
With today's introduction of its new 780G chipset, AMD is finally enabling users to build an HTPC or multimedia computer for HDTV, HD-DVD or Blu-ray playback that doesn't require an add-in graphics card. (AMD already included HDCP support and an HDMI interface in its predecessor chipset, the 690G.) The northbridge chip of the new 780G chipset also features an integrated Radeon HD3200 graphics unit that can decode any current high-definition video codec. As a result, CPU load is decreased to such a degree that even a humble AMD Sempron 3200+ is sufficient for HD video playback. Also, while Intel's chipsets get more power-hungry with every generation, AMD's newest design was designed with the goal of reducing power consumption. (Compare Prices on Radeon Video Cards)

The Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-SH2 formed the basis for the review platform.
The older 690G chipset was originally designed by ATI, and was essentially just rebranded with the AMD logo after the two companies merged. The new 780V and 780G chipsets unveiled today are the first chips to be designed since AMD's acquisition of ATI, and can thus be considered "real" AMD chips.
AMD has every reason to be proud of its design, which is one of the best chipsets we have ever tested. It bests Intel's chipsets in functionality, power consumption and production process. With the move to 55 nm, AMD was able to lower the power consumption of its chipset. Intel, on the other hand, still manufactures its G33 and G35 chipsets at 90 nm, resulting in a much higher thermal dissipation loss. The 780G chipset sets a new record for the lowest power consumption.
- AMD's New 780G Chipset
- HD3400 In The Northbridge With Additional Memory
- Smooth HD Playback With A Sempron 3200+
- HD-Video Benchmarks: Only 21.90% CPU Load On A 3800+
- Output: Dual-Monitor, HDMI, Up To 4 Monitors
- Quad-Monitor Configuration
- Hybrid-Crossfire
- Overclocking The Graphics Core By 90%
- Test Setup
- Benchmarks - The HD3200 Graphics Unit Of The 780G
- Benchmarks - Warhammer, Prey And Supreme Commander
- Benchmark Analysis - 2.4 Times Faster Than The 690G
- Benchmark Analysis - 65% More Performance Through Hybrid-Crossfire
- Power Consumption - 42 Watts When Idle At System Level
- Power Consumption - 73 Watts During Blu-ray Playback
- Southbridge - SB700 With 14 USB And 6 SATA Ports
- Cost Of A Basic HD-Capable System
- 24 Boards From 13 Companies Announced
- Conclusion - Very Fast On-board Graphics With HD Video Support
What revision is your board? I just received this board and it's the new revision 1.1 which has a bigger heatsink (you can see the pictures from the gigabyte site for both revisions 1.0 and 1.1). I am getting my CPU soon and want to also check the northbridge temperatures. What can I use to measure the temps?
Thanks
Unfortunately, I'm using the rev 1.0 board. I fitted it with an HR05 heatsink from thermalright and its now just warm to the touch not hot. I'm using everest to monitor my temps. Aux now registers at 37 C, though I'm not really sure if its the NB temp. You can also use riva tuner among others.
I would question the QA process of a mobo manufacturer who offers not only a poor heatsink design, but a 4 phase mosfet unable to cope with the TDP of some of the higher power phenoms (see Tomshardware and Anandtech). The 780 board by XFX has a heatpipe solution on the mosfets and northbridge which looks like a better design, and similar price (cheaper if you count having to replace the deficient heatsink by Gigabyte). The Asus M3A78 possibly has a better heatsink on the northbridge.
there are 4 options with them in different orders. Do i enable CF like some say? I cant find Cross fire enable though Please help me!!
2600XT for mid range gfx Profile while 3450 are low cost profile gfx .
The Three main ways to Setup Multiple Monitors
1) You can buy a pre-manufactured multiple monitor computer. The best place to purchase a multiple monitor computer is at:
Multi-Monitors.com. They carry a multi-monitor computer line called SUPER-PC that can support from 2 to 12 monitors.
Multi-Screen Computer Systems
Multiple Monitor LCD Displays
2) You can get a USB to VGA Adapter, or USB to DVI Adapter that will allow you to add an extra monitor to your computer
via any USB2.0 Port. You can also add multiple extra monitors by using multiple adapters. This is a great option for viewing
documents, surfing the web, using Microsoft Office and many other business tasks. This is not a good option for intense
graphical situations such as HDTV, Blu-ray, Gaming and 3D / CAD Workstation applications. For those types of scenarios,
it is highly recommended that you purchase a high-powered multi-monitor workstation or a Matrox Dual or Triple Head2Go.
Multiple Monitor Adapters
3) You can replace or add an extra video card to your existing computer, depending on how many monitors you wish to support.
Although this sounds easy enough, this is a rather complex solution for a beginner, especially when trying to find a compatible
graphics card. For this reason, I am going to write an entirely seperate post on that topic and will link to it here, very soon.
Multi-Monitor Graphics Cards
Once you have your multiple monitor system set up and ready to use, you will need to enable all of your monitors in
your “Display Properties” Control Panel. Here is a great link to a complete and animated walkthrough of how to enable
your multiple monitors in Windows.
How to Setup Multiple Monitors (Instructions)
This is what it will look like when you are done:
Multi-Monitor Video Demo 1
Multi-Monitor Video Demo 2
digvijay
I accessed my user on windows......BSOD it's working on 625MHz the question is why I can't overclock to 950MHz like the article said