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The Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H motherboard is the first platform based on the new AMD 780G chipset. This new chipset includes a DirectX 10.1-compliant graphics core reused from the Radeon HD 3200; with AMD making use of ATI technology inherited from the July 2006 merger of AMD and ATI. The AMD 780G chipset enables decode acceleration of Blu-ray movie playback, second-generation PCI Express, Hybrid CrossFire, a new SB700 south bridge, and a Phenom-ready HyperTransport 3 processor link. Corresponding with the March 4th, 2008 announcement of this board, AMD is introducing a new energy-efficient 45 Watt Athlon X2 4850e for $89. The GA-MA78GM-S2H retails for $95.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
6 people have already voted. Do you agree?

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Best IGP solution (March 2008)
+4agreedisagree

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low power consumption
+4agreedisagree

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HDMI output
+4agreedisagree

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Connect up to 4 displays with Hybrid CrossFireX - 3rd, and 4th display requires additional graphics card
+4agreedisagree

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DirectX 10.1 compliant
+3agreedisagree

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Can power dual monitor right out of the box
+3agreedisagree

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GPU decoding of HD codecs makes this board HD compatible with a relatively slow CPU
+2agreedisagree

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Optical S/PDIF output
+2agreedisagree

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Includes 2 high quality SATA cables
+2agreedisagree

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Nicely color-coded backplate with clear labels
+2agreedisagree

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Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

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Only one DVI output; one monitor has to run VGA in dual setup.
+2agreedisagree

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Can't use HDMI and DVI at the same time
+2agreedisagree

Competing products

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More information

AMD 780G Chipset

  1. Supports AMD AM2+ Phenom/ AM2 Athlon64 series processors
  2. Solid capacitors design in CPU VRM
  3. Dual Channel DDR2 1066
  4. Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200-based graphics (DX10)
  5. Ultimate graphics performance with PCI-E 2.0 x16 interface with ATI Hybrid CrossFireX support
  6. Integrated SATA 3Gb/s with RAID function
  7. Features high speed Gigabit Ethernet and IEEE1394
  8. High quality 106dB SNR ALC889A HD audio
  9. Integrated HDMI/ DVI interface with HDCP

Refer to manufacturer's product page for more details.

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Related products

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7 comments about Gigabyte GA MA 78 GM S 2 H

1.  avatar GT-D  Apr 04, 2008 10:59am

Slick motherboard, if I were in the market for a new rig this is certainly a possibility.

Will have to see at the end of the summer.
2.  avatar Erik  Apr 29, 2008 10:21am

I think HTPCs are making a comeback, largely because of mobos like this one. Low power, low cost, loaded with features (HDMI out, S/PDIF), and the ability to decode HD video make this very attractive. Have a look at the 46 Watt HTPC link above from Coding Horror for a parts list for your next build.

I'm hoping that HTPCs can replace your cable box, Blu-ray transport, Apple TV, and media streamer sometime soon.
3.  avatar yaminb  Jun 25, 2008 5:47pm

anyone know if ubuntu (linux) is supported with this mobo?
4.  avatar Erik  Jun 25, 2008 5:52pm

Sounds like it:

http://www.phoronix.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8211
5.  avatar dialupinternetuser  Jun 26, 2008 8:41am

Also, you can check here. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport

If it's listed there, it definitely is. If not, that doesn't mean it's not supported.
6.  avatar Erik  Jun 26, 2008 11:34am

I just checked, and this mobo isn't listed, however the previous gen 690G mobo (Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H) is compatible. I think that this motherboard is also compatible with Ubuntu based on that thread I linked to, and the fact that it's not yet listed on the Ubuntu wiki is more of a function of it being new and the wiki not being up to date.
7.  avatar yaminb  Jun 29, 2008 12:03am

well i just costed a similar system as the one above. Not bad. I got a nice system built for around 430.00. Blasted windows costs too much. Something in my head thought the oem would be like 50 bucks. Turns out that vista basic oem is over 100.

should be comiing soon.

Maybe not the right place, but anyone have any experience with paid linux distros (suse, redhat, mandrake?). I use ubuntu on my laptop. Its decent but sometimes updates break things and stuff...and i have a quick upgrade trigger finger :P I'm going to use this as my main entertainment systme on my tv... i don't want things to break :)
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    Key Features:

    Chipset AMD 780G
    CPU Socket AM2
    Form Factor uATX
    Manufacturer Gigabyte
    Motherboard Features Integrated Video, HiFi Audio, DDR2, Dual VGA, ATI Hybrid CrossFireX, PCI-E 2.0, HDMI 1.3
    Price $95.00
    Release Date Mar. 4, 2008

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    Product page stats

    3266 views and 65 edits (see all)
    Created: 04/03/2008 - 9:29
    Modified: 06/29/2008 - 0:03
    Model # variations:

    GA, MA, 78, GM, S, 2, H, GAMA, MA78, 78GM, GMS, S2, 2H, GAMA78, MA78GM, 78GMS, GMS2, S2H, GAMA78GM, MA78GMS, 78GMS2, GMS2H, GAMA78GMS, MA78GMS2, 78GMS2H, GAMA78GMS2, MA78GMS2H, GAMA78GMS2H