Test Setup and Errata
This is only the second FM2+ board that I have reviewed, so the results will be compared using only the A10-7850K and the Gigabyte G1.Sniper.A88X. I am still using Win7 64 bit for these tests, but in the near future I will be transitioning my testing environment to Win 8.1. Differences in performance between the two operating systems should not impact the overall performance of these boards as compared to each other.
Navigating the UEFI is easy with a keyboard and mouse. Every major setting can be found under… settings. Overclocking is done through, you guessed it, the OC Tab!
I previously covered running the A10-7850K fully enabled with a standalone NVIDIA based video card, but those results were not included here. If you are curious how that combination works, then look it up here. In my testing the 7850K has no problem running with a standalone video card, though users should be careful with the order of installation and firmware settings.
Programmable fan control is a must for power users. MSI offers such support in the UEFI.
I only tested the MSI A88X-G45 with the A10-7850K. As a rule of thumb, the A10-6800K was slightly faster in CPU applications, but the integrated GPU performance is far lower than what the 7850K offers. The G1.Sniper.A88X was tested with both the 7850K and 6800K.
Testing Components
AMD A10-7850K
AMD A10-6800K
2 x 4 GB AMD Radeon DDR-3 2133 Memory
WD Caviar 1 TB Black HD OS Drive
Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB SSD (SATA 6G and USB 3.0 Tests)
Sharkoon USB 3.0 SATA 6G Dock
Lite-On BD-ROM
Coolermaster CM 690 II Advanced Case
Corsair TX-750W Power Supply
Win7 Pro
Catalyst 14.6 RC Drivers
I think what everyone wants
I think what everyone wants to know is… where is the CMOS battery located?
🙂
If you bothered to read… it
If you bothered to read… it is in the optimal position for a cmos battery. Excellent placement, solid holder, and easy to access. What more could one want from a cmos battery?
Well I clearly fail at
Well I clearly fail at comprehension!
Also failed at ‘CTRL-F’ing CMOS just incase I failed at reading.
I suppose if you’re going to fail you may as well do it right!
Hey, only 1 in 10 knows what
Hey, only 1 in 10 knows what ctrl-f does! Hell, I didn't! Talk about a f-up…
By the Southbridge heatsink.
By the Southbridge heatsink. Just look at the board for a minute next time…
Can you calm down please?
Can you calm down please?
First page, second to last
First page, second to last paragraph: “Hippon Chemi-con”. Did you mean Nippon or is this some new startup I’ve never heard of?
1.288v for the maximum overclock seems a bit low, people were regularly giving Piledriver chips 1.5v, even on air. Is this just the standard voltage range for Steamroller? What cooler did you use? How is the power consumption when overclocked?
Good review and motherboard, 4.7ghz on a 4 phase board is certainly impressive.
I believe it is in fact
I believe it is in fact Nippon Chemi-con… mistyped that.
AMD scales the voltage up and down, so that screenshot of the overclock had the voltage down. I believe that the actual peak voltage was around 1.45 (I used an offset of around 0.15v in the firmware). I used one of the larger AMD stock coolers for the FX-8350. Temps never got higher than 55C on a warm day and overclocked. Power consumption did increase by about 30 watts.
Got a bulldog in my Learjet
Got a bulldog in my Learjet
Gonna teach him how to fly!
By myself…
Does it have a Discharge
Does it have a Discharge Button?
Sadly… it does not.
Sadly… it does not.
Sorry Josh…but why you even
Sorry Josh…but why you even bother write review, if this board dosn’t have such essential futures like discharge button…i just dont get it…((-:LOL…very nice review BTW.
How unfortunate thet this
How unfortunate thet this will never be launched in India.:(
HEY CAN I USE MY FX-6300 ON
HEY CAN I USE MY FX-6300 ON THIS BOARD I HAVE A MSI R9 270X
BUT IN A ASUS BOARD WANT A MSI BOARDANY COMMENTS WOULD HELP
Nope, FX-6300 is AM3+ while
Nope, FX-6300 is AM3+ while this is a FM2+ motherboard. Totally different sockets, so the AM3+ FX chips will not run in it.
The MSI 970 Gaming
The MSI 970 Gaming mitherboard will be out soon, it will run the FX-6300 like a charm.
but where is the discharge
but where is the discharge button?
I expect that MSI ensures the
I expect that MSI ensures the box contents .. no insurance req.
Where the m-itx beef? amd + m-itx ??
Heh, insure/ensure can be
Heh, insure/ensure can be somewhat interchangeable… depending on usage. I guaruntee it?
Gigabyte has a nice m-itx A88X board. I'm using it for an upcoming review this week. Not sure if other manufacturers see m-itx boards for AMD as a profitable endeavor.
Josh, I just completed a
Josh, I just completed a ASROCK A88X-itx build with a A10-7870K. 2400Mhz Team memory. When the APU is bumped up to 4.2Ghz I was amazed how responsive this thing was. I had 6 video streams open and 2 music files playing while I opened 10 more web pages, smooth as silk.
Very nice! I just wish AMD
Very nice! I just wish AMD would start pumping up the clockspeed on these Kaveri parts, but alas… they have yet to do so.
Can I play Assassin’s Creed
Can I play Assassin’s Creed in this board with high settings without video card???? or on board graphics only????