MSI vs ASUS

Gandeh

Gandeh

Gandeh

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Joined
21 Jul 2011
Posts
545
Hey everyone!

Just looking for a little bit of advice. I'm choosing a new motherboard and I want it to have these elements: AM3 Processor compatible, Sata 3 6gbs, usb 3.0.


I've so far broken it down to either of these motherboards and I wanted your opinion on what you thought was best. I'm planning to run 1tb sata 2 hard drive, a sata 3 hybrid drive and a SSD. The pc is for gaming and I have a good amount of DDR3 ram already.

One further question can you use older Processors in a AM3 compatible motherboard?



MSI - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-175-MS

or

ASUS - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-461-AS


Thanks for all the help :)
 
depends why you want this board for.. id go with ga-990fxa-ud3, which has x16 for both gfx cards if u decide to go sli/xfire. I want to get ga-990xa-ud3, which has single 16 or 2 8x gfx ports, i will use single card so good for me, problem is, reviews are very shaky!
 
I'm not planning on crossfiring. I run 1 card at the moment and when it needs upgrading i'll be replacing it with a single card.

The main focus for my buying a new motherboard is to allow me to use AM3+, usb 3.0 and Sata 3. So as long as I can use those then all that matters is performance and cooling.
 
Gandeh said:
I'm not planning on crossfiring. I run 1 card at the moment and when it needs upgrading i'll be replacing it with a single card.

The main focus for my buying a new motherboard is to allow me to use AM3+, usb 3.0 and Sata 3. So as long as I can use those then all that matters is performance and cooling.
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Not available on here, but I'd recommend the GA-870A-UD3. Excellent IO on the back panel being one of its strong points.
 
I'd avoid the 990FXA-UD7 even more if that's possible.
Crosshair IV Formula will clock better and doesn't suffer from the same issues as the 990FX chipsets.
The 870A-UD3 isn't a bad board but not great for clocking. For anyone searching for a lower budget option check out the Asus M4A88TD-V Evo/USB3, excellent board and IMO only just below the Crosshair IV in terms of overclocking.

As you're after an AM3+ board, just make sure the board you get does have the right socket. Most higher-end, and some mid/low end 8 series chipset boards do support AM3+ chips with a BIOS flash, but only if they have the black AM3+ socket (which AM3 chips will also work in).
 
All the info you need to know is below, just click the links.

TechPowerUp Review Database

MSI-990FXA-GD80 - Click >> http://www.techpowerup.com/reviewdb/Motherboards/Socket-AM3-/MSI-990FXA-GD80/

ASUS-Crosshair-V-Formula - Click >> http://www.techpowerup.com/reviewdb/Motherboards/Socket-AM3-/ASUS-Crosshair-V-Formula/

Also Click >> Hardwareheaven.com: ASUS RoG Crosshair V Formula and MSI 990FXA-GD80 Motherboards Review

Also Click >> Techreport.com: Bulldozer mobos from Asus and MSI: Sabertooth 990FX & 990FXA-GD80

By the way I would not bother reading any Hardocp reviews, especially on anything AMD CPU/Chipset related as it doesn't matter what the product is manufacturer wise, they just totally make out everything is crap
 
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sr4470 said:
How do you know that? I run it myself, sure it's not going to beat the 900 series boards but they're far more expensive. Besides the OP hasn't mentioned overclocking as a requirement.
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I ran one for a month or so in my previous system when my Crosshair IV's socket broke, and I have used them at work. Like I said, they're not terrible, but they're not great for overclocking and the BIOS is a little clunky IMO.
I didn't say anything about it beating the 900 series boards, but then again my experiences with 990FX chipset boards has been uniformly bad.
The M4A88TD-V Evo/USB3 is better than the 870A-UD3 in every respect and is usually a similar price.
I'm also aware that the OP did not mention overclocking as a requirement, it was a simple statement of fact. I did make the assumption that overclocking was at least a consideration, otherwise why look at boards which offer little over lower-end models but overclocking features? It's like someone asking for a car recommendation between an Aston Martin and a Porsche, I wouldn't then suggest a Vauxhall Astra as a practical runaround.
 
As stated above though I'm not looking for a board that's good with overclocking.

I'm just looking for a Sata 3 6gbs, AM3+ and USB 3.0 motherboard.

If I have an option for a few motherboards that have all of those features then I'm looking for the one that will have the best cooling and performance.

Suggestions are still welcome as I am still lost :P
 
CaptainUnlikely said:
The M4A88TD-V Evo/USB3 is better than the 870A-UD3 in every respect and is usually a similar price.
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It has integrated graphics which are pointless if it's going to be run with a better GPU. Other than that there are some minor layout differences.

I would have suggested the Asus myself but I've had poor experiences with several of their boards.

CaptainUnlikely said:
I'm also aware that the OP did not mention overclocking as a requirement, it was a simple statement of fact. I did make the assumption that overclocking was at least a consideration, otherwise why look at boards which offer little over lower-end models but overclocking features? It's like someone asking for a car recommendation between an Aston Martin and a Porsche, I wouldn't then suggest a Vauxhall Astra as a practical runaround.
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Irrelevant. He's not overclocking - what part of that did you not understand? I suggested an AMD 870 board because anything higher is unnecessary to meet the OP's requirements. The money saved can go to a better GPU will which make more difference.
 
sr4470 said:
How do you know that?
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perhaps his location may give that information away? :rolleyes:

sr4470 said:
Irrelevant. He's not overclocking - what part of that did you not understand? I suggested an AMD 870 board because anything higher is unnecessary to meet the OP's requirements. The money saved can go to a better GPU will which make more difference.
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Very relevant.
the overclocking capability of a motherboard is usually a fair indication of the boards stability and all round capability.
why settle for a board that just does the job when there is a better option?

sure you save some money, I for one would take a stable and reliable system over having an extra £8 or whatever in my pocket. The boards are essentially the same price so it really is a non issue.

the M4A88TD-V Evo/USB3 is a proven reliable board. it has a similar BIOS and cut down feature set to the crosshair equivalent. moreover it opens up upgrade options for the OP if he chooses to in future.
The recommendation was entirely justified as it came from an expert technician who deals with a wide range of computer hardware on a daily basis.

rather than the recommendation coming from purchase justification, it is coming from technical knowledge and personal experience with a wide variety of hardware.
 
CaptainUnlikely said:
I'd avoid the 990FXA-UD7 even more if that's possible.
Crosshair IV Formula will clock better and doesn't suffer from the same issues as the 990FX chipsets.
The 870A-UD3 isn't a bad board but not great for clocking. For anyone searching for a lower budget option check out the Asus M4A88TD-V Evo/USB3, excellent board and IMO only just below the Crosshair IV in terms of overclocking.

As you're after an AM3+ board, just make sure the board you get does have the right socket. Most higher-end, and some mid/low end 8 series chipset boards do support AM3+ chips with a BIOS flash, but only if they have the black AM3+ socket (which AM3 chips will also work in).
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Not entirely correct, the CH IV still has the AM3 socket, as do some other boards. MSI have re badged some boards with an AM3+ socket, but I wouldn't trust them with a BD 8 core.
OP, if you're after new, why not SB?
 
sr4470 said:
It has integrated graphics which are pointless if it's going to be run with a better GPU. Other than that there are some minor layout differences.
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So ... don't use them? The board as a whole is a better board. Similar feature set, yes, but the BIOS is far superior and for most people the layout is better too.

Irrelevant. He's not overclocking - what part of that did you not understand? I suggested an AMD 870 board because anything higher is unnecessary to meet the OP's requirements. The money saved can go to a better GPU will which make more difference.
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Overclocking/not overclocking was not mentioned in the OP, no mention of not overclocking was made until the OP posted after my post. As two high-end overclocking boards were mentioned, I suggested boards in a similar vein. As overclocking is now definitely out of the equation, obviously I was incorrect to do so, had this been mentioned at first I would not have suggested an overclocking focused motherboard. The money saved by going with an 870A-UD3 instead of the M4A88TD-V is negligible.

In any case, as the requirements are now for an AM3+ socket rather than an AM3 socket, he's pretty much stuck with 900 series boards which have issues with current AMD chips - either that, or find an AM3+ socket 8 series board which may well have issues with next gen AMD chips.

Martini1991 said:
Not entirely correct, the CH IV still has the AM3 socket, as do some other boards. MSI have re badged some boards with an AM3+ socket, but I wouldn't trust them with a BD 8 core.
OP, if you're after new, why not SB?
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That's correct, I didn't say the Crosshair IV has an AM3+ socket. Some current Asus and Gigabyte boards do have an AM3+ socket, though, which is why I mentioned it. I wouldn't trust MSI with a BD CPU either.
 
CaptainUnlikely said:
That's correct, I didn't say the Crosshair IV has an AM3+ socket. Some current Asus and Gigabyte boards do have an AM3+ socket, though, which is why I mentioned it. I wouldn't trust MSI with a BD CPU either.
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You didn't say the CHIV board had an AM3+ Socket, what you did say however was incorrect ; "Most higher-end, and some mid/low end 8 series chipset boards do support AM3+ chips with a BIOS flash, but only if they have the black AM3+ socket (which AM3 chips will also work in)." . The CHIV does not, and has an AM3+ BIOS, with its white AM3 socket. The actual amount of support for previous chipsets on BD doesn't go as far as "Most" either.
MooMoo444 said:
It's military class compenents, built to withstand fire?
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I had an MSI H61 DOA, and my P67 GD65 VRM's blew.
 
Perhaps I am confused here. I thought that the new processors that are coming out are AM3+ and if so then I would want a AM3+ board. If those two statements are true then what are the options I have?

Or am I wrong? I don't really understand the difference between a AM3 and a AM3+ board
 
There isn't much difference, AMD haven't given official BD support on AM3, some vendors are allowing it on higher end boards, such as the Crosshair IV. MSI have re-badged a bunch of boards with an AM3+ Socket, Gigabyte have done the same to a smaller extent.

If you haven't got a Phenom II CPU, then go SB. BD won't be faster than SB, unless you're after a 2600k for its 8 threads, then the 8 core BD will be the better choice.
 
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