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ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS - AM3+ - 760G - Radeon 3000-100% Solid Capacitor

ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS - AM3+ - 760G - Radeon 3000-100% Solid Capacitor

Bottom line: The ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS ($239.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-30 20:24 UTC): AM3+ socket runs FX, Phenom II, Athlon II and Sempron 100 CPUs; main trade-off: only 2 DIMM slots, capped at 8GB DDR3.

$239.99 on Amazon, checked (price may vary)

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Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-30. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ AM3+ socket runs FX, Phenom II, Athlon II and Sempron 100 CPUs
  • ✓ 100% solid conductive-polymer capacitors for longer lifespan
  • ✓ ASUS Core Unlocker can unlock hidden CPU cores
  • ✓ Dual-channel DDR3 up to 1866MHz (OC) across 2 DIMM slots

Cons

  • ✗ Only 2 DIMM slots, capped at 8GB DDR3
  • ✗ Integrated Radeon HD 3000 too weak for modern gaming
  • ✗ Discontinued AM3+ platform limits future CPU upgrades
  • ✗ microATX 760G/SB710 board, no PCIe or fabric overclocking headroom

Manufacturer description

M5A78L-M LX PLUS features AMD 760G/SB710 chipset and supports the latest AMD AM3+ FX//Phenom II/Athlon II/Sempron 100 Series Processors. The latest 32nm AM3+ CPU features 8 cores, with dual-channel DDR3 up to 1866 Mhz memory support on a uATX form factor. Integrated ATI Radeon HD 3000 GPU supports Hybrid CrossFireX as well as the latest DirectX 10 for vivid graphics performance.

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro motherboards category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the retro motherboards category before committing. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for retro motherboards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • 2 x DIMM, max. 8GB, DDR3 1866(OC)/1600(OC)/1333/1066 MHz support
  • Integrated ATI Radeon 3000 support hybrid CrossfireX and DirectX10
  • 100% Solid Capacitor - High-quality conductive polymer capacitors for durability, improved lifespan and enhanced thermal capacity
  • ASUS Core Unlocker - Unlock the Potential, Turbo-charge your Potential
  • ASUS EPU Technology - System Level Energy Saving & Real-time Power Management for Superb Platform Power Efficiency
  • ASUS Anti-Surge Protection - Safeguard your device by providing voltage protection to all major onboard components

Full Specifications

BrandASUS
TurboYes
Weight760g
USB 2.04
PlatformWindows 10
CPU ModelAthlon
CPU SocketSocket AM3+
Model NameM5A78L-M LX PLUS
Unit Count1.0 Count
Chipset TypeAMD 760G
Model NumberM5A78L-M LX PLUS
Chipset FamilyAMD
Mfr Part NumberM5A78L-M LX PLUS
Number of Ports10
Total Usb Ports4
Processor SocketSocket AM3+
Total SATA Ports6
Compatible DevicesPersonal Computer
Memory Clock Speed1866 MHz
Compatible ProcessorsAMD Athlon, AMD Sempron

Benchmark data for other processors

Ready to buy?

ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS - AM3+ - 760G - Radeon 3000-100% Solid Capacitor is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $239.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-30. Price and availability subject to change.

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