Best AMD CPU & GigaByte Motherboard

DocBrown · 04 Apr 2009

I am thinking about getting this AMD CPU & GigaByte MB from NewEgg:

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

ModelBrandAMDSeriesPhenom II X4ModelHDZ940XCGIBOXCPU Socket TypeCPU Socket TypeSocket AM2+Tech SpecCoreDenebMulti-CoreQuad-CoreNamePhenom II X4 940Operating Frequency3.0GHzHyper Transports3600MHzL1 Cache4 x 128KBL2 Cache4 x 512KBL3 Cache6MBManufacturing Tech45 nmVoltage0.875-1.5VThermal Power125WManufacturer WarrantyParts3 years limitedLabor3 years limited

ModelBrandGIGABYTEModelGA-MA790GP-UD4HSupported CPUCPU Socket TypeAM2+/AM2CPU TypePhenom FX / Phenom / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 X2FSB2600MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)ChipsetsNorth BridgeAMD 790GXSouth BridgeAMD SB750MemoryNumber of Memory Slots4×240pinMemory StandardDDR2 1200 / 1066 / 800
(Whether 1200 MHz memory speed is supported depends on the CPU being used)Maximum Memory Supported16GBChannel SupportedDual ChannelExpansion SlotsPCI Express 2.0 x161 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16_1)
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8_1)PCI Express x13PCI Slots2Storage DevicesPATA1 x ATA100 2 Dev. MaxSATA 3Gb/s6SATA RAID0/1/5/10/JBODOnboard VideoOnboard Video ChipsetATI Radeon HD3300 graphics built-in 128MB DDR3 1333MHz SidePort MemoryOnboard AudioAudio ChipsetRealtek ALC889AAudio Channels8 ChannelsOnboard LANLAN ChipsetRealtek 8111CMax LAN Speed10/100/1000MbpsRear Panel PortsPS/22Video PortsD-Sub + DVIHDMI1 x HDMIUSB4 x USB 2.0IEEE 13941 x IEEE 1394aS/PDIF Out1 x OpticalAudio Ports6 PortsOnboard USBOnboard USB8 x USB 2.0Onboard 1394Onboard 13942x 1394aPhysical SpecForm FactorATXDimensions12.0" x 9.6"Power Pin24 Pin

Is this close to top of the line or is there better models of these two products???

Mark · 04 Apr 2009

This motherboard look pretty good.

MSI K9N2 Diamond - Review Tom's Hardware : NFORCE 780a SLI Motherboard Comparison

Boomstick777 · 04 Apr 2009

If you your going for an AM2+ motherboard then this is without doubt the one to get

Sapphire PC-AM2RS790GX 790GX Socket AM2+ onboard graphics 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard - Ebuyer.

also see sapphires site PC-AM2RS790GX - PURE CrossFireX 790GX

Remeber that the Phenom II 940 is a new cpu and that other motherboard will not support it without a bios update so you won't just be able to plug it in and play. But with the Sapphire pure 790gx its already supported and ready for the phenom II cpu and future AM3 cpu's

To be honest I would wait the Phenom II 955 is only weeks away a fully DDR3 and DDR2 supporting cpu with AM3/AM2 support it also runs at 3.2ghz stock at only 1.25volts.

Get the 955 with a decent AM3 Motherboard some cheap DDR3 you'll be much better off and get more for your money.

Heres a decent AM3 motherboard this is brand new out in few weeks aswell

Sapphire PC-AM3RS790G - PURE CrossFireX 790GX | Atwtg.com

Heres the mobo spec on sapphires site, this mobo is worth waiting a couple of weeks for imo

PC-AM3RS790G - PURE CrossFireX 790GX

DocBrown · 04 Apr 2009

Waiting 2 to 3 weeks for a new AMD CPU is probably worth the wait. Thanks for the tip!

Boomstick777 · 04 Apr 2009

McBlzr said:

Waiting 2 to 3 weeks for a new AMD CPU is probably worth the wait. Thanks for the tip!

No worries, im going to get that cpu as well 955 is a beast especially when paired with AM3 Motherboard and DDR3 early signs are that it matches intels core i7 '920' and beats it in gaming. I wish I had a cheaper hobby lol

Cyberwolf · 05 Apr 2009

Boomstick777 said:

No worries, im going to get that cpu as well 955 is a beast especially when paired with AM3 Motherboard and DDR3 early signs are that it matches intels core i7 '920' and beats it in gaming. I wish I had a cheaper hobby lol

Your hobby could be cheaper...You just need to adopt new technologies a few months after their mass availability. Unless your doing very high end 3D graphics or CAD work or similar...It becomes silly to spend $1000 on a processor that 3 months later will be $300-400

TripOG · 05 Apr 2009

i have the GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H and i love it works great i recommend it 100%

Boomstick777 · 05 Apr 2009

TripOG said:

i have the GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H and i love it works great i recommend it 100%

Thats a nice board but the PC-AM2RS790GX - PURE CrossFireX 790GX is a lot cheaper newer and has native support for Phenom II and AM3 without the need for a bios update, def the way to go if you can't wait for Phenom II 955 and AM3 motherboard...