Page 1: Editor's Preface
Editor's Preface: How can two tigers coexist on one mountain? The answer lies in geographical isolation, each occupying its own territory. In the CPU domain, AMD and Intel have long dominated as dual powerhouses. Both companies have a very clear understanding of their product positioning, channeling limited financial and human resources into areas that yield maximum profits - an ideal business model. For consumers, a clear market structure helps guide purchasing decisions in the right direction, achieving the greatest value for the least investment, which is the ultimate goal of shopping.
So how are AMD and Intel products positioned? How can regular people make correct choices in this transparent product landscape? What are the options for different consumer classes? Today, I will introduce some insights to you. First, consumers need to determine their purchasing needs, i.e., the purpose and positioning of the computer. Excessive performance represents unnecessary spending, especially in these times of rising prices and increasing inflation. Cost-performance ratio remains the guiding principle of shopping. After analyzing, I've identified some common reasons why gamers buy computers: 1) Pure auxiliary learning and office use; 2) Accompanying study with daily entertainment; 3) A loyal companion for gaming enthusiasts; 4) A toy for overclocking enthusiasts; 5) Choices for the rich second generation. Below, I will recommend some accurately positioned motherboards based on purchasing needs.
Page 2: Pure Auxiliary Learning and Office Use
For handling everyday work and study tasks, there's no need for a powerful computer. As long as the platform is stable and the price is low enough, it suffices. Thus, older Core 2 processors and AMD’s current main push, the APU, can both meet these requirements. The older Core 2 processors have gradually been replaced by SNB (Sandy Bridge) and the new generation of performance king SNB-E processors, but they are more than enough for learning and office use. As for APU, it goes without saying that it is AMD's heavyweight bomb dropped in the entry-level computer field. The lower-end A4 series processors have already been launched, offering excellent cost-performance ratios. Below are some recommended entry-level motherboard platforms for your reference, whether you're an "A fan" or an "I fan."
Core 2 Platform Motherboard:
The JieWei G41M3-B9 is a motherboard aimed at the low-end entry-level market, supporting LGA775 interface and perfectly paired with Core 2 processors. It features a dual DDR3/DDR2 memory slot design and integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a separate graphics card. Its performance is sufficient for office use, currently priced at 349 yuan.
JieWei G41M3-B9
[Product Model] JieWei G41M3-B9
[Merchant Price] 349 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] Ding Hao Electronics City A4542#
[Contact Number] 010-82668269
Low-end APU Platform:
The ASRock A55M-HVS uses an m-ATX black-blue slot color scheme, with a core based on AMD's A55 single-chip design, supporting FM1 interface Llano APU series processors. The motherboard provides DVI/VGA video output interfaces, pairing with APU processors to fully satisfy the hardware needs for HD playback and mainstream online games. The ASRock A55M-HVS motherboard employs a solid full-solid-state 4-phase power supply design, with each phase equipped with two MOSFETs, capable of easily handling CPUs with power consumption below 100W. Currently, this motherboard is priced at 399 yuan, offering great cost-performance.
ASRock A55M-HVS
[Product Model] ASRock A55M-HVS
[Merchant Price] 399 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] Ding Hao Electronics Mall Building A Fifth Floor 5805 Premium Room; Building B Fourth Floor 4405 Counter
[Contact Number] 010-82698667 13701380181
Page 3: Accompanying Study with Daily Entertainment
For ordinary students, computers have become essential tools for learning and another gateway to the treasure trove of knowledge beyond books. However, entertainment during leisure time is indispensable, as teaching through enjoyment is the essence of education! Therefore, a computer with basic performance capable of functioning as a gaming machine is necessary. I recommend the high-end A8 APU platform and the low-end series of Intel's SNB platform. Netizens have confirmed that the A8 series processor can run most 3D games solely with its integrated graphics, showing very strong performance. On Intel's side, H61 series motherboards also support integrated graphics output. If higher performance is required, a beginner-level graphics card can be purchased, keeping the overall platform price still affordable.
High-end APU Platform:
The booming sales of APU sufficiently prove the success of AMD's "fusion concept." With its powerful integrated graphics performance and relatively high cost-performance ratio, Llano APU processors are now widely used in entry-level computers and HTPC platforms. A75 and A55 are the new chipset series developed by AMD specifically for APUs, using the latest Socket FM1 interface. However, the A75 chipset natively supports six SATA3.0 and six USB3.0 ports, which are not available in the lower-end A55 chipset. If you have high requirements for hard drive and USB transfer speeds, the A75 chipset is currently the best choice. The A75 motherboard I recommend is priced at 579 yuan, and interested friends can inquire about it.
MSI A75MA-G55
[Product Model] MSI A75MA-G55
[Merchant Price] 579 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] Ding Hao Electronics Mall Building A Fifth Floor 5805 Premium Room; Building A Fifth Floor 5027 Counter
[Contact Number] 010-82698667 13701380181
H61 undoubtedly is the motherboard series with the highest cost-performance ratio now, capable of building a powerful SNB platform when paired with Intel's second-generation Core processors. Due to the lack of overclocking and Smart Response functions compared to P67 and H67, it is the most affordable among the three motherboard series supporting the LGA115 interface. The Gigabyte H61M-DS2 is a H61 motherboard with a three-year warranty and Gigabyte's consistently luxurious components, currently priced at only 449 yuan.
Gigabyte H61M-DS2
[Product Model] Gigabyte H61M-DS2
[Merchant Price] 449 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] Ding Hao Electronics City A4542#
[Contact Number] 010-82668269
Page 4: Loyal Companion for Gaming Enthusiasts
How many friends, like me, disappear from sight after work on weekends or during holidays, staying home all day? We "sunlight-phobic" individuals have grown accustomed to living indoors, with our computers being our most faithful companions. Naturally, we must ensure our partner has good treatment, so mainstream configurations are essential. We should continue to get lost in the virtual world of computers. Currently, the mainstream performance platform belongs to SNB, where a mid-range CPU paired with a mid-range graphics card is sufficient to handle all large-scale 3D games. AMD's Bulldozer platform is also an excellent choice, with its consistent emphasis on cost-performance ratio being AMD's winning strategy.
Mid-range SNB Platform:
As a representative masterpiece of the second-generation dual-core smart motherboard, ASUS P8P67 adopts DIGI+ VRM digital power supply technology and is equipped with ASUS's exclusive dual intelligent processors - EPU intelligent energy-saving processor and TPU intelligent acceleration processor. These technologies bring out the full potential of your processor. Currently priced at 999 yuan, it has reached a stage of no water content since its launch, making it a very cost-effective purchase for gamers.
ASUS P8P67
[Product Model] ASUS P8P67
[Merchant Price] 999 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] Phase One of Ding Hao Mall, Third Floor, 3888
[Contact Number] 010-82697050 13811779354 Tong Fei
Bulldozer Platform:
After the release of Bulldozer processors, their multi-core performance advantages were enthusiastically embraced by A fans. Therefore, in the mid-to-high-end market, AM3+ motherboards paired with Bulldozers gradually became the main platform for AMD motherboards. ASUS followed the trend and introduced the new M5A series of motherboards. All models in the series feature black CPU sockets and fully support AMD's latest 32nm Bulldozer processors. Currently, the top-tier M5A97 EVO motherboard in the series has arrived, with a dealer price of 1099 yuan. Interested friends can pay close attention.
ASUS M5A97 EVO
[Product Model] ASUS M5A97 EVO
[Merchant Price] 1099 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] ZGC Ding Hao Building, 4292#
[Contact Number] 13381060544 Wang Fang
Page 5: Toys for Overclocking Enthusiasts
The extreme frequency of CPUs will always be a passionate pursuit for DIY enthusiasts, while the stability of the overall platform ensures the continuous increase in processor frequency. Robust power systems and outstanding electrical designs are the key focuses of overclocking motherboards. The appearance of Core i5 2500K changed people's views on Intel's closed-off SNB processors. An unlocked multiplier gives players more room to play around. On AMD's side, they have always focused on cost-performance ratio and overclockability. The latest Bulldozer processor even boosted the overclocking record to 6.2G, gaining favor from many overclocking enthusiasts. Below are some overclocking-friendly motherboards I recommend.
SNB Platform:
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 is an entry-level product in the Z68 Extreme series, supporting the new PCI-E 3.0 standard and Z68's Virtu switching, Smart Response, equipped with 12-phase digital power supply, golden capacitors, combined cooling options, and supporting ASRock's unique fast USB, fast network, and AppCharger quick charging software. Overall, it is low-key yet stylish, with outstanding overclocking performance. Currently, this product is priced at 999 yuan.
ASRock Z68 Pro3 GEN3
[Product Model] ASRock Z68 Pro3
[Merchant Price] 999 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] Ding Hao Electronics Mall Building A Fifth Floor 5805 Premium Room; Building B Fourth Floor 4405 Counter
[Contact Number] 010-82698667 13701380181
Bulldozer Platform:
Gamers who love overclocking will naturally prefer unlocked AMD processors. The latest generation of AMD "Bulldozer" processors has received much attention and has become a favorite toy for many "high-fever" players. In terms of motherboards, the 990X chipset is an excellent choice for "Bulldozer" processors. The Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5 is a motherboard based on the 990X chipset, featuring Gigabyte's consistently luxurious build quality and solid components, making it an excellent choice for mid-to-high-end players. Currently, this product is priced at 1688 yuan.
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5
[Product Model] Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5
[Merchant Price] 1688 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] Ding Hao Electronics City A4542#
[Contact Number] 010-82668269
Page 6: Choice for the Rich Second Generation
Unprecedented innovations such as dual PCI16 graphics card crossfire and quad-channel memory, along with the brand-new LGA2011 interface, have propelled the SNB-E processor to the throne of performance dominance under Intel's banner. But even disregarding the processor itself, the price of just the matching X79 motherboard alone is jaw-dropping. High-end is high-end; currently, SNB-E can only be a plaything for the wealthy.
ASRock X79 Extreme9
Following the official release of Intel's LGA2011 Sandy Bridge-E processor, motherboard manufacturers have unveiled many flagship products. The X79 Extreme series is ASRock's powerful team. The ASRock X79 Extreme9, as the leader, is equipped with the most functions, premium components, and strongest expansion design, making it the top choice in the motherboard market. Currently, this product is priced at 2999 yuan.
ASRock X79 Extreme9
[Product Model] ASRock X79 Extreme9
[Merchant Price] 2999 yuan
[Recommended Merchant] Ding Hao Electronics Mall Building A Fifth Floor 5805 Premium Room; Building B Fourth Floor 4405 Counter
[Contact Number] 010-82698667 13701380181
ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
Last year, Intel released the new CPU king, the SNB-E processor, adopting the LGA2011 interface, bringing two major changes: an integrated DDR3-1600 quad-channel memory controller and two PCI-E X16 channels provided by the CPU. As the saying goes, a fine horse deserves a fine saddle. Such a powerful processor requires the top-tier platform support, and ASUS' Republic of Gamers (ROG) series, known for its high-end offerings, is the natural first choice. ROG stands for Republic of Gamers, a top-tier product series established by ASUS in 2006. The Rampage series motherboards began in 2008, and the arrival of the X79 era brought a new generation of board kings - the ASUS Rampage IV Extreme. This product is currently priced at 4999 yuan.
ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
[Product Model]: ASUS RAMPAGE IV EXTREME
[Reference Price]: 4999 yuan
[Counter Information]: Brain Hub Flagship Store 2G04
[Contact Number]: 010-58761291
Editor's Conclusion: The product layout of AMD and Intel processors is very clear. APU, as AMD's main push this year, leverages the innovative "fusion concept" to achieve unprecedented integrated graphics performance. Whether desktops will evolve towards integrated platforms in the future remains unknown, but the release of Intel's Ivy Bridge 22nm processors will surely impact the integrated computer field, and we can wait and see. In the high-end sector, Intel still reigns supreme, with SNB-E having dethroned the X58 era and crowned itself as the supreme ruler. When choosing a processor, gamers must consider usage and budget carefully, ensuring their money is spent wisely.