The motherboard of the ASRock M3N78D model is a universal solution that allows you to create both entry-level PCs and high-performance gaming systems within the framework of the AM2, AM2 +, or even AM3 platforms. She has good enough specifications and reasonable cost. It is this computer component that will be considered in this material.
Positioning
As noted earlier, the universal computer component is the ASRock M3N78D. This motherboard supports three generations of chips from AMD. Moreover, both entry-level chips, and the most advanced and most efficient microprocessors. In addition to this, it has a sufficiently large set of ports for connecting peripheral solutions, expansion slots and an improved layout. But at the same time, the cost of this computer component is quite low. It is the combination of everything previously stated that makes it universal.
Equipment
The following delivery list boasts a motherboard in the performance of ASRock M3N78D:
Actually the computer component itself.
Thin metal plate for mounting the board in the system case.
A set of interface wires.
A disk with all the necessary software and documentation in electronic format.
User manual in multilingual performance.
Warranty card.
Everything necessary to begin to use this computer component for its intended purpose after purchase is in the initial delivery. There are no drawbacks in it; everything can be attributed only to advantages.
Board layout and layout of the main elements
The motherboard considered in the framework of this material has the ATX form factor. Its dimensions are 305 mm in length and 191 mm in width. In the upper left corner, communication ports for connecting peripheral devices are grouped. Solid capacitors of the power supply system are also located here. Almost in the middle of the motherboard there is a socket for installing a CPU. On top of the processor socket is an additional power connector. On the right side of the socket is a group of slots for installing memory strips. There are 4 of them in this case. A model with a size of 4 GB can be installed in each of them. This in total allows addressing the solution in question up to 16 GB of DDR3 standard memory. The highest frequency of RAM chips can be in the nominal mode up to 1866 MHz. On the right edge of the board, the main power connector and port for connecting IDE drives are displayed at the top. At the bottom of the socket, expansion slots are grouped. To their right is the chipset, which is hidden under an aluminum radiator. His model is NVidia NForce 720D and it comes in a single-chip layout. In the lower right corner ports for switching with SATA drives are displayed. Along the bottom edge of the board, the FDD connection port and the connectors of the front panel of the system unit are displayed.
Processor list
An impressive list of supported CPUs boasts ASRock M3N78D. Supported processors, as noted earlier, can belong to one of three generations of AMD chips. The first of these is AM2. In this case, the microprocessors of the ATHLON series with indices 64, 64-X2, X2 and FX, SEPTRON, SEPTRON X2 and PHENOM are supported. The second generation of AM2 + chips complements this list with devices from the Athlon II and Phenom II series. The AM3 + platform, in addition to the previously mentioned Athlon II or Phenom II, is complemented by the most budget Septron 140 in a single-core layout. But the FX series chips, which already belong to the AM3 + generation, this model of the motherboard, alas, are not supported. There is also a newer model of the motherboard in question with the index FX. In this case, it is equipped with an AM3 + processor socket, and in this case, support for the FX series chips has already been implemented. But AM2 or AM2 + solutions will not function in its connector.
Overclocking chips. Increase in productivity
In practice, you can overclock the processor on the ASRock M3N78D. And for this, you can use both the clock frequency of the system bus and the CPU multiplier. The presence of an improved solid-state capacitor base allows you to count on improved microprocessor overclocking results. Of course, this will not dramatically increase productivity, but an additional 3-5% can be obtained. Moreover, the determining role in this case is played not by the motherboard, but by the state of the microprocessor used.
Expansion ports
An excellent communication kit boasts ASRock M3N78D. Her characteristics indicate such of them:
2 ports for a conventional pointing device and a familiar PS / 2 keyboard.
6 ports for peripherals USB2.0 format.
6 sound audio ports in the performance of 3.5 mm. They provide output of acoustic accompaniment in 7.1 format.
1 RJ-45 connector for connecting to a computer network.
Expansion slots
There are expansion slots in the motherboard considered as part of this material:
In the first case, it is about installing obsolete versions of expansion controllers, and in the latter, their newer modifications can be used. The last expansion slot is designed to complement the computing system with a discrete graphics card.
Cost
Currently, the ASRock M3N78D motherboard does not belong to the current computer components. This platform is outdated, but it still allows you to solve the tasks assigned to the personal computer. The computer component in question has already been discontinued, but it can be found in free sale. The price in the new state is 1200-1300 rubles. In a used state it can be bought even cheaper - 800-1000 rubles. Considering this motherboard as the base of a new computer is impractical today. It is more correct for these purposes to apply AM4-based solutions, which debuted in March this year. Productivity in this case is many times higher, as is energy efficiency. Of course, the price will increase, but the gain from the increase in speed will be very, very substantial.
Reviews
To begin with, it is necessary to note the form factor of the considered solution, which corresponds to the ATX specifications. That is, it has all the necessary expansion slots and ports, but it can only be installed in a full-sized case. But the price is quite democratic. As a result, we get a balanced solution that resolves any significant shortcomings. The owners in this case include the pluses:
In this case, there is only one drawback - the lack of an integrated video core. If after installing ASRock M3N78D there is no image, you need to check the status of the integrated video card.
Conclusion
Balanced and functional solutions is ASRock M3N78D. It allows the installation of chips as an economy class, and the most productive central processors. That is, on its basis both an office computer and a gaming ultimatum computing system can be implemented. It all depends on which microprocessor is installed. If, for example, it is Septron 140, then it is most optimal to solve office, the simplest tasks on such a PC, which include a word processor, spreadsheet editor or web surfing. If the Phenom 1100T microprocessor, the most productive in the framework of this group of computer platforms, is used, then we get a graphic station, a gaming PC, or even an entry-level server. Again, the product in question does not have an integrated video card. Therefore, its owner will have to install a discrete graphics adapter, but much will depend on the level of its capabilities. If the solution is an entry-level, you get an excellent office system. But for the implementation of the gaming PC will have to use a premium level accelerator. The result is a very, very versatile motherboard that can be used in almost any case. But it, as noted earlier, is currently not relevant.