Features:
The P5N7A-VM is based on the nvidia MCP7A-S chipset (aka GeForce 9300/nForce 730i) and has support for Intel's LGA 775 processors with both 1333MHz and 1066MHz frontside buses, including quad core offerings.
The P5N7A-VM's GeForce 9300 GPU features support for Nvidia's CUDA and PhysX technologies as well as GeForce Boost, PureVideo HD decoding, and DirectX 10. Additionally, the HDMI port is HDCP compliant and is able to pass 7.1 LPCM digital audio as well as 1080p video. The GeForce 9300 has support for two monitors provided that one of them is connected to the VGA port. The maximum resolution supported is 2560x1600 if you are using a digital connection and 2048x1536 over the analog VGA connection.
ASUS includes several features we recognize from other motherboards in their lineup. These features include AI Nap, Express Gate, Q-Fan 2 as well as their EPU-4 engine.
The 9300 IGP features a shared memory architecture, 16 stream processors, a GPU clock speed of 450MHz and a shader clock speed of 1200MHz. Intel claims that the 9300's performance is slightly lower than their previous 8400 solution, but with the added benefit of DirectX 10 support.
The 9300 platform is virtually identical to the GeForce 9400 with the only exception being that the 9400 has a higher clock rate of 580MHz for the GPU core and 1400MHz for the shader clocks. Interestingly, Apple uses the GeForce 9400 in their new Aluminum Macbooks.
Packaging and Accessories:
ASUS clearly lists several of the more prominent features on the top of the box (below left) and displays a picture of the motherboard and most of the other key features in images on the bottom of the box (below right). The sides simply display the ASUS name as well as the motherboard model.
ASUS manufacturers the motherboard and packaging to meet the EU standard for RoHS compliance, this results in minimal packaging and the reduced use of plastics is clearly apparent in the picture below.
In addition to the manual (below right), ASUS includes a PATA cable, SATA cable, Drivers disk, Rear port panel and Q-Connectors for one onboard USB header and the system header. There is also a “Powered by ASUS” sticker in the driver disk sleeve.
