Desktop Board Features, Feature Summary

1 Desktop Board Features

This chapter briefly describes the main features of Intel® Desktop Board D945GPM. Table 1 summarizes the major features of the desktop board.

Table 1. Feature Summary

Form Factors	MicroATX (9.6-inches x 9.6-inches)
Processor	Support for an Intel® processor in the LGA775 package
Main Memory	• Four 240-pin, 1.8 V SDRAM Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets
	• 667/533/400 MHz single or dual channel DDR2 SDRAM interface
	• Designed to support up to 4 GB of system memory
	NOTE: System resources (such as PCI and PCI Express*) require physical memory
	address locations that reduce available memory addresses above 3 GB. This may
	result in less than 4 GB of memory being available to the operating system and
	applications. For the latest list of tested memory, refer to the Intel World Wide Web
	site at: http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/

Chipset	Intel® 945G Express Chipset consisting of:
	• Intel® 82945G Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) with Direct Media
	Interface
	• Intel® 82801GH I/O Controller Hub (ICH7DH) supporting Intel® Matrix Storage
	Technology
	• Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) Flash or Firmware Hub (FWH)

Graphics	Intel 945G Express Chipset with Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Audio	• Intel 945G Express Chipset
	• Intel® High Definition Audio interface
	• SigmaTel* codec

Expansion	• Two PCI bus add-in card connectors (SMBus routed to PCI bus 2)
Capabilities	• One PCI Express x16 connector
	• One PCI Express x16 connector
	• One PCI Express x1 connector

Peripheral	• Up to eight USB 2.0 ports
Interfaces	⎯ Four ports routed to the back panel
	⎯ Four ports routed to the back panel
	⎯ Four ports routed to two USB headers
	• Up to three IEEE 1394a ports
	⎯ One port routed to the back panel
	⎯ Two ports routed to two IEEE 1394a headers
	• Intel® 82573L Gigabit Ethernet Controller with an RJ-45 connector
	• Four Serial ATA (SATA) channels (3.0 Gb/s), via the ICH7DH, one device per
	channel
	• One IDE interface with ATA-66/100 support (two devices)
	• One VGA connector
	• One diskette drive interface
	• One serial port
	• PS/2* keyboard and mouse ports

	continued

D945GPM specifications

The Intel D945GPM is a motherboard that was designed primarily for desktop PCs and is part of Intel's 9-series chipset family. Launched in the mid-2000s, this motherboard has gained recognition for its robust performance and solid feature set for users seeking a stable and efficient computing platform.

One of the hallmark features of the D945GPM is its support for Intel's LGA 775 processor socket. This accommodates a variety of processors, including the Pentium 4, Pentium D, and the Core 2 Duo series. The motherboard supports dual-channel DDR2 memory, with a maximum capacity of 4GB, providing sufficient memory bandwidth for most basic computing tasks and multitasking needs.

The D945GPM is built on the Intel 945G chipset, which integrates the graphics controller, simplifying the motherboard's design and enhancing efficiency. The integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 allows users to perform casual gaming, video playback, and standard office applications without the need for a discrete graphics card. However, for those requiring higher 3D performance, the motherboard includes a PCI Express x16 slot, enabling the installation of dedicated graphics cards.

Additionally, the D945GPM features several connectivity options. It includes support for up to four SATA 3.0 Gb/s connections, which allows users to connect multiple hard drives or SSDs for improved data transfer rates and storage capabilities. There are also four USB 2.0 ports available, providing connectivity for peripheral devices like keyboards, mice, and external storage.

The motherboard integrates an Intel High Definition Audio subsystem, delivering clear and crisp audio quality for an enhanced multimedia experience. The Realtek ALC888 audio codec contributes to decent sound performance for gaming, movie watching, and music playback.

User-friendly features include a BIOS that supports a wide range of customization options, allowing enthusiasts to tweak and optimize performance settings. The motherboard is also equipped with multiple fan headers, enabling efficient cooling setups to maintain stable operation during intensive tasks.

Overall, the Intel D945GPM motherboard stands out for its balance of performance, features, and reliability, making it an excellent choice for basic computing, light gaming, and media consumption, reflecting the tech standards of its time.

1 Desktop Board Features

Table 1. Feature Summary

Form Factors

Main Memory

Chipset

Interfaces

D945GPM specifications