The Gigabyte GA-945GM motherboard supports two PCI slots, one PCI Express x1 device and a single PCI Express x16 videocard. The High Definition audio header for the remaining surround sound channels is just to the left of the PCI Express x16 connector, but unfortunately Gigabyte neglect to include the necessary bracket with this budget board. The white COMB port by the floppy connector is for a secondary COM port. Again, no bracket is included.

The four 'click-connect' SATA II connectors positively lock each SATA cable into position, reducing the chance of loose cables down the road. The Intel ICH7 southbridge supports a single IDE channel (two IDE devices). Various USB and and front panel connectors occupy this section of the Gigabyte GA-945GM S2 motherboard.

It's nice how the lone IDE & power connectors are set alongside the main ATX power connector just to the right of the DIMM slots. Gigabyte colour coordinates the DDR-2 DIMM slots to make it easier for you to setup dual channel DDR-2 memory pairs. Up to 4GB of DDR-2 667 memory can be installed.

The LGA775 CPU has a 4-pin PWM fan header all to itself. Gigabyte cools the 945G Express chipset with a passive aluminum heatsink that makes use of airflow coming off of the CPU heatsink. The clear CMOS jumper is situated right next to the battery which is to the right of the northbridge heatsink. It's an odd location but an easily accessible one when the computer is fully installed.

Up next we'll be putting the Gigabyte GA-945GM-S2 motherboard through a couple rounds of gaming and office oriented benchmarks, but first PCSTATS we toss our hat into the overclocking ring and see where this 945GM-based board can take us...