14 DAY TRIAL // Even though Advanced Micro Devices doesn't have extreme-performance processors anymore, nothing that can overcome the Core i7 line from Intel or even some Core i5 units, it has some pretty decent APUs anyway, which MSI is now serving.
We are, of course, referring to the Kaveri series of accelerated processing units, and every other chip out there that is compatible with the FM2+ socket.
The AMD A88X FCH chipset was used by Micro-Star International in the making of the A88X-G41 PC Mate, a motherboard featuring the ATX form factor.
The platform is a strange mix of mid-range features and extreme-quality enhancements, without going over the $100 / €100 price mark.
In terms of high-end features, we're looking at Military Class 4 components, like solid capacitors and chokes that significantly improve stability and endurance, compared to other mainboards.
There's also support for DDR3-1866 memory, even though the FM2+ socket is wired to a single pair of DDR3 DIMM memory slots.
At least, there's still enough support for 32 GB of RAM. Besides, the MSI A88X-G41 PC Mate isn't supposed to power gaming rigs with overkill capabilities.
Then again, a computer with a good video card and matching memory and storage can breeze through pretty much any title, especially if you don't go for the multi-monitor route.
Not a hard thing to do, especially if you happen to own a large TV of some sort that makes it unnecessary to use more than one display.
Digression aside, the MSI FM2+ A88X-G41 PC Mate motherboard has two PCI Express x16 slots, but only one of them is PCI Express 3.0 (x16 mode), and the other is a PCI Express 2.0 wired to the FCH and operating in x4 mode.
Storage-wise, we're looking at six SATA 6.0 Gbpos connectors (despite the fact that the A88X chipset usually has eight), four USB 3.0 ports (two at the back, two via headers, to be connected to the front ports of computer cases) and 10 USB 2.0 ports.
Finally, there are several display outputs available (dual-link DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI 1.4a), 6-channel HD audio, LPT and COM ports (headers), and Gigabit Ethernet. Everything gets power through a 5-phase VRM and the regular 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors. The AMI UEFI BIOS drives everything.
MSI's A88X-G41 PC Mate motherboard should be up for sale soon, if it isn't already. Check it out if you're planning an AMD APU-based PC. It's black and blue.
