+++ 1x Floppy, 4x UDMA133, 2x SATA150, 2x seriell, 1x parallel, 2x PS/2,
onBoard 10/100/1000 Mbps base-T Ethernet LAN (Marvell 8001),
8x USB 2.0/1.1 (4x internal but mounting bracket isn't included),
8-Channel AC'97 RealTek ALC850 onboard (1x int. CD in, 1x int. S/PDIF, ext. Line in, ext. Mic, ext. Line out, int. optional connector for 8-Channel Audio Combo Kit, not included)
and 3x fan connectors (1x used for chipset fan).

Overall

+++ The Gigabyte GA-K8NSC Socket 939 AGP board has at present a price of approx. 70 euro
(09/2005) and is appropriate thereby in the lower to middle range of all socket 939 motherboards.
The K8NSC motherboard was created by gigabyte completely clearly for the smaller purse,
because it resembles very a slim PCB layout of the Ultra version.
For example the S-ATA RAID controller and the Backup BIOS place was not equipped.
Besides also no Firewire connection is available and the accessories are somewhat less.

We come however now rather to the features of this gigabyte socket 939 motherboard,
because these can be able to be seen nevertheless.
Beside the 2 connectors for up to 4 UDMA 133 harddisks there are 2 Serial ATA150 connectors,
4 DDR memory module slots with Dual Channel support (absolutely consider the correct allocation
of the banks in the manual) and 8 USB ports, whereby 4 of them are optional.
Also with the sound chip the didn't save money, because the spend this motherboard the
8-channel ALC850 chip, which can be expand to the full 8 channels by an optional slot bezel.
The connectors are by the way all exemplary colored marked and besides even with the LED
connectors by small "+" indications in the pin row marked - hats off !
Furthermore gigabyte equipped even the Marvell 8001 LAN chip, which provides up to 1 Gigabit
network speed.
And the extensive CD software, which came with this board provides an easy and fast
configuration of all onBoard components.

In addition, the overlocking and tuning options do not come too briefly, since almost all important
voltage adjustments can be adjusted, also the reference clock can be set up to 455 MHz and
the AGP can be clocked asynchronously with 66 to 100 MHz.
Now good, 455 MHz are probably something exaggerated, but in the tests I could nevertheless
operate the board with 260 MHz stably and that is a really good result.
However gigabyte still seems to have little problems with the manual input of frequencies
in the BIOS (mentioned already in the last gigabyte motherboard test), because again during
the input of frequencies in the 200 range despite current BIOS version to a frequency of
over 400 MHz.
So one should check absolute exactly whether the entered frequency was accepted,
or alternatively select the values by the drop down field.
BTW I like the solution that one must press CTRL + F1 in the BIOS in order to see the
Advanced chipset menu with many memory timings and the HT clock options, because user without
the necessary basic knowledge can't get unintentionally into this menu.

Conclusion: The gigabyte GA-K8NSC socket 939 AGP motherboard offers all important
basic features, very good overclocking options, a good performance and a very good processing
for little money.
Who attaches thus no importance on additional Firewire, SATA RAID or Surround sound connectors,
is with this motherboard for current socket 939 processors in the best way served.
The price is reasonable and the nForce3 250 Gb motherboard only scarcely missed an award.
This shows that gigabyte didn't sleep in the last months, but rather brings a brilliant board after
the other on the market.
I have really large respect for such a high increasement of the features, processing and
board layout - Keep it up!

Special thanks to Gigabyte for their support.