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Okay, so first things first. Let’s work out the $240 US price tag. The Gigabyte 890FXA-UD7 is by far the most expensive AMD 890FX based motherboard, making it one of the most expensive AM3 motherboards available. Clearly performance has nothing to do with the price, as you can expect all 890FX motherboards to deliver roughly the same performance.
Furthermore, when using just a single graphics card you can expect all motherboards using one of the AMD 8-series chipsets to deliver pretty much the same performance. However the key feature of the 890FXA-UD7 is its multi-GPU support, as it will allow gamers to use four Radeon HD 5870 graphics cards with CrossFireX. Sadly this is not a feature we were able to test, given we own just two Radeon HD 5870 graphics cards, but with two PCIe x16 slots with full bandwidth and two more at x8, rest assured that it will work. The other key feature is the Hybrid Silent-Pipe design, which can support either water-cooling or a massive passively cooled heatsink. However, if neither the ability to utilize more than two graphics cards or water-cool your motherboard appeal to you, then the Gigabyte 890FXA-UD5 might be more what you are looking for. Priced at just $180 US the 890FXA-UD5 is $60 US cheaper, which is 30% of that new Phenom II X6 1055T processor you have always wanted.
So clearly the Gigabyte 890FXA-UD7 is a motherboard for those going all out on their gaming rig, with a no expenses spared kind of attitude. For the rest of us, the Gigabyte 890FXA-UD5 is the exact same motherboard that provides all the same essential features and overclocking abilities. More over, the 890FXA-UD5 costs the same amount as the Asus M4A89TD Pro and MSI 890FXA-GD70 motherboards, while we preferred it to the Asus Crosshair IV Formula. The Asrock 890FX Deluxe3 is the dark horse of the 890FX motherboards and although it lacks many of the features found on the Gigabyte 890FXA-UD5, it also costs a fraction of the price.
Budget orientated board’s aside, Gigabyte look to be offering the most extreme AM3 motherboard right now in the 890FXA-UD7. Still, despite its enthusiast focus, we cannot help but feel at this price users are better off making the jump across the pond to Intel’s camp with an X58/Core i7 920 combo. Not only is this processor and motherboard combination considerably more powerful than the 890FX/Phenom II X6 1055T, but it also allows gamers to utilize either SLI or Crossfire technology. Still, if you are sticking to the AM3 platform and want to get your hands on the very best, most extreme motherboard, then we have to say that the Gigabyte 890FXA-UD7 is it. The 890FXA-UD7 will certainly impress with its rich feature set, highly tweakable BIOS, excellent performance, and build quality. For those seeking the ultimate AM3 motherboard regardless of the cost, we highly recommend the 890FXA-UD7. |
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Finder |
Posted on: 06/01/2010 10:27 AM
Looks like a cool board but who uses 4 graphics cards? :S |
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Bowser |
Posted on: 06/01/2010 10:48 AM
i think the reviewer is right for that kind of money the core7 is a better choice. still the phenom x6 would work well on this board. |
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JustBecause |
Posted on: 06/01/2010 11:29 AM
this is a pretty sweet board. I think I am going to pull the trigger on one of these! thanks for the review. |
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djocin |
Posted on: 06/02/2010 11:20 PM
I really like the optional heatsink for the north bridge. Sill with the water-block you could make a really quiet system. |
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Richie |
Posted on: 06/03/2010 03:44 AM
thanks for the review but when will motherboards get real USB 3 support? |
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master |
Posted on: 06/03/2010 11:48 AM
This MoBo longer than standard ATX PCB almost in 20mm!!! so i cant mount GA-890FXA-UD7 in ATX case! |
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ProX |
Posted on: 06/03/2010 02:34 PM
@master - That must be good stuff you are smoking, its a standard ATX board and I see no reason why it would not fit in a standard ATX case as it is designed to. Still who in their right mind would buy a motherboard designed to support 4 graphics cards and then use it in a standard case? The design alone calls for a full ATX tower. |
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Steve Posts: 76 Joined: 2010-02-08 |
Posted on: 06/09/2010 12:15 AM
Posted by master on 06/03/2010 12:48 PM
It should fit in a standard ATX case but as ProX said most are going to want to install this motherboard into a full tower case. |
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Sharpy |
Posted on: 06/09/2010 03:26 AM
Man that is one insane looking AMD motherboard. Shame SLI is not supported but I would probably go with a few Radeon HD 5870 cards anyway. Nice review and keep up the good work! |
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Jaw |
Posted on: 08/10/2010 09:22 AM
It isn,t a standard ATX board Its a XLATX board it is 20mm longer than the ATX boards. Coolermaster HAF X, Black, Full Gaming Tower Case with Side Window/USB3, w/o PSU is the only case I have found the accepts this board around £150.00 squids. |