Your link here
|
|
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|
|
Motherboard Roundup:
12 Solutions on AMD 690G (Socket AM2) Chipset
When the AMD 690G chipset was released by AMD and ATI together after their merger, AMD representatives claimed that the strategic objective of integrated chipsets from AMD was not to compete with NVIDIA products for the AMD platform, but to launch an offensive on the global competitor Intel in the segment of office solutions, entry-level multimedia computers, and media centers. Strictly speaking, there have been no technical contraindications to this attack for a long time. An interesting combination of prices and characteristics in this segment was typical of the AMD platform even at that time, when there was almost no competition in the segment of expensive desktops, and especially servers. When AMD managed to enter the top segment (owing to Athlon 64 and Opteron), it couldn't attract system integrators of mainstream computers probably because of insignificant production volumes of processors (as is well known, if there is a shortage of products, they should be sold at higher prices, or they should be sold without advertising). At the time the AMD 690G chipset was launched, it was high time to reduce the lower-end matters to order. It was hard to win over the server segment from Intel before the launch of K10 processors. In return, expanded manufacturing capacity of AMD allowed to manipulate CPU prices more liberally, to increase desktop CPU competitiveness, and hence to expect higher sales in the budget segment. Besides, the 690G had to compete with the objectively weak Intel 965G with worse functionality (we don't even mean HDMI, it's mere DVI we're talking about), four times as high heat release, problems with IDE devices in some motherboards, because this support was implemented with external controllers. And it's hard to take seriously announcements about future support for DirectX 10 in the 965G, considering actual 3D performance in VIA chipsets of the previous generation. We should note that the G33 chipset eliminated the most serious problems of the 965G. But prices for similar motherboards differ much. To be more exact, the cheapest G33 motherboard costs just like the top motherboard on AMD 690G, even in full-size ATX format. So AMD successfully solved the problem of competition with Intel. However, consumers are interested not only in comparative characteristics of chipsets, but also in availability of motherboards with needed functions. For example, if you need FireWire, but you have to order and wait for such a product on a given chipset, you may decide to buy another motherboard with less optimal properties, but which is already available in a store. Fortunately, AMD managed to convince manufacturers to announce products on its chipsets and to launch them on a mass scale. In particular, our testlab have already tested over a dozen motherboards on AMD 690G/690V, and they have become wide-spread in stores. It's high time for our roundup!
Motherboards:
Brief characteristics of motherboards that took part in our roundup are published in two tables. The first table contains motherboards for multimedia computers and media centers (they support HDMI, FireWire, and other characteristic features).
Owners of monitors with DVI connectors shouldn't be scared off by the lack of a corresponding on-board connector. As a rule, an HDMI-DVI adapter is included into the bundle (although it's optional for the Gigabyte MA69VM-S2). You can also buy it. Unlike DVI-HDMI, you won't have to take any nuances into account.
|
| Motherboard |
ASUS M2A-VM HDMI |
Gigabyte MA69G-S3 |
MSI K9AG Neo2-Digital |
Biostar TA690G-AM2 |
MSI K9AGM2-FIH |
Formoza FM2A692-GHG (JetWay M2A692-GHG) |
| Chipset |
AMD 690G (690G North Bridge and SB600 South Bridge) |
| CPU support |
Socket AM2, AMD Athlon 64/X2/FX, Sempron, Opteron |
| Video connectors |
HDMI, DVI-D, VGA, TV-Out (YPbPr/AV/S-Video) |
HDMI, VGA |
HDMI, DVI-D, VGA |
HDMI, DVI-D, VGA, TV-Out (S-Video) |
HDMI, VGA |
HDMI, VGA |
| Memory slots and maximum memory capacity |
4 x DDR2, up to 8 GB |
4 x DDR2, up to 16 GB |
4 x DDR2, up to 8 GB |
4 x DDR2, up to 4 GB |
2 x DDR2, up to 4 GB |
4 x DDR2, up to 4 GB |
| Expansion slots |
1 x PCIEx16, 1 x PCIEx1, 2 x PCI |
1 x PCIEx16, 1 x PCIEx4, 3 x PCIEx1, 2 x PCI |
1 x PCIEx16, 2 x PCIEx1, 3 x PCI |
1 x PCIEx16, 1 x PCIEx1, 2 x PCI |
1 x PCIEx16, 1 x PCIEx1, 2 x PCI |
1 x PCIEx16, 2 x PCI |
| USB 2.0 |
Four ports on the rear panel + three on-board connectors for six ports |
Two ports + four connectors for eight ports |
| FireWire |
One port (6-pin, FireWire 400) + an on-board connector for one port |
One port (6-pin, FireWire 400) + two on-board connectors for two ports |
One port (6-pin, FireWire 400) |
- |
One port (6-pin, FireWire 400) + an on-board connector for one port |
- |
| PATA |
for two ATA133 devices |
| SATA |
4 x SATA300 RAID (0, 1, 0+1) |
| Audio |
Realtek ALC883 HDA codec, S/PDIF-Out on a bracket (included into the bundle) |
Realtek ALC889A HDA codec, optical S/PDIF-Out, S/PDIF-In/Out on a bracket |
Realtek ALC888 HDA codec, S/PDIF-Out on a bracket |
Realtek ALC888 HDA codec, S/PDIF-In/Out on a bracket |
Realtek ALC888 HDA codec, S/PDIF-In/Out on a bracket |
Realtek ALC883 HDA codec, S/PDIF-In/Out on a bracket |
| Network controller |
Gigabit Ethernet |
| Additional on-board ports and sensors |
connector for a chassis intrusion sensor, connector for a bracket with TV-Out (included into the bundle) |
connector for a chassis intrusion sensor, connector for a bracket with TV-Out |
connector for a chassis intrusion sensor, connector for a bracket with TV-Out |
- |
connector for a chassis intrusion sensor, connector for a bracket with TV-Out |
connector for a bracket with TV-Out |
| Form factor (dimensions) |
microATX (245x229 mm) |
ATX (305x230 mm) |
ATX (305x209 mm) |
microATX (245x245 mm) |
microATX (245x215 mm) |
microATX (245x220 mm) |
|
On the whole, these motherboards produce an impression of being well-rigged with peripheral interfaces even for motherboards without integrated video (they look expensive compared to average motherboards with integrated graphics). Full ATX motherboards from MSI and Gigabyte stand slightly apart from the main group - they compete with motherboards on inexpensive discrete chipsets, as they have a noticeable advantage (integrated video outs). We are just slightly disappointed that these motherboards use too many PCI Express x1 slots, so that only the MSI product can boast of three PCI slots.
The Gigabyte's motherboard uses the most progressive HDA codec Realtek ALC889A (however, we didn't test it, because our sample was equipped with old ALC888), as well as PCI Express x4, which can accommodate the second graphics card to set up a multi-monitor configuration with up to six monitors. MSI K9AG Neo2-Digital cannot boast of just as interesting functionality. However, it's still on a par with microATX competitors.
However, functionality of compact motherboards is not much lower. For example, the Biostar product offers a variety of video outs on the rear panel. The ASUS M2A-VM HDMI features even more outputs, but they are on a separate card to be installed into the graphics slot - you should keep it in mind, if you want to install this motherboard into a low-profile PC case. The most inexpensive motherboard with HDMI support is the JetWay M2A692-GHG from Formoza. Interestingly, it can also boast of a rare element - POST indicator. Besides, it can load a backup BIOS copy and offers excellent overclocking options.
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
