Asus M4A89GTDPRO/USB3 Motherboard Review

[fineupgrades]

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(reviewed by: poldopunk)

AMD 890GX and SB850 chipsets

It has been quite some time since my last published review here, I must apologize but because of my new job, I had to focus on training that have been lined-up here and there. Now that I’ve pretty much caught up with my team, I am getting back as a hardware reviewer here for My Tech Island. And what is the best way to kick things off; a motherboard review, of course. The last AMD motherboard which made quite an impression was the Asus Crosshair III Formula, which was sometime last year. It was an awesome motherboard and it left an impression that if you’re considering an AMD solution, Asus top-tiered motherboard, would be the best way to go.

Since then, there hasn’t been really new from AMD’s camp, last March they’ve released a new chipset for their lineup; the 890GX. It’s a new chipset but “not” that new. If you’re familiar with the 790GX which was quite a hit for HTPC enthusiasts, expect nothing more from the 890GX as it has the same performance with its graphics solutions but what really makes it new? Let’s take a quite look…

[IMG]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mi6UayyzAg8/TDvlDQ4RirI/AAAAAAAAAMs/IW1a1A9kN1M*******02.png[/IMG]

The image on the left is the new 890GX while on the right we have the 790GX. Nothing really has changed on the top part of each block diagram if you focus your attention at the top part. Specs-wise, both northbridge chipsets have the same GPU specs and number of PCIE lanes but at the south-side is where all the difference can be found. The 890GX is paired with a new south bridge chipset which is named, SB850. Most notable changes are the following; doubled bandwidth between northbridge and southbridge link at 2 GB/s on each direction from 1 GB/s on the 790, new 2 PCIE 2.0 x1 lanes, 2 more USB 2.0 ports, and support for 6 SATA 6GB ports. If you take a good look at it, AMD is going for a little future-proofing with this new chipset. Let’s take a look how Asus made this release interesting.

for the complete details of the review, please check this link:
https://www.istorya.net/forums/fine-u...ml#post7691890

[devilsburger]

For me this mobo tops most of the mid level 890 chipsets out there with the features in it specially the MemOk which I love the most. If this did'nt cost more than 10k for a piece of board I would have bought this instead of Asrock 890gx. Sigh!!!

[personalmgt]

Jer, can you or poldo clarify if the pci-e of this board run on x16-x16?

I agree the biggest turn-off in this board is the Brown PCB. This is why I don't like some of MSI's boards. If you also compare this board to a counterpart of Gigabyte, you can get more out of value by Gigabyte on a lower price THAT IS, if this board runs doesn't run on x16-x16.

EDIT: Fixed the last part of this post.

[Jason4eveR]

@personalmgt: Asus man ni sya dili man MSI

[Sempron Guy]

^He's comparing the asus board to some MSI boards w/c uses brown pcbs also.

[poldopunk]

Jer, can you or poldo clarify if the pci-e of this board run on x16-x16?

I agree the biggest turn-off in this board is the Brown PCB. This is why I don't like some of MSI's boards. If you also compare this board to a counterpart of Gigabyte, you can get more out of value by Gigabyte on a lower price THAT IS, if this board runs doesn't run on x16-x16.

EDIT: Fixed the last part of this post.

nope, x8 ra on crossfire configuration. i agree, the brown pcb turned me off as well pero minor raman kaayo ni nga issue. functionality-wise, refined na kaayo ang board bisan bag-o pa release, wala'y major bios quirks from my tests.

another thing you really need to know is that, in order for one slot to work @ x16 is to have the vga switch card ALWAYS inserted in the first PCIE x16 slot, otherwise, x8 gyud.

[regilsolon]

amd 890fx chipset only can handle 2x16 crossfire

[BackBeat]

maguba ba pud ning vga switch card?