THE ATHLON 64'S on-die memory controller has largely taken the motherboard out of the system performance equation. When a motherboard does impact performance, that's usually the core logic chipset talking. That chipset also happens to be responsible for most of the board's features. So, with the processor and chipset dictating much of a motherboard's performance and feature set, manufacturers have been forced to innovate in new areas to make their boards stand out in a sea of similar competitors.
Often, the best way to differentiate a motherboard is with the little things. They say it's the little things that kill you, but in this case, the little things can save a motherboard from being bogged down in a quagmire of cookie-cutter mediocrity.
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Review:
Tech Report
Mar 1, 2005, 05:47 PM
