Board Layout

Click here for a 3000x2500 high-res shot of the board (3 MB download), the backside is here.


Space around the CPU socket is more than enough for most users.


The PI-A9RD480 is based on a common motherboard design which includes on-board video. Since Sapphire does not use this, the IO panel has empty space where the VGA connectors would be. Fitting small fans in there shouldn't be a problem for people who like to mod their stuff and so get better airflow over the CPU power circuitry.
From left to right, we have PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse, IEEE1394, 4x USB, Ethernet and Audio.


The manual will tell you, that you have to put the modules right next to each other for Dual-Channel. A configuration with more space in between would have been better for memory temperatures.

Connectors

The 24-pin ATX power connector is very conveniently placed near the edge of the motherboard. An extra 5.25" power connector is available near one of the PCI-E slots to supply additional power to the video card. This might be needed for optimum stability when running in CrossFire mode. I don't like the placement of the ATX12V connector, near the ATX power connector would have been better. On the other hand, having the connector near the CPU power conversion circuitry sure improves power stability.


Four SATA ports are provided by the ATI chipset, while the other two use an additional SATA chip, which is capable of running SATA-II up to 300 MB/s.


Two ATA-133 ports are located near the ATX Power connector. The connector closest to ATX power is the floppy port.


The front panel header is neither color-coded, nor labeled. At least it follows the common pin layout.


A great feature for overclockers are the two small buttons for Power and Reset. The days of using a screwdriver to power on your system are finally gone.


A total of six fan headers are spread around the board.

Slots

The most important feature of this board is support for CrossFire. The two PCI-E slots are switched via BIOS, there is no need to set any jumpers. When the BIOS is set to one-slot configuration the second slot from top will be the primary video card. Having a card in the other slot will not work.