4 pin to 8 pin GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 motherboard

My experience is, and it's often a heated debate, is to use 8-pin {or adapter} IF the MOBO doesn't come with a 'cap' on 4/8 CPU power pins. It seems yours has no cap -> http://www.gigabyte.us/fileupload/product/2/3894/4433_b... The reasoning is how the MOBO uses {wires} the Phases; in other words you 'might' loose 1/2 your CPU phase power -- verify with Gigabyte. Adapter -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If you're on an extreme budget then a $160 GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ makes no sense; I 'get' the AM3+ choice.

Q - Why 1/2 upgrade NOW? Why not wait until Bulldozer comes out?

Thermal Compound - I suggest either Arctic Silver 5 or Arctic Cooling MX-4 the best $12 buck you'll spend. The Arctic Cooling MX-4 is better in that it's non-conductive and doesn't require curing time.

From: jaquith
[If you're on an extreme budget then a $160 GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ makes no sense; I 'get' the AM3+ choice.]

That makes no sense, your telling me that $160 is to much for that AM3+ board yet tell me I should "get" the AM3+ choice ?...Last I knew that board was Bulldozer ready which are AM3+ CPUs.. and since I'm on a budget atm $310 to be exact this board from GigaByte along with the ram I picked out (may change ram though) is a good choice even if I need a converter which I already picked out http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812198024, but I will also look more into the adapters with GigaByte like you mentioned, but I'm sticking with this board as I like its features an future upgrade-ability.


Also about the thermal paste I picked it is none-conductive so I don't know why you brought that up and I have used AS5 before (but not MX-4 might give em a try) I don't really like AS5 cause its never really dropped my temps to an awe inspiring level so I may just grab some of that MX-4 and see how that go's a few extra $ isn't ganna hurt lols.
Atm I'm actually using AS Matrix which is surprisingly good at keeping my temps low, 27-30c Idle, 37-44-45c load, note that I'm using a Zalman CNPS10X Performa with 2 Thermaltake 120mm blue LED fans (97.5CFM) and my case uses 6 more of the same fans (minus the 2 Xigmateks on top) so cooling isn't an issue lols.

There are plenty other AM3+ MOBO's that cost a lot less, the AMD 990FX is fine for high-end GPU(s) and SLI. Kinda out of kilter with a 'strict' budget. See -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E... Any AM3+ socket MOBO will also support the someday a coming Bulldozer...

Hmm, the Athena Power 8" Extension & Conversion Four-In-One Model Cable-M84M84F is an extension. However, I looked at your PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... and it already has an 8-pin CPU Connector??


Thermal paste, long-term the MX-4 is a better option, day 1 still is better, what you buy makes no difference - it's your rig.

That picture isn't of the TPII 550, look at it an then the other pictures that show the same side, there aren't any vents where the wires come out, which is the same on mine *no vents*, so that picture must not be of the TPII  , either way I don't have an 8 pin I've looked thoroughly, also your notice it has 1 6 pin PCI-E I have 2 of those in my 4890 lols so that pic is definitely not the TPII. An I specifically picking a 990FX mobo for future upgrades so again the Gigabyte I picked out is my best choice and as it is I have picked out a selection of parts that fit perfectly in my budget yet still get me what I need.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812201005 Figured I get that instead of the other one Thanks for pointing that one out  
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514 Still best bang for my buck in the 990FX boards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186038 A few bucks to see how this paste fairs against AS5 is a small price to pay especially if it works better lol.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321 Figured I go with 1600MHz while I wait for the Bulldozers and 8GB 1866MHz DDR3 sticks to come out, hard to beat the price and I wanted low profile heat spreaders due to my Zalman CNPS10X Performa so these will work out perfectly.

lol I was also thinking about that Asus Sabertooth board but because of my budget I'll get the Gigabyte board, there extremely similar in features so I figured why not both companies put out quality products, and later I'll be replacing my PSU its the next thing I Have to get replaced after this upgrade as its 6 years old but still going strong surprisingly and I already have 1 picked out from Corsair.  

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139014 Figured if I'm getting 2 HD6970s later I'll need something that'll handle them plus the rest of the system so this 1200Watt should do the trick nicely lol but thats a bit down the road lol.  

An like you pointed out I may be on a budget but I'm spending the most where it counts the most which in this case is the motherboard, with out a future ready board there's no point in this upgrade.

As it is I just put out about $150 on a new case + 5 120mm case fans which I think was a bad deal, case is great *Xigmatek Utgard Window Sided* but the 5 fans unless I get 2 pin to 3 pin adapters I can't externally control them which it damned annoying to have to open the case every time I feel like changing the RPMs lol *Thermaltake Blue LED Smart Fans 97.5 CFM ea.

However my brother the other day pointed me to these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835129056 which I may get to replace all of my 8 120mm fans as I wont need the adapters an there ALOT quieter lol, and they would look good in my case.  

A quick update, well I'm happy to say that recently I have acquired an Antec 750Watt PSU which has both the 4 pin and 8 pin CPU power connectors so that issue is now resolved. Now I can get back to saving up a little extra for the rest of the system.

Best answer selected by Kaitheus.