Pros: Lots of features: 6 SATA ports from the SB710, 2 more from the J-micron to support TWO eSATA, HDMI/DVI plus VGA video outputs, supports 140W CPUs, though mine is only 95W.

Cons: DXVA was flaky from day 1, but recently started to look really strange. Moving objects in image became blocky on mpeg4, and high flickering on mpeg2. It's as if the graphics hardware is unable to keep up with demand of video. AMD overdrive shows GPX running at around 560 MHz; can't remember what it was at when things were working. Tried latest BIOS (329), but did not help. DXVA problem is occurring with both MPC-HC and PDVD8. Even tried re-installing WXP; no change. Cleared and reset BIOS settings by removing battery, which cleared the problem I had before; no help this time.

All of these configurations worked before, but just stopped suddenly a few days ago.

Other Thoughts: I don't know if there is a self-test for the IGP in the 785 chip, or what its normal operating frequencies should be, but it's stuck at 563 MHz, side port at 497 MHz.

Will try to contact ECS next week, but it seems like the IGP is stuck in some degraded mode. Very small size videos still look OK; just NTSC-SD/ED and HD videos can not be properlly decoded. Most of them show up, but all moving objects are either blocky or flickering.

Other information:
Propus (Athlon-II) 620 at stock clock speed
2*2GB OCZ RAM at 667 MHz (had to force it here)
WXP SP2/SP3 with latest D3DX9 drivers
Latest ATI video drivers (10.7)

Manufacturer Response:

Please contact us. We would like to help resolve the issues you are having, especially since, based on your March review, it seems you have been experiencing this issue for awhile. We do not have a response from your previous review in March, nor can we find a case with a similar issue for this motherboard but again we would like to help.

We would like to find out what version of AOD you are using; the specific OCZ memory model. Since the IGP shares with the system memory, have you verified this? We would like to look at any changes that may have been made in your BIOS.

For your reference, the default GPU clock speed is 700MHz. Also this motherboard does not have sideport memory.

When contacting us, you can refer to case #ECD10082010015

I or any of my team members here at technical support will be able to help you.
Our hours are Mon-Fri 9am-6pm PST.

Thank you,
Andy
44259 Nobel Drive, Fremont, CA 94538
Phone# 1-510-771-0284
Email: andy_k@ecsusa.com

Pros: Board is great. No problems. Running W7PRO64 w 8GB, Radeon 5570, 2 - WD 320GB SATA Raid 0, Deneb 3.0 Quad, Lite-on Blu-ray. All fans are running off the MB. Runs nominally @ 65w. VERY QUIET. Outstanding performance. This is my second raid machine and it smokes any single drive system. The onboard graphics only provides a windows exp of 3.3 but no problems watching BD movies. The 5570 bumped the windows exp to 6.4 with the hard drives being the limit @ 5.9. And yes the 64 apps do run faster if they are available but you need to look for them - i.e. java, iTunes 64. Downloaded the SUN virtualbox and run Solaris 10 on this system in 64 bit mode. AMAZING. I need to build another machine and I'm definitely considering buying another one of these boards. I can't understand the problems the other people are having.

Cons: Possiblly usb 3.0 however the eSATA is still faster. Would be nice to see boards with more than 4 memory slots since the 4GB memory sticks are just too expensive.

Other Thoughts: Next build will be with 2 500GB WD blacks and a Blu-ray burner

Pros: Worked right out of the box with need for tweaks.
Has all the features one needs to build HTPC.

Cons: ATI has not addressed the underscan with HDMI port. The scaling option in Catalyst management toolk worked for the desktop, but black bars came back as soon media center in Windows 7 started.
Given this board is squarely aimed at HTPC use this underscan is a major fault. ATI doesn't seem interested in fixing the problem given long time this issue has been around and the runaround they play in support around this.

Other Thoughts: Some suggested to use 75Hz refresh timing to workaround the undercan problem, but this board cannot run with 1920x1080 at 75Hz, or at least the Catalyst options don't offer that option.

Manufacturer Response:

We sorry to hear about the video issues you are having at this time. If you haven't already we would like for you to contact us so we may find out what CCC you are using and more about what display is being used. We would like to look into this issue and help find a solution.

We can be reached at newegg.support@ecsusa.com or 510-771-0284. Our hours are Mon-Fri 9am-6pm PST.

When contacting us, you can refer to case #ECD10042310042

Thank you,
ECS

Pros: Inexpensive, many features

Cons: Burned out in less than three months. Fun while it lasted, expected more.

Other Thoughts: Long time user of ECS m/b's. We'll see how fast they replace it. Any board can fail, its just how well they support the board.

Manufacturer Response:

If you haven't already, please contact us. We would like to find what exactly is happening with your system, more about your system configuration and help find a resolution.

We can be reached at newegg.support@ecsusa.com or 510-771-0284. Our hours are Mon-Fri 9am-6pm PST.

When contacting us, you can refer to case #ECD10040210014

Thank you,
ECS

Pros: Has a great feature set packed into a uATX form factor and makes an especially great "step-upgrade" replacement board.

Rock solid at stock speeds and overclocks fine too (Athlon II Regor 250 3.0Ghz --> 3.6Ghz with zero effort/stock cooling) but I chose to just leave it at normal speeds for the long haul.

An overall excellect choice that hasn't let one regret creep in thus far.

Cons: Doesn't laught at all my jokes

Other Thoughts: Went with a low-end HD3450 PCIe x16 card to help alleviate the burdon on the IGP (or tug along with it). In hindsight, probablly didn't need to.
( IGP < IGP+HD3450 < HD4670 < HD5850 )

The very first boot was a tad off but one reset and it booted right up. More importantly, every boot since then has also been fine.

The BIOS isn't exactly "full bells & whistles", but it seems normal enough to me.

Pros: Already reviewed, See my review a few reviews back

Cons: Already went over these.

Other Thoughts: For those of you who do not know what the post indicators mean, google AMI Bios POST codes and you should find plenty of results.

Pros: bought this board to upgrade from an old socket 939. Purchased an AMD Athlon II X4 630 to pair with it. Opened the box, took maybe 15 mins to install all items, before loading windows. Very easy to install, nice small size. The board runs smooth. Very easy overclocking utilities included, cranked my athlon II X4 630 from a stock 2.8 Ghz- to a decent 3.4 ghz with messing with any voltage, benchmarks showed a fair 10-15% cpu performance.

Cons: I don't like the LCD Code Screen on the board, because i looked everywhere to find what the codes mean, can't find it. Oooh well. Wish it had a second PCI Express x16 2.0 slot in it... but what do you expect for a micro atx board...lol

Other Thoughts: I would recommend this board for a first time builder or not that experienced. Very easy to work with.

Pros: -Cooling on the PWM, uncommon in boards this price range.
-TRUE HDMI(With audio out), DVI, and Dsub outputs
-Decent onboard graphics chipset
-Two eSATA ports, six USB ports, Three USB 2.0 Headers
-Four DIMM Slots
-Great onboard audio, one of realteks better chips
-Right Angle SATA connectors, Six SATA2 connectors with raid 0/1/10 support
-POST LED indicator
-Effective passive cooling, excellent for HTPC style builds
-Black PCB looks great in a black case
-8pin allows more total power than 4pin for overclocking

Cons: -No ACC Support
-Clunky BIOS voltage adjustments/memory settings
-BIOS Must be updated through windows
-No FDD, RS-232, or PS/2 Connections

Other Thoughts: In response to the "Worthless board!" guy that posted at 10/10/2009 2:21:22 PM, the Phenom II x4 940 is AM2+, and therefore doesnt have the ddr3 memory controller so isnt compatible with this board.


At ECS/Elitegroup: ADD ACC TO THE BIOS, MANY PEOPLE WOULD LOVE YOU FOR IT! The only reason i would have any doubts about recommending this board is the ACC functionality, or lack therof.

Also, if ECS could confirm please, i believe this board has a 4 phase PWM as far as i can tell, however i have not removed the heatsinks to check yet.

Manufacturer Response:

This motherboard does have a four phase power VRM design.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us.

We can be reached at newegg.support@ecsusa.com or 510-771-0284. Our hours are Mon-Fri 9am-6pm PST.

When contacting us, you can refer to case #ECD10032610022

Thank you,
ECS

Pros: NONE, DOESN'T POST.

Cons: Everything, wont work.
Fans work, Power running. Wont post.
Double F coming up on the visual display (nothing in manual about it, Tech Support had no idea)

Other Thoughts: I've rma'ed this garbage back twice and kept 1 broken one. Called their tech support and snarky support guy told me that he's never heard of this board not posting. There are 8 other reviews with the same problem. Told me that 95% of the problems are customer related but they replace the board out of the goodness of their hearts. All other components work on other machines. If i could give this thing a 0 egg i would. Worst product Ive ever bought. Thank you Newegg for being so kind as to pay for my shipping for a full refund. Gonna go with a better company and a better product. Wasted 2 weeks of my time on this thing.

Manufacturer Response:

Please contact us as we would like to look into your issue and address your concerns with your previous support.

We can be reached at newegg.support@ecsusa.com or 510-771-0284. Our hours are Mon-Fri 9am-6pm PST.

When contacting us, you can refer to case #ECD10032910055

Thank you,
ECS

Pros: Lots of Extras eSata connections, SPDIF, HDMI and many usb connections all onboard so no need for external or interna adapters. Great cooling measures included much like more expensive ASUS boards have had mine since before Christmas and haven't had one issue. AMD Phemon X2 3.Oghz, 3gb PC1333 ram, Seagate 750gb HD, ATI 4670 1gb Video Card, Logitech Wireless Mouse/keyboard, Hannsg 19" WS Monitor, Altec Lansig 2.1 speakers, great for gaming Very pleased with results. Comes with Ejiffy a linux based boot system for quick boot to check emails surf and such haven't used it but again Asus comes with something similar, I suppose it could come in handy if you have some problems later and need to back up some files and can't get into windows.

Cons: Only takes AM3 processors and usb keyboard or mouse, need bios update as soon as possible

Other Thoughts: I'm reading recent reviews and am quite shocked I been buying ECS exclusively for over two years I have found their boards to be very good despite reviews and user accounts I've only had one problem with a board and it was fixed with a bios update another was returned and Newegg replaced immediately no real issue there. Maybe they had a bad manufacturing batch IDK. I would buy this board again or for that matter any board made by ECS great rebates and easy to read manuals, installs go smoothly.