Layout

Drives?

One striking feature that was left off the board was an IDE RAID controller. After seeing so many of the newer boards released with this feature, it was odd that ASUS decided not to include it on the CUV266. Looks like the IDE RAID fad might be waning.

Wide open spaces

Layout

As far as physical layout goes, ASUS has never disappointed us with its boards. As for the CUV266, let's just say that it's unique. Strange? Yes, but the result is far from disappointing. The first thing that strikes the mind is the large amount of open area above the DDR slots. Many cheap motherboard manufacturers try to cut down on the amount of layers the board has, and many more simply try to cram everything into a small area.

Angle action

The explanation for this large amount of empty space can be found if we look at one of the CUV266 variants, particularly the CUV266-E. This board incorporates both normal SDRAM and DDR SDRAM slots onto the same motherboard. This might also explain the strange arrangement of the DDR slots.

Notice how the slots are parallel to the PCI slots. Most boards have a perpendicular arrangement. Not that this is bad; it is rather beneficial in fact. The RAM is less of an obstruction now. The RAM has less of a chance of blocking access or air flow to the video card or CPU.

Overhead CPU view

The rest of the board is just as pleasing. Capacitors next to the CPU socket are far enough away to allow for some decent cooling options. Oddly enough, the AGP slot and Northbridge heatsink are more liable to get in the way.

One thing we didn't like about the board was the location of the motherboard power source. Normally the power connector can be found in close proximity to the CPU, and in general towards the keyboard connector section of the board. The CUV266 manages to plunk it right above the hard drive controllers, quite a distance away from the power supply. We're sure most cables have more than enough length to cover this distance, but it sure isn't going to look pretty if you're into the whole case modding scene. But then if you are choosing a motherboard based on looks, you have bigger things to worry about.