Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) released the 865G-M in 2003 as part of its 865 series of motherboards. The 865G-M is Intel compatible. Thus, it will work only with Intel processors and video cards designed to work with Intel systems. It comes with the Intel 865G, or "Springdale," chipset preinstalled. This determines the motherboard's capabilities in terms of memory capacity, graphics card compatibility and the speed at which it allows computer components to communicate.
Processor
The 865G-M contains the processor socket 478. This allows compatibility with processors belonging to Intel's Pentium 4 and Celeron D families. This amounts to approximately 130 processors, all of which contain a single core, and they range in speed from 1.3 GHz to 3.8 GHz.
Speed
The Front Side Bus (FSB) is the single most determining factor of a motherboard's speed (not to be confused with processor speed). In the 865G-M, the FSB allows communication between the processor and the Memory Controller Hub (MCH) at a speed of 800 MHz. The MCH is connected to the computer's RAM, video card slots and ICH (which allows communication with the hard drive and external devices).
Memory
The 865G-M provides dual-channel support to up to 4GB of DDR SDRAM. This means that its RAM has three key properties. According to PC Tech Guide, Dual-channel support nearly doubles the transfer of data between the RAM and the MCH in comparison to single-channel RAM. SD, or Synchronous Dynamic, RAM transfers data at the rate of the computer's clock cycle, allowing it to perform more complex operations than it could if it were out of sync with other computer operations. DDR, or Dual Data Rate, RAM transfers data on the rising and falling edges of the electric clock signal, handling twice the data of normal SDRAM.
Graphics
ECS preinstalls Intel's Extreme Graphics II platform on the 865G-M. This component handles much of the processing associated with video and 3D graphics, relieving the CPU of some of its burden. The 865G-M also provides an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) that allows the user to insert a different graphics card and upgrade the system.
Peripherals
The 865G-M comes with two PS/2 ports as well as four USB ports, making it compatible with both types of keyboard and mouse connectors. It contains a single Ethernet port and a VGA monitor port. It also has a parallel port and a serial port, although, as of 2010, the USB port has rendered these obsolete for most users.
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