For PC users who long for faster response times, quicker refresh rates and a host of "high-power" options, but who lack the know-how to achieve them, the latest range of motherboards from Gigabyte offers a solution.
They provide two utilities that make it simple to overclock the CPU speed and update the BIOS.
"The Gigabyte Easy Tune overdrive utility allows users to change the system bus speed or CPU multiplier in small increments for maximum speed," says Antonet Duvenage, Gigabyte product manager at Rectron, the South African distributor of Gigabyte products.
"This enables users without a high level of technical knowledge to `tune` their systems for optimal performance. This was previously a privilege reserved for expert users."
Rectron has also released the @BIOS tool, a Windows utility which makes it simple for users to update and flash new BIOS.
"It allows users to download new BIOS from the Gigabyte FTP server and automatically flash BIOS in Windows mode," says Duvenage She lists several tips for people wishing to buy the latest range of motherboards.
"Firstly, one should ensure the motherboard comes with DMA (Direct Memory Access) drivers for the hard disk. If it doesn`t, users should ensure they enable DMA for their hard drive from system properties.
"This option will be there if the hard drive supports DMA. This gives more than 100% boost in a hard drive`s transfer rates. It also reduces the load on the CPU significantly.
"Without DMA, the disk CPU utilisation is above 70%, but with DMA, it goes down to around 4% or less.
"Secondly, if buying a motherboard for gaming, users should opt for a motherboard with an AGP slot.
"This is because your display adapter has a large role to play in one`s gaming performance, and determines a game`s speed and graphics quality.
"Fourthly, a motherboard`s circuit design determines how effectively it can use the processor`s capabilities. It can cause a difference of as much as 5% in overall performance while running productivity applications.
"Finally," adds Duvenage, "users should ensure that they download the latest driver and BIOS updates for their motherboard. Most motherboards today have flash BIOS which can be upgraded through software you can download from the manufacturer`s website."
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