Foxconn A7GM-S (AMD 780G) + tests of the Hybrid CrossFire
Foxconn A7GM-S |
| Chipset |
AMD 780G |
| CPU |
Socket AM2 Phenom/Athlon64 HTT 200 MHz |
| Memory |
DDR2 400/533/667/800/1066 |
| HDD |
1x UltraDMA/133(RAID)
6x SerialATA II (2xRAID) |
| Extras |
High Definition Audio
10 USB 2.0
Gigabit Ethernet LAN |
| Price: |
n/a |
These days, more and more motherboards based on the AMD 780G chipset are emerging on the market. This chipset, like a bolt from the blue, has immediately changed the alignment of forces on the market of integrated platforms. High performance in 3D applications, functionality of the integrated video core combined with modern specifications of the south bridge SB700 make AMD 780G a sure leader in its field. Plus, if we add the cheapness of low-end AMD processors, as well as the low cost of motherboards based on 780G (at about $75), then it becomes clear why there is such an increasing interest to products based on this chipset.
Foxconn, like the other leading manufacturers, decided to join the "sharing out the pie" in the sector of integrated motherboards on AMD 780G and presented the model A7GM-S. Using the same PCB, Foxconn has released a couple more "lite" boards: A7GMX-S and A7GMX-K. The cost cut-down has been attained through the reduction in the number of DIMM slots to two, which has also resulted in the reduction of board's dimensions. Besides, the boards use the cheaper Realtek RTL8110SC controller, and A7GMX-K also offers the 6-channel audio subsystem.
Foxconn A7GM-S Specifications
| Foxconn A7GM-S |
| CPU |
- AMD Phenom/Athlon 64/Sempron with the bus speeds 200 (and higher) MHz
- Socket AM2+ |
| Chipset |
- North bridge 780G
- South bridge SB700
- Interbridge communications: PCI Express x4
|
| System memory |
- Four 240-pin slots for DDR-II SDRAM DIMM
- Maximum memory capacity 16 GB
- Dual-channel memory access
- Supported memory DDR2 400/533/667/800/1066(*) |
| Graphics |
- One PCI Express x16 (v2.0) slot
- Integrated graphic core Radeon HD3200 |
| Expansion options |
- Two 32-bit PCI Bus Master slots
- One PCI Express x1 slot
- Ten USB 2.0 ports (4 integrated + 6 additional)
- Integrated High Definition Audio
- Gigabit Ethernet LAN controller
|
| Overclocking options |
- FSB adjustable within 190 to 400 MHz; multiplier adjustable
- Adjustable voltages on the CPU, memory, chipset (nb), and HT
- Foxconn One
- AMD OverDrive
|
| Disk subsystem |
- 1 UltraDMA133/100/66/33 Bus Master IDE link (with support for up to 2 ATAPI-devices & RAID 0, 1 )
- Support for SerialATA II (6 links - SB700, with support for RAID 0,1,0+1)
- Support for LS-120 / ZIP / ATAPI CD-ROM |
| BIOS |
- 8 Mbit Flash ROM
- AMI BIOS with support for Enhanced ACPI, DMI, Green, PnP Features
- Foxconn LiveUpdate and Logo
|
| Misc |
- One port for FDD, one serial port, ports for PS/2 mouse and keyboard
- IrDA
- STR (Suspend to RAM)
- SPDIF Out
|
| Power management |
- Wake-up on modem, mouse, keyboard, LAN, timer, and USB
- 24-pin ATX (ATX-PW) power connector
- Additional 4-pin power connector
|
| Monitoring |
- Monitoring the temperatures of the CPU, system, monitoring of voltages, detection of rotational speeds of the two fans
- Foxconn Smart Fan
|
| Dimensions |
- ATX form factor, 244x244 mm (9.63" x 9.63") |
Package bundle
- motherboard;
- User's Manual in English + brief usage guide;
- two software & drivers CDs;
- one ATA-133 cable + one FDD cable;
- 1x SerialATA cable + a power supply adapter (1 connector);
- a cap for the rear panel of the housing.
The package bundle is minimized, however, it fully meets the requirements of a value product. In particular, there are PATA- and FDD cables, one SATA cables with a power adapter, as well as a cap to the rear wall of the housing.
We liked the master user's guide which gives a detailed account of all the stages of system assembly and tuning. The board also comes bundled with a brief manual.
In conclusion, we note a CD with Foxconn drivers and utilities, as well as one more disk with Norton Internet Security suite.
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