Abit NF-M2 nView AM2 Micro-ATX Motherboard

Introduction:

   Home Theater Personal Computers! When you see those words, one would assume that it's a budget sized motherboard with budget performance built on a budget platform. Before you even begin to consider what an HTPC is capable of you've already formed an opinion based on looks whether in a case or not. Granted everyone wants the best performance for their hard earned dollars.

   The NF-M2 nView AM2 Motherboard is one of the latest platforms to be added to the ABIT arsenal. The motherboard was designed to provide a more perfect quality Home Theater Personal Computer (HTPC) with features that supports anything you want in your system. A welcomed addition has been implemented with the nVidia Geforce 6150 Integrated Graphics Processor. Is it a worthy motherboard for your next home theater experience? Read on and see why it's being dubbed the "Little Bushido".


Specifications and Closer Look:

- Socket AM2 - Nvidia® GF6150/NF430 - 2GHz HT - Dual DDR2 800 - 1 PCI-E X16 - NV SATA RAID - NV GbE - 2 IEEE1394 - 7.1 CH HD Audio - Dual Monitors Support (VGA+DVI) - SilentOTES™ - RoHS Compliancy

Socket AM2
Socket AM2 is a processor socket for AMD® desktop CPUs, introduced in May 2006. One major improvement of the Socket AM2 is the support for dual channel DDR2 memory. Dual channel DDR2 offers 30% higher bandwidth while considerably lowering power consumption. This also results in less heat build-up thereby putting less stress on your system.

Dual Channel DDR2
This is the latest generation of DDR memory. It effectively doubles data transfer rate and bandwidth of DDR2 memory. To make optimal use of the Dual Channel capability a pair of identical memory modules must be placed in matching DIMM sockets. Those are color coded..

PCI Express
PCI Express is the next generation local interconnect on a motherboard. It effectively started supplementing the older PCI and AGP busand has become the prevailing interconnect standard. End users in general get in general associate with PCI Express a graphics card slot on the motherboard. Here  PCIe x8 or PCIe x16 are the most seen standards. PCIe in the meantime has replaced the AGP slot for graphics cards.

PureVideo™
The nVidia® PureVideo™ technology combines hardware and software technologies to deliver unprecedented picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for high-definition video in home-theater quality. PureVideo™ delivers high resolution video with minimum CPU usage.

nView™
nVidia®'s nView technologies enables you to use two monitors at a time. The user can either use each monitor for displaying different content, or use two monitors to show the same content. Instead of a second monitor you can also for example use a projector.

DVI
DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface. This digital graphics connector dramatically improves visual quality. It is specifically designed for flat panel LCD monitors and digital projectors. Using DVI to connect a high resolution display is the ideal solution to watch DVDs or play demanding games.

ABIT ENGINEERED

Abit SoftMenu™
 The original jumperless motherboard design allows for CPU setting changes completely through the BIOS. For GigaOverclocking! Boost  your PC's Performance by up to 50%. Convenient and easy-to-use fine tuning from within a self-explanatory BIOS menu.

Abit EQ™
Keep control over your hardware. abit EQ™ is an easy-to-use system monitor that helps you keep an eye on voltages, temperature items and fans.

  Abit CPU ThermalGuard™
  The Abit ThermalGuard™ technology prevents the CPU from overheating and burning up in the case of any hardware cooling  
  malfunction. This hardware thermal protection automatically shuts down your system when the CPU temperature reaches a
                   certain threshold.

          Abit Silent OTES™
          Abit's Silent OTES™ heatpipe technology dissipates heat from the chipset and conducts it to a
        highly effective heatsink. This fanless solution keeps your motherboard cool and quiet.