The Intel-based GX620 motherboard is a popular model.
The Dell OptiPlex has features meant for small business or a home computer use. The OptiPlex series has been a very popular and durable product line for the company aside from a capacitor issue on some specified motherboards. The specifications of this Intel-based motherboard clearly express the combination of value and quality Dell has built its reputation on for years.
Chipset
The GX620 supports an Intel 945 Express CPU with 32kb Level 1 cache and 512mb of the critical Level 2 cache. There are CPUs in the Pentium and Celeron classes that will work quite well in this socket.
Memory/RAM
There are four memory connectors on this motherboard which hold 533MHz and 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory model. It, being a desktop and not a server motherboard, uses a non-ECC type of memory. It holds a minimum of 256mb single sided RAM or 512mb double sided RAM array. It will accept a maximum of 4gb of memory.
Network Interface
This motherboard has an on-board network jack capable of accepting gigabit, or 10/100/1000 level Internet access. This makes it able to interface with an extremely high speed Internet for a simple, home-use or small business machine.
Video and Audio
The included on-board video is either an Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 950 or a PCI Express x16 graphics card. The on-board sound is the popular AC97, Sound Blaster format. These specifications, for on-board features on a mass-produced product, are above average for its time.
Slots
Being designed for small form factor towers, this board has only one PCI and one PCI-Express slot for expansion. This weakness significantly limits this motherboard's expandability.
Jacks
The GX620 offers one serial port, one VGA port, one Ethernet port and eight total USB ports (two on front, six on back). It also includes audio with three connectors for line-in, line-out, and microphone. It conveniently includes one front-panel connector for headphones as well.
Other Considerations
The on-board connectors include an IDE slot for a primary drive, a 7-pin SATA connector, the standard 34-pin floppy connector, a 12-pin connector for optional second serial port card and a 5-pin fan connector. These motherboards typically operate well on at least a 275 Watt power supply.
Tags: Level cache, serial port, small business, this motherboard