My computer has 8GB of 1066MHz, DDR3 RAM, 1 Terabyte H/D, 450 watt power supply, and can take a PCIe x 16 graphics card; Direct X9, SATA 3GB/sec & RAID, etc. (What more do you want for Christ sakes?) Please don't confuse me with some teenage gaming nut. I am 60 years old and just want something faster than my old P4 2.6 Ghz Packard Bell iMedia, which I screwed up tight till the pips squeaked before I accepted that it couldn’t handle more than 480p direct streaming video.
The present graphics engine " NVIDIA GeForce 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a GPU, The brand new NVIDIA® GeForce 7025 / NVIDIA® nForce 630aGPU features CineFX™ 3.0 Engine, is of itself probably capable of much better performance (smooth 1080p streaming), if it were not for the fact that the installed base level Sempron is a wimpy cpu, little better than the old Pentium P4 I have retired. That said, an x 16, PCIe card up to, say around 100-120 watts, so as not to overstress the power supply (450 watts), would improve smooth playback even further.
For the benefit of the uninformed, I will reproduce the stated Gigabyte information pages, for the collective benefit of all readers and would-be respondents:
Get Ready for New Generation of 32nm AMD AM3+ CPU
Gigabyte’s AMD motherboards are ready to support new generation of 32nm AMD AM3+ multi-core processors, delivering the very best platform for multitasking, multimedia and high performance gaming.
On/Off Charge Technology
GIGABYTE On/Off Charge technology allows you to charge your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch regardless of whether your PC is on, in standby mode or even off. A derivative of GIGABYTE's highly acclaimed 3x USB Power feature, On/Off Charge enables devices to draw more current from GIGABYTE motherboard USB ports than standard USB ports allow, so that charging from your PC can be as fast as with a charger...more
*Due to certain mobile phone limitations, users may need to connect the mobile phone to their PC before the PC enters S4/S5 mode to enable a quick charge from non On/Off Charge USB ports. Charging results may vary by model.
*Whether to support 3X USB power design, it may vary by models.
Core Boost Support
GIGABYTE’s Core Boost technology provides an easy way for users unlocking the CPU’s hidden cores via the EasyTune6 utility. Without any complicated setting needed in BIOS, users can experience a phenomenal performance upgrade right away.
*The ability of unlocking the hidden CPU cores might vary by different processors.
Introduction
The GA-M68MT-S2, based on NVIDIA GeForce7025/ nForce630a chipset and supports new generation of 45nm AMD AM3 Phenom II/ AthlonII processors, integrated DirectX 9 graphics engine, DDR3 memory controller, PCI Express interface and so on. With the 50000 hours Japanese solid capacitors for CPU VRM design, the GA-M68MT-S2 is able to provide user friendly computing, reach the maximum system performance easily while still able to save the power and environment in real life at the same time. Supports next generation of 45nm AMD AM3 CPU
This motherboard features Split Power Plane, 3+1 phase VRM to support AMD's latest 45nm AM3 Athlon II/ Phenom II series processors, delivering greater performance enhancements and the ultimate in hardware scalability.
* If you install AMD AM3+/AM3 CPU on this motherboard, the system bus speed will downgrade from HT3.0 (5200MT/s) to HT1.0 (2000 MT/s) spec; however, the frequency of AM3+/AM3 CPU will not be impacted. Please refer "CPU Support List" for more information. NVIDIA GeForce 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a GPU
The brand new NVIDIA® GeForce 7025 / NVIDIA® nForce 630aGPU features CineFX™ 3.0 Engine. This unique combination of 7025 GPU creates a single motherboard featuring a world-class DX9, Shader Model 3.0 GPU for faster and smoother game-play, a high quality video processing engine for advance quality of video and DVD playback.
Note: Please install an external graphics card for output displaying if using an AM3+ CPU based XP system. PCI Express Interface
Revolutionary PCI Express interface provides scalable bandwidth for multi-purpose usage. PCI-E x16 interface doubles the bandwidth of graphics interface of previous generation thus delivering the utmost gaming experience. PCI-E x1interface provides twice the bandwidth of PCI interface up to 250MB/s for new generation I/O peripheral devices. DDR3 1600+ Support
Delivering native support for DDR3 memory up to1600+MHz, GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 3 series motherboards allow users to easily reach higher memory frequencies at lower voltages; achieving higher memory performance with lower power consumption to run even the most memory intensive applications such as high-definition video and 3D games with ease. SATA 3Gb/s & RAID
This platform supports reliable storage solution for enhanced data protection and data accessing performance. Serial ATA 3Gb/s is firstly introduced in this platform to provide blazingly 3Gb/s bus bandwidth thus higher disk performance. The NVIDIA® RAID allows multi-disk designs to be set up as RAID 0, 1, based on users' priority of protection/ performance. This NVIDIA RAID function makes the RAID even more accessible by introducing the innovative windows-based facility.
High Definition Audio
Experience home theater-quality sound with your PC using High Definition Audio for enhanced multi-channel audio, improved voice and communication input, and multi-streaming capability.
This is the list of supported CPUs according to GIGABYTE.
Socket AM3+ - NVIDIA GeForce 7025 / nForce 630a - GA-M68MT-S2 (rev. 3.1) N/A = Not support
Socket AM3+ Motherboard Model GA-M68MT-S2 PCB 3.1 vendor CPU Model Frequency L2 Cache L3 Cache Core Name Process Stepping Wattage System Bus(MT/s) Since BIOS Version
AMD FX-8140 3200MHz 1MBx8 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-8120 3100MHz 1MBx8 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-8100 2800MHz 1MBx8 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-6120 3500MHz 1MBx6 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-6100 3300MHz 1MBx6 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-4150 3900MHz 1MBx4 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-4100 3600MHz 1MBx4 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
Socket AM3
Motherboard Model GA-M68MT-S2 PCB 3.1 vendor CPU Model Frequency L2 Cache L3 Cache Core Name Process Stepping Wattage System Bus(MT/s) Since BIOS Version
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 3300MHz 512KBx6 6MB Thuban 45nm E0 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T 3200MHz 512KBx6 6MB Thuban 45nm E0 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X6 1075T 3000MHz 512KBx6 6MB Thuban 45nm E0 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2800MHz 512KBx6 6MB Thuban 45nm E0 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2800MHz 512KBx6 6MB Thuban 45nm E0 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X6 1045T 2700MHz 512KBx6 6MB Thuban 45nm E0 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X6 1035T 2600MHz 512KBx6 6MB Thuban 45nm E0 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 980 3700MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C3 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X4 970 3500MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C3 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X4 965 3400MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C3 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X4 960T 3000MHz 512KBx4 6MB Zosma 45nm E0 95W 4000 FB
AMD Phenom II X4 955 3200MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C3 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3000MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 925 2800MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 910 2600MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 910e 2600MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C3 65W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 905e 2500MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 65W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 900e 2400MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 65W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 840 3200MHz 512KBx4 N/A Deneb 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 820 2800MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 810 2600MHz 512KBx4 4MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X4 805 2500MHz 512KBx4 4MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X3 740 3000MHz 512KBx3 6MB Heka 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2800MHz 512KBx3 6MB Heka 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X3 710 2600MHz 512KBx3 6MB Heka 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X3 705e 2500MHz 512KBx3 6MB Heka 45nm C2 65W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X3 700e 2400MHz 512KBx3 6MB Heka 45nm C2 65W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X2 560 3300MHz 512KBx2 6MB Callisto 45nm C3 80W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X2 555 3200MHz 512KBx2 6MB Callisto 45nm C3 80W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X2 550 3100MHz 512KBx2 6MB Callisto 45nm C2 80W 4000 FA
AMD Phenom II X2 545 3000MHz 512KBx2 6MB Callisto 45nm C2 80W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 650 3200MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 645 3100MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 640 3000MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 635 2900MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 630 2800MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 630 2800MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 620 2600MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 615e 2500MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C3 45W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X4 605e 2300MHz 512KBx4 N/A Propus 45nm C3 45W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 455 3300MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 450 3200MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 445 3100MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 440 3000MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 435 2900MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C3 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 435 2900MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 425 2700MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C2 95W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 420e 2600MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C3 45W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 405e 2300MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C3 45W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 405e 2300MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C2 45W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X3 400e 2200MHz 512KBx3 N/A Rena 45nm C2 45W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 270 3400MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C3 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 265 3300MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C3 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 260 3200MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C3 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 255 3100MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C3 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 250 3000MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C3 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 250 3000MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C2 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 245 2900MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C3 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 245 2900MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C2 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 240 2800MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C2 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 240e 2800MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C2 45W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 235e 2700MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C2 45W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 225 2900MHz 512KBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C3 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 215 2700MHz 512KBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C2 65W 4000 FA
AMD Athlon II X2 260u 1800MHz 1MBx2 N/A Regor 45nm C2 25W 3600 FA
AMD Athlon II 160u 1800MHz 1MB N/A Sargas 45nm C2 20W 3600 FA
AMD Sempron 140 2700MHz 1MB N/A Sargas 45nm C2 45W 4000 FA