ASRock 890GX Extreme3 Motherboard Review

Motherboards/AMD AM3 by leeghoofd @ 2010-05-04

Knowing ASrock as a company that usually pumps out zillions of colourfull entry level boards, sometimes innovating by integrating older technology like eg AGP slots onto new platforms, makes them stand out from the crowd. Sadly when you mention ASrock, most immediately are thinking about cheap hardware, correlating it with poor build quality and durability, lack of features... Well let me tell you this 890GX board is absolutely bullet proof. I had zero issues with it during weeks of bashing. It even survived several short LN2 sessions and a 5 hour marathon one at the AOCM OC party in Mindfeld!

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The motherboard up close

Specifications time

When first opening the package I was pleasantly surprised by the carbon look of the box. Really classy and gives it that little extra compared to the dull white, futuristic stuff we are used too. Let's find out what's inside...

Madshrimps (c)


Here's a quick sum up off the 890GX Extreme3's specs :

Madshrimps (c)

Madshrimps (c)


  • Phenom II X6 6-Core CPU Ready
  • Supports Exclusive ASRock UCC Chip - Unlock CPU Core feature
  • ASRock DuraCap (2.5 x longer life time), 100% Japan-made high-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors
  • Advanced V8 + 2 Power Phase Design
  • Supports CPU up to 140W
  • Supports Dual Channel DDR3 1800(OC)
  • Integrated AMD Radeon HD 4290 graphics, DX10.1 Class iGPU, Shader Model 4.1, Max. shared memory 512MB
  • Built-in 128MB DDR3 1333/1200MHz SidePort Memory
  • Supports ATI™ Quad CrossFireX™, 3-Way CrossFireX™, CrossFireX™ and Hybrid CrossFireX™
  • Multi VGA Output options: D-Sub, DVI-D and HDMI
  • 1 x eSATA3 Connector, 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 2 x IEEE1394 ports
  • Smart Swith Design : 1 x Power Switch with LED, 1 x Reset Switch with LED, 1 x Clear CMOS Switch with LED Dr. Debug (7-Segment Debug LED)
  • Supports ASRock Instant Boot, Instant Flash, OC DNA, OC Tuner, IES, Multi-Speed Fan Control
  • 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection, DAC with 110dB dynamic range (VIA® VT2020 Audio Codec with QSound) , Premium Blu-ray audio support.
  • ErP/EuP Ready


    Madshrimps (c)


    With the 8+2 Phase power, supporting up to 130W CPU's the ASrock ain't scared to be powering your CPU. As always AMD boards have such clean sockets, making it a joy for overclockers to insulate.

    Madshrimps (c)


    ASrock didn't compromise on build quality, plus the board's looks miles apart from their usual standards.

    Madshrimps (c)


    The 24 pin power connector with 3 of the 5 fan connectors clearly displayed. More than enough connections to satisfy any cooling addict
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    Comment from Gamer @ 2010/05/04
    This isn't a budget motherboard anymore, seems like High end to me.

    Great work LH, great to read.
    Comment from wutske @ 2010/05/04
    At $150 it's indeed no budget bord anymore. Strange that Asus releases a board like this using a budget brand.

    @Leeghoofd: there's no picture of the board in the review, only close ups
    Comment from jmke @ 2010/05/04
    he uploaded it but didn't use it, here it is:



    Quote:
    At $150 it's indeed no budget bord anymore. Strange that Asus releases a board like this using a budget brand.
    where do you see that price? it's <€100 !
    http://www.google.de/products?q=ASRo...rd&scori ng=p
    Comment from leeghoofd @ 2010/05/04
    Thx for the comment guys ( my fan club ) it retails around 100-110 euro's , all the other 890GX board are at least 10% more expensive and some look cheaper...

    This is a good solid board, I hope I can keep this sample for my 24/7 rig
    Comment from wutske @ 2010/05/04
    $150 is about €115.
    €115 is still very cheap considering what you get for it. If I would have needed an upgrade atm I'd have probably bought this board
    Comment from Massman @ 2010/05/04
    Many people confuse Asrock with a budget brand, but in the last couple of months they've been focussing more on high-end, high-quality products. Okay, it's still no Asus, MSI or Gigabyte, but the potential is there.

    Also note that a small company as Asrock tends to focus on the platforms that sell en masse. X58 may be the top of the performance segment, sales are not huge and for a small company it means loss instead of gain.
    Comment from wutske @ 2010/05/05
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Massman View Post
    Many people confuse Asrock with a budget brand, but in the last couple of months they've been focussing more on high-end, high-quality products. Okay, it's still no Asus, MSI or Gigabyte, but the potential is there.

    Also note that a small company as Asrock tends to focus on the platforms that sell en masse. X58 may be the top of the performance segment, sales are not huge and for a small company it means loss instead of gain.
    Asrock started as Asus' budget brand, selling simplistic and cheap motherboards without all the extras. So it's no surprise people still see Asrock as a budget brand (tough boards like this can make a difference).

     

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