MSI 990FXA-GD80 Socket AM3+ Motherboard Detailed

[btarunr]

Earlier referred to as "Big Bang Conqueror", MSI's next top-end AMD platform motherboard has emerged under its final name, 990FXA-GD80. The socket AM3+ motherboard that supports AMD's upcoming FX series processors, is based on the AMD 990FX + SB950 chipset. The CPU is powered by a 10-phase VRM that makes use of tantalum-core capacitors, and SFC chokes (that don't whine), driver-MOSFETs (DrMOS). Expansion slots include four PCI-Express 2.0 x16, supporting NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX; two PCI-E x1, and a PCI.

Storage is mostly care of the southbridge, all its six SATA 6 Gb/s ports are assigned as internal ports; a third-party SATA 3 Gb/s controller handles rear-panel eSATA. There are two USB 3.0 controllers, driving two ports on the rear panel, and two via an angled internal header. Other connectivity includes 8+2 channel HD audio with THX TruStudio Pro support, gigabit Ethernet, and FireWire. A number of MSI-exclusives are bundled, including MSI-designed graphical UEFI setup program (click BIOS), and OC Genie II that is overclocking with side-wheels. Expect the MSI 990FXA-GD80 to be out in mid-June, at a US $175~$250 price range.



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[Izliecies]

so msi's using some surplus socket plastic

anyway, gotta love the angled usb 3.0 header..

 

[Imsochobo]

so msi's using some surplus socket plastic

anyway, gotta love the angled usb 3.0 header..

and gots to hate esata.

 

[inferKNOX]

I had no doubts in my mind that MSI would be the next to respond to ASUS' "leak".

Anyway, this being the successor to my mobo, so I must ask if it also has the blue phase indicator LEDs on it?

What would you guys say about how this stacks up against the Crosshair V, spec + price wise?
I'm trying to decide between the 2...

 

[TheLostSwede]

and gots to hate esata.

What's wrong with eSATA?

 

[Imsochobo]

What's wrong with eSATA?

whats the use ?
I hardly see devices that use it, and when they do they support usb too, which is just easier, and plug n play, esata got much hassle alot of the time, just add a IO bracket like gigabyte did back in the day and you got esata then its your choice!

6 internal sata..
High end boards need 8, my DFI mobo from 2006 had 8 FFS! dfi lanparty UT NF4-Expert and Venus.

 

[Dacur]

Looks like im going Asus this time, either Sabertooth/Crosshair:

Native support for 1866 mhz ram vs having to oc to get that speed
Ide/floppy connector, anyone using that anymore? come'on its 2011.
More sata connectors
A dedicated x4 pci-e for ssds

Just my 2 cents

 

[MilkyWay]

whats the use ?
I hardly see devices that use it, and when they do they support usb too, which is just easier, and plug n play, esata got much hassle alot of the time, just add a IO bracket like gigabyte did back in the day and you got esata then its your choice!

6 internal sata..
High end boards need 8, my DFI mobo from 2006 had 8 FFS! dfi lanparty UT NF4-Expert and Venus.

Pretty sure if a system runs on AHCI mode it can hot swap a hard drive so you could just plug in a sata drive into a esata port and get going.

 

[Imsochobo]

Looks like im going Asus this time, either Sabertooth/Crosshair:

Native support for 1866 mhz ram vs having to oc to get that speed
Ide/floppy connector, anyone using that anymore? come'on its 2011.
More sata connectors
A dedicated x4 pci-e for ssds

Just my 2 cents

msi and Asus is what I go for nowadays.

this board got 1866 mhz too, its based on CPU and not on motherboard FYI.

Mobo just need a bios option to support it, with the correct cpu.

 

[Imsochobo]

Pretty sure if a system runs on AHCI mode it can hot swap a hard drive so you could just plug in a sata drive into a esata port and get going.

from outside to inside, and it's just a big mess, other way around to a IO bracked is muuuch better

 

[TheLostSwede]

You did notice that this board has eSATAp ports though, right? As in powered eSATA ports that are also USB combo ports.

 

[Loosenut]

This time around, I preffer this board to Asus

 

[TheMailMan78]

Ill stick with Asus. I had some big problems with my last MSI mobo.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

yea same ill stick to Gigabyte for any boards ill buy, to many issues with the 790fx and 890fx boards from MSI catching fire when systems were overclocked, since i run my rig 24.7 all the assurances in the world of how good MSI is wont make me forget the numbers of boards that burst into flames.

 

[btarunr]

That NB heatsink looks inadequate.

 

[micropage7]

That NB heatsink looks inadequate.

yep its kinda pretty plain or MSI has secret recipe to make the NB cooler than before

 

[TheLaughingMan]

yep its kinda pretty plain or MSI has secret recipe to make the NB cooler than before

The secret is that heat pipe coming out of the side into the larger heatsink.

I thought the sides of the CPU cooler attachment brackets are suppose to be gone now. Did MSI not get the memo?

 

[Steven B]

these boards can run bulldozer correct?

990 chipset=bulldozer?

 

[nINJAkECIL]

The secret is that hea pipe coming out of the side into the larger heatsink.

I thought the sides of the CPU cooler attachment brackets are suppose to be gone now. Did MSI not get the memo?

the office dog ate it, I think
also, they are too lazy to cut the cpu bracket, or make a new one, and they got a huge stack of these cpu bracket leftover

these boards can run bulldozer correct?

990 chipset=bulldozer?

indeed it is, and if it's not support bulldozer, no one would buy it.

Finally, AMD realizes that it is stupid to keep the old RAM-socket configuration and went Intel-like.

 

[Zubasa]

Finally, AMD realizes that it is stupid to keep the old RAM-socket configuration and went Intel-like.

Good luck fitting tall ram under a decent air cooler.
You will just end up with single channel memory.
Guess which way is stupid now?

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Getting close. Looks good

 

[WarEagleAU]

Like the look. The HS are a little small though. Dont see the memory sockets either to know how they are laid out.

 

[bpgt64]

so msi's using some surplus socket plastic

anyway, gotta love the angled usb 3.0 header..

This! ....omfg I hate the standard USB 3.0 header location on the P67 boards...sucks rocks.