The Basics (continued):
The next set of images take a look at the bottom half of the board. Starting with the below left image we see the expansion slots, chipset coolers, and some of the headers along the bottom edge of the board. From top to bottom there are two PCI Express x1 slots, one PCI Express x16 slot, and three PCI slots. While this board is capable of "Hybrid CrossFire", would-be buyers should be aware that you do not connect two discrete graphics solutions together in this version of CrossFire, but you use a card in the single PCI Express x16 slot in conjunction with the integrated graphics solution. The headers along the bottom are conveniently located for making the necessary connections to things like audio, SPDIF, a COM port, three pairs of USB connections, and the front panel connections.
 
The above right image shows the Serial ATA connections, which are yet another well placed feature on this board. The only thing that caught my attention is that there are five connections, and it seemed odd that there was an odd number. Then I remembered that there was an eSATA connection out back, which lets them travel in pairs as they are prone to do in the wild.
Even the clear CMOS jumper is rather conveniently located. The battery may wind up partially concealed by a PCI Express graphics card, but the jumper is right out in the open, clear of any features that would make it a hassle to get to.
The rear I/O connections are all shown below, and you get quite an assortment of useful items. From left to right there are two PS2 ports for a keyboard and mouse, a 15-pin VGA connection, an HDMI connection for audio and video output, a total of six USB ports, an eSATA connection located under some of the USB ports, a Gigabit LAN connection, and six 1/8" stereo jacks for analog audio.
This area of the board continues the enthusiast look that the A780GM-A presents. There are plenty of USB connections, and things like HDMI and eSATA connections are two modern features that you don't always see, but I would definitely like to.
Accessories:
The rather thin bundle of accessories is shown in the images below. The below left image shows the user's guide, hardware installation guide, a driver CD, and a small ECS "Black" sticker. The below right image shows the hardware related accessories, which include an IDE ribbon, two SATA data cables with right angle connectors on one end, and the rear I/O plate.
 
You don't get much, and the two yellow SATA cables are by far the nicest feature. They aren't too long, but they are useful and rather funky looking.
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