AMD's 690 chipset doesn't stop turning heads. The way it was introduced, as a low-priced alternative to Intel, with budget trim and no enthusiast options, belittled its raucous performance. It looked like a stopgap, especially since AMD had little to do with its design and released it as a last foray before the new AMD could re-group. It's not likely that even ATI expected the chipset to be the thin edge of the wedge. 690's ripples keep on growing. As it turns out, people seem to like motherboards with complete multimedia support, great onboard graphics, insignificant power envelopes, unparalleled performance, and low prices. Gigabyte's GA-MA69GM-S2H is the best example of a 690G motherboard to-date. This motherboard is going to win an Editor's Choice award. And that's a tough one to get. Everything has to work just right: The device needs to be designed and constructed well, with options that defy predictions, the best layout, and the vaulted ability to please everyone, even enthusiasts.