs. Shuttle AK35GT2R: (...) It’s quite obvious that KX7 and AK35GT2R target to the same market even if they have a different price. AK35GT2R is 20 bucks cheaper than KX7. For this amount the differences between KX7 and AK35GT2R may not seem so important. The fact that AK35GT2R was able to outperform KX7 in several tests is an important victory for Shuttle guys. In terms of reliability motherboards are quite identical (...) none of the two boards crashed even once. That’s a strong warranty for someone looking for a KT333 board, these babies are rock solid! I have to remember you that AK35GT2R is a little more memory tolerant than KX7, if you have different memory modules AK35GT2R will accept them better. SoftMenu III features are still superior to Shuttle tries to implement quality soft based tweaking into their BIOSes. But I have to agree that AK35GT2R BIOS features are very good, very soon Shuttle will be able to compete with Abit in this area. But AK35GT2R has an advantage over KX7 (at least for hardcore overclockers): the ability to increase the CPU voltage up to 2.3V. Personally I think that Abit engineers were afraid to include over 1.85V settings due to the high danger of damaging the CPU and voltage regulator design limits.
If you have a lot of money you can go and buy KX7-333 with no hesitation but if your budget is limited I fully recommend AK35GT2R; it’s one hell of a board. Shuttle are running on the right way, they proved this with the motherboard reviewed today, a slightly improved version of AK35GTR.

With the version called GT2R of the line AK35, Shuttle succeeds to build a perfectly equilibrated mainboard. The preformance, ergonomy and features are not "the best there is", but they are high enough to make us say that you could hardly find all three of them at these levels on any other motherboard. The chipset used here is KT333 from VIA (the "2" from the name of the board is justified, because of AK35GTR wich was build with KT266A), and this chipset is a clear winner for VIA and for the boardmakers, as well. [Original Text ]

The competition was fierce and the results were impressive to say the least, all boards performed up to a high standard that was set by just a few. (...) the Shuttle AK35GTR v2.2, this board is also impressive to say the least. Again this board only retails for roughly #100 US, however unlike the 8K3A, the AK35GTR v2.2 offers RAID and 6-Channel Audio. While the board wasn’t far behind the 8K3A (...) 

Als erstes bleibt festzuhalten, dass das Fazit über das Shuttle AK35 GT2R recht positiv ausfällt, der Anwender bekommt eine momentan durchaus ansprechende Performance, viele Overclockingmöglichkeiten und hervorragende Konfiguration durch das Jumperlose Design geboten. Vor allem wer an viel Erweiterungsmöglichkeiten im PCI und Ram Bereich Wert liegt wird hier sein Steckenpferd finden, in dieser Klasse sind 4 Dimm Steckplätze mehr als selten, auch der 5+1 C-Media Sound dürfte für die meisten Anwendungen ausreichen und im Gegensatz zum AC '97 Sound eine weitere Soundkarte überflüssig machen. (...) ein wirklich ausgezeichnetes Preis/Leistungsverhältnis. (...) Das Board erhält durch die sehr gute Abschlusswertung unseren Award!

Positiv:
+ Performance - Overclocking
+ Stabilität (Ausnahme)
+ Konfiguration
+ Layout
+ digitaler 5.1 Sound (C-Media)
+ starke Erweiterungsmöglichkeiten (6 PCI + 4 Dimm)

iXBT.com (Russia, Russian language)
Review: www.ixbt.com/...
August 2002

Conclusion of the comparison:
Well, it's quite complicated to single out a leader. Different groups of the tests reveal different winners; still, giving credit to (...) Shuttle AK35GT2R for their stably high marks (...)

Show original page as image (91kB)

The card in issue, AK35GT2R, is a JEWEL under every point of view! Dimensions, performances, component disposition and absolute stability! Obviously, this last voice depends also on you: you will have to choose the type of memory well to use, and to set up the bios correctly, in order not to obtain disliked been strange. In our sessions of test we have not had an only crash!

The expanbility is exceptional! 4 slot for DDR memories it is not easy to find them on other motherboards, 6 PCI slot and controller RAID. The good integrated audio chip with separated bass station channel will allow you to save on the audio cost of one separated card. 4 USB ports are more than sufficient in order to manage external peripherals. We appreciated it a lot more if there are USB 2.0 instead of USB 1.1.

+ Good performances in the graphic tests and in the management of the memories
+ Good disposition of the components
+ Optimal stability
+ Optimal expandibility
+ Integrated RAID Controller 
+ Integrated audio of good quality 
+ Overclocking tools
+ Good equipment (manual of exceptional quality)

Socket A Mainboard Vergleichstest

"Dieses Mainboard wird für Highend-Anwender empfohlen!"

• Gute Stabilität, gutes Bios
• Ordentliche Overclocking-Fähigkeiten
• Gute Erweiterbarkeit dank 6 PCI und 4 Dimm
• 5.1 fähiger Digitalsound Onboard
• ordentliche Performance

(...) the KT333 motherboards all perform identically (...) all of the boards are showing the same stability in the tests and burn-ins. So, how many features do you need and what are you willing to pay for it? That is what the motherboard question is down to at this point in time. (...) Shuttle has a big advantage on the DIY market because of their prices. (...) Overall though, the Shuttle AK35GT line of boards is a great option for those that don’t need all the accessories on their motherboard, and still want a good performing and overclocking board.

Pros: Great layout, Good overclocking options, 1/5 PCI divider, Onboard ATA133 RAID (AK35GT2R only), Native support for ATA133 hard drives, Native support for DDR333 (PC2700) memory, 5.1 hardware sound

Es absolvierte all unsere Belastungstest absolut stabil und entpuppte sich sogar als der schnellste Flitzer des gesamten Testfeldes (...) Übrigens ist auch die Ausstattung nicht von schlechten Eltern. RAID, 5.1-Hardware-Sound und ein vierter Speicher-Slot, da würde so mancher Konkurrent vor Neid erblassen (...)

Premium speed and very stable.
Full rating for stability and performance.

Das AK35GT2 kann sicherlich als gute KT333-Plattform angesehen werden (...) Overclocker werden an dem AK35GT2 auf jeden Fall ihr Freude haben. Wer auf RAID verzichten kann, findet mit dem AK35GT2 ein günstiges (ca. 115,- EUR) Kraftpaket, das stabil seinen Dienst verrichtet.

Das finden wir gut: gute Performance, gute Stabilität, jumperloses Design, ausfürliches Handbuch, gute Overclocking Features, 6 PCI Slots, 4 DIMM Slots, 6 Kanal Audio

Im Lieferumfang sind eine USB-Blende für zwei zusätzliche Schnittstellen, IDE-und Floppy-Kabel, ein Handbuch sowie ein Slotblech für Subwoofer enthalten. Auffällig sind die sechs PCI-Slots, der PCI-Sound (C3DX CMI 8738) mit 6-Kanal-Technik, ein Highpoint-Controller (HPT 372) für zusätzliche IDE-Schnittstellen und vier DIMM-Slots (...)

Rang 5 out of 18 KT333 boards
The Shuttle AK35 GTR V2.2 is by far the most inexpensive candidate of this comparison, especially considering that the fully featured version with a RAID controller only costs about #125.
The package includes a USB bracket for two additional ports, IDE and floppy cables, a user guide and a slot bracket for subwoofers. Worth noting are the six PCI slots, the PCI sound (C3DX CMI 8738) with six-channel technology, a Highpoint controller (HPT 372) for additional IDE interfaces and four DIMM slots (...)

Pros: Overclocking Features, ATA133/RAID, C-Media 5.1 Audio, up to 2.3 volts VCORE, 6 PCI slots
Low price, Great performer

Positives: C-Media 5.1 Soundchip, VT8233A-Southbridge mit DMA133, sehr gute Erweiterungsmöglichkeiten (sechs PCI-Slots, vier Ram-Slots), Maximum an Übertaktungsmöglichkeiten, gute Performance, Ausfühliches Handbuch, weitere zwei USB-Ports durch Slotblech
Negatives: kein Onboard-Lan

Conclusion: At stock speed, the AK35GT2/R is incredibly fast, as long as good quality memory is used at the 166 MHz setting and low latencies. Moreover, in terms of stability, we had zero complaints, in fact, the board ran throughout the entire testing period without crashes except for the somewhat inexplicable spontaneous reboots after launching of SiSoft Sandra. The #64,000 question is always, where this board would be positioned in the market. The price is right, or actually, the price can hardly be beaten, an anticipated street price in the high seventies for the non-RAID version and mid eighties for the RAID version are something we only know from SIS735-chipset based boards and from this point of view, the AK35GT2/R delivers pretty much unparalleled price/performance ratio. Add the fact that these boards are really hard to kill, at least under standard operating conditions and despite all shortcomings, the board starts to look even more attractive. (...)

Das Board läuft äußerst schnell und wie schon der Vorgänger höchst stabil. (...) 

Fazit: Das scheinbar unmögliche ist gelungen. Shuttle hat das AK35 auf den aktuellen Stand der Technik gebracht, und noch schneller gemacht. Das ergibt in Summe eine fette Empfehlung.

Translation/Conclusion:
The apparently impossible succeeded! Shuttle has managed to bring the AK35GTR to the state of the art and makes it even faster than before. That's why it earned a really big recommendation.

The Shuttle company has made an excellent product with good test results. The board offers a 6 channel sound controller is an excellent option for those, who don't want to spend money for an extra soundcard, and it works fine with all the tested games. The BIOS options are as you like it, with thousands of options that improve the performance of our system. The overclock options: FSB up to 200MHz in 1MHz steps, Vcore voltage can be modified from 1.1 to 2.3 Volts, which makes of this motherboard an excellent product, which we must recommend.

Conclusion: In terms of board features, Shuttle AK35GTR v2.2 has pretty good features like ATA133 support, full expansivity of 6 PCI and 4 Dimm slots, HighPoint 372 RAID supporting RAID 0, 1, 0+1, CMedia 6 Channel Audio for 5.1 sound configuration. (...) is considered very cheaply priced when compared to other brands. In terms of overclockability, Shuttle AK35GTR v2.2 possess quite an overclockable BIOS that has settings such as VCore voltage of up to 2.30V which is more than enough for a very decent overclock, VMem up to 2.7V which improve stability during high FSB overclocking but most preferably if Shuttle can increase it to 3V and a FSB of up to 200Mhz in 1Mhz interval which will satisfy most overclockers. (...) In terms of performance, Shuttle AK35GTR v2.2 perform closely to the current fastest KT333 board EPoX 8K3A+ so it can be considered a very good performing board with its price tag. A greater performance gain can be derived from gaming aspect when compared against a KT266A board so it will be wise to get this board for gaming. (...)

Conclusions: Like the original AK35GTR, Shuttle has done a very good job with the AK35GTR Ver 2.2. The performance of the board is great and the AK35GTR has a lot of great features on top of that. (...) Performance aside, the AK35GTR sports extra features such as onboard 5.1 hardware based sound card, an onboard Ultra/133 RAID controller and four DIMM slots (...) so there isn't much more you could ask for in a motherboard. (...) The BIOS on the AK35GTR is almost perfect (...) Overall, we were very pleased with the AK35GTR v2.2 and wouldn't have any problems recommending it to the average person. (...)

Overall the Shuttle AK35GTR revision supporting the KT333 chipset is a good all-round performer and to this date we can not report any anomalies with the board and again in simple terms it does what it is designed to very efficiently. (...) Stability is important today and also support with future hardware and towards the end of the test we tested the Shuttle AK35GTR Revision 2.2 with latest AMD XP2100+ processor (...) Certainly anyone on the upgrade path to a KT333 based board would do no wrong in purchasing the Shuttle AK35GTR Revision 2.2 motherboard and once again it falls into the low cost high performance category and no doubt this will keep Shuttle Inc at the top end of the enthusiast choice for mainboards again in 2002. Also you can bet what ever Via release in the future Shuttle will be amongst the first mainboard manufacturers to make the new future chipset technology available at a cost which is affordable and respectable.

Conclusion: The Shuttle AK35GTR v2.2 has amazingly great performance. In terms of Content Creation it's one of the top notch performer. As for gaming and graphical applications, we can see the results in 3dmark2001 and Quake3 that it tops the charts among the KT333 and KT266A. 
Features-wise, this board has one of the best features, 6 ch audio support, Highpoint HPT372 ATA-100 RAID 0/1/0+1. It also included overclocking features in the BIOS. We tested the overclocking and were able to run it steadily at 150Mhz FSB using an AthlonXP 1500+ o/c to 1800+ using normal timings (defaults are set to maximum performance. e.g. 1T cmd). (...) 
In conclusion, this board is rich with features. The disappointment is the absence of LAN port. Overall, the Shuttle AK35GTR v2.x brings the AK35GTR to another level with the implementation of KT333 chipset on it. As usual, Shuttle boards are usually quite cheap. It would definitely be a good buy.