ECS A785GM-M Black

Back in March the open-source ATI Linux driver had gained support for an unreleased IGP known as the RS880, months before it would end up on the market and become known as the AMD 785G Chipset. The open-source support is there for this integrated graphics processor and motherboard chipset, along with the proprietary support through the Catalyst Linux driver, and there is even chipset documentation to help the CoreBoot developers. With the 785G being the latest (and likely last) ASIC in the AMD 700 series, we decided to look at the ECS A785GM-M motherboard. The A785GM-M from Elitegroup Computer Systems is affordable and offers a nice set of features for being a micro ATX motherboard.

Features:

Processor
- Socket AM3 socket for AMD Phenom II processors
- High-performance HyperTransport 3.0 CPU Interface
- Support transfer rate up to 5200 mega-transfers per second

Chipset
- AMD 785G & AMD SB710
- North Bridge: AMD 785G
- South Bridge: AMD SB710

Graphics
- Integrated DirectX10.1 graphics processor

Memory
- Dual-channel DDR3 memory architecture
- 4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM socket support up to 32GB*
- Support DDR3 1333/1066/800 SDRAM

Expansion Slots
- 1 x PCI Express x16 slot
- 2 x PCI Express x1 slots
- 1 x PCI slot

Storage
- Support by AMD SB710
- 2 x Ultra DMA 100/66/33 devices
- 6 x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s devices
- RAID0, RAID1, RAID10 configuration
- Support by JMicron JMB362
- 2 x eSATAII 3.0Gb/s devices

Audio
- Realtek ALC 888S supports 8-channel HD audio
- Compliant with HD audio specification

LAN
- RealTek 8111DL Gigabit Fast Ethernet NIC

Form Factor
- Micro-ATX Size, 244mm x 244mm

Contents:

The packaging for the ECS A785GM-M is not very different from that of other Elitegroup Computer Systems we have reviewed in the past like the A790GXM-A Black and GF8200A Black. The packaging is colorful to attract gamers and enthusiasts while showing off various features for this motherboard like AMD Phenom II compatibility, integrated ATI Radeon graphics, all solid capacitors, and eJIFFY. ECS motherboards are generally light on accessories and this 785G motherboard is no different with it just including four Serial ATA cables, one ribbon IDE cable, the I/O panel, one quick start guide, and then finally was the ECS user's guide.