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View Full Version : Which motherboard for 6-core AMD X6 1055T - Asus vs Gigabyte


Mighty_Red
29-04-10, 13:03
Right, I'm am now looking for a motherboard and memory to go with my new X6 1055T which arrived today (will get a pic up later) :)

The contenders are:

Asus M4A89GTD Pro/USB3 AMD 890GX (Socket AM3) DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard
https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM3+(AMD)/Asus+M4A89GTD+Pro%2FUSB3+AMD+890GX+(Socket+AM3)+DD R3+PCI-Express+Motherboard+?productId=39746 (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM3+%28AMD%29/Asus+M4A89GTD+Pro%2FUSB3+AMD+890GX+%28Socket+AM3%2 9+DDR3+PCI-Express+Motherboard+?productId=39746)

http://uk.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=eCWbkolMf0DOW0IV

Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H AMD 890GX (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM3+(AMD)/Gigabyte+GA-890GPA-UD3H+AMD+890GX+(Socket+AM3)+PCI-Express+DDR3+Motherboard+?productId=40245 (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+AM3+%28AMD%29/Gigabyte+GA-890GPA-UD3H+AMD+890GX+%28Socket+AM3%29+PCI-Express+DDR3+Motherboard+?productId=40245)
http://www.giga-byte.co.uk/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=3420

I'm looking to pair it with this:
G.Skill RipJaw 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Memory/DDR3/DDR3+1600+(PC3-12800)/G.Skill+RipJaw+4GB+(2x2GB)+DDR3+PC3-12800C8+1600MHz+Dual+Channel+Kit+?productId=37613 (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Memory/DDR3/DDR3+1600+%28PC3-12800%29/G.Skill+RipJaw+4GB+%282x2GB%29+DDR3+PC3-12800C8+1600MHz+Dual+Channel+Kit+?productId=37613)

This is certified for the Asus but not (officially) on the Gigabyte. The only slight question I have is that both do not specifically list 1600MHz memory as being a supported option. Does this mean it will run at 1333MHz? It's probably not a big issue since 1600MHz memory is pretty much the same cost as 1333.

Both boards are fairly evenly matched, though the Asus is a little more expensive. My default is to go with Asus since I have built systems with their boards, plus I know the memory will work in there.

If anyone has any early experience with these new boards, let me know.
Callum1001
29-04-10, 13:12
Personally, if it was me, I wouldn't get either. Kinda depends what your doing with the pc though, but that both have onboard graphics (maybe you want this).

I would pay the extra £40 and get one of the new 890FX boards. (Like the Crosshair IV - It looks sweet and is packed full of features)

Also on the ram you mentioned it says


Main board intel System Desktop System type DDR3 M/b chipset Intel P55

Dont know about that actual stick, but I accidently bought Dominator RAM with BEMP (Black edition memory profiling) but it does work fine in my Intel setup, just had to set the timings etc manually.
ZodiarK
29-04-10, 13:17
CROSSHAIR IS WIN GET THAT.
Mighty_Red
29-04-10, 13:49
Agree that the Crosshair IV is the daddy, but at £170 it is out of my budget. I could only justify that type of board if I had a much higher CPU + high-end GPUs (5870s etc)
Callum1001
29-04-10, 13:56
Well it is £165 at other eTailers so you could make a plea to Gibbo :p.

I just wouldn't go for the 890GX and wait the extra few weeks till I can get the Crosshair.

Although I understand what your saying, when I was building mine I had to tell myself to stop lol. On every componant I was like just an extra £40.. whats £40!?
callumburns
29-04-10, 13:58
if you cant afford the the crosshair IV get the crosshair III? either that or the asus because the same as you im used to them, i think it looks a bit better than the gigabyte aswel :P
Callum1001
29-04-10, 13:59
if you cant afford the the crosshair IV get the crosshair III? either that or the asus because the same as you im used to them, i think it looks a bit better than the gigabyte aswel :P

I think I would get one of the ones he mentioned before over the Crosshair III purely based on the SATA3/USB3 for futureproofing
callumburns
29-04-10, 14:10
i suppose your right about that one, although you can get the USB3.0 expansion slots but then again its spending more money :|
Mighty_Red
29-04-10, 14:54
Yesh, it's all about the cash I'm afraid, which is why I've put off upgrading for so long.

Looks like I would gain SupremeFX X-Fi sound, dual crossfire@16x a few good OCing features but lose the onboard GPU and USB3.

Overall, since I want to keep this in budget I think i'll stick with the cheaper model. It's possible that I might still got the Intel 9xx route next year so this would turn into secondary system where I wouldn't need to keep a GPU in etc. Since I am not looking to replace my 8800GT for a good 6 months, I am well away from a dual-GPU set up!
Martin
29-04-10, 16:11
Gigabyte 790FXTA is the best board I've used.
RDRUNR
29-04-10, 16:48
I'd go for the first (cheapest) 890 board with USB3 and SATA 3 and be done with it. :D
Callum1001
29-04-10, 17:53
Yesh, it's all about the cash I'm afraid, which is why I've put off upgrading for so long.

Looks like I would gain SupremeFX X-Fi sound, dual crossfire@16x a few good OCing features but lose the onboard GPU and USB3.

Overall, since I want to keep this in budget I think i'll stick with the cheaper model. It's possible that I might still got the Intel 9xx route next year so this would turn into secondary system where I wouldn't need to keep a GPU in etc. Since I am not looking to replace my 8800GT for a good 6 months, I am well away from a dual-GPU set up!

Well if your looking for onboard graphics then its a tough choice between the two. Theres not much that has been said about the Asus, but have seens some people with heat issues with the Gigabyte one.

If it were my money and I were in your situation, based on a few reviews, it would have to be the Asus.
Mighty_Red
30-04-10, 16:18
I agree Callum, though if there was a cheaper version without the IGP then I probably would've gone for it, but its nice to have.

Just placed my order for that, the memory, a lovely Antec 300 case plus a 700W OCZ modular PSU just a shame I'll have to wait till Tuesday :(
Callum1001
30-04-10, 17:49
Damn those bank holidays! But good luck with your build!

You'll have to post some pics once its all done :thumb:
Broadsword1976
30-04-10, 23:30
Antec 300 was great choice for case :thumb: Can you let us know what you think of the PSU? - my last impression of an OCZ power supply wasn't all that favourable. Good luck with the build!
RDRUNR
01-05-10, 10:08
Damn those bank holidays! But good luck with your build!

You'll have to post some pics once its all done :thumb:

I wish there were more holidays in the UK, there never seems to be enough here. :(