ASUS M3N78 Pro Review

ajmatson - July 27, 2008
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AMD CPU	AMD Socket AM2+ / AM2 Phenom FX/Phenom/Athlon /Sempron Processors AMD Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology AMD Live!™ Ready Support CPU up to 140W
Chipset	NVIDIA GeForce 8300
System Bus	Up to 5200/MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface for AM2+ CPU 2000/1600 MT/s for AM2 CPU
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 8 GB, DDR2 1066/800/667 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel memory architecture Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+ CPU for one DIMM per channel only. Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for Memory QVL (Qualify Vendor List) **When installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Hence, a total installed memory of less than 3GB is recommended.
Expansion Slots	1 x PCIe x16 (Support PCIe 2.0 / 1.0 Architecture ) 2 x PCIe x1 3 x PCI 2.2
Storage Interfaces	NVIDIA® GeForce 8300 1 xUltraDMA 133/100/66/33 6 xSATA 3 Gb/s ports (Use SATA1-4 for IDE mode.) NVIDIA® MediaShield™ RAID Support RAID 0,1,0+1,5,JBOD
USB	12 USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 6 ports at back panel)
VGA	Integrated NVIDIA GeForce® 8 Series GPU Hybrid SLI™ Support (supports Windows Vista only) Supports HDMI™ Technology with max. resolution up to 1920 x 1200 Supports DVI with max. resolution up to 1920 × 1200 @ 60 Hz Supports D-Sub with max. resolution up to 1920 × 1440 @ 75 Hz HDMI/DVI/RGB Support Supports Microsoft® DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.0, Pixel Shader 4.0 Support PCIe 2.0 / 1.0 Architecture Maximum shared memory of 512MB
LAN	NVIDIA Gigabit MAC Realtek® 8211CL Gigabit PHY featuring AI NET2
Form Factor	ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
Audio	Realtek® ALC1200 8 -Channel High Definition Audio CODEC Coaxial S/PDIF out ports at back I/O Support Jack Detection and Multi-streaming
ASUS AI Lifestyle Features	ASUS Express Gate - Web browser, file downloading and uploading* - Further free features upgradable * File downloading and uploading through USB devices only ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution - ASUS AI Gear 2 - ASUS AI Nap - ASUS Q-Fan 2 - 4+1 Phases ASUS Power Design ASUS Crystal Sound - ASUS Noise Filter ASUS EZ DIY - ASUS Q-Connector - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS EZ Flash 2
Overclocking Features	Intelligent overclocking tools - AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner) - ASUS AI Booster Utility Precision Tweaker - vDIMM: 8 -step DRAM voltage control - vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125V increment - vChipset 4-step Chipset voltage control SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) - FSB tuning from 200MHz to 600MHz at 1MHz increment - Memory tuning from 533MHz up to 1066MHz - PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 200MHz at 1MHz increment Overclocking Protection - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features	ASUS MyLogo 2 Uses 100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors!
Back Panel Connections	1 x PS/2 Keyboard 1 x S/PDIF Out 1 x IEEE 1394a 1 x LAN(RJ45) port 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 8 -Channel Audio I/O 1 x HDMI
Internal I/O Connectors	3 x USB connectors support additional 6 USB ports 1 x Floppy disk drive connector 1 x IDE connector 1 x COM connector 1 x VGA connector 6 x SATA connectors 1 x CPU Fan connector 1 x Chassis Fan connector 1 x Power Fan connector Front panel audio connector 1 x S/PDIF Out Header 1 x IEEE1394a connector Chassis Intrusion connector CD audio in 24-pin ATX Power connector 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector System Panel
BIOS	8 Mb Flash ROM DMI 2.0 PnP WfM 2.0 SM BIOS 2.5 Award BIOS ACPI 2.0 ASUS EZ Flash 2
Accessories	UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable FDD cable SATA cables SATA power cables D-Sub module HDMI to DVI connector Q-Shield User's manual 3 in 1 Q-connector
Support Disc	Drivers Express Gate Lite ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update ASUS AI Suite Anti-virus software (OEM version)

Features:

AMD® Socket AM2+ Phenom™ FX / Phenom™ / Athlon™ / Sempron™ Support This motherboard supports AMD AMD® Socket AM2+ multi-core processors with unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features dual-channel DDR2 1066 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0 based system bus.

AMD Socket AM2 Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64/ Sempron Support
This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2 single-core Athlon™ 64 / Sempron™ and dual-core Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 FX processors with 2MB / 1MB / 512KB L2 cache based on 64-bit architecture. It features 2000 / 1600 MT/s HyperTransport™-based system bus, dual-channel un-buffered DDR2 800 memory support, and AMD® Cool ´n´ Quiet™ Technology.

Native DDR2 1066
This motherboard is the first AMD® platform with native DDR2 1066 support. It provides faster data transfer rate and more bandwidth to increase memory data transfer rate and computing efficiency, enhancing system performance in 3D graphics and other memory demanding applications.
*Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+ CPU for one DIMM per channel only.

NVIDIA GeForce® 8300
NVIDIA® GeForce 8300 offers the latest support of Hybrid SLI Technology, DirectX® 10 graphics features, HD video playback with HDMI/DVI output. It also supports HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface, PCI Express™ 2.0 bus architecture, Serial ATA 3 Gb/s devices and is optimized with AMD’s latest AM2+ and multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance.

PCIe 2.0 support
This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 2.0 devices for double speed and bandwidth which enhances system performance.

Hybrid Hybrid SLI Support
GeForce® Boost—Boosted Performance with Onboard GPU and Discrete Graphics Card
HybridPower™—Intelligent Graphics Power-Savings and Quiet Operations
Hybrid SLI™ technology is a unique hybrid multi-GPU technology. It includes two primary features: GeForce Boost and HybridPower™. GeForce Boost turbo-charges performance of discrete graphics cards when combined with the motherboard GPUs. HybridPower™ unleashes graphics performance for demanding 3D applications and enables low-power operation for everyday computing needs. * GeForce®(R) Boost and HybridPower™ are on select GeForce®(R) GPUs. Visit www.nvidia.com/hybridsli for more information.

HDMI Support
Enjoy Full HD 1080p Multimedia Home-Theater Entertainment
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a set of digital video standards that delivers multi-channel audio and uncompressed digital video for full HD 1080p visuals through through a single cable. Supporting HDCP copy protection such as HD DVD and Blu-ray Discs, HDMI provides you with the highest-quality home theater experience.

HDMI/DVI/RGB Support
Flexible Graphics Alternatives
With bundled HDMI to DVI conversion adapter, this motherboard can support both DVI and HDMI output. DVI (Digital Visual Interface) provides high quality visuals for digital display devices like LCD monitors. The interface of this motherboard supports digital HDMI/DVI and analog D-Sub standards.

4+1 Phase Power Design
Longer Life & Higher Efficiency!
Unleashes ultimate memory performances with independent power to core components, while providing fast transient response and stability for the CPU under heavy loading or overclocking modes.

AI Gear 2
AI Gear 2 allows you to choose from profiles to adjust CPU frequency and vCore voltage, minimizing system noise and saving CPU power consumption at most. You can real-time change the mode under operating system to suit your needs.

AI Nap
With AI Nap, the system can continue running at minimum power and noise when you are temporarily away. To wake the system and return to the OS environment, simply click the mouse or press a key.

Express Gate™
5 Sec from Bootup to Online
Taking only 5 seconds to bootup, Express Gate is the one-stop gateway to instant fun! It´s a unique motherboard built-in OS. You can utilize the most popular Instant Messengers (IM) like MSN, Skype, Google talk, QQ, and Yahoo! Messenger to keep in touch with friends, or quickly check on the weather and e-mails just before leaving your house. What´s more, the user-friendly picture manager lets you view your pictures without entering Windows at anytime! * The actual boot time is subject to hardware configurations and product models.

Q-Shield
Make Connection Quick and Accurate!
The ASUS Q-Connector allows you to connect or disconnect chassis front panel cables in one easy step with one complete module. This unique adapter eliminates the trouble of plugging in one cable at a time, making connection quick and accurate.

EZ Flash 2
Simply update BIOS from a USB flash disk before entering the OS
EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply launch this tool and update BIOS from a USB flash disk before entering the OS. You can update your BIOS only in a few clicks without preparing an additional floppy diskette or using an OS-based flash utility.

Noise Filter
Eliminate background noise while recording
This feature detects repetitive and stationary noises like computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates it in the incoming audio stream while recording.

Uses 100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors!
This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors onboard for durability, improved lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.

MyLogo2
Personalize your system with customizable boot logo
You can convert your favorite photo into a 256-color boot logo for a more colorful and vivid image on your screen.

GreenASUS
The motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union´s Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This is in line with the ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and recyclable products and packaging to safeguard consumers´ health while minimizing the impact on the environment.