AMD Spec Check please

sswats · 25 Dec 2010 at 10:37

Already have PSU, Win7, a big HDD and a ATi Graphics card.

List is complete apart from the motherboard, which i could appreciate some help with.

I want to leave the small chance that i will crossfire in the future open, so i've narrowed it down to these motherboards

Biostar TA890FXE
which has the newer 890FX chipset with Crossfire x16 and sata 3. But its a Biostar.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-004-BS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=1782

Asus M4A89GTD PRO.
Only has the 890GX with only crossfire x8 but does have Sata3.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-392-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=1782

Asus Crosshair III Formula AMD 790FX.
Uses older 790FX chipset, no sata3. but does have Crossfire x16.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-339-AS

Or any other suggestions. I'd rather not spend more than a £100 on the motherbaord.

sswats · 25 Dec 2010 at 10:48

Seems like a good option. cheap too.
Whats the advantage of the 890GX chipset from that Asus over the standard 880G one on the Gigabyte?

sswats · 25 Dec 2010 at 11:04

Thats what i thought, but it specifically says in the Gigabyte description
"and dual PCI Express 2.0 graphics interfaces (running at x8 and x8) for ATI CrossFireX/ATI Hybrid CrossFireX support"

So it runs at 8x just like the 890GX chipsets. Only the FX chipsets run at x16 and for the 800 chipsets those are too expensive for me.

sswats · 25 Dec 2010 at 12:01

Biostar's drawback is the PCI-E slots are too close together according to reviews.
Could cause heating problems if I do go Crossfire.

sswats · 26 Dec 2010 at 21:18

Weird.
OCUK are not the only stockists who claim this motherboard runs at x8 and x8 in crossfire.
I think the Biostar seems the best option at the moment

sswats · 26 Dec 2010 at 22:12

vertex 2 isn't sata 3.

Whats so bad about the C300?

edit: okay crappy write speeds.

Okay vertex it is. Just need to find a cooler now.

sswats · 26 Dec 2010 at 22:57

its a 92mm fan. does it run quietly?
I do plan on OCing.

sswats · 28 Dec 2010 at 13:43

I've changed my mind over the Biostar. Going with a Gigabyte 890GX board for a bit cheaper.

and i'm probably getting the Frio cooler. supposed to be very cool at low rpm.