AM3 motherboard shootout: DFI DK 790FXB-M3H5 vs MSI 790FX-GD70

Motherboards/AMD AM3 by massman @ 2009-04-26

Today, we have a look at two AMD AM3 motherboards, the first AMD DDR3 platform available for desktop users. Both DFI and MSI were kind enough to send us a sample of their most high-end product series, which will be tested both on performance and overclockability. We threw in a DDR2-based motherboard to find out whether or not the new memory support gives a true advantage.

  • prev
  • next

DFI Lanparty DK 790FXB-M3H5 - Pictures

Madshrimps (c)

Diamond Flowers International, in short DFI, is an international IT expert based in Taiwan, with headquarters in Hsi-Chih City. DFI was established in 1981 by Mr. Y.C. Lu. dedicated to serving customers with high technology, DFI has been earning a worldwide reputation for quality, owing much to the continuing support from our customers, suppliers and affiliates as well as our own efforts over the past twenty years. With more than 20 years of computer product development and manufacturing, our team of highly skilled engineers helps DFI position ourselves as the standard setter of price-performance solutions in the manufacturing and marketing of computer products. DFI offers a complete line-up of advanced motherboards as well as graphics solutions and Applied Computing Platforms, to meet the expanding needs of the IT market. DFI also co-develops with Intel and 3rd party developers for the latest technology on IT solution. These relationships lead customers to adopt DFI products with confidence. With our Headquarter in Taiwan and Regional Offices in the States, Europe, China and Japan, DFI has been stably growing from its start 20 years ago into a leader in the IT field today. Close relationships with Intel, AMD, VIA and SiS ensure that DFI products reach the market with leading timing. DFI products are built with Quality as the rock base.

Previous reviews containing DFI motherboards:

  • 7 Intel Core i7 X58 Motherboards Tested and Compared
  • DFI LanParty DK 790GX-M2RS Motherboard Review
  • DFI X48-T3RS review - redefining the high end ?
  • DFI Lanparty DK P45-T2RS Plus Motherboard Review
  • DFI Lanparty LT X38-T2R S775 Motherboard Review
  • 4-Way Intel P35 Motherboard Overclocking Roundup
  • DFI nForce 680i LT-T2R Overclocking Motherboard Review
  • DFI Lanparty UT NF590 SLI-M2RG AM2 Motherboard Review
  • KT400A vs nForce2 vs SiS746

    BOX AND ACCESSOIRES

    Madshrimps (c)


    Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c)
    (Click for bigger version)


    The package is pretty similar to what we're used to see in DFI Lanparty DK boxes: nothing to short, but definitely not an over packed box.

    Below a list of what you'll be finding inside the box:

  • 4 x SATA cable
  • 2 x Molex to 2 x SATA connector
  • 1 x Pata HDD cable
  • 1 x Crossfire link cable
  • I/O back panel
  • Set of jumpers
  • User manual
  • ABS installation guide
  • Driver disk

    MOTHERBOARD

    Madshrimps (c)


    Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c) Madshrimps (c)
    (Click for bigger version)


    The yellow looking DFI motherboard has become kind of a trademark: whenever you see yellow PCI(-e) lanes, you think DFI. Since this is the more budget-minded version of DFI's AM3 motherboard, the heatsinks are not spread over the entire motherboard. In fact, for those who still remember our review of the AM2+ motherboard of DFI, the heatsinks actually look pretty much the same. The motherboard also seems to be quite similar to the AM2+ version, and although we can not give DFI the award for most innovative PCB design, we have to acknowledge the saying "Never change a winning team". The AM2+ worked flawlessly, so no need to change too much about the design.

    Below a you find the features on this motherboard.

  • 1 x Mini-DIN-6 PS/2 mouse port
  • 1 x Mini-DIN-6 PS/2 keyboard port
  • 1 x Optical S/PDIF-out port
  • 1 x Coaxial RCA S/PDIF-out port
  • 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
  • 1 x RJ45 LAN port
  • 1 x Center/subwoofer, rear R/L and side R/L jacks
  • 1 x Line-in, line-out (front R/L) and mic-in jacks

  • 3 x PCI Express (Gen 2) x16 slots (16x16x4)
  • 3 x PCI slot

  • 3 x connectors for 6 additional external USB 2.0 ports
  • 1 x connector for an external COM port
  • 1 x front audio connector
  • 1 x CD-in connector
  • 1 x IrDA connector
  • 1 x CIR connector
  • 6 x Serial ATA connectors
  • 1 x 40-pin IDE connector
  • 1 x floppy connector
  • 1 x 24-pin ATX power connector
  • 1 x 8-pin 12V power connector
  • 2 x 4-pin 5V/12V power connectors (FDD type)
  • 1 x front panel connector
  • 6 x fan connectors
  • 1 x diagnostic LED
  • 2 x EZ touch switches (power switch and reset switch)
    • prev
    • next
    Comment from Massman @ 2009/05/13
    For reference only: bios supports CPU multiplier upto 32,5x whereas AMD only supports upto 31,5x

     

    reply