ASUS M3A78-T 790GX AM2+ Motherboard Review
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Introduction and Specifications
ASUS uses AMD 790GX chipset to keep AM2+ platform in the game
Last September, PC Perspective’s own Josh Walrath wrote a comprehensive article on AMD’s 790GX chipset and outlined numerous feature available with this chipset that will benefit the gamer and enthusiast communities. While the 790GX is still primarily based on the 780G and SB700, the chipset does offer Advanced Clock Calibration, which is an overclocking tool that increases the upper overclocking spectrum of current Phenom II processors.
(Courtesy of AMD)
AMD 790FX and AMD 790GX motherboards are the heart and soul of the "Dragon" platform. This platform is based on its performance, visual experience, and energy efficiency, according to AMD. AMD claims combining the 790GX chipset with an AMD Phenom II processor and ATI Radeon HD 4870 graphics card will “deliver screaming computing power for gaming with an efficient design and an unbeatable HD experience for the money.”
(Courtesy of ASUS)
This chipset has really been a great find for consumers looking to build a mid-range gaming or home theater PC. One vendor who has recognized this chipset’s potential is ASUS, which developed the M3A78-T AM2+ motherboard to accommodate this target audience who’s looking for a motherboard that fits in the $100 to $130 price range. This board features some unique things like onboard SidePort memory that’s 128MB of DDR3 1333 goodness. SidePort memory is what ATI calls the dedicated frame buffer memory for the integrated graphics chip. This memory runs much faster than system memory, therefore providing noticeable increases in performance over standard IGPs which constantly accesses system memory.
ASUS M3A78-T Specifications (from ASUS website)
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CPU
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AMD Socket AM2+ / AM2 Processors AMD Phenom™ FX / Phenom / Athlon™ / Sempron™ AMD Cool'n'Quiet™ Technology Support CPU up to 140W
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Chipset
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AMD 790GX/SB750
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System Bus
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Up to 5200 MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface for AM2+ CPU 2000 / 1600 MT/s for AM2 CPU
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Memory
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4 x DIMM, Max. 16 GB, DDR2 1066/800/667 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel memory architecture *Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+ CPU for one DIMM per channel only. **Please refer to www.asus.com or user manual for Memory QVL(Quality Vender List). ***When installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Hence, a total installed memory of less than 3GB is recommended.
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Expansion Slots
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3 x PCIe x16 (Support PCIe 2.0 / 1.0 Architecture ) (Dual x8 or Dual x16/x4; Triple x8/x4/x8) 1 x PCIe x1 2 x PCI 2.2
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VGA
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Integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 3300 GPU SidePort Memory - onboard 128MB DDR3 1333 memory Supports HDMI™ Technology with max. resolution up to 1920 x 1200 (1080P) Supports Dual-link DVI with max. resolution up to 2560x1600 @60Hz Supports D-Sub with max. resolution up to 2560x1440 @ 75Hz Hybrid CrossFireX™ Support (For Windows Vista only) HDMI/DVI/RGB Support Supports Microsoft® DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.0, Pixel Shader 4.0 Maximum shared memory of 512MB
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Storage
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Southbridge 5 xSATA 3 Gb/s ports 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 support
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LAN
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Gigabit LAN
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Audio
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Realtek® ALC1200 8 -Channel High Definition Audio CODEC -Coaxial S/PDIF out port at back I/O
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USB
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12 USB 2.0 ports
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ASUS Unique Features
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ASUS Express Gate ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution: - ASUS AI Gear 2 - ASUS AI Nap - ASUS Q-Fan2 - 4+1 Phases ASUS Power Design ASUS Crystal Sound - ASUS Noise Filter ASUS EZ DIY: - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Connector - ASUS O.C. Profile - ASUS EZ Flash 2
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Overclocking Features
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Intelligent overclocking tools: - AI Overclocking (Intelligent CPU Frequency Tuner) - ASUS AI Booster Utility Precision Tweaker 2 - vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.125V increment - vChipset (N.B.): 25-step voltage control - vDIMM: 35-step DRAM voltage control SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) - FSB tuning from 200MHz up to 600MHz at 1MHz increment - Memory tuning from 533MHz up to 1066MHz - PCIe frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 200MHz at 1MHz increment Overclocking Protection: - ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
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Special Features
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Uses 100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors! ASUS MyLogo 2 AMD OverDrive Support* * Advanced cooling system is required when advanced overclock functions of AMD OverDrive are enabled.
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Back Panel I/O Ports
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1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse 1 x S/PDIF Out (Optical) 1 x HDMI 1 x DVI 1 x D-Sub 1 x External SATA 1 x IEEE 1394a 1 x RJ45 port 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 8-Channel Audio I/O
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Internal I/O Connectors
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3 x USB connector (6 ports) 1 x Floppy disk drive connector 1 x IDE connector 5 x SATA connectors 1 x CPU Fan connector 2 x Chassis Fan connectors 1 x Power Fan connector Front panel audio connector 1 x IEEE 1394a connector 1 x S/PDIF Out Header Chassis Intrusion connector CD audio in 24-pin ATX Power connector 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector System Panel
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BIOS
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8 Mb Flash ROM DMI 2.0 AMI BIOS PnP WfM 2.0 SM BIOS 2.3 ACPI 2.0a ASUS EZ Flash 2
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Accessories
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UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable FDD cable SATA cables SATA power cables Q-Shield User's manual 3 in 1 Q-connector
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Support Disc
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Drivers Express Gate ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update AMD AOD Anti-virus software (OEM version)
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Form Factor
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ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.5 cm )
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