Best value AM3+ Motherboard

[grind]

Hello guys,

 

So, I want to change some parts in my pc, and a huge problem is the motherboard. I need to change it because mine has some problems, but I don't know what would be the best option(s).

 

My actual board is an Asus M5A88-V EVO

 

I searched the internet a bit and found out that this motherboards chipset isnt made for AM3+, but modified to be able to run it.. (or something like this, correct me if I'm wrong)

 

Also found some place saying that the best AM3+ motherboard would be the ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0. Thing is.. This is a $150 motherboard and I don't know if I want to spend so much in it.. I have a limited budget and would like to have more money to spend on other parts, also, this card supports 4x SLI/CrossFireX, and I won't use that much (doubt I'll even get my hands on a second gpu).

 

So, my question here, is it better to get this motherboard, or one of the other top ones, do I get something for the money spent over some cheaper alternatives, or is this for someone who's going to use all of that and in my case it's better to buy a cheaper one? (If so, would guys you tell me some of the alternatives? I'm really lost when I look at motherboards.)

 

Here's the system I'm going to be running with it:

 

AMD FX-8120

Geil Enhance Corsa 2x4GB

AMD Radeon R9 280X

Samsung 840 EVO 120 gb

Seagate Barracuda 1TB + 1,5TB

Cougar GX 1050

 

Oh, also, I tried to find something related in older threads, but failed miserably lol

[Rashy]

ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 Best value not so much on value but this is what my opinion is

 

EDIT: MSI 970A-G43 Motherboard, is what i would recommend. But many would disagree because its MSI

[SAV1OUR]

dis
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-ga990fxaud3

[Unlocker9000]

I would say that the Asus M5A99FX Pro R2.0 is the best value AM3+ motherboard. 990FX chipset and 6+2 digital power phase.

If it's out of your budget, I'll say the Asus M5A97 Evo R2.0. It's basically the same motherboard, but with the 970 chipset and with less features.

[Analog]

Go for a 990FX chipset motherboard, because all of the other chipsets which support AM3+ are not geared for overclocking. Overclocking on them may cause instability and death of the motherboard itself, because most of the CPUs on the AM3+ platform draw a lot of power. Also going for the cheapest motherboard is not always a good value especially when it comes down to AMD.  

[grind]

I dont want to go for the cheapest option, but rather know if its worth to pay for these motherboards..

So, its better to buy the 990FX chipset. Cool.. I dont know about Msi's motherboards, but I have a gpu from them and have no complaints, will trade it for another one..

I have heard that gigabyte is a great option, that their board are very solid and have very good reliability..

About asus, well, my motherboard is kinda dying, so...

[-rascal-]

ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 Best value not so much on value but this is what my opinion is

 

EDIT: MSI 970A-G43 Motherboard, is what i would recommend. But many would disagree because its MSI

 

Its not so much because it's MSi. it is when you use a sup-par motherboard...from any manufacturer...ASUS, Gigabyte, MSi....and use it on a 125W / 140W CPU.

If you are willing to spend ~$150+ on a CPU, it makes sense to get a reasonable motherboard for it...and not some $40 junk motherboard.

 

 

4+1 or 3+1 power phase motherboards: bad idea.

Have a quick look at this; it is a database for some of the AMD motherboards available. It hasn't been updated in some time, so newer boards are not on the list.

http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database

 

Due to the lack of time I have, I cannot post any motherboard suggests as of now.

[Grave]

The PRO R2.0 is definitely the best value board in North America, but ASRock does have one board that's relatively cheap and not terrible (can't remember name). Check http://www.pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/ for AM3/AM3+ motherboards, sort by price. The two/three cheapest 99FX boards are ok (don't include the Asus EVO, that's just a worse/older version of the PRO R2.0).

The absolute best value AM3+ motherboard goes to the Gigabyte UD3, though. Serious quality from Gigabyte as always, but this one is cheap. It's good enough for your CPU, supports overclocking well. It's not insane but it'll definitely get the job done with a good overclock.

[Ryan Leech]

You really need a good vrm design for an 8 core. I would recommend the ga-970a-ud3p for its 8+2 vrm design

[flibberdipper]

Personally, I'm feeling the ASUS M5A99FX Pro R2.0.

[skitz9417]

You really need a good vrm design for an 8 core. I would recommend the ga-970a-ud3p for its 8+2 vrm design

+1 one on that i have that board and i love it i have oc my fx 6300 to 4.7ghz with the board 

[Priller]

+1 one on that i have that board and i love it i have oc my fx 6300 to 4.7ghz with the board 

 

Which is basically the same voltage requirements as a stock 8320. About 3.5Ghz if I wanted to put a number on it.

 

@grind That 8120 is going to need all the help it can get. I would say 990FXA-UD3 Rev 4.0. You will need something with a decent chipset, 8+2 VRM design and something that has a good heatsink on the VRM/northbridge. After that I would try to put a really good cooler on it and proceed to OC the crap out of it. If you compare an 8150 to an 8350 then the 8150 will need no less then 3-400mhz advantage to equal the performance of an 8350. 

[-rascal-]

Well...continuing with my post from this morning (now that I am back from work)...

 

The difference between the 970, 990X, and 990FX chipset is the features and expandability each chipset offers. As you go higher up, 970 -> 990X -> 990FX you get

• More SATA 3 (6Gb/s) ports
• More PCI-Express lanes (for multi-GPU Support)
• Typically improved power delivery and regulation for the CPU and other components
• Convenient (but not necessary) overclocking features (i.e. on-board buttons and switches, voltage measurement points, etc)

The 800 series chipset motherboards was never intended for socket AM3+ CPUs. It launched in 2009 / 2010 when the Phenom II line-up was born. It kind of stuck around as an inexpensive alternative. In fact, even a few low-tier 700 series motherboards still exists with AM3+ socket. And MY GAWD, stay the hell away from those!!

 

The ASUS M5A88-V EVO motherboard that you have is not ridiculously bad...but it isn't great either. I mean, it uses a 8+1 power design.

 

The minimum I would suggest for 125W / 140W CPUs, with any intention to overclock, would be a motherboard with a 4+2 power regulation design. With that in mind, I recommend that you have a look at these, and see how much they cost in Brazil.

1. ASUS M597 R2.0
2. ASUS M5970 EVO/PRO
3. ASUS M5A99X EVO R2.0
4. Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3
5. MSi 990XA-GD55

[Sintezza]

decent boards for an FX8 core

 

1: Asus crosshair V formula Z    8+2 powerphase digi vrm

2: Asus sabertooth 990FX R2.0 8+2 powerphase digi vrm

3: Asrock 990FX Extreme 9      12+2 powerphase digi vrm

4: Asrock 990FX Fatal1ty pro   12+2 powerphase digi vrm

5: Asrock 990FX Fatal1ty killer   8+2 powerphase digi vrm

6: Asus M5A99FX Pro R2.0        6+2 powerphase digi vrm

7: Asus M5A99X evo R2.0          6+2 powerphase digi vrm (only 20 pci-e lanes)

8: Asus M5A97   evo R2.0          6+2 powerphase digi vrm.(only 970 chipset)

 

[-rascal-]

decent boards for an FX8 core

 

1: Asus crosshair V formula Z    8+2 powerphase digi vrm

2: Asus sabertooth 990FX R2.0 8+2 powerphase digi vrm

3: Asrock 990FX Extreme 9      12+2 powerphase digi vrm

4: Asrock 990FX Fatal1ty pro   12+2 powerphase digi vrm

5: Asrock 990FX Fatal1ty killer   8+2 powerphase digi vrm

6: Asus M5A99FX Pro R2.0        6+2 powerphase digi vrm

7: Asus M5A99X evo R2.0          6+2 powerphase digi vrm (only 20 pci-e lanes)

8: Asus M5A97   evo R2.0          6+2 powerphase digi vrm.(only 970 chipset)

 

 

Unfortunately, many are well beyond the OP's $150 budget. He is also trying to keep the cost a low as possible without dipping down into the "crap zone."

Plus, he lives in Brazil...

[grind]

@Priller I'm already leaning towards Gigabyte, and although I got it that 990FX and 8+2 power phase are good, they still make me a little bit confused.

 

Anyways, I have that 8120 running stock with a Zalman 9900 Max, I've seen some tests and it has a pretty good performance, maybe I'll be able to do something with it, but I'm a little bit worried cause I never overclocked anything.. hm.. Is it too hard (and is it stable) to run it with that difference? Because I was thinking on later upgrading to a new cpu, but if I can overclock that difference it's going to be sweet.

 

 

@-rascal- Oh, I left the reply page opened and didnt see what you posted. Thanks for explaining the difference in chipsets, that's very useful to know. About prices, I'm not looking at them here, cause I'll visit my dad in july or so (he is living in japan) and I want to get the parts there. Prices here are stupidly high. (my actual Motherboard I bought for $200 or so).

 

I've seen one UD3 for about $120 dollars in japan, maybe I won't get that same price but if I can get something even $20 cheaper it's already very nice.

[Rashy]

Its not so much because it's MSi. it is when you use a sup-par motherboard...from any manufacturer...ASUS, Gigabyte, MSi....and use it on a 125W / 140W CPU.

If you are willing to spend ~$150+ on a CPU, it makes sense to get a reasonable motherboard for it...and not some $40 junk motherboard.

 

 

4+1 or 3+1 power phase motherboards: bad idea.

Have a quick look at this; it is a database for some of the AMD motherboards available. It hasn't been updated in some time, so newer boards are not on the list.

http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database

 

Due to the lack of time I have, I cannot post any motherboard suggests as of now.

True.. Sometimes i get confused between MSI and ASRock

[D3MON]

Hello guys,

 

So, I want to change some parts in my pc, and a huge problem is the motherboard. I need to change it because mine has some problems, but I don't know what would be the best option(s).

 

My actual board is an Asus M5A88-V EVO

 

I searched the internet a bit and found out that this motherboards chipset isnt made for AM3+, but modified to be able to run it.. (or something like this, correct me if I'm wrong)

 

Also found some place saying that the best AM3+ motherboard would be the ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0. Thing is.. This is a $150 motherboard and I don't know if I want to spend so much in it.. I have a limited budget and would like to have more money to spend on other parts, also, this card supports 4x SLI/CrossFireX, and I won't use that much (doubt I'll even get my hands on a second gpu).

 

So, my question here, is it better to get this motherboard, or one of the other top ones, do I get something for the money spent over some cheaper alternatives, or is this for someone who's going to use all of that and in my case it's better to buy a cheaper one? (If so, would guys you tell me some of the alternatives? I'm really lost when I look at motherboards.)

 

Here's the system I'm going to be running with it:

 

AMD FX-8120

Geil Enhance Corsa 2x4GB

AMD Radeon R9 280X

Samsung 840 EVO 120 gb

Seagate Barracuda 1TB + 1,5TB

Cougar GX 1050

 

Oh, also, I tried to find something related in older threads, but failed miserably lol

best value am3+ board is the £50 m5a78l-m/usb3 but i woudlnt use one for an fx8 (or not for long) have used about 5 in various build, great budget board

best value am3+ board with a decent 8+2vrm and sata 3 (the 2 thing^ doesnt have) £65 gigabyte 970a-ud3p, recently bought one for an overclocked phenom, love it so long as you dont mind full atx and dont wanna crossfire.

best budget high-end board would be the gigabyte ud3 everyone else has likely mentioned, crossfire, lots of sata ports all black so goes with any color scheme, budget contender to the ud5, ud7 and ch5f

my bit of advice (after much self debate) when it comes to boards is 1, buy a board that has everything you need, dont go buying something with super overclackability...because when was the last time you had a bios that didnt let you overclock anyway? who cares if it has a ln2 mode and voltage check points youll never use..buy something with crossfire ONLY if your looking at using it NOW, get sata6 ports and get a good vrm if your overclocking.

2 buy something that looks good because youll be living with it for a long time, personally speaking i stay away from colors, sure you might like blue heatsinks and ram slots...but what if you change your color theme and want a black/red build or something, youre going to have to buy a whole new motherboard...

[bbqsauce]

Why doesn't Gigabyte 990fxa ud3 (rev4) get more mentions, its a great board, 8+2 phase. decent vrm cooling and around the same price as the asus 99fx pro.

 

imho the the 990fx ud3 is probably the best looking mobo around that price range. Plus would you really need 4 way cross fire. 2 way is more likely to be enough.

One of the better budget boards with the 990fx chipset which is better for an fx 8 core

[grind]

my bit of advice (after much self debate) when it comes to boards is 1, buy a board that has everything you need, dont go buying something with super overclackability...because when was the last time you had a bios that didnt let you overclock anyway? who cares if it has a ln2 mode and voltage check points youll never use..buy something with crossfire ONLY if your looking at using it NOW, get sata6 ports and get a good vrm if your overclocking.

2 buy something that looks good because youll be living with it for a long time, personally speaking i stay away from colors, sure you might like blue heatsinks and ram slots...but what if you change your color theme and want a black/red build or something, youre going to have to buy a whole new motherboard...

That's exactly why I came here in first place. I saw lots of PCI-E slots on the boards I looked, but I'm sure that there's never going to be more than 2 GPUs on this PC (maybe one day, but by then I'll buy a new computer).

Where I'm looking at the card you said and the 990fxa-ud3 have very little price difference, I guess I'll try and go with the 990fx chipset, but thanks a lot

 

Why doesn't Gigabyte 990fxa ud3 (rev4) get more mentions, its a great board, 8+2 phase. decent vrm cooling and around the same price as the asus 99fx pro.

 

imho the the 990fx ud3 is probably the best looking mobo around that price range. Plus would you really need 4 way cross fire. 2 way is more likely to be enough.

One of the better budget boards with the 990fx chipset which is better for an fx 8 core

Guess it's settled, I'll try and find this card if I can (only found rev3 up to now, would I lose much buying a previous revision if I can't find the rev4?).

[bbqsauce]

That's exactly why I came here in first place. I saw lots of PCI-E slots on the boards I looked, but I'm sure that there's never going to be more than 2 GPUs on this PC (maybe one day, but by then I'll buy a new computer).

Where I'm looking at the card you said and the 990fxa-ud3 have very little price difference, I guess I'll try and go with the 990fx chipset, but thanks a lot

 

Guess it's settled, I'll try and find this card if I can (only found rev3 up to now, would I lose much buying a previous revision if I can't find the rev4?).

only get the ud3 if its the rev4 one. make sure you check before buying. the previous revisions all have vrm overheating issues.

[grind]

Oh, ok, many thanks helix

[Sintezza]

Yes the gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 rev 4.0 seems like a good board. at least it seems that they have solved the thermal issues. But i dont know if they did improve the bios aswell?

 

All the previous revisions, are a piece of junk. Beware of that.

For me personaly no gigabyte mobo ever again lol