ASRock 880GM-LE FX motherboard: an overview, features and reviews

The motherboard for assembling a high-performance entry-level personal computer with low cost and almost perfect technical parameters is the ASRock 880GM-LE FX. It is perfect for creating a workstation or entry-level server based on AMD's 8-core CPU. Another possible options for its use are an entry-level gaming PC or a multimedia station.

Niche of this solution

ASRock 880GM-LE FX is a combined solution and can work in combination with any AMD processor, oriented for the processor socket AM3 or AM3 +. Their weak side is the lower speed in comparison with the last generation of processors from Intel. But, on the other hand, this minus is compensated at once by two factors. One of them is the lower cost of the central processing unit. And the second is the unlocked chip frequency multiplier. This allows, in the presence of a good power supply and a high-quality cooling system, to almost completely compensate for the lack of performance. Therefore, this solution is perfect for assembling almost any computer: from an office machine to an entry-level server or graphic station. Even a full-fledged gaming PC on this platform will not be difficult to implement.

Complete the board

ASRock 880GM-LE FX standard configuration. It includes the following:

• Motherboard.

• A set of cords for connecting drives.

• CD with application software and a full set of necessary for setting up PC drivers.

• A metal plate is a plug for mounting in the boards in the system unit.

• Warranty card.

• A multilingual user guide.

Design and Element Board

This product is produced in the form factor "MicroATiks". Conditionally it can be divided into 2 equal parts. The upper half is occupied by the processor socket, memory slots, power connector and port strip peripheral devices. In the lower part are two chips of system logic, slots for additional external controllers and a discrete graphics accelerator, connectors for connecting additional peripheral ports and the front panel of the PC case.

The cooling system of this board is based on two radiators, which are installed on the chips of system logic. Another important advantage of this product is the use of solid capacitors, which increase the life of the motherboard.

Chipset

The ASRock 880GM-LE FX motherboard is based on the AMD 880 chipset. The north bridge in this case is 880G. It has a built-in 2-channel memory module, which can maximally address only 8 GB of RAM (2 slots of 4 GB). Also using this component of system logic, the computer system interacts with various peripheral devices. The second component of the system logic in this case is the SB710. It provides connection to the computer system of external controllers and a discrete graphics accelerator.

Processor connector. Processor Models

The processor connector in this board is a combined one. It allows you to install solutions on the basis of both AM3 and AM3 +. Therefore, the list of supported chips in this case is very, very impressive. It includes such models of CPU:

• Septron and Athlon with two computing modules are focused on creating a budget PC.

• The segment of mid-level chips in this case is occupied by processors of the Phenom line.

• In turn, the most productive CPU for this platform are chips of the FX line. In addition, the presence of an unlocked multiplier allows you to obtain a significant increase in performance by increasing the clock frequency.

The above list of processor models allows you to create virtually any computer system of your choice. It should also be noted that an increased thermal package of 200 W or more chips of the FX-9XXX series does not allow them to be installed on this product. Therefore, the highest level of performance can be obtained in combination with chips series FX-8XXX. They also consist of 8 computational modules, but they have a heat package of 120 watts.

Integrated graphics accelerator

There is also an integrated graphics accelerator "Radeon" HD4250 in the ASRock 880GM-LE FX. The characteristics, of course, are not impressive, but one of its availability will be enough to assemble an office PC. In this case, you can save on buying a discrete video card. Well, his ability to implement such undemanding tasks will be enough.

Ports integrated into the motherboard. Expansion Slots

Despite the form factor "MicroATiks", the situation with the expansion slots in the ASRock 880GM-LE FX is not bad. Overview of the appearance of the board indicates the presence of the following:

• 2 slots for installing RAM. The maximum size in this case is 2 modules of 4 GB of DDR3 standard. Part of the memory can in this case use for its needs an integrated graphics solution.

• 1 slot for discrete graphics standard PCI Express, which operates in 16X mode.

• 1 PCI Express slot in 1X mode for new additional controllers.

• 2 PCI slots for out-of-date installation of external controllers.

The set of peripheral ports in this case is:

• 2 ports for mouse and keyboard (PS / 2).

• 6 ports of the USB standard version 2.0.

• 2 graphic outputs (VGA and DVI).

• 1 LAN port to connect to the network.

Reviews of this product. Its cost

The motherboard ASRock 880GM-LE FX allows you to collect any functional products. If you install a dual-core processor in it and use the built-in graphics, you get an excellent office PC. In the case of a multimedia station in conjunction with this product, it will be more rational to use a discrete graphics card and a 4-6-core CPU.

To implement a gaming PC, an entry-level server or a workstation, it will be more appropriate to use an 8-core chip and a more efficient graphics card. Also in the latter case, it is necessary to supplement the computer system with high-quality cooling and a powerful power supply. Among other advantages of this motherboard, you can also highlight its low cost. To buy it is quite real for 4000-5000 rubles. Against the background of competing products from Intel, this is indeed a very, very democratic price.

Results

Despite the fact that the ASRock 880GM-LE FX Was released in 2012, its characteristics still continue to be relevant. It allows you to create very, very productive computer systems based on CPU from AMD. And it will be relevant for at least six months.