Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H (AMD 890GX) review - Introduction

The Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H (AMD 890GX) motherboard

AMD recently released the 890 GX and then FX chipsets carrying support for the latest six-core Phenom II processors. The FX version is targeted a tad more at the enthusiast with specific needs in mind, the GX chipset positions itself slightly below that and it targeted at a mainstream and HTPC audience. The GX chipset is interesting though as it is chucked and loaded with features and even comes with an integrated graphics card. Allow me to elaborate on that a little.

The AMD 890GX chipset, the first in the 800 series, with that G in GX for IGP, Integrated Graphics Product. A motherboard chipset that is based of the recently introduced AMD 785 chipset, it has been revised though and is now paired with the all new AMD SB850 Southbridge chip. Keywords for this chipset are more processor compatibility, better IGP performance, increased bandwidth for the new technologies, embedding a Gigabit Ethernet into the SB850 chip and what surprised us ... AMD has already added a SATA 6G controller into that SB850 chip ready for you to use.

Today we'll have a look at an offering from Gigabyte, namely the 890GPA-UD3H. The motherboard is positioning itself in a somewhat more niche category with great better looks, better features and better quality components. What we are looking at is a sub 125 USD / 115 EUR product that offers more than a reference based product, yet a little less than the uber high-end gear out there.

The AMD 890GX based motherboard chipsets proved their strength and by all means are really fun to work and play around with. When you plant the two chips from AMD on a mainboard from Gigabyte, they'll try to do some more stuff. With a bucket load of features like integrated graphics, sub-D, DVI, HDMI and display port connectors, passive cooling, 8-channel sound, Giga Ethernet, Crossfire ready ... and pretty decent overclockabilty.

Have a look at what Gigabyte offers, after which we'll quickly step into out reference AMD 890GX snippet, and then head deeper into the review.