Performance
| Motherboard form factor |
ATX |
| Motherboard chipset family |
AMD |
| Audio system |
ALC887 |
| Component for |
PC |
Memory
| Supported memory clock speeds |
533, 667, 1066, 1200 MHz |
| ECC |
Y |
| Supported memory types |
DDR2-SDRAM |
| Memory channels |
Dual |
| Memory slots type |
DIMM |
| Number of memory slots |
4 |
| Maximum internal memory |
16 GB |
BIOS
| BIOS memory size |
8 MB |
| BIOS type |
AMI |
| ACPI version |
2.0a |
Back panel I/O ports
| Parallel ports quantity |
1 |
| PS/2 ports quantity |
1 |
| Headphone outputs |
1 |
| S/PDIF out port |
Y |
| Microphone in |
Y |
| eSATA ports quantity |
1 |
| COM ports quantity |
1 |
Other features
| Controller (2nd) interface type |
UltraDMA 133/100 |
| Controller interface type |
SATA 3 Gb/s |
Internal I/O
| USB 2.0 connectors |
3 |
| S/PDIF out connector |
Y |
| Number of SATA connectors |
5 |
| Number of Parallel ATA connectors |
1 |
| ATX Power connector (24-pin) |
Y |
| Power fan connector |
Y |
| Number of SATA II connectors |
5 |
| CD/AUX audio in |
Y |
| CPU fan connector |
Y |
| Number of chassis fan connectors |
1 |
| Number of EATX power connectors |
1 |
| Front panel audio connector |
Y |
Expansion slots
| PCI slots |
3 |
| PCI Express x16 (Gen 2.x) slots |
1 |
| PCI Express x1 (Gen 1.x) slots |
1 |
Networking
| Networking features |
Gigabit Ethernet |
Additionally
| Chipset |
AMD 770 |
| Ethernet LAN connection |
Y |
| Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ports quantity |
1 |
M4A78 - AMD Socket AM2+ / AM2 / AM3, AMD 770/SB700, Up to 5200 MT/s, 4 x DIMM, Max. 16 GB, DDR2 1200/1066/800/667/533 ECC, 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16, 2 x PCIe x1, 3 x PCI, Gigabit LAN, ATX
Supports AMD AM2+/AM2 for Phenom FX/Phenom/Athlon 64/ Sempron/Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64 FX/ processors And compatible with Phenom™ II/ Athlon™ X4/ Athlon™ X3/ Athlon™ X2 (AM3 CPU)
The motherboard supports AMD AM2+/AM2 for Phenom FX/Phenom/Athlon 64/ Sempron/Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64 FX/ processors and compatible with Phenom™ II/ Athlon™ X4/ Athlon™ X3/ Athlon™ X2 (AM3 CPU)with 2MB / 1MB / 512KB L2 cache, which is based on 64-bit architecture. It features 5200 MT/s HyperTransport3.0 Bus, dual-channel un-buffered DDR2 1066 memory support and AMD Cool ´n´ Quiet! Technology.
O.C. DDR2 1200
To attain top performance, ASUS engineers have successfully unleashed DDR2 1200(O.C.) MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest operation system, 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications.
*Ensure that you download and update to the latest BIOS at www.asus.com and purchase the memory modules listed in the ASUS official memory Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL).
** We recommend that you install the DDR2 1200 memory modules on the yellow slots for better performance.
HyperTransport 3.0 Support
Provides 2.6 times more bandwidth than HT1.0 that radically improves system efficiency for a smoother, faster computing environment.
64-bit CPU support
64-bit computing, the next generation technology to replace the current 32-bit architecture, delivers advanced system performance, faster memory access and increased productivity. This motherboard provides excellent compatibility and flexibility by support Intel EM64T.
PCI Express Architecture
PCI Express is the latest I/O interconnect technology that will replace the existing PCI. With a bus bandwidth 4 times higher than that of AGP 8X interface, PCI Express x16 bus performs much better in applications such as 3D gaming.
Serial ATA 3Gb/s
This motherboard supports next-generation SATA hard drives based on the new SATA 3Gb/s storage specification, allowing RAID 0, RAID 1,RAID 0+1 and JBOD configurations for five SATA connectors.
SATA on the Go
The motherboard supports the next-generation hard drives based on the Serial ATA (SATA) 3Gb/s storage specification, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. The external SATA port located at the back I/O provides smart setup and hot-plug functions. Easily backup photos, videos and other entertainment contents on external devices.
Gigbit LAN
The on-board LAN controller is a highly integrated GbLAN controller. It is enhanced with an ACPI management function to provide efficient power management for advanced operating systems.
High Definition Audio
Enjoy high-end sound system on your PC!
The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different destinations. You can now talk to your partners on the headphone while playing a multi-channel network games. All of these are done on one computer.
S/PDIF-out on Back I/O Port
This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home theater audio systems via coaxial and optical S/PDIF-out (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface) jacks. It allows to transfer digital audio without converting to analog format and keeps the best signal quality.
AMD Cool ´n´ Quiet! Technology
M4A78 supports AMD Cool ´n´ Quiet! Technology, which monitors system operation and automatically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency for a cool and quiet environment.
ASUS Q-Fan
ASUS Q-Fan technology intelligently adjusts CPU fan speeds according to system loading to ensure quiet, cool and efficient operation.
Max. 12 USB 2.0 ports
USB 2.0 is the latest connectivity standard for next generation components and peripherals. Backwards compatible with current USB 1.1 peripherals, USB 2.0 delivers transfer speeds up to 40 times faster at 480Mb/s, for easy connectivity and ultra-fast data transfers.
ASUS CrashFree BIOS3
The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 allows users to restore corrupted BIOS data from a USB flash disk containing the BIOS file. This utility saves users the cost and hassle of buying a replacement BIOS chip.
ASUS EZ Flash2
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.
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.
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.
EPU
The ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit) provides total system power management by detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating power in real-time. It automatically provides the most appropriate power usage for the CPU, VGA card, hard drives, and CPU/chassis fans- helping save power and money!
Turbo Key
ASUS Turbo Key allows the user to turn the PC power button into an overclocking button. After the easy setup, Turbo Key can boost performances without interrupting ongoing work or games - with just one touch!!
Express Gate
Instant Internet Access without Entering Windows!
With only 5 seconds boot-up time, the ASUS Express Gate allows you to instantly surf the Internet without entering Windows or the Hard Disk. You can now enjoy Skype, IM, YouTube, webmail and internet file downloads and sharing whenever and wherever you want!
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.
