- - AMD Socket AM3
- - ATX AMD 790GX VIA VT1708S 7.1 channels
- - 4 ECC Non-ECC Maximum internal memory: 16 GB
- - Radeon HD 3300 512
- - 64 Mbit
M4A78T-E - AMD Socket AM3, AMD 790GX/SB750 Up to 5200 MT/s, x DIMM, Max. 16 GB, DDR3 1600(O.C.)/1333/1066 ECC,Non-ECC, 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16, 2 x PCIe x1, 2 x PCI 2.2, ATI Radeon HD 3300 GPU, 1 xUltraDMA 133/100/66, 5 xSATA 3 Gb/s, Gigabit LAN, ATX
CPU, Chipset and Graphics Features
AMD® Phenom™ II/Athlon™ II/ Sempron™ 100 Series Processors (socket AM3)
This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM3 multi-core processors with unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features dual-channel DDR3 1333 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0 based system bus. This motherboard also supports AMD® CPUs in the new 45nm manufacturing process.
SidePort Memory
This motherboard features SidePort Memory, an individual onboard DDR3 memory serving as memory buffer for integrated graphics. With low CPU usage, the SidePort Memory provides integrated graphics acceleration and effectively boosts graphics performance.
Dual-Channel DDR3 1600(O.C.)
The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 1600(O.C.)/1333/1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest operation system, 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3 architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidths of up to 25.6 GB/s. Furthermore, the supply voltage for the memory is reduced from 1.8 V for DDR2 to just 1.5 V for DDR3. This voltage reduction limits the power consumption and heat generation of DDR3 which makes it an ideal memory solution.
Hybrid CrossFireX™ Support
Boosted Performance with onboard GPU and discrete graphics card
ATI Hybrid CrossFireX™ technology is a unique hybrid multi-GPU technology. It takes your gaming experience to the next level boosting PC performance by enabling the chipset’s integrated graphics processor and a discrete GPU to operate simultaneously with combined output for blisteringly-fast frame rates unleashing the graphics performance
* Visit www.amd.com for the Hybrid CrossFireX selected GPUs.
AMD® 790GX / SB750
AMD® 790GX / SB750 Chipset is designed to support up to 5200MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT3.0) interface speed and PCI Express™ 2.0 x 16 graphics. It is optimized with AMD´s latest AM3 and multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and overclocking capabilities.
ATI CrossFireX™ Technology
ATI’s CrossFireX™ boosts image quality along with rendering speed, eliminating the need to scale down screen resolution to get high quality images. CrossFireX™ allows higher anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, shading, and texture settings. Adjust your display configurations, experiment with the advanced 3D settings, and check the effects with a real-time 3D-rendered previews within ATI Catalyst™ Control Center.
HDMI/DVI/RGB Support
Flexible Graphics Alternatives
This motherboard supports multiple digital and analog display output interfaces - HDMI, DVI, and D-Sub. With such diversity of display outputs, you are able to choose and upgrade display devices freely.
ASUS Power Solutions
8+1 Phase Power Design
To fully unleash the next-generation AM3 CPU´s potential, the ASUS M4 Series motherboards have adopted a brand new 8-phase VRM power design. It delivers high power efficiency and supreme overclocking ability. Furthermore, high quality power components can effectively lower system temperature to ensure longer component lifespan. This series also features an extra 2 (or 1) phase power dedicated to integrated memory/HT controller.
ASUS Anti-Surge Protection
This special design prevents expensive devices and the motherboard from damage caused by power surges.
ASUS Overclocking Tools
TurboV
Feel the adrenaline rush of real-time O.C. - now a reality with the ASUS TurboV. This easy O.C. tool allows you to overclock without exiting or rebooting the OS; and its user-friendly interface makes overclock with just a few clicks away. Moreover, the ASUS OC profiles in TurboV provides the best O.C. settings in different scenarios.
Precision Tweaker 2
Allows the user to adjust the CPU voltage in 0.0125v steps and NB/DRAM voltage in 0.02v steps to finetune voltage to achieve the most precise setting for the ultimate overclocking configuration.
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!!
Other ASUS Features
100% High-quality Solid Conductive Polymer Capacitors! (VRM 5000hrs lifespan @105°C, 500,000hrs @65°C)
This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors onboard for durability, improved lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.
ASUS Green Design
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!
Express Gate
Taking only 5 seconds to bootup, Express Gate is the one-stop gateway to instant fun! It´s a unique motherboard built-in OS. You can utilize the most popular Instant Messengers (IM) like MSN, Skype, Google talk, QQ, and Yahoo! Messenger to keep in touch with friends, or quickly check on the weather and e-mails just before leaving your house. What´s more, the user-friendly picture manager lets you view your pictures without entering Windows at anytime!
*The actual boot time is subject to hardware configurations and product models.
ASUS Crystal Sound
DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC
DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC delivers exceptional 5.1 surround experience through the most common PC audio setups - your existing stereo speakers or headphones. In addition to virtual surround, “Bass enhancement” provides stronger low frequency bass sound, and “Voice clarification” provides clear human dialogue even with loud background sound. With these technologies, you may experience a better home-theater audio with ease.
To experience DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC, download the updated audio driver & latest BIOS at www.asus.com.
ASUS EZ DIY
Q- Shield
The specially designed ASUS Q-Shield does without the usual "fingers" - making it convenient and easy to install. With better electric conductivity, it ideally protects your motherboard against static electricity and shields it against Electronic Magnetic Interference (EMI).
EZ Flash2
Simply update BIOS from a USB flash disk before entering the OS
EZ Flash is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply press the pre-defined hotkey to launch this tool and update BIOS from a floppy disk before entering the OS.
Q-Connector
The ASUS Q-Connector allows you to connect or disconnect chassis front panel cables in one easy step with one complete module. This unique adapter eliminates the trouble of plugging in one cable at a time, making connection quick and accurate.
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution
Stylish Heatsink
The streamline-shaped heatsink features 0-dB thermal solution that offers users a noiseless PC environment. Not only the beautifully curved fins upgrade the visual enjoyment for motherboard users, but also the special Streamline Airflow Guiding design lowers the temperature of the north bridge chipset through high efficient heat-exchange. Combined with usability and aesthetics, the ASUS streamline-shaped heat-sink will give users an extremely silent and cooling experience with the elegant appearance!
ASUS Q-Fan 2
ASUS Q-Fan2 technology intelligently adjusts both CPU fan and chassis fan speeds according to system loading to ensure quiet, cool and efficient operation.
RoHS
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.
ASUS M4A78T-E, AMD, Socket AM3, 16 GB, 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD, 512 MB, Radeon HD 3300
ASUS M4A78T-E. Processor manufacturer: AMD, Processor socket: Socket AM3. Maximum internal memory: 16 GB. RAID levels: 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD. Maximum graphics card memory: 512 MB, Graphics card: Radeon HD 3300. LAN controller: Atheros L1E, Networking features: Gigabit Ethernet
CPU overclocking capabilities, Impressive IGP performance, Runs cool & power efficiently, Excellent BIOS, Superior connectivity, Impressive software suite, Decent Bang for the Buck... 
but the M4A78E DDR2 model provides even better Bang for Buck, BIOSrelated "FSB Hole" & CPU/NB frequency limit, Not enough voltage and temperature readouts (as always). 
Our very first AMD motherboard review is coming to a close and it has been an interesting experience. On the one hand, it is a whole lot of fun to overclock Phenom IIs, especially those with unlocked multipliers like our X3 720 Black Edition. However... 