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Help me choose an AM3+ board

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  • Asus
  • Chipsets
  • SLI
  • Motherboards
Last response: in Motherboards
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April 18, 2013 8:38:54 PM

Im thinking about replacing my Asus M4N75TD (nforce 740a sli chipset) with a more capable 'high end' board. Im looking to spend no more than $200.

Requirements

- No integrated video. I want to crossfire my two 6850s
- at least 2 usb 3.0 (front usb 3.0 is a plus but not required)
- at least six usb 2/3
- ATX
- Ps2 mouse/keyboard connectivity is a plus ( i have an older but very nice wireless keyboard and mouse sitting around)
- at least two pciE 2.0 x16 lanes
- very overclocking capable.
- AM3+ cpu ready. I want to upgrade when the new AM3+ chips come out... assuming they are an upgrade this time around.

Currently I am running my Phenom II 965 at 3.8ghz. I know some people have taken them over 4ghz on air with a nice cooler. I would love to hit 4ghz but I think my current board is holding me back (poor voltage regulation maybe) I would like a board that OCs well.

I have been looking at these two boards

ASRock 990FX Extreme9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

and

ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Asus Sabertooth.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


I could have sworn I was an ASUS board somewhere that was able to hook up to a laptop.. allowing you to setup the bios with the laptop. That would be a huge plus for me but I cant seem to find anything on newegg. Maybe its an Intel only thing?


Thanks for any help :) 

More about : choose am3 board

April 18, 2013 9:00:03 PM

I would also add the Gigabyte 990FX-UD5 to your list:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

as it is $149.99 after $20 MIR.

I have used the Asus M5A99FX Pro 2.0 board, and the UD5's big brother, the 990FX-UD7 Rev. 1.1 (which I finally settled on to build my rig). The main thing I don't like about the UD5 is the spacing between the PCI-E x16 slots: there's only 1 slot separating them, rather than 2 for the UD3 and the UD7. If not for that, I would have bought it instead of the UD7 I have. The Gigabyte 990FX-UD3 would also be a great board, as it has great slot layout, if only the north bridge chip didn't get hot enough to cook an egg on it.

If I were to be out buying again, despite how much I like my UD7, I'd probably go for the Asus M5A99FX Pro 2.0. It's probably the best bang for your buck. It's pretty much the Sabretooth without the Camo paint.
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April 19, 2013 9:32:05 AM

I do like that ASUS board and Asus is what I am most comfortable with. I think the Asrock board looks alot nicer but if the Asus is the better board....


Now the question is, is the Sabertooth worth the $50-60 more?
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a b V Motherboard
April 19, 2013 9:46:37 AM

The sabertooth is a better overclocker due to its 8+2 power phase design, as compared to the 6+2 of the 99FX pro.
Sabertooth also has 3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slots, 99FX pro has 2.
99FX pro has no firewire IEEE 1394 Slot, sabertooth has 2 IEEE 1394 Slots.
etc..

So, that extra features might be worth the high price tag to some, while worthless to some.
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April 19, 2013 10:08:34 AM

from what I am seeing.. both boards have 4 pciE slots but both of them look like they would only be able to fit two Video cards (two slots wide)

I only need two cards.

Im liking the sound of the sabertooth. Id like to be sure that my board is not holding my OC back.


Newegg has two boards listed. The newest board ($200) claims to have 3 PCIE 3.0 slots.. sounds funny to me, I didnt think the AMD platform had pci E 3.0 yet. Any real reasons to spend the extra $20 and go with the newest sabertooth?


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April 20, 2013 9:17:46 AM

What do you mean? It sounds like the new sabertooth is the way to go
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Best solution

a b Ĉ ASUS
a b V Motherboard
April 20, 2013 9:30:00 AM

Its the first AM3+ board with PCi-e 3.0. And the placement of the PCI-e slots are well spaced for crossfire/SLI. Now that might benefit a hardcore gamer, but to an average gamer like me it won't :p 
The Sabertooth gen3 is definitely recommended.
A solid overall board with a 5yr Warranty!.
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