Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H Motherboard Review :: GA-MA69GM-S2H Layout

For starters this board is very small being based off the micro-ATX FF and can be used in many SFF systems or smaller sized enclosures. THE area around the ZIF socket is clear enough that many of the aftermarket heatsink products can be used without problems. The memory area is also clear of obstacles and eliminates the age old complaint of boards having the VGA card block the memory slots. The NB heatsink is passive and this leaves a lot to be considered in the overclocking arena where heat is the mortal enemy of the people. This is a quick fix for anyone worthy of building a PC and a fan should be attached quick time.

Angle Shot

ZIF Socket

Memory DIMMs

Heatsink

I really like the positioning of the SATA controller ports as they are angled and are easier to access when building a new system or changing out drives. The two PCI slots are accessible as long as you do not install an ATI 2900, or NVIDIA 8800 series card as these cards effectively block both slots. You can install something in the bottom PCI slot, but it will have to be very thin and it will most likely sit flush up against the VGA card. The single PATA and Floppy connectors sit below the memory slots and are the basic faire as seen on most motherboards. Once again we see the SB being cooled by a passive heatsink, but the Southbridge is not relevant to overclocking and rarely gets very hot.

SATA 1-4

PCI Slots

PATA/Floppy

Passive SB

Main power is located by the PATA/Floppy connectors, which is a fairly normal spot, but it would have been better to put it back by the 12v connector above the ZIF slot for an optimal location, this does require major rerouting of the circuitry on the board, which is why it is located where it is however. Looking at the board you can easily distinguish the various connections and where their appropriate wiring gets connected. All the silk-screened text can be seen without visual aide and that makes hooking everything up a faster process. There is a sole PCI 1x slot that just takes up wasted space as there are only a few discreet products that can use that slot and since those products are LAN based, and the board has embedded LAN, it's pretty useless.

Power

12v Power

USB

Harness Connect

PCI 1x

Rear I/O