iXBT Labs - Computer Hardware in Detail

Platform

Video

Multimedia

Mobile

Other

MSI 790XT-G45 Motherboard



<< Previous page

     Next page >>


This may be our last review of Socket AM2+ motherboards, i.e. ones supporting DDR2 memory. Unless there is an original or exclusive model in which DDR2 support is justified. Today, the demand for such motherboards is mostly kept up thanks to owners of high-quality overclocker or high-capacity DDR2 modules, or due to some specific market situations when DDR2 is cheaper than DDR3.

Design





We have recently reviewed the inexpensive MSI 770-C35. That motherboard has simple design and interfaces, however, it does support DDR3 memory. The today's solution is just the opposite: it supports DDR2, but it has two graphics card slots for CrossFire configurations (x8+x8). Graphics cards with large coolers will fit, too. Installing them won't prevent you from connecting hard drives, etc., because SATA and PATA ports are horizontal.

On the downside, the motherboard only has three fan connectors. Moreover, system fans cannot be controlled from BIOS, though even lower-end MSI motherboards usually allow choosing fixed speeds.



The rear panel is very similar to that of MSI 770-C35. This isn't much of an advantage. Users who choose CrossFire-enabled chipsets usually require richer features. Even if they tried to make the motherboard cheaper, they could at least add eSATA and optical S/PDIF Out by means of the chipset. Even inexpensive products offer features like that these days.



The classic cooling system does it job fine. Besides, the CPU power circuitry should not require additional cooling, being liberal enough.



The CPU VRM has 5 lanes, 3 FETs per each, 10 x 820µF and 4 x 270µF capacitors, all solid. The motherboard supports CPUs with up to 125W TDP and features Active Phase Switching that dynamically disables unused lanes. This feature can be switched on and off in BIOS.



The bundle includes a SATA cable with metallic latches, a PATA cable, and a power adapter. The software CD contains an utility that automatically updates drivers and firmware, as well as Norton Internet Security.

Features

The motherboard is based on the AMD 790X chipset (AMD 790X + SB710). It features 6 SATA 2.0 ports (RAID 0, 1, 0+1), as well as a dual-channel PATA/133 port. The additional controllers include:

  • Integrated audio based on the 8-channel Realtek ALC889 HDA codec. Unfortunately, we couldn't conduct our usual tests in RMAA, because the motherboard didn't recognize our ESI Juli@ sound card. Ironically, it only worked with integrated audio disabled;
  • Gigabit LAN based on Realtek 8111D (PCIe x1);
  • System monitoring based on Fintek F71889F, supports automatic CPU fan control (4-pin fans only) -- either keeps the desired temperature (40°C to 60°C) or maintains the desired speed.

Write a comment below. No registration needed!


Next page >>

Article navigation:

Page 1: Introduction, design, features

Page 2: Overclocking, performance, power consumption



blog comments powered by Disqus

  Most Popular Reviews More    RSS  

AMD Phenom II X4 955, Phenom II X4 960T, Phenom II X6 1075T, and Intel Pentium G2120, Core i3-3220, Core i5-3330 Processors

Comparing old, cheap solutions from AMD with new, budget offerings from Intel.
February 1, 2013 · Processor Roundups

Inno3D GeForce GTX 670 iChill, Inno3D GeForce GTX 660 Ti Graphics Cards

A couple of mid-range adapters with original cooling systems.
January 30, 2013 · Video cards: NVIDIA GPUs

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1

An external X-Fi solution in tests.
September 9, 2008 · Sound Cards

AMD FX-8350 Processor

The first worthwhile Piledriver CPU.
September 11, 2012 · Processors: AMD

Consumed Power, Energy Consumption: Ivy Bridge vs. Sandy Bridge

Trying out the new method.
September 18, 2012 · Processors: Intel
  Latest Reviews More    RSS  

i3DSpeed, September 2013

Retested all graphics cards with the new drivers.
Oct 18, 2013 · 3Digests

i3DSpeed, August 2013

Added new benchmarks: BioShock Infinite and Metro: Last Light.
Sep 06, 2013 · 3Digests

i3DSpeed, July 2013

Added the test results of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 and AMD Radeon HD 7730.
Aug 05, 2013 · 3Digests

Gainward GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST 2GB Golden Sample Graphics Card

An excellent hybrid of GeForce GTX 650 Ti and GeForce GTX 660.
Jun 24, 2013 · Video cards: NVIDIA GPUs

i3DSpeed, May 2013

Added the test results of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770/780.
Jun 03, 2013 · 3Digests
  Latest News More    RSS  

Platform  ·  Video  ·  Multimedia  ·  Mobile  ·  Other  ||  About us & Privacy policy  ·  Twitter  ·  Facebook


Copyright © Byrds Research & Publishing, Ltd., 1997–2011. All rights reserved.