Which AM3+ board?

GoogalyMoogaly

GoogalyMoogaly

GoogalyMoogaly

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Hi,

I've currently got a Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H motherboard running a 1055T @3.5GHz (although I believe it can do 3.8GHz).

To be honest I'm not a fan of the motherboard. One reason being that the current board is an RMA replacement as the original caught fire!!! (Yes I'm being serious)
Also not a fan of the perpendicular SATA connectors that interfere with the coolers on long-ish graphics cards.
And having issues getting the PWM CPU header to control my pump speed nicely.

So, thinking of getting a new motherboard and since I'm hoping to move my rig into another case soon, this might be the time to get one. Ideally one that doesn't suffer the issues listed above (especially the catching fire bit, that is quite a high priority :))

Other than that I'd like to keep it pretty inexpensive, so definitely under £100.
Does the motherboard have any affect on the voltage needed to get a cpu overclock stable? I'd like the board to be able to get me to at least a 3.5GHz overclock, hopefully 3.8GHz and anything else is a bonus. the easier the overclocking the better! I will be watercooling, but would rather it all run as cool as possible as I'd like the watercooling to be quiet.
I'm also thinking an AM3+ board would be nice to allow me to upgrade to Bulldozer if it turns out to be any good.

It doesn't need SATA3 or USB3, but I'm guessing most probably will and that's a bonus.
Currently the plan is to run a with a single GTX 480 (watercooled). Not expecting to go to 480SLI, but the more complete the graphics options supported the better. (i.e. SLI + CF > CF > single GPU)

So what are my options or am I asking the impossible?
I'm sure I've read there are teething issues with (some of) the 990 chipsets, do these apply across the 900 series and have they been fixed yet?

Thanks for any help.
 
ga-990xa-ud3 is a good board, especially if running single gfx card, that was my original choice, however reviews didnt really help as they are mixed. If you do decide to get it, could you pelase post back your temps? i cannot find any reviews for the board
 
i'd say stay away from gigabyte 990 boards... vdroop are really bad with x6 chips....

ether Asus Sabertooth or Asus Crosshair V Formula or Asus M5A99X EVO
 
I got an ASROCK 880 AM3+ board that has SATA/600 and USB3, also apparently good overclockers, haven't got a chip to go in it yet so can't tell you how it performs, also micro ATX, can find them for around £65 or there-abouts.

ASROCK SKT-AM3+ 880GMH/U3S3 that is the model.
 
gareth170 said:
i'd say stay away from gigabyte 990 boards... vdroop are really bad with x6 chips....

ether Asus Sabertooth or Asus Crosshair V Formula or Asus M5A99X EVO
Click to expand...

All a bit more expensive than I was hoping to pay. I did consider the AM3 board you have for sale on the MM, but thinkking I should probably go for an AM3+ board if i'm buying a new one.

So is it just the Gigabyte 990 boards that should be avoided or all 990 boards?
What about the cheaper Asus M5A97 boards?
 
What's the difference between the Asus M5A97 PRO and the M5A97 EVO boards?
What's the difference between the 970 and 990 chipsets? Is it just PCI-e lanes and a few connectors?

Thinking of really pushing the boat out and am now considering these two as well the the above mentioned Asus board:
MSI 990FXA-GD65
Asus M5A99X EVO AMD 990X (On This Week Only)

Is the MSI board any good? (I've got the 1156 GD65 MSI board and don't rate it that well)
Which would be my best bet? I'm leaning towards the Asus for what the mobo provides, but thinking MSI might have better support?
 
Well ive got the M5A97 Pro board however with 1600mhz ram it will only recognise 1333mhz tried all options in bios either get blue screen or freezing and lock ups. Thing is the board is very new so probably needs a bios update.
 
Yes aviod Gigabyte due to problems at the moment until they fix it with update BIOS - anyway I would recommend for Asus motherboard, Im using CFV that seem so cool and run very pretty also GBT using older type of BIOS that bit waste of money to buy this mobo as ASUS using new look UEFI BIOS that look very impressive with easy to adjust,etc..
 
OK, so with the Asus Crosshair IV Formula AMD 890FX being on offer this week and because it now apparently supports AM3+ would this motherboard be worth getting?

Alternatively there's the Asus M5A99X EVO AMD 990X which has just finished being on offer, but is still cheaper, and has the newer 990 chipset.

Which would be best? Proven AM3 board that may do AM3+ or AM3+ board that should do AM3 and may do AM3+ (you'd hope!)

And yes, I know this has made a mockery of my "definitely under £100" condition... :)
 
unless u already own a am3 board that allows BD, don't buy a am3 board for BD. in the future AMD may make the pins on BD processors larger which would mean they won't fit in the AM3 socket .

the first set of BD's will be ok. but higher BD chips may have larger pins.

so i would say if u are going for BD get a true am3+ socket.
 
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gareth170 said:
don't get a am3 board for BD. in the future AMD may make the pins on BD processors larger which would mean they won't fit in the AM3 socket .

the first set of BD's will be ok. but higher BD chips may have larger pins.

so i would say if u are going for BD get a true am3+ socket.
Click to expand...

AM3+ is getting replaced, this first set of BD will be the only set of BD on the AM3+ platform.

But I agree, if you're buying new, buy AM3+ board.
stulid said:
Never seen a white socket motherboard claiming AM3+ support myself.
Click to expand...

It's old news, very old news, there's a few boards it's been done for. Then you've got boards rebranded with an AM3+ socket.
 
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