X-bit labs

First Look at AMD 690G Chipset: ECS AMD690GM-M2 Mainboard Preview (page 6)

Category: Chipsets

by Kirill "ALT-F13" Balalin

[ 03/02/2007 | 02:07 PM ]

First Look at AMD 690G Performance

Our testbed was configured as follows:

• AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ CPU
• Thermaltake Blue Orb 2 processor cooler
• ECS AMD690GM-M2 and Foxconn MCP61SM2MA-ERS2H mainboards
• Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80GB HDD
• HIPER Type-R HPU-7S730 PSU
• MS Windows XP Pro SP2 OS.

Here are the results we obtained during our brief test session:

Conclusion

The performance comparison performed against Foxconn MCP61SM2MA-ERS2H on Nvidia MCP61 chipset with GeForce 6100 graphics core allows us to make the following conclusions. AMD/ATI did a great job on the new 690G core logic set, its performance in all tasks we looked at is at least on the same level as that of the competitors in the same category. As for the 3D operation, AMD is a definite winner here: their new solution boasts the today’s best integrated graphics adapter. Of course, it may not be powerful enough for contemporary games, but it can easily satisfy at least the needs of Windows Vista and some 2-3 year old games.

Avivo support will be a nice addition for those who intend to use their PC as a media center. However, one of the most convincing arguments in favor of AMD 690G is the DVI connector that will ensure high-quality image on your LCD monitor, which you can’t get from the majority of solutions with integrated graphics at this time. So, the first try of the new AMD division turned out a success.

Now we have to wait and see what Nvidia has to say in response to this. They should be launching the competitor to AMD 690G at CeBIT 2007 in just a few weeks from now.

As for the ECS AMD690GM-M2 mainboard, at first glance it looks like a very good inexpensive product, especially if you are planning to install Windows Vista. With the price tag of only $63, there will hardly be that many competitors to this ECS board: the new Radeon X1250 graphics core will make it look better even against the background of more expensive solutions based on other chipsets.

Highs:

• DVI and VGA connectors;
• Today’s fastest integrated graphics core;
• Low price.

Lows:

• No HDMI connector despite the chipset support;
• Only two DDR2 DIMM slots.