14 DAY TRIAL // Desktop PC sales might be hurting in favor of an increasing popularity for portable PC systems, but that doesn't stop hardware manufacturers from releasing the latest components made available by technology advancements. Such is the case with Taiwanese motherboard maker Biostar, which has just announced the release of its latest AMD-based desktop motherboard, dubbed TA785GE 128M. As you might have guessed from its name, this new mobo has been specifically designed to take advantage of AMD's latest desktop chipset, the 785G.
Featuring a bright blue PCB, the new motherboard is meant to provide users with support for their future HTPC computer systems. Featuring a convenient mATX and a 4+1-phase VRM design, the TA785GE 128M takes advantage of the performance capabilities of AMD's new 785G chipset, delivering support for AM2/AM2+ processors. Users will be provided with four dual-channel DDR2 memory DIMMs, accompanied by six SATA 3.0Gbps ports, one PCI-Express x16 slot, Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1 channel audio, D-Sub, DVI and HMDI connectivity.
One of the key features of Biostar's latest motherboard is that it will be featured with the latest Radeon HD 4200 integrated graphics chip, enabling users with support for Hybrid CrossFireX technology. The board also comes with 128MB of SidePort memory and is ready to deliver the platform support required by today's HTPC systems. There's no high-end cooling solution on the TA785GE 128M, which will enable a more organized internal configuration for the desktop platform.
According to a recent article on vr-zone, the board should become available later in August, with prices set to start below US$90. Considering its price tag, overall specifications and expected release date, the TA785GE 128M could become a favorite among DIY HTPC enthusiasts. It will also have to compete with similar offerings from other motherboard makers, which should soon announce their new platforms based on the aforementioned chipset.