CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Motherboards. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of motherboard.
Socket LGA775
LGA775 (occasionally called Socket T) is a current processor socket used for Intel desktop processors and has been in use since mid-2004. As such, it is the basis of most current consumer motherboards and supports a variety of processors including versions of the Pentium 4, Pentium D, and Core 2 processors. As actual compatibility with a particular processor is determined by the chipset used on the board, it is still important to check the motherboard's actual compatible processors.
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Built-in Graphics
These motherboards feature an on-board graphics processor, alleviating the need to purchase a graphics card. This can be a good choice for a cheaper system that is not expected to need the latest and greatest in graphical processing power. Even better, many of these still have a acceptable graphics card slot on the motherboard, allowing it to be upgraded later.
Not all on-board graphics are alike. Some are versions of actual graphics processors, mounted on the motherboard with built-in video RAM, which can give decent performance; others are integrated graphics solutions, which are built into the main chipset of the board itself. These latter have been getting better, and can provide enough performance for standard office tasks, but still fall far behind any of the dedicated solutions.
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CNET product brief
Description: The Asus P5KPL-CM is an Intel G31 Express-based, compact motherboard.Compared to other compact motherboards on the market, it is relatively expensive at around $220.This motherboard supports Celeron processors that use the LGA775 interface.
Pros: Has a intel GMA 3100 graphics chip, which is considerably faster than some similarly priced motherboards.Also, this motherboard has an 8 x Hi-Speed USB optional connections, which is considerably more favorable than some similarly priced motherboards.By way of comparison, the average cost of a product with this favorable an optional connectors is $345.This product supports up to 4GB of RAM.This is enough to satisfy even the most demanding user.
Cons: Supports only 4GB of RAM.This is not out of line with the product's price, but is less than the average motherboard on the market today.
Suitability: A compact motherboard, suited for small computers.
Value: Notwithstanding its relatively expensive price, this motherboard has good features for the money.
Suggestions: (1) Be sure that you are using a LGA775-compatible processor with this motherboard.(2) 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.(3) 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.
