Features

MSI 990FXA-GD80 is based on the AMD 990FX chipset (AMD 990FX + SB950). It supports all existing Socket AM3 and future AM3+ processors as well as up to 32GB of DDR3-1066/1333/1600 memory. It has 6 internal SATA 3.0 (6 Gbps) ports (RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5). Auxillary controllers include:

• Integrated audio based on the 8-channel Realtek ALC892 codec supporting THX TruStudio Pro, an optical and a coaxial S/PDIF-Out on the back panel;
• USB 3.0 based on NEC D720200F1 (PCIe 2.0 x1) supporting 2 ports;
• Gigabit Ethernet based on Realtek 8111E (PCIe x1);
• eSATA 2.0 based on JMicron JMB362 (PCIe x1) supporting 2 eSATAp (eSATA/USB combo) ports on the back panel;
• FireWire based on VIA VT6315N (PCIe x1) supporting 2 IEEE1394a ports (one on the back panel);
• System monitor based on Fintek F71889AD, BIOS supports automatic speed control for 4-pin CPU fans (by desired temperature (40°C to 70°C) or minimal fan speed (0% to 87%), system fans can be controlled by limiting speed at 50% or 75% separately for each of the 4 available connectors.

We tested the integrated audio solution in the 16-bit/44kHz mode using RightMark Audio Analyzer 6.2.3 and an ESI Juli@ sound card.

Overall grade: very good. A standard grade for this codec, although some boards demonstrate better results. Anyway, this will pretty much do if you don't want to buy a discrete sound card.

Overclocking

Testbeds:

• CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 810
• RAM: 2 x 2GB Apacer DDR3-1333 CL9 9-9-9-24-1T for Socket AM3 boards; 2 x 2GB GoodRAM PRO DDR2-1066 CL5 5-5-5-15-2T for Socket AM2+ boards
• HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (SATA, 7200rpm)
• Graphics card: ATI RADEON HD4850, 512 MB GDDR3
• PSU: AcBel ATX-550CA-AB8FB
• OS: Windows Vista SP1 64-bit, Catalyst 9.2, latest chipset drivers

Benchmarks:

• 7-Zip 4.65 x64
• WinRAR 3.80
• XviD 1.2.1
• x264 r1129 x64
• FarCry 2 (Ranch Medium)
• Crysis (DX10, HOCbenchmark, VGA test, built-in demo)
• Devil May Cry 4 (built-in benchmark)
• World in Conlict (built-in benchmark)

To assess performance we measure time required to archive a 297MB set of 277 files of various types and convert a 636MB MPEG2 video using XviD and x264. We also measure frames per second in game demos. In FarCry 2 we run tests in 4 modes: low, medium, high and very high quality. The first three modes imply the aforesaid quality level, 1280x720 resolution, DX9 rendering, High Performance. The last mode implies: 1680x1050 resolution, Very High setting for both graphics and system, DX10 rendering. In Crysis we also use 4 modes at 1024x768 and 1280x1024 and run tests at Low and High quality in each mode. In Devil May Cry 4 we run two tests: 1280x720 (High DX9) and 1680x1050 (Super High DX10). In World in Conlict we run test in 4 modes: 1280x720 Low, 1280x720 Medium, 1680x1050 High, 1680x1050 Very High.

It's obvious which modes should be used with integrated graphics and which, with discrete graphics. Note that if a motherboard has no integrated graphics, performance tests are only used to check for serious layout or BIOS flaws and can be reduced to minimum. Vice versa, performance tests are indicative for motherboards with integrated graphics. And if a certain motherboard review lacks certain details, we might add respective test results to make up for it.

To assess capabilities of a motherboard and its BIOS, we overclock test CPUs (which ones depends on board's market segment) to a stable maximum with the help of Zalman CNPS9700 AM2 and Cooler Master Hyper Z600 coolers. At that we use all motherboard features, like CPU core voltage adjustments and, if needed, bus multiplier and clock adjustments (Hyper-Transport, CPU NB, etc.) For RAM we select a clock rate typical for this class of modules by adjusting its multiplier, or clock rate needed to maximize CPU core clock rate. The stability of an overclocked machine is assessed in Windows Vista with the help of AMD OverDrive stability test (all tests are run for 5 minutes). Note that since overclocking potential somewhat varies from one board to another, we are not focused on finding board's exact overclocking potential accurate to 1MHz. We just try to find out if a board hampers in CPU overclocking (due to insufficient voltage stabilizer power, etc.) and see how it performs in atypical modes, including automatic BIOS recovery in cases of overclocking issues (not requiring CMOS reset) and such.

Power consumption is assessed in the light-load mode (with text editor running) and in the heavy-load mode (FarCry 2, high quality, 1280x720). Processor's standard power-saving features are enabled. Also if a board has proprietary power-saving features, we examine their efficiency separately.

The CPU voltage range, as well as some other parameters, depends on the given processor. We publish the results of our AMD Phenom II X4 810 and BIOS v11.4.

BIOS offers everything you may need for CPU overclocking, although frequency ranges are smaller than those we've seen provided by other top-end solutions. However, they are more than enough for overclocking at home, that is without cryogenic cooling and other extremities. And watch the color of the values — when well outside safe limits, it will be marked violet or red.

Automatic reboot on crashes works flawlessly, and you can also save up to 6 custom CMOS profiles. The results we obtained with the unlocked CPU were close to the maximum, the one we got by means of the reference frequency was more humble.

Performance and efficiency

We compared MSI 990FXA-GD80 with MSI 890FXA-GD70 based on the AMD 890FX chipset.

Enclosure power consumption

We measure power consumption with the wattmeter built into the PSU.

MSI 890FXA-GD70 seems to be a bit better, but this minor advantage may cease after a couple of BIOS updates. It is also formally more power-efficient in idle mode, but MSI 990FXA-GD80 shows a better result under load.

Final thoughts

For a top-end solution, MSI 990FXA-GD80 is very reasonable. Offering nice specifications and quality components (as well as a good package), it will interest those building powerful gaming rigs. And since there are a lot of counterparts in the market which make for strong competition, let's hope MSI will offer a more attractive price as well.

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