14 DAY TRIAL // Even though the Kaveri series of accelerated processing units (APUs) is the best collection of chips from Advanced Micro Devices, it's not the only one, definitely not the one with the lowest energy requirements. That title goes to Kabini APUs, used in mobile PCs and desktops based on motherboards featuring the AM1 socket.
Motherboards like the two that Gigabyte has just released and has given the names of GA-AM1M-S2P and GA-AM1M-S2H, respectively.
They are largely similar, but there are still some things that set them apart, like the fact that the GA-AM1M-S2H has an HDMI port, but the other doesn't.
Speaking of HDMI, it comes with HDMI 1.4a streaming and can stream video in 4K resolution, specifically 4096 x 2160 and everything below (like 3840 x 2160 pixels).
That's quite a bit beyond the Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) supported by the D-Sub port (VGA), and a real blessing considering the suspicious lack of DVI connectivity.
Other than that, the two newcomers seem largely identical, with two DDR3 memory slots and one PCI Express x16 slot (running in x4 mode).
The GA-AM1M-S2H has two other PCI Express x1 slots though, while the GA-AM1M-S2P has one PCI Express x1 and one legacy PCI slot. That's pretty much it for the differences.
Gigabyte's two new mainboards will probably be used more by makers of pre-configured desktop and mini PCs than DIY customers. They should still show up in retail though.
One thing to note about the newcomers is the use of Ultra Durable 4 Plus design technologies, which enhance lifespan by improving electrical stability and withstanding heat generation better.
All Solid Capacitors, Low RDS(on) MOSFETs are rated to work at higher temperatures and enable lower switching and, thus, faster electric current charging and discharging. This cuts down on heat generation.
The RTC Clock IC is another thing. Since all CMOS functions are integrated into the APU, the settings are forgotten when you remove the chip from the motherboard.
This causes it to revert to factory settings, even the current time, despite the existence of a battery powering the CMOS chip. RTC Clock IC overcomes that problem.
Moreover, the USB and LAN ports have advanced electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, thanks to dedicated protection filters. Both common electrical surges and even direct lighting strikes should fail to cause lasting damage to them now.
