AMD's 790X chipset was featured as one of the first in 7-series chipset family. Based on the RX780 chip, this chipset is essentially identical to the AMD 770, except for that it supports the ATI CrossFireX technology. With the introduction of the 790GX, the 790X was less opted for. The chipset made its comeback with motherboards from Gigabyte and MSI that support AM3 processors and DDR3 memory. ASUS is ready with its competitive motherboard based on the AMD 790X + SB750 chipset. The ASUS M4A79XTD-EVO offers some of ASUS' latest innovations.

To begin with, this socket AM3 motherboard supports DDR3 memory. The CPU is powered by an 8+2 phase power circuit, that is controlled by the ASUS EPU active phase switching controller. The brown PCB uses a 2 oz copper to reduce EMI and enhance electrical stability, a technology found in Gigabyte's UltraDurable 3 motherboards. The 790X northbridge connects to two PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slots (electrical dual x8, when both are populated). Two each of PCI-E x1 and PCI make for the rest of the expansion. The SB750 southbridge supports AMD Overdrive and Advanced Clock Calibration (ACC). Apart from the six SATA II ports it provides, an additional controller gives out one internal port, and an eSATA port. Overclocking is aided by the TurboV feature. VIA VT1708S onboard 8 channel audio, Realtek Gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of the package. ASUS will have this board up in the next few weeks.

With its new 790FX-GD70 receiving good reviews at the high-end AMD segment, MSI is quietly filling up its AM3 socket lineup. Its newest entry is the 770-C35. The board is MSI's first AM3 offering based on the RX780 (AMD 770) chipset. It is paired with the SB710 southbridge, that retains most of the SB750's feature-set except some RAID modes. Advanced Clock Calibration is supported. Four DDR3 DIMM slots support DDR3 memory at speeds of up to 1600 MHz. A single PCI-Express 2.0 x16, two PCI-E x1, and three PCI slots provide expansion. The SB710 southbridge provides support for six SATA devices. The 770-C35 should release soon, at a sub-$100 price-point.

The year 2009 could be very decisive for AMD, with a fleet of desktop processors awaiting launch within H1, 2009. The company will also be preparing supportive core logic for compatibility with AM3 socket CPUs. Listed, are the highlights for the chipset division's product plans, as compiled by industry observer DigiTimes:

• The introduction of a value-oriented IGP chipset in January 2009, the AMD 760G, based on the RS780 architecture. This is expected to replace AMD 740G. It offers a DirectX 10 IGP without support for UVD, Hybrid Crossfire or DisplayPort. To be accompanied by AMD SB710 southbridge.
• The introduction of high-end AMD 790FX and 790GX chipsets that have been upgraded with native AM3 socket support, in May or June. To be accompanied by AMD SB750 southbridge.
• The company will introduce the RX780-based AMD 770, which also gets its share of changes that bring in AM3 socket compatibility, in July or August. To be accompanied by SB710.
• A next generation IGP-based RS880 northbridge would be introduced in May or June, also accompanied by SB710.
• Finally in September, the company will launch a proper successor to the 790FX, in the form of RD890, and the introduction of the new SB800 southbridge.

AMD's RX780 chipset, a cut-down version of the similarly AMD-oriented RD790, has won the approval of the PCI SIG, the organisation behind the PCI Express standard. So has the reference motherboard. Both certifications are key steps towards the release of the product. The RX780 closely matches the RD790's specs, but it is a cheaper and cut down version of RD790 with a single PCI-e x16 slot. It supports HyperTransport 3 and Socket AM2+ and will be paired on motherboards with AMD's SB600 southbridge chip.