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Today we have the ASUS M4A79T Deluxe motherboard to check out. This motherboard has been designed to accommodate the new AMD Phenom II processors. However not just any Phenom II processors will work, as this is an AM3 motherboard, which also means DDR3 memory is on the menu… As DDR3 pricing continues to plummet, the new AMD AM3 platform becomes more and more viable. Now with 4GB dual-channel kits priced as low as $55 US, they cost just $15 US more than the equivalent DDR2 kits. Although we have seen no real performance gains when coming from DDR2-1066 to DDR3-1333 on the AM3 platform, the small difference in price does warrant the upgrade to AMD’s latest platform.  Still, those looking to jump on the AM3 boat will not be doing so to save a buck, and therefore we believe that this platform is reserved for high-end Phenom II X4 systems. AM3 motherboards are still thin on the ground, with just a handful in existence. Clearly most motherboard manufacturers feel that for now users will continue to go after AM2+ boards, and after all, they still support the mighty Phenom II X4 955. Not so long ago we did review the ECS A790GXM-AD3, which is an AM3 motherboard, though with a budget orientated design we were a little confused by this product. Priced at just $110 US this ECS motherboard was cheap, but with an average feature set and poor overclocking, it did not exactly fit the profile of what we feel an AM3 motherboard should be. Therefore we are going to revisit the AM3 platform once again, but this time with a more appropriate product, being the M4A79T Deluxe by ASUS. Priced at $190 US, this is one of the most expensive AMD motherboards available and while this is not necessarily a positive thing, the M4A79T Deluxe does well in justifying the price tag. Although the competition is few and far between, the ASUS M4A79T Deluxe stacks up well against its competitors. When reviewing this motherboard we will be focusing on its features and overclocking performance. Of course we will be pairing the M4A79T Deluxe with none other than AMD’s flagship processor, the Phenom II X4 955. Clocked at a healthy 3.20GHz, we are keen to see how much further the M4A79T Deluxe can push this processor. |
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