ASRock N68-S motherboard: specifications, reviews

The motherboard from ASRock-N68-S was introduced in 2010. It is focused on the use of processor devices, which belonged to the AM2, AM2 + and AM3 platforms. At the moment, it is impossible to build a new personal computer on the basis of any of them. They simply are not on sale. But to restore the efficiency of an already existing computer system in the event of a failure of the motherboard will not be very difficult. It is about its capabilities that will be discussed later.

On the assembly of which PCs this board is oriented?

Technical parameters and equipment of ASRock N68-S were oriented to use in the PC of middle and initial level. In the first case, it was possible to create a gaming computer or a graphic station on its basis . In this case, the system needed to be supplemented without fail by a high-performance discrete graphics accelerator. Also as a CPU in such a situation should be a semiconductor crystal, which belongs to the line of Phenom or even Phenom II. The second option for using this product is entry-level solutions, for example, an office PC or a print server. In this case, it was possible to put any central processor of Septron lines or slightly improved in comparison with them in terms of Athlon performance without an additional graphics accelerator, that is, to use an integrated graphics card to output the image.

Equipment

ASRock N68-S was completed as follows:

• Actually, the motherboard itself.

• Metal plate for installation in the PC case.

• A set of IDE interface cords. But SATA-cable in the delivery set was not, and it had to be purchased separately. And this was one of the main drawbacks of this decision.

• Disk with software (specialized utilities and a set of drivers).

• Branded warranty card.

• Quick start guide.

Design

The ASRock N68-S motherboard was manufactured in a form factor called "MicroATiks". Because of this, it can be installed both in a compact computer case and in any other. In the center of its upper half is a seat for the CPU, that is, a socket. To the left of it are slots for installing the RAM. They are in this case 4. Two of them are designed for DDR2 standard slats, and 2 for DDR3 slats. Immediately behind them is the place of connection of the connector from the power supply and the only IDE connector for the corresponding drive. In the center of the board, under the passive heat sink system, a chip of the system logic hid. Under it, as expected, the expansion slots are located, and to the right of it - SATA ports for connecting new modifications of storage devices.

System logic

As chips of system logic in this case, the solutions were developed by NVidia. The north bridge was based on the GeForce 7025, and the south bridge - on the NForce 630A. In 2010, the technical specifications of these semiconductor crystals were relevant. Now they are completely obsolete.

Socket. List of supported processor devices

The ASRock N68-S was equipped with a hybrid processor socket. BIOS It was initially supported only by chips AM2. But as you know, at the same connector you can physically install processor solutions that belonged to AM2 + or even AM3. But to make this possible at the program level, it was necessary to update the BIOS. And the list of processors in this case is as follows:

• Entry-level solutions are Septron or slightly improved Athlon.

• The average segment in this case was represented by chips of the families Phenom and, of course, Phenom II.

Built-in ports. Types of expansion slots

The maximum amount of RAM that could be installed in such a PC was only 8 GB. And the user was given a choice: either more affordable DDR2 slats, or faster DDR3. Slots were, as was noted earlier, 4. But 2 of them were intended for DDR2, and 2 - for DDR3. The maximum size of a single RAM bracket was 4 GB. One expansion slot in ASRock N68-S UCC Was designed to install an external video accelerator - this PCI Express 16X format. There was also one PCI Express slot, already of 1X format, for installing new modifications of external controllers. Well, 2 PCI slots were aimed at using outdated versions of additional controllers. The list of built-in ports was this product:

• 2 familiar round sockets for performing mouse and keyboard switching.

• 4 universal bus ports, which are called USB. Their version is 2.0.

• 1 graphics output - VGA. If necessary, you could connect a DVI-adapter and already display the image on the monitor with this more progressive digital format. But for the use of HDMI as part of such a computer system, it was necessary to additionally purchase an external graphics accelerator.

• 3 audio ports allowed using this board to implement different speaker configurations.

• 1 port format RJ-45 (sometimes called LAN) was designed to connect the PC to the computer network and the Internet.

• One COM port was universal. He allowed to connect a mouse, printer or scanner to the PC.

Feedback from owners of this motherboard model. Price. Product Relevance

The ASRock N68-S motherboard had practically no drawbacks. Its only drawback is the lack of a basic SATA-wire, which, in the presence of such a drive in a computer configuration, had to be bought separately. Otherwise, it had only advantages: a good degree of functionality, relatively low cost and an impressive list of supported CPU modifications. In a new state, such a computer solution is now impossible to purchase, but a supported such a board on various trading floors can be bought for 2000-3000 rubles. A new computer on its base is not expedient to collect: this "iron" is obsolete. But when PC resuscitation, this motherboard can be very useful.

Results

At the time of its release ASRock N68-S Was an actual solution. Now it can only be bought in the event that you need to immediately restore the working capacity of PCs with components that are compatible with it. In other cases, consider its acquisition is not appropriate.