ASUS M3N78-VM - motherboard - micro ATX - GeForce 8200

Description: The Asus M3N78-VM is a nVidia GeForce 8200-based, compact motherboard.Compared to other compact motherboards on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $90.

Pros: Is built around a nVidia GeForce 8200-based chipset, which is somewhat more robust than some similarly priced motherboards.This board can be expanded to 8GB of memory.This is enough to satisfy even the most demanding user.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: Built for those who want to assemble a small form-factor PC.

Value: Given its relatively inexpensive price, this motherboard has great features for the money.

Suggestions: (1) If you want to take full advantage of the on-board SATA controller, you will want to consider a hard drive upgrade.Existing IDE hard drives will run on the ATA-133 bus.(2) For motherboard add-ons, check out the storage and components section of CNET's website.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Asus
• Part Number: M3N78-VM

• General

• Product type (AE) Motherboard
• Form factor Micro ATX
• Width 9.6 in
• Depth 9.6 in
• Compatible Processors Sempron, Athlon 64, Athlon X2, Phenom FX, Phenom X3, Phenom X4, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2
• 64-bit Processor Compatibility Yes
• Mainboard processor socket Socket AM2+
• Mainboard / Multi-Core Support Dual-Core / Triple-core / Quad-core
• Chipset Type NVIDIA GeForce 8200
• Data bus speed 2600 MHz
• BIOS type AMI
• Storage key information ATA-133, eSATA port, Serial ATA-300 (RAID)
• Power connectors 4-pin ATX12V connector, 24-pin main power connector

• Processor

• Installed Qty (Max Supported) 0 ( 1 )

• Memory

• Supported RAM Technology DDR2 SDRAM
• RAM Installed ( Max ) 0 MB / 8 GB (max)
• Supported RAM Speed PC2-4300, PC2-5300, PC2-6400, PC2-8500
• RAM Features Unbuffered, Dual channel memory architecture

• Video

• Graphics Controller NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Shared video memory (UMA)

• Audio

• Audio Output Sound card
• Audio codec VIA VT1708B
• Sound Output Mode 7.1 channel surround
• Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio

• Telecom / Networking

• Modem None
• Networking Network adapter - Realtek RTL8211CL - Ethernet, - Fast Ethernet, - Gigabit Ethernet

• Features

• BIOS Features ASUS MyLogo2, ASUS EZ Flash 2, DMI 2.0 support, WfM 2.0 support, SMBIOS 2.5 support
• Hardware Features ASUS Q-Fan, ASUS AI NET2, CrashFree BIOS 3, ASUS Express Gate, AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology, C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall), NVIDIA Hybrid SLI Technology Support, ASUS Stepless Frequency Selection (SFS)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 Processor - Socket AM2+, 4 Memory - DIMM 240-pin, 1 PCI Express x16, 1 PCI Express x1, 2 PCI
• Storage Interfaces ATA-133 - connector(s): 1 x 40pin IDC - 2 device(s), Serial ATA-300 - connector(s): 5 x 7pin Serial ATA - 5 device(s) - RAID 0 / RAID 1 / RAID 0+1 / RAID 5 / JBOD, Serial ATA-300 - connector(s): 1 x 7pin external SATA - 1 device(s)
• Interfaces 1 x Keyboard - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), 1 x Audio - SPDIF output - TOSLINK, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 6 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Display / video - HDMI output - 19 pin HDMI Type A, 1 x Audio - Line-out (center/subwoofer) - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - Line-out (rear) - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - Line-in - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - Line-out - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - Line-out (side surround) - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Storage - Floppy interface - 34 pin IDC, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - DVI-Digital - 24 pin digital DVI
• Additional connectors (optional) 6 x Hi-Speed USB

• Miscellaneous

• Software Included ASUS PC Probe 2, ASUS Live Update, ASUS Express Gate, Drivers & utilities
• Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
• Compliant Standards RoHS, Plug and Play

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & support type 3 years warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years

Asus

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.asus.com/
• Address: 44370 Nobel Drive, Fremont, CA. 94538
• Phone: +1-510-739-3777
• Email: tmd1@asus.com
• Fax: +1-510-608-4555