Via EPIA V8000 Review
Welcome to the Tokai Registry's first hardware/recording review. This review is focused on PC hardware
performance in the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) arena.
Background
I originally acquired the Via EPIA V8000 to build a file server for the household MP3s, pictures, video, etc.
The reason for chosing the Via V8000 is based on the complete package, just add ram, small size and the all
important noise factor. With a database server, a Mid-Tower and a Shuttle on the desk it is quite loud in
my home office/music room, I've been on a quest to drop the noise levels.
Features
- CPU: VIA C3 800MHz processor
- Chipset: VIA PLE133 North Bridge / VT8231 South Bridge
- Form Factor: Mini-ITX
- IDE: 2 x ATA 100/66
- RAM: 2 PC 133 DIMM socket / Up to 1GB memory size
- Onboard LAN: VIA VT6103 10/100 Base-T Ethernet PHY
- Onboard Audio: VIA VT1612A 2 channel AC'97 Codec
As you can see this is by no means a power user system. The cost of the board was $102 (US) shipped with only RAM and a hard drive are needed
to complete a system.I had some old PC100 64mb ram sticks that I threw in for 128mb of ram. A system pic is
included using the power supply as a reference one can see how small this motherboard is compared to micro-atx
form factors.
The Test
As stated above this system was never intended for use as a DAW but due to the incredibly low noise factor I
had to test it's capability in this area.
The test included downloading Sonar 3 Demo from Cakewalk.com and the benchmark file SonarTest.bun from
Cakewalknet.com. The file is comprised of 4 audio tracks and is designed for high CPU usage. The one thing
that is different is the Sonar 3 demo does not come with the FX plugins the benchmark file requires so the
CPU usage will be understated. This test file has been used to benchmark other systems, see pic below.
Click Here for Image
Results
While the results are not stellar with the C3 CPU performing at the same level as a 600mHz P3 it is doing this
with virtually no added noise to the room. Latency at 100ms CPU usage was 60% (no FXs).
Conclusion
While the little Epia V8000 didn't perform all that well it was never intended for a DAW application but
if your looking for an extremely quiet PC this is the direction to head. Being one of the slower Epia CPU's
it would be interesting to see how the higher processors would perform.
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