ASRock G43Twins-FullHD

Back in August we had looked at the G45-based Super Micro C2SEA with its integrated Intel GMA X4500HD graphics. The X.Org graphics performance wasn't that bad for being an Intel IGP, but Intel had also introduced the G43 Chipset with Intel X4500 (non-HD) graphics. One of the motherboards to use Intel's G43 is the ASRock G43Twins-FullHD, which we happen to be looking at today. This motherboard that pairs the Intel G43 with an ICH10 Southbridge supports both DDR2 and DDR3 system memory and its video connectors include D-Sub, DVI-D, and DisplayPort.

Features:

Processor
- LGA 775 for Intel Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Pentium Dual Core / Celeron Dual Core / Celeron
- Supports Penryn Quad Core, Yorkfield, and Dual Core Wolfdale processors
- Supports FSB1333/1066/800 MHz
- Supports Hyper-Threading Technology
- Supports Untied Overclocking Technology
- Supports EM64T CPU

Chipset
- Northbridge: Intel G43
- Southbridge: Intel ICH10

Memory
- Dual Channel DDR3/DDR2 memory technology
- 2 x DDR3 DIMM slots
- Supports DDR3 1066/800 non-ECC, un-buffered memory
- Max. capacity of system memory: 4GB
- 2 x DDR2 DIMM slots
- Supports DDR2 1066(OC)/800/667 non-ECC, un-buffered memory
- Max. capacity of system memory: 8GB

BIOS
- 8Mb AMI BIOS
- AMI Legal BIOS
- Supports "Plug and Play"
- ACPI 1.1 Compliance Wake Up Events
- Supports Jumperfree
- SMBIOS 2.3.1 Support
- CPU, DRAM, NB, SB, VTT Voltage Multi-adjustment
- Supports I. O. T. (Intelligent Overclocking Technology)
- Supports Smart BIOS, Energy Saving Design

Audio, Video and Networking Graphics
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500
- Pixel Shader 4.0, DirectX 10
- Max. shared memory 352MB
- Three VGA Output options: D-Sub, DVI-D and DisplayPort with ASRock DVI_DisplayPort Card
- Supports DVI-D and DisplayPort with ASRock DVI_DisplayPort Card
- Supports HDCP function with ASRock DVI_DisplayPort Card
- Supports Full HD 1080p Blu-ray (BD) / HD-DVD playback* with ASRock DVI_DisplayPort Card

Audio
- 7.1 CH Windows Vista Premium Level HD Audio (ALC888 Audio Codec)

LAN
- PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s
- Realtek RTL8111B/RTL8111C
- Supports Wake-On-LAN

Expansion / Connectivity Slots
- 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (green @ x16 mode)
- 1 x PCI Express x1 slot
- 2 x PCI slots

Form Factor
- Micro ATX Form Factor: 9.6-in x 9.6-in, 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm

Contents:

Along with the micro ATX motherboard was the ASRock user's manual, one Serial ATA data cable, one 4-pin molex to Serial ATA power adapter, ASRock DVI/DisplayPort card, one ribbon FDD cable, one ribbon IDE cable, and the metal I/O panel. The analog D-Sub connector is integrated into the motherboard's I/O panel, but those wishing to use a dual-link DVI or DisplayPort interface with the Intel X4500 graphics will need to use ASRock's drop-in card. This card connects to the motherboard's lone PCI Express x16 slot and provides these two digital connectors.