Which MB for FX-8350 and 16gb 2x8 DDR3 1600

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  1. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #11

    I think you would do better with the Gigabyte board, or even an ASUS Sabretooth offering. The advantage to the Gigabyte or Sabretooth is that the board has a better Northbridge chip and a better Southbridge chip. They are more modern than the chipset that you have now, and support the FX-8350 better than your current board. Also, the power distribution is better in the 990X/990FX series boards, meaning that the CPU can be more stable and not current starved, especially if you do any overclocking. The 990X and 990FX have faster and wider graphics lanes for your graphics card as well, giving better GPU performance.

    All in all, almost any 990 series board would be better than the M5A78L-M that you have now. You could even get by with a 970 series chipset. I have the M5A97 R2.0 from ASUS and it does a pretty good job, though overclocking with this board is virtually impossible due to the lack of good power regulation. Sadly, I couldn't afford a Sabretooth at the time I bought this one.
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  2. Posts : 39
    Win7 & Win10 both Pro x64 Dual Boot
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Thanks for reply Mellon Head, sorry for late reply. I will have a look around to see if I can find this Gigabyte board, I have seen a couple of used boards not sure if this is a false economy or best to buy new. Im totally out of my depth with what to look for and what to buy. Regards Smokes
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  3. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #13

    Buy a new board. Used boards can have problems with them, or have been stressed by overclocking.

    Best not to inherit someone else's problem.
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  4. Posts : 38
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit
       #14

    I do agree don't buy a used board, we don't know what the previous owner did with, it may have faulty components.
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  5. Posts : 39
    Win7 & Win10 both Pro x64 Dual Boot
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Thank you to both for replys, would I have any other options with Ram and CPU I already have if I cant get a new Gigabyte 990X? I would like to be able to buy in England if possible I have around £120 give or take a little. Regards Smokes
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  6. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #16

    Interesting. I did a little checking and it looks like the 990 series chipset is no longer available. The closest would be the 970 series with a little less capability. I'm not sure what is available still in the UK, but here in N. America, the 990 seems to be dead.

    It may be time to move to an AM4 platform rather than buy an older technology board. Keep in mind with AM4, you'll need a different CPU and RAM.

    Seems there is no easy solution to this. But the short answer is: If you can't get a 990 series board, go with the 970 series. They fit your price range and are perfectly serviceable.
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  7. Posts : 39
    Win7 & Win10 both Pro x64 Dual Boot
    Thread Starter
       #17

    Hello Mellon Head
    Thanks for trying, I thought maybe I was looking in the wrong places ;-} I have seen several Gigabyte 990 pre owned and they are £70+ you and the other person who replied has taught me something, don't buy someone elses 2nd hand boards, anything could have been done to them.

    If possible I would rather not start from the beginning again with buying an AM4 cpu ram and board. I do not feel as though I have had any use or enjoyment with what I paid for, feel like ive had my eyes took out. What I should have done is ask first on the forum. Had I known this Asus was an old board at the time I would have spent money elsewhere.

    I guess its down to 1 last decision & question would a new Gigabyte 970A-DS3P give any improvement or performance compared to my M5A78L or am I better keeping what I have then maybe upgrade later on?

    Thanks to you and the forum, It is a very good place :-}

    Smokes

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  8. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #18

    You know, I had a really close look at your current board and the Gigabyte 970A-DS3P, and there is really not a whole lot of difference to justify an upgrade. For one thing, the HyperTransport bus on the Gigabyte board is slower than on the motherboard that you have now. That means lower memory performance on the Gigabyte board.

    I think if I were you, I would hold off upgrading the mobo for now. It's not going to get you any better performance in the long run, and your memory transfer speed will actually be lower, unless you overclock your Northbridge chip on the Gigabyte board (and you may not be able to). Another thing about upgrading a motherboard is that you will need a new copy of Windows if you don't have a retail version. Microsoft will very rarely allow you to switch motherboards in an OEM Windows installation, as your copy of Windows is locked to the motherboard it was installed on. That's another consideration to be aware of.

    I hope that helps a little.
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  9. Posts : 39
    Win7 & Win10 both Pro x64 Dual Boot
    Thread Starter
       #19

    Hi Mellon Head
    In a word WOW! where on earth did you learn to be so clued up with computers? Im gob-smaked Thank you for all your help and suggestions. Not only have you been paitent with me and solved my questions you have saved me further grief, headaches and stopped me throwing money to waste.

    Thank you and Thanks for this brilliant forum.

    Regards
    Smokes

    Im not sure if I have to mark thread as solved or you (Admin)
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  10. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #20

    Smokes:

    I'm glad I could help. If we have solved the problem, please mark the thread as solved. The button is at the bottom of the thread.

    Best of luck, and don't forget to come back and ask any more questions that you may have. :)
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