Albatron has informed us about a new motherboard for AMD’s Socket AM2+ platform and its Phenom processors. What makes Albatron KI780G stand out is that it uses the MiniITX formfactor where the motherboard measures mere 17x17cm. Through AMD’s 780G chipset the motherboard sports integrated graphics with HD video playback and for additional 3D performance there is one PCIe X16 slot. Not surprisingly Albatron is targeting the HTPC market and paired with a energy efficient Socket AM2+ processor it does look like a good base for a truly slim media center PC.
Press release below;
Super Mini-ITX supports AMD Phenom CPUs and boasts all the comforts of Home Theatre PC
Phenom-enal Albatron KI780G defines new class of performance Mini-ITX boards!
Albatron Technology has announced the KI780G Mini-ITX mainboard featuring the AMD 780G chipset, claiming the top-dog spot in the Mini-ITX market. This Mini-ITX board’s most distinguishing feature is the AM2+ socket and support for powerful 4-core, 3-core AMD Phenom™ processors. Not only does the KI780G define a new class of performance Mini-ITX mainboards, it boasts the most complete set of functionality on par with many ATX boards on the market.
AM2+ socket and Phenom Processors
Recently, AMD had upgraded the AM2 socket to what is called the “AM2+” socket, which allows for powerful Phenom 4-core and 3-core processors. When used with Phenom processors, the HyperTransport transfer rates can reach up to a sizzling 3 GHz! The KI780G is able to handle up to 65W processors.
Graphics – Bluray, 3D gaming and dedicated on-board GFX memory
Integrated graphics has come a long way and the AMD 780G with its integrated ATI HD3200 graphics engine is “proof in the pudding”! Used with the latest AMD CPUs, the KI780G graphics is capable of handling even the most demanding, hi-content Bluray labels.
As for serious 3D gaming, the KI780G provides a PCIe X16 slot which employs four of the lanes but can still accept any PCIe X16 VGA card. As the 4-lane bandwidth is not as important as having a good GPU for 3D gaming, the KI780G has been shown to handle hardcore 3D games as long as it is used with an adequate VGA card.
Another nice feature on this board is “128MB side-port DDR2” memory dedicated for use with the VGA card, increasing 3D performance by 10% and eliminating the need for the graphics system to borrow shared system memory.
Home Sweet Home Theatre PC – Audio, Connectibility, Internet and Storage
In addition to the great graphics facilities, the KI780G has everything you need to build your Home Theatre PC; a complete set of monitor connectors including HDMI; full 8-channel audio capabilities plus SDPIF in/out; and up to 10 USB 2.0 channels for the rest of your hi-tech gadgets. You can store all of your pictures and videos on up to four SATA II drives while protecting your valuable data with RAID disk management. This board is equipped with a GBit LAN connector supported by a Marvel LAN chipset.
Don’t worry, be happy – 100% Solid Aluminum Capacitors!
If you experienced or heard about swelling, leaking and even exploding capacitors, you needn’t worry with the KI780G – it comes with all 100% Solid Aluminum Capacitors promising the most durable, stable capacitors as any mainboard on the market!
Specifications
CPU | Storage |
Socket AM2+ | Four SATA II channels supporting SATA RAID 0,1, 0+1 |
Supports Phenom, Athlon™ 64 FX, Athlon™ 64 X2 | External SATA Port (back panel) |
HyperTransport up to 3GHz with Phenom CPU, up to 1000MHz with Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2 | One IDE channel |
Chipsets | Audio |
AMD 780G/SB700 chipsets | SPDIF Out and RCA SPDIF In (Back Panel) |
Marvel® 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Controller | 8 Channel Audio (Back Panel) |
Super I/O: Winbond W83627EHG chip |
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Realtek ALC 885 HD Audio Codec |
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Memory | USB 2.0 |
Two SO-DIMM slots | 6 back panel USB ports |
Dual Channel DDRII 1066/800/667/800 MHz | 4 USB ports by onboard headers |
Up to 4GB capacity |
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128 MB of side port DDR2 (on board for graphics) |
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Graphics | Form Factor |
ATI Radeon HD3200 Integrated Graphics (DirectX 10) | Mini-ITX |
Display Connectors: DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, VGA | 17 x 17 cm |
One PCI-e 2.0 x16 slot (4 lane) |
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Power | Hardware Monitoring |
24-pin ATX power connector, 4-pin ATX 12V power connector | 1 FAN sensor, CPU voltage and temperature monitoring |