Advanced Micro Devices on Wednesday unveiled its new AMD 790GX core-logic that combines integrated graphics core with rich set of features, overclocking capability and support for multi-GPU technology. The novelty is targeted at a broad range of end-users, however, the question is whether the AMD 790 GX will be perfect for everyone.

“Today’s high definition, multimedia applications demand powerful graphics and multi-core processor performance and only AMD is delivering a truly balanced platform that accelerates these workloads,” said Phil Eisler, corporate vice president and general manager of AMD chipset division.

The AMD 790 GX core-logic supports various AMD processors with HyperTransport bus, contains ATI Radeon HD 3300-series (RV610) DirectX 10-supporting graphics core clocked at 700MHz that has 40 unified shader processors, supports SidePort Memory and also features ATI Avivo HD as well as universal video decoder (UVD) units that decode and post-process high-definition video available on Blu-ray discs and HD DVDs.

In addition, the new 790GX chip supports Hybrid CrossFireX technology to boost performance of built-in graphics core with ATI Radeon HD 2400- or 3400-series graphics cards as well as features two PCI Express 2.0 controllers to enable ATI CrossFireX technology in order to let users to install two higher-end ATI Radeon graphics boards to get unbeatable level of performance in video games.

“The AMD 790GX chipset contains several AMD innovations that further improves both multi-core AMD Phenom processor performance and motherboard ATI Radeon graphics performance, the result of which are versatile performance PCs that deliver an eye-catching visual experience,”

The “innovations” include the significant tuning enhancements via Advanced Clock Calibration (ACC) on the new SB750 I/O controller introduced with the AMD 790GX, which is projected to “unlock” maximum AMD Phenom processor performance and allow better overclocking. Additional enhancements that AMD has done to its 790GX chipset include trimming of power consumption thanks to enhancements of the PowerPlay technology and some other tweaks.

While the feature-set of the AMD 790GX core-logic looks impressive, it is unclear whether it is relevant to all groups of end-users it is targeted at. For example, those, who plan to install two graphics cards into their system need no built-in graphics cores, whereas those, who intend to use integrated graphics will hardly be glad to pay for support of multi-GPU and overclocking technologies. As a consequence, the new chipset may become popular only among a fraction of end-users looking for maximum system upgradeability.

The AMD 790GX-based mainboards are expected to be widely available from AMD’s add-in-board partners, including Asustek Computer, ASRock, Biostar Group, DFI, Elitergroup Computer Systems, Foxconn Technology Group, Gigabyte Technology, J&W Technology, Jetway and MSI Computer.