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A common denominator between most computer enthusiasts is the wish list. These lists are usually comprised of either really expensive or really extravagant items that hold only a faint hope of ever being purchased. One item that shows up more often than any other (for the power users anyway) is a dual processor system. Up until recently, SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) based systems were privy solely to the high-workstation and server markets, well out of the price range for the majority of consumers. Thankfully, things have changed.

Horizontal & Vertical view of the D3VA

In the summer of 1999, ABIT released the BP6 – the world’s first dual Socket-370 motherboard. The BP6, based on Intel’s 440BX chipset, not only supported running dual Celerons, it also supported overclocking, making it quite the enthusiast’s powerhouse. This, at a time when the infamous Celeron 300A’s were still quite popular (for those that are unfamiliar with the 300A’s, they were cheap, easy to over clock, and they supported SMP – this made them extremely popular). Designing a dual board that is reasonably stable is not an easy task. Needless to say, the BP6 was something of a rogue in the motherboard arena and it reigned supreme in the consumer-level, dual processor world.

Since that time, manufacturers have been keen to rekindle some of that excitement in low-cost dual processor motherboards; some have been more successful than others. Epox has entered into the dual Socket-370 ring with the D3VA – a VIA Apollo 133a based motherboard. Although its overclocking capabilities are lacking, it has other features that make it a very attractive solution for a low-cost server or high-powered workstation – markets which tend to shy away from the use of overclocking anyway.

Update: Eric Hagen from bxboards.com emailed me to let me know me that just before the BP6 was released, the only real competitor for the 'inexpensive' SMP setup Slot 1 boards (BX chipset) was the Epox KP6-BS. Until about 4 months ago, it was still the premiere 'cheap' dual CPU motherboard and one of the oldest boards that can now support Coppermine chips.

Let’s take a look at the EP-D3VA's specs:

* Note: not all Pentium III CPUs or PPGA Celerons support dual processing and in most cases, the processor stepping must identical. Check http://www.intel.com for more information. Also note that Windows NT 4/2000, BeOS, and Unix/Linux support more than one CPU, but Windows 3.1/95/98/ME do not.

There is no core voltage setting on the D3VA, which pretty much stops any serious attempt at overclocking in its tracks. Although the BIOS does provide a setting to change the FSB, it won’t do much good without being able to increase the CPU’s voltage. Having said this, I personally don’t feel that the lack of overclocking capabilities is a draw back to this motherboard at all. Let me explain.