ASRock 880G Extreme3 Mainboard
Bluetooth 23 Apr 2010

Today, AMD introduces a newer chipset for it’s AMD series of processors, the Phenom II X6 6 core processors. This new chipset AMD 880G / SB850 isn’t something new to most of our readers. If you have been following our news, you would probably aware that this chipset is very similar to the AMD 890GX but with a lower GPU clock speed at 560MHz. Although it is slightly slower, you will be surprised by the GPU stability ~1GHz which most of the 890GX have issues attaining stability without proper cooling.

Anyway, overclocking aside, let’s take a look at what ASRock 880G Extreme3 has to offer. Firstly, this board is Phenom II X6 ready. It supports ATI™ Quad CrossFire™, 3-Way CrossFireX™, CrossFireX™ and Hybrid CrossFireX™ with its Integrated AMD Radeon HD 4250 graphics, DX10.1 Class iGPU, Shader Model 4.1, Max. shared memory 512MB. For connectivity, it has 1 x eSATAIII connector, 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 2 x IEEE1394 ports.

The ASRock 880G Extreme, shares something similar to the 890GX Extreme3. Both supports the ASRock UCC chip unlocking feature. Throw in a Phenom II X3 710 and it becomes a quad core with the feature turned on in BIOS. Likewise a Phenom II 550BE will become a quad core too. This is only made possible with the UCC chip has the ACC feature found in SB750 no longer works on the SB850.

Other than this unique feature, the board also uses 100% Japan-made high-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors. It also supports  Turbo 50 Technology, ASRock Instant Boot, Instant Flash, OC DNA, OC Tuner, IES, Multi-Speed Fan Control.

For the multimedia buffs, this board is suitable for your bluray needs. It has a 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection, DAC with 110dB dynamic range (VIA® VT2020 Audio Codec with QSound) , Premium Blu-ray audio support and it has a free Software: CyberLink DVD Suite – OEM and Trial; Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB – Trial.

Below are pictures of the packaging and on next pages, we present you the mainboard layout, chipests on board and BIOS options available.

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ASRock is soon to launch another series of mainboard based on the AMD 880G chipset. The first of this series if the ASRock 880G Extreme3 mainboard based on the AMD 880G+SB850 chipsets.

As it is also a Extreme3 board, it comes equipped with USB3, SATA3 and eSATA3. On top of that, this board also features the UCC unlocking chip. It is able to unlock the hidden cores on your Phenom II 550BE or Phenom II X3 710 processor and turn it into a quad core.

If UCC on the ASRock 890GX Extreme3 can unlock the upcoming quad core processor to a 6 core, I am sure the 880G Extreme3 should have that capability too.

Below are some pictures of the packaging and mainboard. Watch out for our review of this board on OCWorkbench.

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In another week or so, AMD will launch yet another chipset for the AM3 processors. The pair is known as AMD 880G north bridge and can be paired with south bridge SB810 or SB850.

Actually the 880G north bridge is quite similar to the 785G and 890GX. The 880G comes integrated with Radeon HD 4250 Graphics which supports DirectX 10.1, UVD2 and other specifications with a core frequency of 560MHz. It somewhat falls between the higher end 890GX and the to be replaced 785G. Most implementations will pair up the 880G with SB850 as SB850 supports RAID 5 in addition to 0,1,0+1.

Unified Shader architecture still remained 40 stream processors, 8 Texture Address Unit, 4 Texture Filiting Unit, 4 ROP. The motherboard also supports PCI 16X mode PCI-E 2.0 graphics card and support 8X +8 X Crossfire technology

The AMD 880G still supports HDMI 1.3 specification. It has built-in HDCP key support HD-DVD and Blu-Ray high-definition video playback. It also has embedded HD Audio codec, support 7.1-channel HDMI audio output , support ing Dolby Digital Plus and True HD audio technology.

Some manufacturers will also add on USB 3.0 support with NEC USB 3.0 chipset. Just like the AMD 890GX, AMD has disabled the loop hole that enables users with dual or tri core processor to enable the 4th core.

So far, ASRock, ASUS has AMD 890GX chipset based solutions which can unlock the hidden cores. I am sure the 880G would have similar implementations and it is all left to the manufacturers to think of ways to make their product stand out among the various brands and models.

April 7 2010, Taipei, TaiwanBIOSTAR MICROTECH INT’L CORP., a professional manufacturer of motherboards today talks about new AMD 880G chipset market position and introducing BIOSTAR 880G based motherboard line up, including two T-Series “TA880G HD”, “TA880GB HD” and “A880G HD” motherboards.

TA880G HD

TA880GB HD

A880G HD

At first, we all know that AMD 880G chipset is used to replace 785G. We’ve known that 890GX will replace 790GX become the most high-end integrated chipset, while mainstream product 785G will be replaced by 880G. This product will become AMDs main force of chipset in this year.

From technical specifications, AMD 880G pairs up with South Bridge SB850; it supports HT3.0, integrated Radeon HD 4250 graphics core supports DirectX 10.1, UVD2 and other specifications, core frequency is 560MHz just between 785G and 890GX. The motherboard also supports PCI 16X mode PCI-E 2.0 graphics card and Asymmetric Hybrid CrossFire by AMD DX10.1 graphics card.

Most users are familiar with BIOSTAR’s specialty in offering compact, all-in-one, powerful, and cost effective motherboards. On top of it, there are three key elements we’d like to high light on TA880G HD, TA880GB HD and A880G HD motherboards – “GTO 6³”, “BIO-unlocKING”, and “BIO-Remote”.

“GTO 6³”, an exclusive development from BIOSTAR that enhances system performance up to 60% and more; supporting true SATA 6Gbps; and fully compatible with Phenom II x 6 processors.

“BIO-unlocKING”, provides the flexibility to unlock extra core(s) and achieving much greater performance with lower cost.

“BIO-Remote”, with on-board Consumer IR header and optional “remote controller” certified by Microsoft makes a perfect combination for your in-home entertainments.