Board Layout

Click here for a 3000x2500 high-res shot of the board (3 MB download), the backside is here.


On the backside and in the manual you will find a sticker which tells you that you are not supposed to use other retention modules. The reason behind this is, that the first batch of motherboards has an issue where one CPU socket mounting hole is live with +12V and the other one with +3.3V.



If you use a metal backplate with metal screws there is a high possibility to create a shortcut. Under normal circumstances, when you have this shortcut, the PSU will simply not turn on. However, there might be situations where you could damage your motherboard or even worse.

Sapphire assured us that only the first batch of samples were affected and that this is going to be fixed soon.


Space around the CPU socket is more than enough for most users. Big coolers like the XP-120 should fit fine.


If you look at the IO panel you see a big gaping hole. Initially, Sapphire wanted to include on-board VGA with the motherboard, that's where the connectors were supposed to be. In order to reduce total cost for this rarely used feature, the integrated VGA was scrapped, but doing a redesign of the back panel wouldn't have been worth it. Modders could use this to add some "OTES" style MOSFET cooling. So from left to right, we have PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse, IEEE1394, 4x USB, Ethernet and Audio.


Usually memory slots are color-coded to indicate dual-channel configuration. Sapphire did not do this, probably to stay with the color theme of the motherboard. A quick look into the manual will tell you, that you have to put the modules right next to each other for Dual-Channel. This is not such a great solution since it tends to increase your memory temperature because there is less airflow around the individual sticks.

Connectors

The 24-pin ATX power connector is very conveniently placed, the ATX12V connector could be placed in a better location. An extra power connector would be nice, but it doesn't seem to be needed since the board supports only one PCI-E Video Card.


A total of six SATA ports are available on the Sapphire PI-A9RX480. They are arranged in two blocks. The group of four ports on the right is 150 MB/s capable while the other group on the left can run SATA-II up to 300 MB/s.


Two ATA-133 ports are located near the ATX Power connector. The connector closest to ATX power is the floppy port.


The front panel connector is neither color-coded, nor labelled. At least it follows the specification.


Overclockers love this feature. Two small buttons are used for Power and Reset. This saves you from connecting cables to the headers or using a screwdriver to turn the system on.

Slots

There is some extra space between the PCI-E x16 connector and the first PCI-E x1 port. With a one slot cooler, you should have plenty of space for airflow. With a two slot cooler there is a good chance that both x1 slots remain usable.