MSI Announces More AMD 740G Motherboards

[btarunr]

MSI announced two more socket AM2+ motherboards based on the AMD 740G chipset. This low powered chipset suits businesses and productivity applications. Paired with the SB710 southbridge, it's featured on the 740GTM-P21 and 740GTM-P25, both nearly identical, but for a minor difference. The latter features 8-channel audio instead of 6-channel on the former. Both in turn, look similar in terms of PCB layout, to the recently announced 785GT-E63.

The AM2+ socket (compatible with most AM3 processors) is powered by a 3+1 phase circuit. It connects to two DDR2 DIMM slots, with support for DDR2-1066 memory. The 740G chipset embeds a Radeon HD 3100 class IGP, which provides output through a single D-Sub connector, instead of the DVI+D-Sub cluster on the 785GT-E63. The lone connector makes room for a DE-9 serial port, with a header for a DB-25 parallel port (perhaps a bracket is provided for the same).

Expansion slots include one each of PCI-Express 2.0 x16, x1, and two PCI slots. Connectivity is care of a gigabit Ethernet controller. While the 740GTM-P21 packs a 6-channel HD audio codec, the 740GTM-P25 gets generous with an 8-channel one. Expect the two to be priced deep inside the sub-$100 segment.



Source: TechConnect Magazine

[ShadowFold]

Originally Posted by btarunr

The AM2+ socket (compatible with most AM3 processors)

What do they know, that we don't.. All of the AM3 CPU's on the market work on AM2+ sockets. The AM3 socket has 941 holes, while the AM3 CPU's have 938. Maybe they have some AM3+(941 pin) stuff in the works.

[suraswami]

looks like the 8 channel audio board has solid caps in the cpu area which might me good and lasts longer.

[wahdangun]

i think you guy's wrong, AMD 740G is using HD 2100 class IGP (it's just a die srhink from 690G chipset) and i even use this chipset right now (an ECS one) and the price is damm cheap (just $45).

yep just like i said it's just a rebrand from 690G chipset.

[Kantastic]

I understand releasing 785G.... but is there really a point in making even older chipsets now?!?!

[ShadowFold]

Originally Posted by Kantastic

I understand releasing 785G.... but is there really a point in making even older chipsets now?!?!

Of course. I used to use 740G's for most of my customer builds that just wanted an internet machine. These will have SB710, so even better!

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by ShadowFold

What do they know, that we don't.. All of the AM3 CPU's on the market work on AM2+ sockets. The AM3 socket has 941 holes, while the AM3 CPU's have 938. Maybe they have some AM3+(941 pin) stuff in the works.

not QUITE true - there are some boards that wont, due to power limitations and such.
Also, you can imagine that 99% of stores out there would have staff who were told "different sockets dont work! DONT TRY IT !"