As always, we'll start with computational tests in order to find out how the integrated graphics core affects memory performance (Athlon 64 X2 4000+).

There is nothing interesting in these test results. And it's good, because it means that performance corresponds to the CPU/RAM combo used in these tests.

Surprise, surprise! AMD 790GX performance is not just higher than that of 780G at the nominal frequencies. It generally surpasses results of the integrated graphics core in Gigabyte MA78GPM-DS2H overclocked to 950 MHz (the fastest modification of 780G with DDR3-1333 video buffer). Judging by results of the first motherboards tested, the 790GX itself also overclocks well. In particular, we managed to overclock the integrated core of the motherboard from Foxconn to the same 950 MHz, voltage raised by 0.18 V. And it's not the limit, as chipset cooling systems of 790GX-based motherboards are generally more powerful than on 780G products. By the way, performance of the overclocked 790GX is also impressive. It hardly makes sense for games, which frame rate already exceeds 50 fps (that is in such cases you can just raise quality settings). But performance in World in Conflict, which has grown to 62 fps at lower resolutions and to 52 fps at higher resolutions, shows that the game is worth the candle. Note that it makes no sense to install a weak processor on such a system -- you'll have to overclock it as well, lest the graphics core potential is not revealed completely.

It's rather difficult to compare with competing products here, as AMD apparently enjoys an imposing advantage. From the marketing point of view, this advantage may seem even too big and irrational -- why play all trump cards, if the opponent has nothing in response? But first of all, this is probably the way the manufacturer streamlines elements of the graphics core, which we'll see in promising Low-End models of AMD Fusion processors. Secondly, a noticeable advantage on the graphics side makes the entire AMD platform more attractive than an equally-priced motherboard+processor kit from Intel.

Unfortunately, we had no opportunity to run full tests of the motherboard on Intel G45, which had been delayed so much and failed to deliver what had been promised. From what we already know, this chipset outperforms its predecessor (G35) by 50% at best, which is totally insufficient to compete even with GeForce 8200. Manufacturers themselves are not inclined to provide such motherboards for tests. Most reviews just compare such motherboards with each other or with G35-based products. Besides, prices for already available motherboards are higher than even those for richly rigged up products based on GeForce 8200 and AMD 780G. It would have been funny, if motherboards on AMD 790GX had also been cheaper than G45-based ones. But frankly speaking, it would have meant that the market exists by unreal rules, and real product properties do not matter.

The situation with nForce 780a is slightly different. Motherboards on this chipset are rigged just like products on AMD 790GX, but they are designed for the absolutely different audience, those who want to build 3-Way SLI, nothing less. Such tough users are apparently not interested in the integrated graphics core. And this chipset is equipped with the integrated graphics system to support HybridPower in the first place. And NVIDIA engineers are of the opinion, that it won't be used in games. It's high time to take a look at power consumption in practice, as 790GX does not offer such technology, which is available in mobile chipsets from AMD. It features only generic functions to reduce average power consumption -- quite effective, and as we already found out in our ECS A790GXM-A tests, they help reduce idle power consumption even relative to motherboards on the economic 780G chipset).

Radeon HD 4850 is the closest counterpart to GeForce 9800 GTX as far as performance is concerned. We used this chipset once to test HybridPower, so it's correct to compare such pairs. As we can see, the NVIDIA tandem generally consumes 20 W less in idle mode or when the integrated graphics core is used. But is it worth the inconveniences? HybridPower from NVIDIA is available only in Windows Vista. Users have to switch between modes manually (before and after gaming), video output is available only to monitors plugged to outputs on the motherboard. And 3D performance of a graphics card is 3-5% as low as when monitors are plugged to a graphics card directly. When we speak of a single graphics card, the answer can be only negative. Especially as the AMD system can "catch up" during a game owing to lower power consumption of Radeon HD 4850. Consequently, AMD's approach to power saving (perfecting PowerPlay technology, which helps the card consume less power both in idle and loaded modes) looks more thorough and convenient for users.

However, in case of 3-Way SLI, power saving grows proportionally, when HybridPower disables three cards (the 9800 GTX card is not the most voracious candidate for this role). And an opportunity to make the system friendlier to environment (and to users, if we take into account reduction of overall heat release and consequently of fan noise) can make up for the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Does it mean that everything is peachy and there is nothing to improve? On the contrary, we'd like to see these technologies develop to a friendlier and all-purpose implementation of these modes from both manufacturers. In the very least, the system should switch automatically to the integrated graphics core and allow to plug monitors not only to a motherboard, but also to a master graphics card (putting the other SLI-cards to sleep) at user's choice. The same functionality should be provided for desktop chipsets from AMD. For example, in case of CrossFire with two Radeon HD 4870 X2 cards, disabling these cards in idle mode will certainly save power.

What concerns HD Video decode tests, we already registered minimal load on motherboards with AMD 780G (read the details in our reviews of AMD 780 and NVIDIA nForce 700a). The 790GX chipset decreases this load by several percents more. However, the difference is not critical, so compact inexpensive motherboards on 780G remain an optimal choice for media centers, combined with Low-End models of Phenom. And if minimal power consumption is a must, it's hard to find anything better than Athlon X2 4850e with TDP=45 W.

Conclusions

AMD engineers demonstrated one more time that they can make their graphics cores even stronger (and faster than competing solutions). No doubts, the expensive purchase of ATI was the right move after all. Chipsets with integrated graphics are presently a serious argument for the AMD platform.

As for AMD 790GX, motherboards on this chipset are designed for a wide audience. On the one hand, gamers who like the modern series of discrete graphics cards from AMD, and who want an opportunity to install a couple of them in CrossFire mode eventually without paying much for this feature. Besides, motherboards with Socket AM2+ are compatible with future processors for Socket AM3. Considering 140-W voltage regulators on motherboards with 790GX, users will have plenty of opportunities to overclock such processors. In fact, it's wrong to generalize here, we should test and compare actual motherboards on this chipset, which will be especially interesting, because we get Advanced Clock Calibration along with other tools. So these motherboards will help users maintain their computers fit for modern games for a long time at moderate expenses.

On the other hand, such motherboards will also serve well those users who don't play games very often (or choose "quiet" genres, which depend less on the frame rate than dynamic shooters), and who are ready to use integrated graphics only, if its performance is at least on the level of cheap representatives of discrete cards. Owing to the new Southbridge and requirements to PCB design, motherboards with this chipset can be used in all-purpose easily upgradeable computers, equal in functionality with computers based on classic discrete chipsets without integrated graphics.

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