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.

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MSI 790FX-GD70 - Pictures

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Micro Star International was founded 22 years ago, back in 1986. From then on MSI grew to become one of the world largest mainboard manufacturer as well as being a market leader in the video card industry. But there is more, MSI is specialized in the server industry, notebooks, barebone systems, add-on cards, communication and many more consumer electronics. When you go visit your nearby computer retailer the chance that you stumble upon a MSI product is very real, not just because MSI offers a wide range of products but also because of their large availability in the entire world. Everyone who has done something with computers probable recognizes these three letters in group.

Previous reviews containing MSI motherboards:

  • 7 Intel Core i7 X58 Motherboards Tested and Compared
  • MSI P45-8D Memory Lover Motherboard Review
  • P45 head-to-head: MSI P45 Platinum and Asus Maximus II Formula
  • MSI P7N SLI Platinum (750i) Motherboard Review
  • 4-Way Intel P35 Motherboard Overclocking Roundup
  • MSI K9N SLI Platinum AM2 Motherboard Preview
  • MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum A64 S939 Review
  • MSI K7N2 Delta2 Platinum Athlon XP nForce2 Review
  • VIA KT400 Chipset Overclocking

    BOX AND ACCESSOIRES

    Madshrimps (c)


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    Not really an extremely elaborate package, but more than the common motherboards have to offer. That this motherboard is targeted to the enthusiasts market is pretty obvious: MSI added an extra manual focusing only on the overclocking aspects of the motherboard.

    Below you find a list of what's inside the box:

  • 4 x SATA cables
  • 2 x ATI CrossFire bridges
  • 1 x Driver disc
  • 1 x Extra's disc
  • 1 x Molex to two SATA power connector
  • 1 x PCI bracket with two USB 2.0 ports
  • 1 x I/O shield
  • 1 x IDE cable
  • 1 x floppy cables
  • 1 x MSI quick install guide
  • 1 x User's manual
  • 1 x Quick guide
  • 1 x HDD Backup manual
  • 1 x Overclocking guide

    MOTHERBOARD

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


    Similar to the X58 Eclipse we've tested a few weeks ago, this high-end AMD motherboard comes with a bigger DrMOS heatsink covering the mosfets, northbridge and Southbridge. Next to that, the usual feature you can find on any motherboard and on which I'm not going to spend that much time. Noteworthy may be the 4 PCI-e x16 lanes (2x16, 2x8) with which you can run 4 ATI crossfire-X-ready cards. Unlike on the Eclipse, the 790FX-GD70 offers a new overclocking feature, named the OC-Dial. Basically, it's an MSI-ation of what Asus already features on their Rampage Extreme motherboards: a solution to overclock in Windows without using software. Although it looks similar, it's not in terms of functionality as at the moment, it's only possible to increase the HTT frequency, but nothing more. Also, there's no read-out function ... yet! On the motherboard, we've found a 11 solder pads with the tag 'JDLED2' next to it. Furthermore, some of these pads are already supplied with voltage, so maybe MSI is planning to launch a new revision of the board WITH DLED2 support. Also, we've found a set of soldering pads with the tag 'JOCFP1' next to it ... could that be the interface for a future overclocking panel?

    Here's a list of the features of this motherboard:

  • 8 x USB 2.0 port
  • 6 x Audio connection
  • 2 x PS2 port
  • 2 x RJ45 Ethernet connector
  • 1 x Optical SPDIF
  • 1 x Coaxial audio
  • 1 x eSATA port
  • 1 x Firewire port

  • 2 x PCIe x16
  • 2 x PCIe x8
  • 1 x PCIe x1
  • 2 x PCI

  • 8 x Serial ATA II connectors
  • 4 x Fan connector
  • 2 x USB 2.0 connectors
  • 1 x Floppy disk drive connector
  • 1 x ATA133 HD connectors
  • 1 x Serial port connector
  • 1 x Clear CMOS button
  • 1 x Power button
  • 1 x Reset button
  • 1 x SPDIF-Out connector
  • 1 x Debug LED
  • 1 x TPM module header (optional)
  • 1 x ATX 24-pin power connector
  • 1 x ATX 8-pin 12V CPU power connector
  • 1 x CD-in connector
  • 1 x Front panel audio connector
  • 1 x Front panel connector
  • 1 x Chassis intrusion switch connector
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    Comment from Massman @ 2009/05/13
    For reference only: bios supports CPU multiplier upto 32,5x whereas AMD only supports upto 31,5x

     

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