790X vs 785G

[smurray]

Getting ready to build an HTPC/Gaming rig, and have narrowed my motherboard choices down to two.

Gigabyte GA-785GMT-USB3
DFI LP JR 790GX-M3H5

I know the integrated graphics are better on the 790X based board, but I plan on getting a dedicated graphics card in a few months, so don't really want to base my decision on that. Right now I'm leaning towards the Gigabyte since it supports USB 3.0, but I'm wondering what the performance difference between the two boards will be. Every comparison I've found has been focused on the graphics. I'd like to know what the performance difference would be if both boards had a dedicated graphics card. If the 790X would still give me a substantial edge in performance then I would gladly give up USB 3.0 support.

 

[StrangerGuy]

That's not even a contest...The Gigabyte by a long shot, because 785G GPU is better than the one in 790GX.

 

[smurray]

Really? Everything I read said the 790X still had a better performing iGPU, with the only advantage of the 780G's iGPU being that it supported DirectX 10.1. iGPU aside however, would there be any other performance differences?

That's not even a contest...The Gigabyte by a long shot, because 785G GPU is better than the one in 790GX.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Really? Everything I read said the 790X still had a better performing iGPU, with the only advantage of the 780G's iGPU being that it supported DirectX 10.1. iGPU aside however, would there be any other performance differences?

Sorry, I cheked and found out that the 790GX has the faster GPU, but the 785G GPU is more or less a guaranteed overclock to be just as fast. Actually, it's a moot point since the $40 you save for going Gigabyte allows you to buy a discrete card which blows both integrated GPUs out of the water.

 

[smurray]

One difference I didn't notice until now is that the 790X based DFI board has two PCIe x16 slots so could support two video cards, where the 785G based Gigabyte board only has one. I don't have any immediate plans to buy two graphics cards, but it would be nice to know I could if I wanted to.

 

[loimlo]

You haveto prioritize your need:
If you need USB3.0 NOW, Gigabyte seems to be a better choice. Otherwise, I'd get DFI due to better VRM/Northbridge heatsink. Under serious Ovevoltage/Overclock situation, VRM circuit tends to get hotter pretty quickly and heatsink will do you good. That said, if you don't plan on extreme OC, then either would be fine.

 

[chucky2]

You mine as well wait a very short amount of time, the 800 series boards are going be here very soon.

There's already the full ATX Gigabyte board on NewEgg (search for 890GX).

These boards are going to be supported longer for BIOS and driver than the 700 series, unless you must order before they come out, waiting a week or two is the most prudent course...

Chuck

 

[smurray]

If it were truly a week or two I'd consider waiting, but everything I've read points at an April/May release.

 

[mfenn]

If it were truly a week or two I'd consider waiting, but everything I've read points at an April/May release.

Ryan Shrout let some info slip on the latest PCPer podcast. He indicated that they would be talking about new AMD chipsets on the next episode (they record on Wednesdays or Thursdays, I believe).

 

[chucky2]

If it were truly a week or two I'd consider waiting, but everything I've read points at an April/May release.

If you knew it was going to be say 2 weeks, and you'd wait, then that means you can wait two weeks. So wait two weeks and then buy.

With 890GX, you'll get the codec accelleration that 795G provides over 790GX, with 790GX's performance. Plus native SATA 3.0, plus (at least on the Gigabyte board) 2 NEC USB 3.0 slots on the rear.

Maybe your other components will be cheaper then as well...

Chuck

 

[smurray]

What exactly are the advantages of the 890gx vs the 785g? I see it has a new iGPU, but that doesnt really interest me all that much since I'll be getting a dedicated graphics card eventually anyway. The gigabyte board I'm looking at includes use 3 support, so I wouldn't consider that an advantage of the 890gx either.

 

[chucky2]

No one knows what the USB 2.0 or SATA (current 2.0 and then advantage of 3.0 that 800 brings) performance differences will be (if any) of the 800 series Southbridges vs. the 700 series Southbridges, let alone the USB 3.0 performance (will there be any difference, the same?). Likewise no benches of the graphics performance increase vs. 785G and/or 790GX (AnandTech Note: A proper review will have all 3 bench with same hardware, drivers, and latest public BIOS).

I'd think if your 785G candidate can support 140W CPU's, then it'll likely support Thuban and later CPU's (I'm assuming you're getting an AM3 board).

I just think, again, unless you must buy right now, it's premature to make an AMD motherboard purchase given we know the 800 series is literally right around the corner. One Rumor said March 1st....heck, that's Monday.

Check out this thread and the links in it: XtremeSystems: Launch Dates of AMD 8 Series Chipsets

I think long term you're going to be disappointed if you grab a 785G now, when you could have potentially have waited a week or two and had a 890GX, I know I would, had I been able to wait.

Chuck

 

[chucky2]

Well, if you're following the hardware world, you'll see that 890GX has been released.

You'll also see it's pretty disappointing as far as the increased numbering scheme would lead one to believe.

Up to you to decide if what it brings over 785G/790GX is worth it. Personally, all things being equal, I'd still take the 890GX, but availability - for now - and price don't make things equal.

At least now you know though.....

Chuck

 

[hans007]

seems like the 890gx and 790gx are almost the same.
the 790gx is just a 780g @ 700mhz igp clock. 785G is a more advanced chipset, but 500mhz and has dx10.1 support and multiple HD streams and a few other things.

In reality the 790GX is the 700mhz version of the 780G and the 890GX is the 700mhz version of the 785G.

Yes AMD made this confusing.

The 890GX also has the sb850 which has like 2 more usb ports than the sb750 or 710, but I would assume a combination of 785g + sb850 would be possible. Maybe theyw ill rename the 785G the 880G too (which was originally what people thought it woudl be called)

 

[cbn]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...8435&Tpk=890gx

890GX with USB3 now at newegg.

Would this or 890FX be compatible with "Bulldozer"?

 

[hans007]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...8435&Tpk=890gx

890GX with USB3 now at newegg.

Would this or 890FX be compatible with "Bulldozer"?

its an am3 chip, so as long as the vrms and bios can handle it, it should be.

i know some am2 nforce3 agp boards were even compatible with phenoms from asrock. so it all depends on how long the manufacturer wants to put out updates and if they can do it.

asus few others tend to discountinue updates earlier (some 690g boards can actually boot and run phenom 2 from asus, but no update so there is an annoying message), but some of the small companies do not.

 

[cbn]

its an am3 chip, so as long as the vrms and bios can handle it, it should be.

i know some am2 nforce3 agp boards were even compatible with phenoms from asrock. so it all depends on how long the manufacturer wants to put out updates and if they can do it.

asus few others tend to discountinue updates earlier (some 690g boards can actually boot and run phenom 2 from asus, but no update so there is an annoying message), but some of the small companies do not.

Thanks. I was under the impression Bulldozer needed the AM3 rev 2 mainboard.