Abit AB9 Quad GT P965 Crossfire Motherboard

Introduction:

From what has been stated in press releases, the NVidia 680i chipset hasn't been released in great numbers among motherboard makers. In fact, it's much easier to find 965 and 975 Intel chipset boards which is also why they are doing much better. The simple economic law of supply and demand has worked in favor of the consumers the past couple months. Because Intel chipset motherboards are more readily available and have done very well in many reviews, consumers have been more than happy to step up and make the choice for the comparable platform at a better price. The price of the 680i platforms haven't been cheap ranging from $400 to $215 price range. These factors have been good for Intel as they remain the top performer in processors and continue providing Intel chipsets like hot cakes.

About a week ago, I had the pleasure of playing with Abit's flagship IN9 32X-MAX 680i Motherboard and mentioned the successes that the all but dead Intel 965X chipset was still causing serious waves among the enthusiasts. Well, here before me is the Abit AB9 Quad GT P965 Crossfire Motherboard which has in many forums taken the Core 2 Duo in to uncharted territory that rivals that of the 680i chipset. There are so many differences between the two chipsets, yet they have so many of the same features.

Motherboard performance has been getting better and better with each BIOS revision all over the market. It seems that with such a great choice of motherboards to pick from, you just can't go wrong with your choice. Performance differences between each flagship motherboard no matter the chipset are so slim, that it's hard for anyone to recommend the "perfect" motherboard. When there are so many choices and right platforms, the market gets pretty aggressive in terms of price to performance. This is where the AB9 Quad GT appeals to the masses.


Specifications & Features:

Specifications:

• LGA 775

• Intel® 965

• FSB1066

• Dual DDR2 800

• PCI-E X16

• SATA 3G RAID

• Dual PCI-E GbE

• IEEE1394

• 7.1 CH HD Audio

• RoHS Compliancy

• SilentOTES™

• µGuru™ Tech

Features:

Solid State Capacitors - For Best Stability.
The tolerance is above the call of duty and exceeds 350°C. Ideally the lifespan is 40,000 hrs under 85°C, more than 10 times a normal capacitors life expectancy. Truly abit engineered to regulate and temper the pulse of the beast within.

• 100% Japanese Made Solid State Capacitors

• Best CPU and Memory Performance and Overclockability

Digital PWM - Cool and stable for a longer life.
With abit's digital PWM controller there is more efficiency at a stabilized voltage, which can handle heavy data throughput at higher CPU clock speeds. In addition the digital PWM disperses and manages power better, providing complex power solutions with multiple switch options. Enhancing the longevity and durability of motherboard's components.

 
Onboard On/Off Switch - Installation and testing is a snap.
No more meddling with Power and Reset jumpers on the board. The Power and Reset buttons are built onboard. It is easy for DIY users and system integrators to test the board without having to short-circuit.

External CCMOS Switch - Get back on track with ease.
Clear the CMOS memory directly from the back panel, using abit's innovative new EZ switch. So if you are pushing your hardware to the extreme and experiment with risky settings, you now have a an easy and convenient way to go back to save grounds.

HDMI Ready Header
Unique HDMI Audio header provides audio output to HDMI VGA card, which allows the system to connect HDMI devices. Each VGA card sold with HDMI capabilities needs access to the audio header to become a true HDMI (Full HD Video and 5.1 surround sound) port.

 2 x eSATA - Fast & flexible.
eSATA is a new standard for external storage devices. With an external data transfer rate of up to 3 Gb/s no other external data transfer solution can compete with speed and ease of use.

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