What are motherboard chipsets?

[clyde2]

I want to buy a new motherboard for AMD CPU but I'm confused.

Some write for example:

AM3, DDR3, AMD770

others
AM3, DDR3, VGA

OR
AM3, DDR3, 790X

So what is the difference between VGA, 890X, 770, 790X ETC?

BTW, the higher the number the better? 890X is better then 790X?

 

[Wolygon]

VGA is not a chipset it means the motherboard has VGA on board graphics.

Chipset comparison it rather easy to find, I'll find one now...

I lose, so much for my Binging skills. Oh well I can always fall back on the stickies.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/257075-31-guide-choosing-parts

That guide talks about the differences between AMD chipsets very well I think.

 

[elel]

Proximon's guide is very good. To give a simple recommendation:
If you are not using more than one video card and
you are not doing raid 5 storage and
you do not need integrated graphics

buy anything from the 770 on up.

if you need integrated graphics look for chipsets with a g on the end

 

[Henry Chinaski]

Take a look at this:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-motherboard-guide,2546-6.html

Apart from this, you have the 890GX and the 890FX chipset (the newer ones).

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/29421-amd-s-890gx-chipset-low-end-price-high-end-features.html

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/31444-amd-s-890fx-chipset-evolution-am3-platform.html

 

[elel]

Yes, good point. They have better integrated graphics, guaranteed support for the new 6 core processors and integrated sata 6g. I would go for them if 1. I needed good integrated graphics 2. I needed the most future-proof board possible or 3. I was planning on using SSDs.

 

[Wolygon]

"I needed the most future-proof board possible"

You can get older boards which are guaranteed to run Thuban with a BIOS update, and I don't think it will change with later CPUs. Therefore I don't think 800 series = more future proof, except for SATA 3.

 

[elel]

Exactly
All I meant by guaranteed support was that you wouldn't have to check for it.

 

[clyde2]

Ok, thank you.