New 690G MB - Gigabyte or Sapphire?

[crazyhandpuppet]

I'm looking for a good 690G-based motherboard and I'm thinking I've got it down to 2 options:

Gigabyte's GA-MA69G-S3H @
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=2554

or

Sapphire's PI-AM2RS690MHD @
http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overview.php?gpid=178&grp=6

Unfortunately, I cant seem to find any head-to-head comparisons. The Gigabyte is a full ATX while the sapphire is uATX. The case is an Antec Sonata 2 mid-ATX case, so it should work with either board.

I don't mind paying more for the Sapphire (although it's practically always out of stock), but even after listing all I can find, I cant seem to see much of a difference. The Sapphire has Dolby Digital Live and the Gigabyte has crossfire (w a 4x slot). I must be blind, but that's the only difference I see.

 

[lewbaseball07]

why not intel?


core 2 duos are wayy better ...ill say it now and ill say it again

 

[lewbaseball07]

and future proof yourself and get a ddr3 supported board

 

[crazyhandpuppet]

I'm looking low cost, low power. If I was looking to go the high road, I wouldn't be looking at these 2 board specifically. And DDR3 is going to need a good long time to gain a serious foothold. Right now it is very expensive and barely on par with DDR2 - much like the DDR2 to DDR comparison when DDR2 was fresh. I don't see DDR3 being competitive for another 12-18 months and I'm not looking to worry about that.

I really am just asking about these 2 boards, or similar models that may be better.

I appreciate your trying to help, but right now Core 2 Duo doesn't fit into my planned build.

 

[f61]

Well, your close. Understand, I'm building a similar system. I've had to toss out all the AMD 690G boards, there were things like CMOS battery under the graphx card, blocked SATA ports, CMOS itself under the graphx card, 2 mem slots, Northbridge under the graphx card. In essence heat issues with critical parts. When parting out stuff, imagine how it would look assembled before you actually build it !

The TForce board in my sig. build has good design, except for the 24pin power, not very attractive with a clear side-case. But for a sleeper-case OK. the North/South bridges are on the same chip (and die) and out of the way. The new board chips have recently got good reviews at the egg.

And a review of the sister-board the TF7050 (HDMI) is here.

I'm not trying to validate or invalidate your choices, but the Sapphire board is very new, and the TF7025 or 7050 only a month or so. These boards should also be considered along with the AMD690G.

JM2c

f61

 

[crazyhandpuppet]

Thanks for the suggestion. Not sure why I haven't heard about that chipset being out yet. I'll look into it. So far I've read a few mixed reviews about the chipset on Biostar and Epox, but I guess it's still early. I'll keep my eyes open and if the IGP is superior, I just may go that route.

Biostar
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=142321
http://www.hartware.de/review_705_1.html

Epox
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2007/epox/EP-AP68P-G/g1.htm

However, isn't the 7050 just a rebadged 6150 w/HDMI?
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=6085

 

[f61]

Badges?, we don't need no steenking badges. Sorry, couldn't resist.

I would say no. If it were just a re-badge, why go to the trouble of integrating N&S bridges on one die. Performance-wise, tho, I see your point. Very similar, but maybe the 630a SB is a bit better. I didn't own a 6150, but it does look much better than the 6100's.

I noted in all the testing thats reviewed, the HTPC version (7050) lags in graphx. I hope the 7025 version is tweeked towards DTPC. And one reviewer DID toss an ATi-based board on it! (therefore not considered, and not useful, and thus a poor review: stick an NV 7900GS on the 7050 at least! ) I don't think the market/reviewers quite get it yet: by putting forth a 7025 board, some 2nd tier enthusiasts on a budget will migrate. HTPC, however is different and will be different: emphasis should be on audio and wireless with a mid-range graphx card if ANY.

IMHO, these first reviews show only the HTPC side, and not the PC side. Which is fine for HTPC, but then, the reviews were based on DTPC means, and not audio/802.11g stuff. I say, test the theater.

JMHO
f61

 

[Dank1]

I picked up the ecs amd690gm-m2 Its been rock stable, and the video options are pretty nice for regular workstation or media center. I don't really do the gamer thing so I can't tell you what it can do there.