HP Socket AM4 A320 Chipset OEM Motherboard Pictured

[btarunr]

Here is perhaps the first picture of a socket AM4 motherboard up close. The HP "Willow" is a micro-ATX motherboard custom-designed by the company to deploy on several of its upcoming desktop PC models, offered initially with AMD A-series "Bristol Ridge" socket AM4 APUs. Since this is custom-built for desktops that will probably be sold under $500, the board is built to a cost. The board features AMD A320 chipset.

The picture reveals socket AM4 to have extremely fine pins, and feature a square bolt-type cooler retention mechanism similar to that of contemporary Intel sockets. It does away with the rectangular layout. The advantage of a square layout is that it allows you to orient your cooler in any direction. Since the core-logic is moved to the APU/CPU package, the remaining rump of what AMD refers to as "chipset," is just a PCIe multi-function chip that puts out additional SATA and USB ports. With its TDP under 5W, this chip can make do without a heatsink. Other noteworthy features include two DDR4 DIMM slots, a PCIe gen 3.0 x16 slot, a short M.2 slot, a couple of SATA 6 Gb/s ports, and basic connectivity.



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[IceScreamer]

That 24-pin ATX looks like it would block some (most) dual slot GPUs, then again, the HP board probably won't see a GPU like that out-of-the-box.

 

[john_]

Only $599.99

AMD AM4-based system spotted in the wild

Now, I don't know if it will stop functioning in September the 13th of 2017 in case you install more -non HP- ram or something.

Also some numbers from Bristol Ridge

AMD Bristol Ridge A12-9800 APU Performance Tested on AM4 Platform

and one more photo

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Horrible pin placement, junk VRM design, and tons of wasted space.

Typical HP. Will this one lock out users who use non HP USB drives?

 

[john_]

NAMEGT`s CPU Frequency score: 4798.88 mhz with a A12-9800

 

[TRWOV]

HP's boards have always had that kind of retention mechanism on both Intel and AMD systems so that they can use the same coolers on both. I don't think it's an indication that the retention mechanism would change.

 

[cdawall]

HP's boards have always had that kind of retention mechanism on both Intel and AMD systems so that they can use the same coolers on both. I don't think it's an indication that the retention mechanism would change.

Correct it probably uses a square base Intel cooler like every other modern hp.

 

[hojnikb]

hehehe, asus octopus motherboard... funny name

 

[Assimilator]

NAMEGT`s CPU Frequency score: 4798.88 mhz with a A12-9800

High clocks mean nothing. Whether it can compete with Intel's IPC is the question. And since the submitter seems reluctant to provide anything other than clock info, I'm guessing the answer is still no.

 

[thesmokingman]

That 24-pin ATX looks like it would block some (most) dual slot GPUs, then again, the HP board probably won't see a GPU like that out-of-the-box.

As if that matters in a low end oem board.

 

[Jism]

Horrible pin placement, junk VRM design, and tons of wasted space.

Typical HP. Will this one lock out users who use non HP USB drives?

Bullshit. It's designed todo what it's supposed to. Not be oc'ed or whatever. It's M-atx.

Funny to see there's no chipset on AM4.

 

[IceScreamer]

As if that matters in a low end oem board.

Hence the "then again, the HP board probably won't see a GPU like that out-of-the-box." I was merely commenting on the plug position. And what would stop someone from putting a decent GPU on a "low-end" board, which was my concern in the first place.

 

[newtekie1]

Funny to see there's no chipset on AM4.

There is, that is the AMD labeled chip just right of the memory slots. However, it is responsible for a lot less since AM4 is going to be SoC, which means most of the chipset is integrated into the CPU itself.

 

[Jism]

There is, that is the AMD labeled chip just right of the memory slots. However, it is responsible for a lot less since AM4 is going to be SoC, which means most of the chipset is integrated into the CPU itself.

No shit sherlock. It was a choice of AMD to integrate the NB into the CPU, making motherboards with a cherry picked NB 'obsolete'.

I.e buying a 990FX AM3+ board would guarantee high-end performance compared to low or midrange chipset.

Now it's just in a chip and it's all about silicon lottery.

 

[Toothless]

No shit sherlock.

Someone put sour milk in your cereal this morning?



On topic with the thread; more CPU pins to bend!

 

[newtekie1]

No shit sherlock. It was a choice of AMD to integrate the NB into the CPU, making motherboards with a cherry picked NB 'obsolete'.

I.e buying a 990FX AM3+ board would guarantee high-end performance compared to low or midrange chipset.

Now it's just in a chip and it's all about silicon lottery.

AMD integrated the NB a generation ago, in fact Intel has done the same since SandyBridge, on this platform their are also integrating most of the southbridge as well.

Get your fact straight before getting an attitude.

 

[Ruru]

Reminds me of Socket 754 like FM sockets already did

 

[biffzinker]

That 24-pin ATX looks like it would block some (most) dual slot GPUs, then again, the HP board probably won't see a GPU like that out-of-the-box.

Those Mini-ITX sized graphics cards would still work I assume. Something like this: EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING, ACX 2.0 (Single Fan) although it still leaves the question if the power supply's 12v output is capable.

On topic with the thread; more CPU pins to bend!

Can never have enough bent pins. Good thing mechanical pencils still exist.