Is AMD’s 890GX Platform The Most Versatile Yet?
There are a few factors that make this AMD’s most versatile platform yet. First off, this platform and the boards that have represented it in this article have really shown versatility in their implementation of the 890GX. From the uber feature set of the ASUS to the minimal nature of the MSI, the solutions definitely showed versatility and variety. Secondly, each board provides a cornucopia of connectivity options. With the exception of the MSI, each board provides Firewire, USB 3.0/2.0, SATA 3.0/2.0, and HDMI/DVI/VGA. It also allows for dual monitor support right out of the box and a cheap upgrade to Hybrid CrossFireX provides a vast improvement in 3D performance without breaking the bank.
Although the availability of both ATX and micro ATX form factors is nice, the best part about 890GX is the fact that it supports AM2+ and AM3 CPUs from dual core to quad core (and soon hexa core). Add in the ability to run two high-end GPUs in CrossFireX and versatility is 890GX’s middle name.
Is AMD’s 890GX Platform The Best Bang For The Buck Yet?
With full support for all AM3 and AM2+ CPUs, the options allow you to upgrade from an existing AM2+ or AM3 platform and get into all the latest technology for as little as $129.99 US based on the MSI 890GXM-G65. If you want as many features as possible, then the ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 is definitely a great deal at $149.99 US. But if you want an all around great board that gives you great features, durability and a slight edge in performance out of the box, the GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H is really hard to beat at $139.99 US.
Prices for AMD Quad Core CPUs start at $100 for an Athlon II X4 620 to $199 for the top end Phenom II X4 965. It would be very easy to build a decent quad core system with 4GBs of DDR3 RAM for under $500US.
Final Thoughts on the MSI 890GXM-G65
The MSI board definitely has its pros and cons. On one hand the board offers up everything that makes an 890GX an 890GX. However, the board definitely isn’t the most well built tool in the shed. This is more than made up for in the performance department. It’s stable, well featured, and definitely a great value for a budget build. This board most certainly gets my nod for a Value Added Award in this round up at $129.99 US.
Final Thoughts on the GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H
The GIGABYTE was definitely my overall favourite. Even though performance advantages were minimal, the board is extremely well built and you can really feel it when you pick it up. Although it lacks the vast feature set of the ASUS, the minimalist nature of the board isn’t a bad thing for long term durability. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t squeeze performance out of this board as the BIOS is very well featured for the seasoned overclocker. Currently, it does lack the core unlocking capability of the MSI and ASUS, though we hear it’s on the way in an update. It may have sucked up the most power, but it also won’t leave my USB peripherals starved for juice thanks to the extra USB power.
Final Thoughts on the ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3
The ASUS is definitely the king of features in this trio of boards. It has so many features that one simply gets completely overwhelmed. If you want to tweak and adjust things at will, this is definitely the board for you. The board also features a number of features that make it easy to setup and upgrade and at $149 US, you really get a great value if you’re looking for the most features possible on your 890GX board. It’s definitely the most innovative of the bunch when it comes to implementing an 890GX solution.
Love This Review? Hate This Review? Leave a Comment Or Hit The Forums!