The layout
The KM18G Pro measures roughly 9.5 inches square, which isn't tiny, but is definitely a step down from full-sized ATX motherboards.

All dressed up on a blue board, the KM18G Pro is definitely the most colorful Micro ATX motherboard I've ever seen. Given the popularity of case windows, even among the white box systems sold by my local computer shops, the KM18G Pro's colorful layout is a nice touch.

Overclockers should note that the KM18G Pro doesn't have a lot of room around the CPU socket and lacks auxiliary heat sink mounting holes, which could limit its ability to support larger passive or third-party heat sinks. (I don't have any heat sinks that don't fit easily on the KM18G Pro, but my collection doesn't feature many behemoths.) At least the CPU socket is nicely oriented to make fiddling with even the most stubborn heat sink retention clip a snap.

Despite the board's limited real estate, the KM18G Pro features the same three DIMM slots you'll find on every other nForce2-based motherboard. To take full advantage of the nForce2's dual channel memory controller, DIMMs need to be installed in pairs, which means that memory must be replaced if a user desires to increase the amount of dual-channel memory in a system.

The Micro ATX form factor is a little cramped, so it's no surprise the AGP and DIMM slots don't get along well. Many AGP cards will be long enough to interfere with opening the DIMM slot retention clips. Having to remove a system's graphics card just to swap out memory is something that I've gotten used to, and given the KM18G Pro's small size, it's something I can forgive.

Unlike many SFF boards that struggle to give users access to AGP and PCI slots, the KM18G Pro has an AGP slot and three full PCI slots. Those PCI slots should come in handy for anyone looking not only to add additional peripherals to the board, but also upgrade the board's existing audio or Ethernet options.

Gamers will appreciate the KM18G Pro's AGP slot, too. The nForce2 IGP's integrated video is a big step up from other integrated video solutions, but it's still woefully ill-equipped to handle regular gaming with today's latest titles. Those who drag their computers to and from LAN parties on a regular basis will also appreciate the KM18G Pro's sturdy AGP card retention system.

The KM18G Pro's port backplane isn't terribly exciting, but there are a few important things to note. First, the board situations a single VGA output beside its lone serial port. The nForce2 IGP actually supports dual VGA outputs, but Albatron may have felt that consumers would be more likely to require a serial port over an extra VGA output. Personally, I'm a multimonitor fan, so I wish the KM18G Pro had that second VGA port. I do realize that multimonitor setups are rare, even among enthusiasts, but it would have at least been interesting to see Albatron make use of the nForce2 IGP's video encoder by giving the board a video output port.

The KM18G Pro's contingent of audio ports seems a little weak. The board features only three audio jacks, which means that its mic and line input ports are shared with output ports. Those running a 5.1-channel speaker setup will have to rummage around behind their systems to switch plugs when using the input ports. Unlike premium nForce2 boards, the KM18G Pro also lacks digital S/PDIF ports.