Shuttle HOT-567

Motherboard Specifications

* For future processors

The Good

Going back to basics.  That's the theme Shuttle built the HOT-567 around, and their success in the design as a result of this is present in the quality, reliability, and stability of the Shuttle HOT-567. 

Straying from the classic Shuttle design, the HOT-567 is only available in an ATX form factor, which is something many users have been pleading for, for some time now.  Unfortunately Shuttle does not take full advantage of the ATX specification, since they manage to include the same exact number of PCI/ISA Slots as well as DIMM/SIMM slots found in the 567's AT counterpart the HOT-571/569.  Also, the positioning of the Socket-7 IC on the 567 does not conform to the ATX specification in that it isn't in the path of airflow from your case's power supply unit.  That can pose a significant cooling problem to users if you happen to be doing some heavy duty overclocking, however other than that the layout of the 567 is the best ever seen by Shuttle.

Improving on the voltage auto-detect feature of the HOT-569, the 567 (like its 571 counterpart) is one of Shuttle's newest CPU PnP Intelligent Mainboards.  What does that mean? Well basically, the HOT-567 not only allows the CPU's core voltage to be: 1) Set via Jumpers, 2) Autodetected, 3) or Set from within the AWARD BIOS Configuration Utility; but the HOT-567 goes as far as autodetecting the type of CPU present in the system!  Meaning without having to set or configure any jumpers the user can pop in their CPU, hook everything up, and boot the system.  All without having to worry about any problems associated with user error in setting jumpers etc... That is a major plus if you simply don't want to overclock your system, and just want it to function as it was designed to.  The 567 test system completely detected and setup the AMD K6/233 as a K6-PR/233, the Pentium MMX - 233 as a Pentium MMX - 233, and the Cyrix 6x86MX-PR2/200 as a 6x86MX-PR200.  The only reason I mention that is because the latter, the 6x86MX-PR2/200 actually has two possible settings for proper operation according to Cyrix and IBM.  The processor can either be run at a 75MHz bus x a 2.0 clock multiplier, or a 66MHz bus x a 2.5 clock multiplier.  By default the HOT-567 configures the 6x86MX-PR2/200 as a chip running at 166MHz with a 66MHz bus speed, and configures the PR2-233 as a chip running at 200MHz with a 66MHz bus speed.  The PR2/166 is detected as being a Cyrix 6x86MX running at 150MHz with a 60MHz bus speed.   So by default the HOT-567 never forces the use of the 75MHz bus speed, or any bus speed above the industry standard 66MHz.  Just a warning to all of your 6x86MX users out there, don't trust the HOT-567's "intelligent" CPU settings since they don't always reflect the best setting for your processor. 

The dip switches on the HOT-567 are extremely easy to setup, the 567 only features a single set of DIP switches (6 switches in all) which completely control the bus speed and clock multiplier settings on the motherboard.   The Voltage Settings are best controlled via the AWARD BIOS setup, however if you don't feel safe keeping your voltage settings there you can always manually set the CPU core voltage via the configurable jumper panel. The manual, like other Shuttle motherboards, is provided in the form of a helpful CD with a Quick Reference Card included to make getting your new system up and running a breeze.  Actually, with all CPU PnP motherboards from Shuttle getting your system up and running doesn't actually require any type of written manual, just a tad bit of computer hardware knowledge. 

Like the HOT-571, the 567 features many thermal and voltage monitoring features.  The Chipset Features Setup of the AWARD BIOS Configuration Utility allows the user to monitor "intelligent" functions of the mainboard such as: CPU Temperature, System Temperature, Voltages, and CPU Fan RPM Speed.   These functions, coupled with the overclocking capabilities of HOT-567 make this motherboard a much better choice than the disappointing 571.  (left: CPU Thermal Sensor)

The stability of the HOT-567 is quite amazing considering it was only designed using 6 small Sanyo capacitors with no real heat dissipation aids on the switching voltage regulators.  With the HOT-567 the Pentium MMX-233 used in the tests could make it as high as 262.5MHz and the K6/233 could be taken up to 250MHz, which isn't bad once again considering the manufacturing quality of the motherboard.  And the 567, unlike the 571, works PERFECTLY with any pair of good quality SDRAM DIMMs. 

The Bad

The HOT-567's major downside is its performance, although it is quite stable, the HOT-567's Winstone scores fall below the rulers of the Socket-7 market including some of Shuttle's earlier contributions to the hardware world such as the award winning HOT-569.  If you aren't a speed freak, give the Shuttle HOT-567 a quick look over...

IRQ Usage

• Allows user to individually set IRQs for each Legacy ISA card

• Allows user to reserve IRQ/DMA Channels if necessary

• Auto-detects PnP Cards after HDD Detection

BIOS Settings

Here are my Recommended BIOS Settings for those of you who have been having problems with the HOT-567 and higher bus speeds. Below are my recommended settings for bus speeds < 66MHz, and 75MHz. If you are using Non-EDO RAM (FPM), then use the settings the in the 2nd (Non - EDO) column, if you are using SDRAM/EDO RAM with a 50/60/66MHz bus speed use the 3rd (66MHz Setting) column. The next column should be used if you are using the 75/83MHz bus speeds and EDO/SDRAM. Finally, if you are looking for the safest and most stable setting, use the last column.

Recommended SDRAM

This little addition to my review layout was put in here just so you all can have an idea of what brand of SDRAM I recommend and have tested with the board, just to avoid problems in the future if you decide to purchase the board.

Recommended SDRAM: Advanced Megatrends SDRAM
SDRAM Tested: 2 x 32MB Advanced Megatrends SDRAM DIMMs; 2 x 32MB Corsair SDRAM DIMMs

Manufacturer: Advanced Megatrends
Purchase Web-Site: http://www.megacom.com

Manufacturer: Corsair Microsystems
Purchase Web-Site: http://www.nf-ny.com