GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced official support for next generation AMD Athlon and Sempron APUs based on the highly anticipated 'Kabini' SOC architecture. GIGABYTE 'Kabini' support includes the all new GA-AM1M-S2P and GA-AM1M-S2H motherboards based on the AM1 motherboard platform. GIGABYTE AM1 Series motherboards showcase a number of features and technologies that separate them from the competition, including GIGABYTE RTC Clock IC and Ultra Durable 4 Plus.

The all new 'Kabini' APU's CMOS functions have been integrated into the APU; this means that when the user removes the APU, all CMOS settings revert to factory defaults. Even with the battery in place, users will lose settings such as the current time. GIGABYTE's AM1 motherboards solve this issue by including a secondary RTC Clock IC onboard, so that even when the APU is removed, the CMOS settings are retained.

MSI rolled out a new mid-range, socket FM2+ motherboard in the ATX form-factor, the A88X-G41 PC Mate. As its name suggests, it's based on the A88X FCH chipset by AMD. Drawing power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors, the board uses a 5-phase VRM to condition power for the FM2+ socket, which is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, that support up to 32 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory; and a single PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. The second x16 slot is electrical PCI-Express 2.0 x4, and wired to the FCH.

Storage connectivity on the A88X-G41 PC Mate includes just six SATA 6 Gb/s ports, even as the A88X FCH offers eight. The board offers a total of four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two by header. Also on offer are ten USB 2.0 ports, four on the rear panel, six by headers. There's quite some legacy connectivity on offer, such as LPT and COM, by headers. Display outputs include a dual-link DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI 1.4a. 6-channel HD audio, and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of it. The A88X-G41 PC Mate is driven by AMI UEFI BIOS. Expect this board to be priced around the $100 mark.

EVGA Z87 motherboards are now ready for the upcoming 4th Generation Intel Core CPUs with a new BIOS update that is available from EVGA today. This BIOS update is available for free at the EVGA Support page and takes only seconds to install. To download and update your EVGA Z87 motherboard BIOS and get your system ready for the new Intel Core CPUs, please visit the EVGA support page.

ECS (Elitegroup Computer Systems) today announced the whole new AMD FM2+ Platform motherboards - A78F2P-M2, A58F2P-M4, and A55F2P-M2 , featuring the new AMD FM2+ APU socket, transcending the already strong performance FM2 motherboards by adding a host of powerful new features from the Kaveri Technology platform. ECS AMD FM2+ motherboards offer native support for PCI Express Gen 3.0 as well as DirectX 11.1 support integrating the high performance "Steamroller" core. In addition, ECS AMD FM2+ motherboards provide native 4K resolution for ultimate visual experience.

ECS FM2+ Motherboards with AMD Radeon Graphics
AMD A-Series APUs with AMD Radeon R7 graphics are designed with game-changing new features that deliver superior computing and heart-pounding gaming performance. AMD Radeon graphics is based on the new intelligent computing architecture to optimize users' visual experience with the most advanced graphical technology.

Axiomtek, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of innovative, high performance and reliable PC-based industrial computer products, announced the arrival of the IMB211, an industrial-grade ATX motherboard with a full-range of integrated peripherals for general industrial and embedded applications.

The IMB211 is based on 4th Generation Intel Core i7/i5/i3/ Celeron processors in LGA1150 socket with Intel Q87 Express chipset. Four 204-pin DDR3-1333/1600 slots provide a maximum memory capacity of 32 GB to improve overall system performance. This industrial-grade high performance motherboard also supports Intel Active Management Technology 9.0 (iAMT 9.0), SATA RAID, and triple-display capability through DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI-I interface. The board helps users to deploy more responsive, high-performance, graphic performance systems for advanced communication, gaming, industrial and automation applications.

MSI, world leading in motherboards, debuts its new GAMING motherboards based on the Intel B85 chipset, the B85M GAMING and B85I GAMING. Inheriting the outstanding DNA of MSI's GAMING product family, the new B85 microATX and Mini-ITX GAMING motherboards feature USB Audio Power, Killer LAN, Audio Boost, and a whole new software and hardware design for enhanced performance. Offering the full GAMING experience in a small size without compromising on features.

The best possible sound quality with USB Audio Power
High quality USB audio devices, such as external DACs, suffer from weak USB power delivery when multiple USB devices are connected, highly impacting sound quality. MSI USB Audio Power continues to deliver 5V to the USB ports on motherboards, greatly improving sound quality. The USB Audio Power design, which powers the USB ports independently, offers more stable power and better audio signals than traditional solutions. This results in much clearer sound with reduced noise, along with improved power stability for the users' extra devices, enjoying an enriched sound presentation.

Here's what the first wave of Intel 9-series chipsets will look like. It will consist of upper-mainstream chipsets for the LGA1150 platform, and the sole chipset for the LGA2011-3 HEDT platform. LGA1150 will get two new chipsets based on a common silicon, the Z97 Express, and the H97 Express. The Z97 will be the next top-end chipset for the platform, supporting current Core "Haswell" and upcoming "Haswell refresh" and "Devil's Canyon" processors. Motherboards based on the Z97 chipset, like the ones based on the Z87 and Z77, will feature up to three PCI-Express 3.0 slots wired to the CPU, in configurations of x16/NC/NC, x8/x8/NC, and x8/x4/x4. It will support overclocking, something its sibling the H97 Express will lack. The H97 will also lack the PCIe configurations that the Z97 supports.

Both Z97 and H97 will introduce support for PCI-Express M.2 storage, which offers 66.6% higher bandwidth than SATA 6 Gb/s, and the same bandwidth as SATA-Express. Its introduction will spur up development and launches of a new generation of high-performance client SSDs in 2014-15. Apart from M.2, the two chipsets offer six SATA 6 Gb/s ports with AHCI and RAID support. Rapid Storage Technology (RST) and Smart Response Technology (SRT) are common for both chips, however, the Z97 also features Dynamic Storage Accelerator (DST), something the H97 will lack. H97 will exclusively offer Small Business Advantage (SBA), instead. Both chips will feature 8-lane PCI-Express gen 2.0 root complexes to drive onboard devices, and 14 USB ports, including six USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports.

ECS unveiled the A78F2-TI, an interesting thin mini-ITX motherboard. Don't be fooled into thinking it's a socket AM1 board. It's socket FM2+, with the cooler mount hole design of Intel LGA115x. That's right, this is arguably the first AMD platform board with square, spaced out cooler mount holes. Don't get your hopes up just yet. Between an FM2 socket, and the APU's chunky IHS, there's more thickness than an Intel socket with a CPU installed. So it may not support all heatsinks. The board draws power from an external 2-pin power brick. It uses a 3+1 phase VRM to condition power for the FM2+ socket.

The A78F2-TI runs AMD A78 FCH chipset. The APU is wired out to two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, and mPCIe slots. Storage connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Display outputs include two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and an LVDS. Two USB 3.0, six USB 2.0/1.1 ports, gigabit Ethernet, and 6-channel HD audio make for the rest of it. The A78F2-TI is built not just for SFF builds, but also (and especially) all-in-one desktops.

The global leading motherboard manufacturer, ASRock, announces that all of its 8 series motherboards will support Next Generation Intel Core Processors. With only a few clicks, users are able to update the BIOS and enjoy the outstanding performance of their new processors.

ASRock provides the latest BIOS not only to those high-end and mainstream motherboards, but also to those entry level ones. From the Z87, H87, B85 series to the H81 series, there is no 8 series motherboard left behind this full-scale support.

With Intel's "Haswell Refresh" CPU lineup around the corner, motherboard makers are giving final touches to their next-gen socket LGA1150 lineups based on Intel Z97 Express chipset. MSI, which practically reinvented itself in the DIY hardware scene with its Gaming Series of motherboards and graphics cards, is readying three products based on the chipset, the mid-range Z97 Gaming 3, the premium Z97 Gaming 5, and the high-end Z97 Gaming 7. With it, MSI is ditching the "G45," "GD55," and "GD65" brand extensions. In addition to M.2 slots, some of the three will include SATA-Express add-on cards, which let you plug-in drives with a staggering 10 Gbps of bandwidth.

MSI unveiled early versions of the top of the line Gaming 7 and the mid-range Gaming 3 at this year's CeBIT event. The Z97 Gaming 7 offers a 12-phase CPU iVR, three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, four PCIe x1 slots, eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, an M.2 slot, and possibly an included SATA-Express add-on card; in addition to a wealth of connectivity. The Gaming 5 could be based on the same PCB, but with a lighter feature-set. The Gaming 3, on the other hand, is based on a lighter PCB, with a 6-phase CPU iVR, a lack of the M.2 slot, legacy PCI slots, yet retaining the ground-layer isolated on-board audio, and Killer NIC. The "Haswell refresh" Core processor lineup, along with motherboards based on the Z97 Express chipset, could be launched around the same time as Computex.

BIOSTAR is now readying a crypto currency (such as Bitcoin) mining motherboard, the BTC-24GH, with 64 ASICs on-board that offers 24GH/s performance which is equivalent to more than 30 ATI 7970 graphic cards. The product is now ready to ship, and BIOSTAR is planning to build up professional operation sites in specific countries. In the Bitcoin world, a "mining rig" is a computer system used for mining bitcoins or other crypto currencies. It can be built specifically for mining or it could be your everyday computer for gaming and surfing, and is used to mine only on a part-time basis.

With the rising price of Bitcoins, GPU mining can theoretically be profitable. What you need is a system that can do enormous amounts of mathematical calculations. Up till now, the best way to do this is the GPUs in graphics cards. Now there are ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). ASICs are good at one thing only, solving mathematical hash functions. In this case, their strong hashing power and low power usage, making it very efficient to use.

ASUS today announced AM1M-A and AM1I-A, two exciting new motherboards that support the latest AMD AM1-socketed SoC (system-on-a-chip) Athlon and Sempron series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs).

These revolutionary APUs with AMD R Series graphics combine high processing power, advanced Microsoft DirectX 11.1 graphics, and Fusion controller hubs (FCHs) in one small, efficient package - improving performance by over 50% compared to the previous ('Brazos 2.0') generation of AMD APUs.

Gigabyte announced the B85N-Phoenix, a socket LGA1150 motherboard based on the Intel B85 chipset, and in the mini-ITX form-factor. The board is unusually rich in connectivity, despite its precious little PCB real-estate. It features an equally unusual black+orange color scheme that's more commonly found with the company's OC-series motherboards. It draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connectors, and conditions it using a 4+2 phase VRM. The CPU socket is wired to a pair of DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 32 GB of dual-channel memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. It's neighbored to the north by an mPCIe 2.0 slot, wired to the B85 PCH.

Storage connectivity on the B85N-Phoenix includes three SATA 6 Gb/s, and a single SATA 3 Gb/s. The board features a total of four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two by header. Display outputs include dual-link DVI and HDMI. The board comes prepped for wireless communications, but doesn't include a card. There are holes for two antennae, and an mPCIe slot. The board offers 8-channel HD audio with optical TOSLINK output. Gigabit Ethernet, PS/2, and a number of USB 2.0/1.1 ports make for the rest of it. Gigabyte didn't announce pricing.

The internationally renowned event of the digital industry, CeBIT 2014 is packed with innovations and will start on 10th March in Hannover, Germany. More than 4,000 companies from over 70 countries will showcase their latest high-tech innovations. Among them, MSI, world leading brand in gaming technology, will proudly present a comprehensive line-up of all new gaming hardware, including notebooks, AIO PCs, motherboards, graphics cards, etc.

Eric Kuo, MSI Notebook vice president for global sales & marketing, points out, "As a result of the booming competitive gaming market, there has been an increasing number of heavy-load games, even up to 15.6" 3K monitors and higher resolution gaming experience, so gamers are demanding more in terms of graphics, functions, and other design features. MSI has heard their longings and responded with numerous breakthroughs and innovations. The result has been gaming hardware with the latest processors and graphics technology, coupled with the most advanced and rich array of gaming features like XSplit Gamecaster and SteelSeries Engine (SSE), to create a perfect gaming experience in 2014."

BIOSTAR has announced the J1800NH motherboard with the on-board Intel Dual-Core Celeron J1800 processor in a mini ITX form factor size of 17x17cm for flexible use.

The J1800NH boards come with the Intel Celeron J1800 Dual-Core processor already installed and it supports one DDR3L 1333/1066 MHz memory slot for a maximum of 8 GB of memory. It features an integrated graphics chip with enough performance for most home and office applications. The J1800NH board is ready for building a universal multimedia system due to its HDMI and analog VGA-out, and high definition audio with the Realtek ALC662 6-Channel HD Audio chip.

MSI launched the A78M-E45, a fairly well-equipped socket FM2+ motherboard in the micro-ATX form-factor, based on the AMD A75 chipset. The board supports the latest A-series "Kaveri" APUs, in addition to previous generation "Richland," and "Trinity" ones. It features a 5-phase VRM to power the FM2+ socket, which is cooled by VRM heatsinks. The socket is wired to a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. Other expansion slots include a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (electrical x4), a PCIe 2.0 x1, and a legacy PCI, all wired to the A75 FCH.

Display connectivity on the A78M-E45 includes dual-link DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI 1.4a. The board offers a total of six USB 3.0 ports, four on the rear panel, and two by headers. Storage connectivity includes six SATA 6 Gb/s ports. 8-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, PS/2 mouse/keyboard connectors, and a number USB 2.0/1.1 ports make for the rest of the connectivity. The board is driven by UEFI BIOS. MSI didn't reveal pricing.

The MSI A88X-G45 GAMING, one of MSI's new AMD FM2+ based GAMING motherboards, recently broke the CPU Frequency overclocking record for the AMD A10-7850K processor by validating a smashing 6137.91 MHz clock speed. Most impressive, considering the fact that the record was set on an MSI GAMING motherboard instead of a dedicated overclocking model. It goes to show that MSI GAMING motherboards are not only full of GAMING galore, they also inherited plenty of OC DNA from MSI's Overclocking products.

Biostar introduced a trio of socket AM1 (FS1b) motherboards for AMD "Kabini" SoCs, the micro-ATX AM1MHP, AM1MH and AM1ML (pictured in that order). The AM1MHP features a narrow micro-ATX PCB, which draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connectors, and uses a 2+1 phase VRM to condition power. The AM1 socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot, a PCIe 2.0 x1 slot, and a legacy PCI. A couple of SATA 6 Gb/s ports make for the storage connectivity. Display outputs include D-Sub and HDMI. Also included are legacy ports, such as COM and LPT, through headers.

Next up, are the AM1MH and AM1ML. The two are based on an identical PCB that's a variation of the the mini-ITX standard, in that it features a second add-on card slot, and differ only with the AM1ML lacking an HDMI port. Drawing power from 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connectors, the two offer PCI-Express 2.0 x16 and PCIe 2.0 x1 slots, and an otherwise identical feature-set to that of the AM1MHP.

BIOSTAR has prepared to take full advantage of the Intel 4th generation Haswell refresh CPUs. BIOSTAR models based on the Z87, H87, B85, H81 chipset series will feature Intel single chip architecture with HD 4600 Graphics, along with a new integrated memory controller that will run at speeds up to 1600 MHz.

The newest desktop-based quad-core processors CPUs promise big leaps in performance and, being Intel-based boards, they also feature Intel Rapid Start Technology and Intel Smart Connect Technology.

ASUS announced the J1800I-C, a completely fan-less motherboard based on Intel's "Bay Trail" low-power platform, running a Celeron J1800 SoC. The J1800 integrates a dual-core 64-bit x86 CPU clocked at 2.40 GHz, with Turbo Boost frequencies as high as 2.58 GHz. Built in the mini-ITX form-factor, the board features a chunky aluminium heatsink cooling the SoC. The board draws power from 24-pin ATX connector, and a 4-pin CPU connector.

ASUS productively utilized the scarce real-estate of the mini-ITX PCB - a sizable portion of which is consumed by the heatsink - providing two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, a conventional PCIe x1, an mPCIe with mSATA pins, two conventional SATA 3 Gb/s ports, and a healthy mix of modern and legacy connectivity, that includes headers for LPT, an RS-232 COM at the rear panel, a mixed-mode PS/2 port, one USB 3.0 SuperSpeed port, a number of USB 2.0/1.1 ports, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, D-Sub, and 6-channel HD audio. The board is driven by AMI UEFI BIOS.

MSI announced its first socket AM1 motherboard, the AM1I. Built in the mini-ITX form-factor, the board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connectors. The socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of DDR3-1600 MHz memory; a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot, and an mPCIe slot. Connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s ports, two USB 3.0 ports, 6-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, display outputs that include HDMI, DVI, and D-Sub, and legacy PS/2. MSI didn't reveal pricing or availability information.

ASRock announced a trio of socket AM1 motherboards for AMD's "Kabini" series APUs, Athlon and Sempron-branded CPUs, in the FS1b (AM1) package. The lineup includes the AM1B-M, a compact micro-ATX model; and two mini-ITX ones, the AM1H-ITX, and the AM1B-ITX. The AM1B-M draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 4-pin ATX connectors, and uses a 3-phase VRM to power the APU. A PCI-Express 2.0 x16, and a PCIe 2.0 x1 make for its expansion slots. Connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s ports, two USB 3.0 ports (rear), D-Sub display output, gigabit Ethernet, and 6-channel HD audio.

The AM1H-ITX, and the AM1B-ITX appear to be based on a common PCB design, but differ with connectivity. The former is gear towards modern connectivity options. It draws power from either a 24-pin ATX, or a 2-pin external DC input. The board is loaded with features, including HDMI and DVI display outputs, four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, four USB 3.0 ports, PCI-Express 2.0 x16 and mPCIe slots, and 8-channel HD audio. The latter is geared more towards essential/legacy connectivity. It features the same display outputs, but chucks out 2-pin power input, and 8-channel HD audio to make room for a parallel LPT port.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced official support for soon to launch 4th Gen Intel Core Processors and select unlocked 4th Gen Intel Core Processors.

Wanting to ensure compatibility for upcoming 4th Gen Intel Core Processors, GIGABYTE has enabled support across the entire range of GIGABYTE 8 series motherboards, including Z87, H87, Q87, B85. and H81 chipset based motherboards. By installing the latest BIOS for their 8 series motherboard, users can be assured they are ready to take advantage of all the performance improvements that Intel's upcoming CPUs have to offer.

MSI, world leader in motherboards, launches 3 new AMD A58 series FM2+ socket based motherboards, the MSI A58-G41 PC Mate, MSI A58M-E35 and MSI A58M-E33. The MSI A58 motherboards support the new AMD Kaveri APU and are backwards compatible with FM2 processors (Richland and Trinity). Featuring onboard LAN, PCI Express 3.0 and multiple display support, the MSI AMD A58 series motherboards presents a rich blend of features and technologies offering the most stable and best cost/performance solution available.

The best solution for small, efficient internet & office PCs
MSI A58 series motherboards are available in ATX and microATX form factors and offer a great choice in connectivity with a Dothill RAID controller, onboard LAN, PCI Express 3.0, SATA and up to 12 USB ports. Featuring a wide variety of multimedia solutions such as H.264 hardware decoding and encoding, support for 4K UHD video, Blu-Ray playback and 8-channel HD Audio through HDMI it also offers everything you need for multimedia use.

Gigabyte unveiled a pair of socket AM1 (FS1b) motherboards for AMD A-Series and E-Series "Kabini" APUs, and upcoming Athlon and Sempron-branded CPUs based on the same silicon. The lineup begins with the AM1M-S2H, which offers a basic mix of modern and legacy connectivity; including a combination of HDMI and D-Sub display outputs. The AM1M-S2P is based on a similar board design, but offers a lot more legacy connectivity options, including LPT and COM. Both boards offer a PCI-Express 2.0 x16, PCIe x1, and legacy PCI expansion slots, a pair of DDR3 DIMM slots, each; and are built in the narrow micro-ATX form-factor. Prices are expected to be around the $50 mark.