Features

One of the first notable features is Suspend-to-RAM. A Windows 98 ACPI function, it basically puts the PC into sleep mode sending the last "status" of the computer to the RAM until you wake it back up. This is a nice feature, especially for the OEM market or people who are very conscious about their power usage (unlike me).

Directed more towards the average consumer than the hardware enthusiast, the GA-7VM has built in sound, and an AMR modem slot. While I usually frown upon any Mainboard with built in audio, it helps in keeping total system cost down, especially for the home office or corporate user who probably won't end up doing any sound intensive apps anyway. With broadband Internet connections becoming much more widespread, and 56k PCI modem prices below $20, AMR is just a little to late to be of much use. I would have much rather seen an extra PCI slot included.

Board layout is quite good, and everything from the ATX power connector to the color-coded IDE connectors is well spaced out, and easy to work with. The only grievance that I have with this board's layout is the weird placement of the audio connectors. Gigabyte placed them so close to the AMR and PCI slots that I had a very difficult time trying to position my PCI cards correctly in their slots.

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