Asus Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ Motherboard Review

We’ve had quite a large focus on Intel lately with the shakeup of B3 revision boards and the recent launch of the Z68 chipset. Now gives a time where we can take a look at something new from AMD. Yes you heard right, AMD have launched something new; the 990FX chipset.

AMD have been to long without a refresh and now that the 990FX has arrived, it opens the doorway to the upcoming processors codenamed Bulldozer. Sadly Bulldozer has now been delayed till apparently August, but how true this is, only AMD know. Until then the 990FX does give some other features aside from the full AM3+ support.

990FX opens up improved DDR3 memory support, the ability to have a UEFI GUI based BIOS, and support for SLI. AMD have hogged the limelight for quite some time forcing users to buy AMD all the way with the motherboard and GPU combination if wanting multiple graphics cards. though AMD weren’t completely to blame as it was a battle between them being too proud to ask and nVidia flat out refusing to share a license with them, the 990FX chipset now sees an improvement in this area, allowing for Quad SLI on some boards.

Whilst the 990FX does sound good in terms of small benefits, it really depends on the board that will be implementing it. Today we are looking at the Sabertooth 990FX from Asus which provides military grade components and stability at an affordable price. The Sabertooth includes all of the features above but also has stability in mind by implementing some unique features in terms of keeping your system cool by using an new improved material called CeraM!x and including various sensors across the board to intelligently monitor the boards temperature and adjust the cooling to suit.

It sounds like a board that’s suitable for military operations but will it survive the bombardment of tests and benchmarks we’ll be shooting at it? Let’s find out.

Forward March!

Specifications

[TABLE=class: grid, width: 100%]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]Model[/TD]
[TD=align: center]SABERTOOTH 990FX[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]CPU[/TD]
[TD=align: center]AMD Socket AM3+ for AMD FX Series CPU up to 8-core, Compatible with AMD Socket AM3 for AMD Phenom™ II /Athlon™ II /Sempron™ 100 Series Processors[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]Chipset[/TD]
[TD=align: center]AMD 990FX/SB950[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]Memory[/TD]
[TD=align: center]DDR3 1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz Support[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]Power Phase Design[/TD]
[TD=align: center]DIGI+ VRM 8+2 phase[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]PCIe x16 Slots[/TD]
[TD=align: center]3 (Single@x16 speed; Dual@x16/x16 speed; Triple@x16/x8/x8 speed)
1 (Black@x4 speed)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[/TR]
[TR]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]Multi-GPU support[/TD]
[TD=align: center]CrossFireX / SLI[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]Storage[/TD]
[TD=align: center]6 x SATA 6Gb/s
2 x SATA 3Gb/s
1 x Power eSATA
1 x eSATA[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[/TR]
[TR]
[/TR]
[TR]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]LAN[/TD]
[TD=align: center]Realtek® Gigabit LAN[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]Audio[/TD]
[TD=align: center]8-ch HD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]IEEE 1394[/TD]
[TD=align: center]2 (1 at mid-board; 1 at back panel)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]USB[/TD]
[TD=align: center]4 x USB 3.0 (2 at mid-board at front panel, 2 at back)
14 x USB 2.0 (4 at mid-board, 10 at back)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=align: center]Exclusive Features[/TD]
[TD]“Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solution
– TUF CeraM!X Heatsink Coating Tech.
– TUF Thermal Radar
“TUF ENGINE!” Power Design
– 8+2 Digital Phase Power Design
– TUF Components (Alloy choke, Cap. & MOSFET; certified by military-standard)
– ASUS DIGI+ VRM Utility
– E.S.P. : Efficient Switching Power Design
“Safe & Stable!” Guardian Angel
– ESD Guards
– MemOK!
– Anti Surge
“Other Special Features
– ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface
– Front Panel USB 3.0 Support
– AI Suite II
“5 Year Warranty[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]