{"id":16699,"date":"2010-03-30T02:41:18","date_gmt":"2010-03-30T01:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=16699"},"modified":"2010-05-02T22:14:10","modified_gmt":"2010-05-02T21:14:10","slug":"ecs-a785gm-ad3-am3-black-series-motherboard-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/ecs-a785gm-ad3-am3-black-series-motherboard-review\/","title":{"rendered":"ECS A785GM-AD3 AM3 Black Series motherboard review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"center\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n     google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p>It has been a long time since AMD released it\u2019s 785G chipset yet motherboard manufacturers continue to churn out motherboards based on this chipset with all kinds of configurations. This chipset is used in motherboards which can support DDR2 as well as DDR3 memory. The CPU support is equally expansive with the ability to configure for an AM2\/AM2+\/AM3 CPU. The 785G motherboards usually retail in the $60-$110 price range, so it provides a low cost alternative for a user looking to configure an inexpensive system for simple tasks. The included integrated graphics chipset HD 4200 can provide some low quality gaming performance and double up as a good performer for HTPC use. With the ability to provide hardware acceleration for Blu-Ray discs resulting in smooth playback, the 785G chipset packs an impressive amount of features into a small package.<\/p>\n<p>In this review, I will be putting ECS\u2019s A785GM-AD3 through its paces and publishing the results on the following pages. Let us take a look at ECS A785GM-AD3 before moving on:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3e-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-e\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3e_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=550%2C412\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-e\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">About ECS<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffff00;\">ECS, Elitegroup Computer Systems, was established in 1987. Over the last two decades, they have expanded their operation to not only motherboards, but also desktop and notebook computers, graphics cards and many mobile products. ECS was the first motherboard maker in Taiwan to be listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 1994.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffff00;\">Headquartered in Taiwan with business partners and distributors in over 60 countries, ECS has ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 certified manufacturing facilities in China, capable of producing over 2.5 million motherboards and 200,000 notebook\u00a0computers\u00a0every month. The company currently has branch offices throughout the world in Americas, Europe and the Pacific Rim. To further extend its quality products and services, ECS plans to open additional branch offices in the new emerging markets including Brazil, India and Russia.<\/span><br \/>\n<!--pagetitle:Introduction--><br \/>\n<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Unboxing and Board Layout<\/h2>\n<p><!--pagetitle:Unboxing &#038; Board Layout-->For your viewing pleasure I have produced an unboxing video with initial impressions which can be viewed below.<\/p>\n<p><object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"560\" height=\"340\" codebase=\"http:\/\/download.macromedia.com\/pub\/shockwave\/cabs\/flash\/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" \/><param name=\"src\" value=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/HtszkxdIfjQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;\" \/><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" \/><embed type=\"application\/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"560\" height=\"340\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/HtszkxdIfjQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/embed><\/object><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3.PNG\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-18067\" title=\"ecsa785gmad3\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3.PNG?resize=267%2C169\" alt=\"ecsa785gmad3\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3a-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-a\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3a_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=285%2C179\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-a\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3b-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-b\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3b_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-b\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3c-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-c\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3c_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-c\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>ECS A785GM-AD3 comes in a standard size box for ATX sized motherboards with a nice dragon design featured on the cover. The board is adorned with AMD logos showing support for all brands of current AMD CPUs. The box does a good job of explaining the unique features to this board which include eJIFFY quick boot operating system and 15u gold contacts in RAM and CPU slots.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3d-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-d\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3d_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=263%2C198\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-d\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3f-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-f\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3f_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=288%2C198\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-f\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The board uses a full sized ATX layout with a black PCB. Enthusiasts should love the color of the PCB including me. The back of the board uses a plastic back plate like many other boards on the market.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3g-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-g\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3g_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-g\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3h-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-h\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3h_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-h\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The I\/O panel provides two PS\/2 ports, six USB ports, one eSATA port, one 1 GBps LAN port, VGA and DVI outputs, 5 channel analog audio and an optical audio output. The VGA and DVI outputs are provided by the integrated HD 4200 chipset. Firewire port is missing from action here, which is a shame because there are still a few camcorders out there that use firewire port to transfer video to PC.<\/p>\n<p>On the right is the AM3 CPU socket. This socket is not compatible with the old AM2+ CPUs.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3k-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-k\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3k_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-k\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3l-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-l\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3l_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-l\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The board comes with one PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot, so multi-GPU configurations are out of the question. The board also offers 2 PCI-E x1 and 3 PCI slots.<\/p>\n<p>The SB710 southbridge offers 5 SATA-II 3GBps ports but two of them will be blocked by a long double slot video card like the HD 5850.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3m-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-m\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3m_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-m\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3n-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-n\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3n_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-n\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The northbridge heatsink with \u201cBlack Series\u201d logo on top looks just beautiful. The heatsink gets hot to touch while running 3D graphics. I was able to overclock the integrated graphics chipset from 500 MHz to 800 MHz.<\/p>\n<p>In the right image, are the memory slots color coded for convenience to run the memory in dual-channel mode. 1600 MHz memory is supported in overclocked mode with a maximum capacity of 16GB. Next to them are the 24-pin power and the IDE connector.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3q-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-q\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3q_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-q\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3p-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"ecs-a785gmad3-p\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/ecsa785gmad3p_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"ecs-a785gmad3-p\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The board includes a Clear CMOS button in case an overclock goes wrong and the board does not boot. This button really helped me while I overclocked this board, so I\u2019ll have to give ECS high marks here. Also included are the Reset and Power buttons, another wonderful addition.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h2>BIOS<\/h2>\n<p><!--pagetitle:BIOS &#038; eJiffy-->ECS uses an AMIBIOS. I have made a walkthrough video of the BIOS which can be watched below.<\/p>\n<p><object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"560\" height=\"340\" codebase=\"http:\/\/download.macromedia.com\/pub\/shockwave\/cabs\/flash\/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" \/><param name=\"src\" value=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/ckH7ux1z9Ns&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;\" \/><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" \/><embed type=\"application\/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"560\" height=\"340\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/ckH7ux1z9Ns&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/embed><\/object><\/p>\n<p>A lot of settings are available that you would use for overclocking your hardware. All the overclocking settings are organized neatly in a menu called the MIB II (Motherboard Intelligent BIOS II). Voltages and bus speeds can all be set from here. One quirk that I found with the board was with overclocking. The board does not allow for the saving of different overclocking profiles. As a result after each failed overclock, and resetting the CMOS this is what you are treated to:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/biosfailoc-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"BIOS-fail-OC\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/biosfailoc_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=550%2C412\" border=\"0\" alt=\"BIOS-fail-OC\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Yes, you have to set all the settings again. Even the date and time. Had it not been for the ingenious Reset CMOS button on the motherboard, I would have been more irritated.<\/p>\n<p>Another quirk in the BIOS is that the default NB voltage is set to +30mV, while the default SB voltage is set to 1.25V instead of the lowest possible value 1.20V. This just consumes extra energy, if you plan on running such a setup at stock settings.<\/p>\n<h2>eJiffy<\/h2>\n<p>ECS includes a Linux based quick booting operating system with this motherboard. The setup can be downloaded from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ecs.com.tw\/extra\/ejiffy2009\/index.html\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.ecs.com.tw\/extra\/ejiffy2009\/index.html', 'here']);\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. Once installed in windows, user can set the BIOS option to enable eJiffy. Then a menu will popup, as seen in the video below, allowing you to choose between booting the operating system or eJiffy. eJiffy provides an easy way to surf the web, view photos or chat without booting up windows. As seen in the video below, you can very easily watch Full-HD videos on youtube.<\/p>\n<p><object classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" width=\"560\" height=\"340\" codebase=\"http:\/\/download.macromedia.com\/pub\/shockwave\/cabs\/flash\/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" \/><param name=\"src\" value=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/tvL8TR_HyjU&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;\" \/><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" \/><embed type=\"application\/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"560\" height=\"340\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/tvL8TR_HyjU&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/embed><\/object><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Test System<\/h2>\n<p><!--pagetitle:Test System &#038; Overclocking--><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>AMD Phenom II X2 550 CPU<\/li>\n<li>ECS A785GM-AD3 AM3 motherboard<\/li>\n<li>Kingston HyperX 1600 MHz 4GB Kit KHX1600C9D3K2\/4G<\/li>\n<li>Patriot TorqX M28 256GB SSD<\/li>\n<li>Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283 Heatsink<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Overclocking<\/h2>\n<p>I was pleased with the overclocking ability of the board. I was able to overclock the Phenom II X2 550 CPU from 3.1 GHz to 3.8 GHz. The HD 4200 chipset was running at 800 MHz, up from default speed of 500 MHz. This board does not allow for voltage change of the integrated chipset.<\/p>\n<p>CPU was running at a voltage of 1.52V, while NB voltage was bumped up by 0.1V, SB voltage was at 1.25V while the memory was running at 1.6V.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/systemoc-png.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"system-oc\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/systemoc_thumb-png.png?resize=550%2C530\" border=\"0\" alt=\"system-oc\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Below is a comparison of the stock settings as set by the board on first boot versus the overclocked settings in Everest Cache and Memory benchmark.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/evereststockvsoc-png.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px\" title=\"Everest-stock-vs-OC\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/evereststockvsoc_thumb-png.png?resize=550%2C248\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Everest-stock-vs-OC\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--pagetitle:Settings used for games--><\/p>\n<h2>Settings Used for Games<\/h2>\n<p>Here are the settings used for the games<\/p>\n<p><strong>STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/stalkerbench-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px\" title=\"stalker-bench\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/stalkerbench_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=550%2C412\" border=\"0\" alt=\"stalker-bench\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Half Life 2: Lost Coast<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/hl2bench-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px\" title=\"hl2-bench\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/hl2bench_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=550%2C440\" border=\"0\" alt=\"hl2-bench\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Street Fighter IV<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/streetfighteriv_benchmark2-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px\" title=\"StreetFighterIV_Benchmark-2\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/streetfighteriv_benchmark2_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"StreetFighterIV_Benchmark-2\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/streetfighteriv_benchmarkc-jpg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px\" title=\"StreetFighterIV_Benchmark-c\" src=\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/streetfighteriv_benchmarkc_thumb-jpg.jpg?resize=275%2C206\" border=\"0\" alt=\"StreetFighterIV_Benchmark-c\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle:Results--><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Results<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Results\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/results-png.png?resize=588%2C1599\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Results\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><br \/>\n<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><br \/>\n<script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p><!--pagetitle:Conclusion--><\/p>\n<p>ECS A785-AD3 motherboard represents a good value that has become synonymous with the AMD brand. Continuing on in the tradition of impressive performance with feature rich products, this motherboard is perfect for the casual gamer. But mainly this motherboard will be used for anyone looking for a HTPC setup or a work PC that can do some gaming. Add in a discrete GPU and fire up the voltages, this motherboard will also provide some overclocking headroom for some serious gaming with a quad core processor. However, this motherboard does not support 125W Phenoms, so your CPU choice will be limited to 95W processors or less which include the Athlon II quad cores and some Phenom II quad cores. All in all it&#8217;s a good solid product and a good performer.<\/p>\n<p>Pros-<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Black PCB (Just looks good!)<\/li>\n<li>Buttons for start, reset and clear CMOS.<\/li>\n<li>Cost Effective ($80 e-tail at the time of writing)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cons-<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cannot save overclocking profiles in BIOS<\/li>\n<li>Does not support 125W Phenom II CPUs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I will give it the ABT Good Value award.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px\" title=\"Good-Value\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/goodvalue-png.png?resize=150%2C251\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Good-Value\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=16699\"><img decoding=\"async\" align=top title=\"Author: Karan\" src=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/Front-page.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18067,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2533,7814,7,2535],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abt-news","category-articles","category-technology","category-web-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16699"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16699\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}