Some time ago, AMD released the 780G chipset is an improved version called the 785G. It is logical to assume that after this modification will be made mainstream chipset AMD 790GX. In turn, this means the need to summarize some of the results of motherboards based on this chipset. The most interesting feature of this chipset is that motherboard based on it can work in low-end, and in the high-end systems. Moreover, raising the status of a single computer can take place without replacing any parts. In particular, since the path from the integrated graphics core, the user can later add a dedicated graphics card, then another, combining them into an array of CrossFire. Moreover, based on the AMD 790GX motherboard, there are three PEG-slots, so the potential to increase the capacity of the video subsystem in these boards is very high.
But before we move on to the cards, say a few words about the characteristics of the chipset AMD 790GX. From a certain point of view, 790GX can be regarded as "improved" 780G. "Improvement" was carried out in two directions. First, it is quite fast integrated graphics (based on the RV610) is even faster – the core frequency is increased from 500 MHz to 700 MHz. The other parameters remained unchanged – 40 stream processors, support for DirectX / OpenGL (10.1/2.1), interface support DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, VGA, and built-in core of UVD hardware acceleration for playback of HD-content.
However, increasing the frequency has enabled marketers to include graphics core AMD Radeon HD3300 (at 780G – Radeon HD3200). An additional performance has been obtained by installing the motherboard memory technology SidePort. A similar technology is supported by 780G (Display Cache), but the products on this chipset are positioned as a cheaper and more integrated memory, as a rule, do not have.
Like the 780G, the new chipset technology supports Hybrid CrossFireX (joint work of the external video cards and integrated video core), Hybrid Power (energy savings by turning off the external video card) and SurroundView (connect up to six monitors).
Second, a new north bridge supports 26 lines of the PCI Express v2.0 and enables the organization of two PEG slots with eight bus lines each. Thus, the products on the 790GX supports CrossFire technology and allow you to install two graphics cards.
As for the "south bridge", the "north bridge" 790GX is compatible with SB700, and with SB750 (permissible use of SB710, but this chip is not used for marketing reasons).
Comparative table of the characteristics of motherboards
Chipset
AMD 790GX SB750
AMD 790GX SB750
AMD 790GX SB750
AMD 790GX SB750
AMD 790GX SB750
AMD 790GX SB750
Number of DIMM slots
4 (DDR3)
4 (DDR2)
4 (DDR3)
4 (DDR3)
4 (DDR2)
4 (DDR2)
Cooling of the chipset (points)
Passive (4)
Passive (5 -)
Passive (4)
passive (5)
Passive (4)
Passive (4)
PCIE x16/PCIE (> x1) / PCIE x1/PCI
3/0/1/2
3/0/1/2
2/0/2/2
2/0/2/2
2/0/2/2
2/0/2/2
AMD CrossFire
Supply Scheme
Six-phase
5-phase
8-phase
5-phase
5-phase
5-phase
Power Connectors
August 24 Molex
April 24
April 24
August 24 Molex
August 24 Molex
April 24
Number of capacitors
8x 820 uF 270 uF and 3x
10x 560 uF 270 uF and 4x
8x 560 3x 270 uF and uF
10x 820 uF 270 uF and 5x
10x 820 uF 270 uF and 5x
12x and 4x 820 uF 470 uF
Sound
ALC890B
ALC1200
VIA VT1708S
ALC888S
ALC888S
ALC888
Networking (Gigabit Ethernet; type of bus)
Realtek RTL8111DL (PCI Express x1)
Marvell 88E8056 (PCI Express x1)
Atheros L1E (PCI Express x1)
Realtek RTL8111C (PCI Express x1)
Realtek RTL8111C (PCI Express x1)
Realtek RTL8111C (PCI Express x1)
SerialATA
6: 6 channels SB750
6: 6 channels SB750
6: 6 channels SB750
7: 6 channels Channel 1 SB750 JMB361
6: 6 channels SB750
6: 6 channels SB750
ParallelATA
1 channel
1 channel
1 channel
1 channel
1 channel
1 channel
USB 2.0 (built-in / extra)
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
IEEE-1394 (built in / extra)
1/1
1/1
1/1
-
-
-
Size
224×305 mm
244×305 mm
244×305 mm
244×305 mm
244×305 mm
244×305 mm
BIOS
AMI BIOS
AMI BIOS
AMI BIOS
AMI BIOS
AMI BIOS
AMI BIOS
Vcore
from 0.6 V to 1.8625 V (0.0125V)
from 0.8 to 1.4V (0.0125V)
from 0.8 V to 1.7 V 0.2 V (0.0125V)
from 0.8 V to 1.55 V (0.025 V) from 0 V to 0.3 V (0.02 V)
from 0 V to 0.3 V (0.02 V)
from 1.287 V to 1.587 V (0.05 V)
Vmem
from 1.48 V to 2.4 V (0.02 V)
from 1.8 V to 2.5 V (0.02 V)
from 1.5 V to 2.5 V (0.02 V)
from 0 V to 0.63 V (0.01 V)
from 0 V to 0.63 V (0.01 V)
from 1.8 V to 2.3 V (0.05 V)
Vcpu-nb
from 0.6 V to 1.8625 V (0.0125V)
from 0.8 V to 1.45 V (0.0125 V)
from 0.8 V to 1.65 V (0.0125 V)
from 0 V to 0.315 V (0.005 V)
from 0 V to 0.315 V (0.005 V)
from 1.2 to 1.5 V (0.05 V)
Vht
1.3 V, 1.35 V
from 1.2 to 1.4 V (0.02 V)
from 1.2 to 1.5 V (0.02 V)
-
-
from 1.25 V to 1.5 V (0.05 V)
Vsb
-
1.2V to 1.35V (0.05V)
1.2 V, 1.35 V
1.2V to 1.35V (0.05V)
1.2V to 1.35V (0.05V)
-
Vsideport
from 1.5 V to 1.8 V (0.1 V)
-
-
from 1.8 V to 2.1 V (0.1 V)
from 1.8 V to 2.1 V (0.1 V)
-
HTT; MHz (step)
from 175 MHz to 500 MHz (1 MHz)
from 200 MHz to 600 MHz (1 MHz)
from 200 MHz to 600 MHz (1 MHz)
from 190 MHz to 400 MHz (1 MHz)
from 200 MHz to 355 MHz (5 MHz)
from 200 MHz to 600 MHz (1 MHz)
The real acceleration HTT (Deneb)
300 MHz
280 MHz
312 MHz *
285 MHz
260 MHz
290 MHz
Overclocking graphics core (step) (Real OC)
from 500 MHz to 1000 MHz (1 MHz) (860 MHz)
from 150 MHz to 1500 MHz (1 MHz) (900 MHz)
from 150 MHz to 1500 MHz (1 MHz) (1000 MHz)
from 150 MHz to 2000 MHz (1 MHz) (780 MHz)
from 150 MHz to 2000 MHz (1 MHz) (930 MHz)
from 150 MHz to 1500 MHz (1 MHz) (950 MHz)
Dispersal of onboard graphics memory
-
-
-
The memory subsystem (points)
5
5 -
5
4
4
4
System monitoring (points; fan-control)
3 (Quiet Fan)
5 – (Q-Fan 2)
5 – (Q-Fan 2)
3 (Smart Fan)
3 (Smart Fan)
3 (Smart Fan)
Equipment (especially)
3
3
3 -
2
n / a
4
Number of FAN
4
4
4
4
3
3
Features
Profiles BIOS (3)
Support for AI Proactive (AI Overclock, AI Net 2, OC. Profile (2), EZ Flash 2, MyLogo 3); ASUS Express Gate Lite;
Support for AI Proactive (AI Overclock, AI Net 2, OC. Profile (2), EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, MyLogo 3); ASUS Express Gate Lite;
Buttons Power / Reset / CMOS;
Buttons Power / Reset;
Support for Dual CoreCenter, LiveUpdate, DigiCell; Buttons Power / Reset / CMOS;
Name
ASRock M3A790GXH/128M
ASUS M3A78-T
ASUS M4A78T-E
Elitegroup A790GXM-AD3
Elitegroup A790GXM-A
MSI DKA790GX
Price, USD
3500
5700
4600
3800
3800
5800
Name
ASRock M3A790GXH/128M (AMD 790GX; DDR3)
In the motherboard ASRock M3A790GXH/128M has several interesting features. First, it is archaic, but a cheap mechanical switch CrossFire. Secondly, it is illogical organization of the external port SerialATA II. And finally, the main positive feature of the board, and is three slots PCI Express x16.
At the same time on the third (orange) slot is allocated only four bus lines, but it does not interfere in this slot to install a video card and does not lead to significant performance degradation.
The other expansion options correspond to the average level and include Gigabit LAN controller, built-in HD-audio, USB and FireWire, as well as support six channels SerialATA II.
On the rear panel is almost complete set of video outputs, but instead of a PS / 2 ports are a pair of USB 2.0.
To get into the BIOS, you must press the key is not the usual Del, and click F2. In addition, the interface section and group settings are slightly different from the majority of circuit boards. However, the most important functions are easy, in particular, memory settings, and system monitoring.
As for overclocking, they are present on the board …
… and work well. In particular, we have reached a frequency of HTT = 300 MHz. The board supports three independent profile settings BIOS:
The preliminary conclusion – in general, the board ASRock M3A790GXH/128M is a very interesting product on the base of chipset AMD 790GX. Among the merits fee mention the presence of three slots PCI Express x16, good overclocking, and a very reasonable retail price.
Pros:
excellent stability and performance;
three slots PCI Express x16;
Hybrid CrossFireX technology support, and SurroundView;
support for SerialATA II (six channels; RAID);
Support ParallelATA (one channel);
Gigabit network controller, and 8-channel High Definition Audio;
support for the USB 2.0 (twelve ports) and FireWire (two ports);
profile support BIOS;
integrated graphics ATI Radeon HD 3300 128 MB of internal memory, DDR3-1333.
Cons:
not detected.
Features of the board:
excellent CPU overclocking results;
on the rear panel there is only one PS / 2 connector and there is no DisplayPort.