Gigabyte MA-790FX-DS5 Motherboard Review :: Gigabyte MA-790FX-DS5 Features

Introduction The GA-MA790FX-DS5 is GIGABYTE's next generation, high performance platform based on the new AMD 790FX Chipset and support for the new AMD Phenom™ quad-core processors, with the latest AM2+ platform support, integrated DDR2 1066 memory controller, HyperTransport™ 3.0 technology links and 128-bit Floating Point Units. The GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-DS5 also features support for PCI Express 2.0 as well as ATI CrossFireX™ with dual x16 connectivity for the ultimate gaming experience. In addition to setting new records for blistering performance, the GA-MA790FX-DS5 is part of the GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 2 series of motherboards, featuring top quality electronic components which provide optimized power savings, ultra cooling and extended system durability.
		Ultra Durable 2 -Designed with Top Quality Highly Efficient Components Ultra Cooling - Low RDS(on) MOSFET Design Low RDS(on) MOSFETs specially designed to produce lower switching resistance for faster electric current charging and discharging. Low Power Loss - Ferrite Core Choke Design Ferrite core chokes comprised of a compound of iron oxide and other metal elements whose properties hold energy much longer than common iron core at high frequency. Longer Life - All-Solid Capacitor Design Solid capacitors contain a solid organic polymer, while electrolytic capacitors use a common liquid electrolyte, hence, the terms solid capacitor versus electrolytic capacitors.
		AMD OverDrive Support The AMD OverDrive™ utility provides high-end users the ability to maximize the capability, flexibility, and adjustability of the platforms utilizing AMD processors, sockets, and chipsets.Please click here to download
		AMD Live Ready AMD Live Ready Requirement compliant.
		Windows Vista Premium Logo Certified Windows Vista Premium promises to deliver a streamlined computing experience designed to fundamentally change how users view, find and organize their digital information. With GIGABYTE AM2+/ AM2 solutions enabling support for Vista Premium, GIGABYTE offers a fresh and unique desktop experience that will be more informative, intuitive and completely new...more
		AMD Phenom™ processors The leading-edge performance and unparallel technology of AMD AM2+ Phenom™ processors have built its strength on the well-known AMD64 framework which consisted next generation of HyperTransport 3.0 Technology, and integrated DDR2 1066 memory controller, and 128-bit Floating Point Units. The AMD Phenom™ processors are an ideal choice for multi-media enthusiasts and intensive multi-tasking environments to offer significant performance boosts and provides an overall more energy efficient platform.
		AMD 790FX Chipset The AMD 790FX Chipset is the system logic of the latest AM2+ (HyperTransport 3.0) platform from AMD that enables its next generation Phenom™ processors with the leading CrossFireX™ solution. The AMD 790FX Chipset, with optimized next generation of PCI-E 2.0 graphics capabilities, providing outstanding quality and performance for every PC users. Confidently manage and back-up precious digital files, surf the Internet faster, and play the latest games with technology designed today and ready for tomorrow.
		Dual Channel DDR2 1066* MHz Experience the advanced technology of DDR2 1066* memory, featuring faster speeds and higher data bandwidth, which delivers superior performance for the most demanding applications. * Whether 1066 MHz memory speed is supported depends on the CPU being used, please refer "Memory Support List" for memory support information.
		PCI-E 2.0 Graphics Interface PCI-E 2.0 doubles the bus standard's bandwidth from 2.5 Gbit/s to 5 Gbit/s, meaning a x32 connector can transfer data at up to 16 GB/s in each direction. PCI-E 2.0 also features improvements to the point-to-point data transfer protocol and its software architecture.
		ATI CrossFireX™ support With support for latest ATI CrossFireX™ technology, GIGABYTE pushes the envelope once again by delivering highly optimized performance and flexibility demanded by power users and extreme gaming enthusiasts. Designed to provide unmatched multi-GPU support with Quad PCI-E connectivity, the GA-MA790FX-DS5 allows users to take advantage of the ultra smooth 3D rendering, blazing-fast frame rates and enhanced visual quality possible with a dual graphics card solution.
		SATA 3Gb/s storage interface The SATA specification doubles bus bandwidth from 1.5Gb/s to 3Gb/s. Native Command Queuing is a new specification that enables out-of-order execution of commands for efficient retrieval of data. Hot Plug support allows users to insert and remove hard disk drives without shutting off power to the system.
		IEEE1394 motherboard This motherboard comes with IEEE1394 FireWire interface from Texas Instruments (TI). With the transfer speed up to 400Mb/s, the new generation IEEE1394 interface further enhances PC connectivity with consumer electronics audio/video (A/V) appliances, and storage peripherals.
		ALC889A with DTS Connect Enables a Superior Audio Experience Excellent Audio Performance High-performance DAC (Digital-Analog Converter) with 106 dB Signal-to-Noise ratio playback quality, designed especially for Windows Vista Premium PCs. Blu-ray/HD DVD Full Rate Audio Support The ALC889A enables high quality Full Rate Lossless Audio for content protected media and support for both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats for an exhilarating home theater entertainment experience. 7.1+2 Channel High Definition Output The ALC889A provides support for 7.1 sound playback, plus 2 channels of independent stereo output (multiple streaming) through the front panel stereo outputs.
		Gigabit LAN Connectivity The Gigabit network interface delivers a high speed LAN connection with data transfer rate up to 1000Mb/s, providing new generation connectivity for the broadband era. Gigabit LAN is ideally for seamless internet connection such as streaming audio and video contents.
		Silent-Pipe The revolutionary Silent-Pipe Technology compliant GIGABYTE motherboards featuring 0dB soundless heat-pipe thermal cooling solution, convergence with GIGABYTE Crazy Cool Technology, enhances heat dissipation efficiency from the critical Chipsets and CPU power components...more
		CrossFire With support for latest ATI CrossFireX™ technology, GIGABYTE pushes the envelope once again by delivering highly optimized performance and flexibility demanded by power users and extreme gaming enthusiasts. Designed to provide unmatched multi-GPU support with dual PCI Express connectivity, the GA-MA790FX-DS5 allows users to take advantage of the ultra smooth 3D rendering, blazing-fast frame rates and enhanced visual quality possible with a dual graphics card solution.
		Speed The Speed compliant motherboards of GIGABYTE S-series provide intelligent over-clocking and over-voltage software settings through both hardware and software design...more
		Smart The Smart featured motherboards of GIGABYTE S-series provide GIGABYTE proprietary innovative software such as Download Center, @BIOS, Q-Flash, Xpress Install, Boot menu, and Smart Fan. BIOS and driver management now becomes much easier and user friendly through GIGABYTE Smart features!...more
		Safe Safe is the key feature of GIGABYTE S-series motherboards with the following elements: Excellent hardware design reinforced BIOS protection through GIGABYTE Virtual Dual BIOS Technology and GIGABYTE BIOS Setting Recovery Technology. Unique system software such as Xpress Recovery 2, PC Health Monitor, HDD S.M.A.R.T., and C.O.M. further strengthen the stability and reliability of your PC!...more

Key features of the 790FX chipset include support for HyperTransport 3.0, DDR2-1066 memory, and support for the Phenom X4 and X3 cpus that have hit the market in force with the revision B3 Phenom CPUs from AMD. The CPU support list has the latest Phenom X4 9750 and X3 8750 CPUs listed. This is one of the big advantages of the AMD platform over the Intel platform, as earlier chipsets often can run the newer CPUs.

The key advantage of HT 3.0 over HT 2.0 is the increased memory bandwidth of the new bus. The 790FX chipset was the first motherboard chipset to support HT 3.0 which offers twice the bandwidth available to HT 1.0. The total system bandwidth to the processor is up to 33.1GB/second (X4 9850), dependent on the memory controller speed (up to 2.0GHz).

DS5 stands for SilentPipe, Speed, Crossfire, Smart, and Safe. The SilentPipe is Gigabyte’s new cooling design that covers the NorthBridge, South Bridge, and CPU power MOSFET, reducing the CPU temperature. This allows the end-user to enjoy longer component lifetime through lower temperatures and silent operation of the cooling compared to the standard heatsink that most motherboard manufacturers use. The Silent Pipe on the MA-790FX-DS5 uses a pure copper solution.