The layout of this board is determined mainly by the form factor ECS decided to use for it, namely mini-ATX. This makes the board expansion to be limited as I already indicated. ECS laid out space for four DIMM slots, but only two are included. The positioning of the memory slots is in such a way to force removal of the video card before removing the memory.

The MOSFETs are on the left hand side of the board. There are 10 blank unused circles to which more capacitors could have been placed but are totally vacant. The CPU socket is clear of obstructions allowing for easy installation of after market cooling solutions. There are two headers for USB brackets on the board, and a header for a second IEEE-1394 Firewire bracket. A VIA VT6307 chip controls the Firewire ports on the board. One nice thing that ECS could have included was marked Front Panel connectors.

Bundle
Manual
Back Panel I/O plate
FDD Cable
IDE Cable
SATA Cable
SATA Power Cable
Driver CD

This has got to be the most minimalist hardware bundle I’ve ever seen from a motherboard manufacturer. Admittedly, the ECS 945G-M3 is targeted for the budget or mainstream market, but to include one IDE cable, one FDD cable, one SATA cable, it’s barely adequate to get you started. It would have been nice to have seen the inclusion of a second SATA cable and a USB bracket, but neither are in the packaging.

Software bundles are usually a throw-in to motherboard bundles including such things as anti-virus software, “Ghost” type software and more. ECS includes Data Protection Utility a software backup program, ShowShifter, Intouch, and ProMagic Plus. These programs are a value-add to the bundle and not a big deal.