DFI LanParty Jr 790GX Motherboard Review

Innovation is a key factor when it comes to enthusiast computer hardware and it would seem that in our quest to make bigger and better components we tend to forget about how practical any one component really is.  Practical hardware is important for a couple of reasons.  First you need to appeal to the consumers and while top performing components post amazing scores these scores are only valid in certain configurations that not always affordable by everyone.  Second would be size, the current trend is to pack as much stuff as you can to help improve the price point.  But if only 30% of consumers are using 90% of the hardware offering it makes sense to try and come up with a better solution.

This is where the Micro ATX form factor comes into play. 

For the longest time the Micro ATX motherboards were regarded as an OEM option designed for desktop and mini tower applications.  In recent years the form factor has been given new life with the advent of the HTPC.  However you still find that most enthusiasts are using gaming hardware to power their home theater systems.  This seems a little strange until you consider that most powerful motherboards cannot be found in the smaller form factor. 

Well it would seem that wait is over.

In this review we will be looking at the new MicroATX motherboard from DFI called the LanParty Jr 790GX-M2RS.  This motherboard is a perfect blend between the enthusiast power we have come to expect from DFI and the practicality found in the smaller MicroATX hardware offerings.

DFI is using a yellow and black color scheme on this motherboard which is no surprise considering that the yellow expansion slots have been reserved for the AMD line of motherboards since the beginning.

The back of the motherboard is typical however does feature a metal heatsink reinforcement plate. This bracket is recommended by AMD and helps to prevent PCB flexing under high heatsink pressure. Now if only waterblocks could use a similar method we'd be all set.