ASUS Crosshair V Formula 990FX Review
Introduction and Technical Specifications
Published: 31st May 2011 | Source: ASUS | Price: TBA |
Introduction
It's been quiet on the AMD front for a little while now. Thankfully the wait for something groundbreaking to appear is nearly over with the much vaunted Bulldozer (Zambezi) processors just over the horizon.
In anticipation of those CPUs the first 990FX motherboards are starting to appear and we've got the ASUS Crosshair V Formula on the bench table today.
Obviously this is only a part of the new wave of AMD products. However as the Bulldozer processors have yet to appear and in keeping with the AMD business model of gradually upgrading your PC whilst still retaining the majority of components, we're going to take a look at the Crosshair V Formula partnered to the current top of the line AMD processor, the 1095T.
Like the Boy Scouts it's best to be prepared, so is the Crosshair V Formula worthy of your pennies?
Technical Specifications
With the very latest chipset on board there is an extraordinary amount of technology squeezed into the Crosshair V. From the inclusion of official SLI support, through the plentiful USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gbp/s ports, and on to the ability to support a whopping 32GB of Memory, this breathes yet more life into the AM3+ socket. Proof that the AMD method of allowing the user to gradually upgrade without needing a whole new system is one that still keeps on rocking. Intel could learn a lot from AMD in this department.
| CPU | AMD AM3+ FX™/Phenom™ II/Athlon™ II/Sempron™ 100 Series Processors Supports AM3+ 32 nm CPU Supports CPU up to 8 cores Supports CPU up to 140 W AMD Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology |
| Chipset | AMD 990FX/SB950 |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 Hz ECC, Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture |
| Multi-GPU Support | Supports NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI™ Technology Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology |
| Expansion Slots | 3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (dual x16 or x16, x8, x8) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x1 1 x PCI |
| Storage | AMD SB950 controller : 6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 ASMedia® ASM1061 controller : 1 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red 1 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red |
| LAN | Intel®, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller |
| Audio | SupremeFX X-Fi 2 built-in 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking Audio Feature : - X-Fi® Xtreme Fidelity™ - EAX® Advanced™ HD 5.0 - THX® TruStudio PRO™ - Creative ALchemy - Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel |
| USB Ports | ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 6 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) AMD SB950 controller : 12 x USB 2.0 port(s) (8 at back panel, black+white, 4 at mid-board) |
| Overclocking Features | ROG Connect : - RC Diagram - RC Remote - RC Poster - GPU TweakIt Extreme Engine Digi+ : - 8 + 2 phase power design UEFI BIOS features : - ROG BIOS Print - GPU.DIMM Post GameFirst iROG Extreme Tweaker Overclocking Protection : - COP EX (Component Overheat Protection - EX) - Voltiminder LED - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall) |
| Special Features | ASUS TPU : - CPU Level UP Core Unlocker ASUS Exclusive Features : - MemOK! - AI Charger+ ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution : - ASUS Fan Xpert ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS O.C. Profile - ASUS EZ Flash 2 - ASUS MyLogo 3 ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) - ASUS Q-Connector |
| Back I/O Ports | 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x eSATA 6Gb/s 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 4 x USB 3.0 8 x USB 2.0 (white port can be switched to ROG Connect) 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 6 x Audio jack(s) 1 x Clear CMOS button(s) |
| Internal I/O Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s) 7 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 2 x CPU Fan connector(s) 3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) 3 x Optional Fan connector(s) 1 x S/PDIF out header(s) 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s) 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP) 1 x System panel(s) 8 x ProbeIt Measurement Points 3 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 1 x En/Dis-able Clr CMOS header(s) 1 x EZ Plug connector(s) (4-pin Molex power connector) 1 x Power-on button(s) 1 x Reset button(s) 1 x CPU Level Up button(s) 1 x ROG Connect switch(es) 1 x Go Button(s) |
| Accessories | User's manual I/O Shield 6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x CrossFire cable(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 1 x ROG Connect cable(s) 1 x Cable ties pack(s) 1 x ROG theme label(s) 1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s) |
| BIOS | 32Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI2.0a, Multi-Language BIOS |
| Manageability | WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE |
| Support Disc | Drivers Sound Blaster® X-Fi 2 Utility Kaspersky® Anti-Virus DAEMON Tools Pro Standard ROG CPU-Z ASUS Utilities |
| Form Factor | ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm ) |
Most Recent Comments
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
Today we take a look at the latest AMD AM3 motherboard based upon the 990FX Chipset, the ASUS Crosshair V Formula.  Continue Reading |
Marvelous !! Thanks TomQuote
Thanks for review, but I still don't think I'd go for AMD....Quote
very nice M/B I just hope that the FX series is going to be capable of competing with Intel's new Sandy Bridge and the upcoming X79 series but I really doubt it because AMD have been playing catch-up with no real competition with Intel for some time now. Quote
hard to make review without the new cpus , but looks good my new boardQuote
A Video would have been nice but I guess your waiting for the new CPU. Looks like I'm going to have to save my penny's to replace my Crosshair IV.Quote
nice NB/FSB clocks.
were the benchmarks for the C4F the old ones'??? - because, correct me if i am wrong, the 1095T did not exist when those benches were taken.
if so, then the comparison between the C5F and C4F only lay on the extras on the board itself! they will not be truly realised until zambezi is RTM'd.
with this said, the ROG is a ROG at heart, and if you are looking for some raw power from an AMD chip then you cannot go wrong with this line of mobos.
this mobo would be perfect for people wanting to upgrade NOW to a speedy AMD rig, and still have the options for early bulldozers.
it looks good, but i am going to wait for the next generation = FULL BULLDOZER
Quote
were the benchmarks for the C4F the old ones'??? - because, correct me if i am wrong, the 1095T did not exist when those benches were taken.
if so, then the comparison between the C5F and C4F only lay on the extras on the board itself! they will not be truly realised until zambezi is RTM'd.
with this said, the ROG is a ROG at heart, and if you are looking for some raw power from an AMD chip then you cannot go wrong with this line of mobos.
this mobo would be perfect for people wanting to upgrade NOW to a speedy AMD rig, and still have the options for early bulldozers.
it looks good, but i am going to wait for the next generation = FULL BULLDOZER
QuoteQuote:
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Originally Posted by dugdiamond
nice NB/FSB clocks. were the benchmarks for the C4F the old ones'??? - because, correct me if i am wrong, the 1095T did not exist when those benches were taken. if so, then the comparison between the C5F and C4F only lay on the extras on the board itself! they will not be truly realised until zambezi is RTM'd. with this said, the ROG is a ROG at heart, and if you are looking for some raw power from an AMD chip then you cannot go wrong with this line of mobos. this mobo would be perfect for people wanting to upgrade NOW to a speedy AMD rig, and still have the options for early bulldozers. it looks good, but i am going to wait for the next generation = FULL BULLDOZER |
QuoteWill you be reviewing the new Gigabyte 990FXA-UD7 soon as well Tom?Quote
oh no....looks like im gonna hafta max my discover out again......damn i just paid it off too!!!! Quote
Quotedoes the D-14 fit on this mobo. and if it does, did you have to spin it to blow out the top or did it fit normally? thanksQuote
What's upsetting to me, when I think back to using AMD cpus/mobos and their comparisons with Intel, is the focus could be purely on the cpu's performance cos the rest of the mobo's features would ~more or less~ be equal in terms of connectivity/expansion etc.
For far too long the AMD equiv have been lacking what Intel would soon enough be regarding as basic. And I don't like seeing this.
Yes the mobo is great, it's an Asus mobo so I'd never buy it myself (that's a personal preference), if you game or whatever, there's definitely excuses to go AMD - cost and upgrade-ability continuing to be some good ones.
But, Intel are about to feature mobos with PCIe 3.0 and 'quad' channel memory, and I just get the impression that as soon as AMD mobos make these things standard, Intel will be pushing something else new that AMD don't do.
(I do grant them the sata and usb advance, but it's taken time and £11 cards can do these things)
Don't get me wrong, the AMD choice in cpus is definitely there, just not for me. And it certainly doesn't qualify, in my eyes, spending any 'big' money on them. If you're going to do that, get the Intel equiv.
For crying out loud, they're well aware of PCIe 3.0 cos they're obviously testing with it with their gfxcards for a while. Memory - gah ! They employ memory management on their gfxcards too.
I want to see them come out with something that combines the use of their cpus, their gfxcards, their innovations, something perhaps only they can do. They have the means.
I don't understand the Gold award, unless it's for being gold inside the AMD zone alone, cos for mobos in general it's all a bit meh for me.Quote
For far too long the AMD equiv have been lacking what Intel would soon enough be regarding as basic. And I don't like seeing this.
Yes the mobo is great, it's an Asus mobo so I'd never buy it myself (that's a personal preference), if you game or whatever, there's definitely excuses to go AMD - cost and upgrade-ability continuing to be some good ones.
But, Intel are about to feature mobos with PCIe 3.0 and 'quad' channel memory, and I just get the impression that as soon as AMD mobos make these things standard, Intel will be pushing something else new that AMD don't do.
(I do grant them the sata and usb advance, but it's taken time and £11 cards can do these things)
Don't get me wrong, the AMD choice in cpus is definitely there, just not for me. And it certainly doesn't qualify, in my eyes, spending any 'big' money on them. If you're going to do that, get the Intel equiv.
For crying out loud, they're well aware of PCIe 3.0 cos they're obviously testing with it with their gfxcards for a while. Memory - gah ! They employ memory management on their gfxcards too.
I want to see them come out with something that combines the use of their cpus, their gfxcards, their innovations, something perhaps only they can do. They have the means.
I don't understand the Gold award, unless it's for being gold inside the AMD zone alone, cos for mobos in general it's all a bit meh for me.Quote
Oh ASUS you so rarely let us down.Quote
rastalovich you make some very good points, and just seems to be bringing out entry level cpu's and mono features now days and there is hype over these new cpu's but from memory their last cores got the same hype and and saying they will be 20% faster than intel cpu's, that's no big wow for me 20% will be the best thing it's good at god knows what that is. But I can see intel being on top once again. Probably with some new 1155's soon as well as 2011 socketQuote
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Originally Posted by yggdrasil
rastalovich you make some very good points, and just seems to be bringing out entry level cpu's and mono features now days and there is hype over these new cpu's but from memory their last cores got the same hype and and saying they will be 20% faster than intel cpu's, that's no big wow for me 20% will be the best thing it's good at god knows what that is. But I can see intel being on top once again. Probably with some new 1155's soon as well as 2011 socket |
rasta makes some very interesting points, enough so im actually thinking not to go AMD for the bulldozer series of cpu's.
Just going to hold out and just upgrade my gpu instead.Quote
Just going to hold out and just upgrade my gpu instead.Quote
Wow, nice board with good feature.Quote
very nice board 
Quote
QuoteJust need Bulldozer to land now...Quote
YES!!!! FINALLY SLI ON AMD! >.<Quote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rastalovich
What's upsetting to me, when I think back to using AMD cpus/mobos and their comparisons with Intel, is the focus could be purely on the cpu's performance cos the rest of the mobo's features would ~more or less~ be equal in terms of connectivity/expansion etc. For far too long the AMD equiv have been lacking what Intel would soon enough be regarding as basic. And I don't like seeing this. Yes the mobo is great, it's an Asus mobo so I'd never buy it myself (that's a personal preference), if you game or whatever, there's definitely excuses to go AMD - cost and upgrade-ability continuing to be some good ones. But, Intel are about to feature mobos with PCIe 3.0 and 'quad' channel memory, and I just get the impression that as soon as AMD mobos make these things standard, Intel will be pushing something else new that AMD don't do. (I do grant them the sata and usb advance, but it's taken time and £11 cards can do these things) Don't get me wrong, the AMD choice in cpus is definitely there, just not for me. And it certainly doesn't qualify, in my eyes, spending any 'big' money on them. If you're going to do that, get the Intel equiv. For crying out loud, they're well aware of PCIe 3.0 cos they're obviously testing with it with their gfxcards for a while. Memory - gah ! They employ memory management on their gfxcards too. I want to see them come out with something that combines the use of their cpus, their gfxcards, their innovations, something perhaps only they can do. They have the means. I don't understand the Gold award, unless it's for being gold inside the AMD zone alone, cos for mobos in general it's all a bit meh for me. |
QuoteAwesome, I can get my 570 now Quote
QuoteNice review. I'm still on the fence choosing between SB / waiting for Bulldozer / waiting for Ivy Bridge... lol this article didn't help me get any closer to pulling the trigger on the upgrade... I could see myself going with this board or another brand, get a cheaper AMD proc and play around, just because it's been quite a few years since I bought and built an AMD rig. I think the last one was an Athlon 64 x2 or something... I'm still rocking my kentsfield, and a recent benchmark of 16 cpus @ 3ghz measuring single core clock for clock performance, the conroe is still right up there and besting AMD's current line-up, clock for clock single core... yeah not really a real world test setup but very interesting nonetheless. So far from what I'm seeing, is if you are into buying the expensive multimedia creation software, you should go Intel. If you prefer free software, like Blender, and others like that, I think AMD procs with more physical cores have the upperhand. It probably has something to do with Intel and the developers not accepting bribes...lol... conspiracy theories I know... just having fun.
uggg... from these benches, like 3dmark 11, my p score with a q6600 at 3.6ghz, and a 570 overclocked to 750 core, 2100 mem, Im within 100-200 pts of everything you showed... and I'm a casual gamer, so again, its difficult.
Ultimately, I would really like to get a 1080p monitor with a 120hz refresh, not necessarily for 3D, just I think it will help me with eye strain and general tiredness. So I'll probably build a suitable gaming rig around that. I'll hold onto the 570, maybe go sli, and then wait for the amd 7xxx or nvidia 6xx series and see what goes. The best games this year aren't for sale yet, like BF3, a few others, and I've already purchased SW:TOR so that's probably the longest wait. I think I have to wait for BF3 and the others to hit later this year, and really see where the market and the hardware is at then. I want to build a current rig that'll have 2-4 yrs of solid gaming so... again, must....still....wait....some....more....ugggggg
I'm done rambling. OC3D getting peeps rounded up yet for SW:TOR???
ciao~Quote
uggg... from these benches, like 3dmark 11, my p score with a q6600 at 3.6ghz, and a 570 overclocked to 750 core, 2100 mem, Im within 100-200 pts of everything you showed... and I'm a casual gamer, so again, its difficult.
Ultimately, I would really like to get a 1080p monitor with a 120hz refresh, not necessarily for 3D, just I think it will help me with eye strain and general tiredness. So I'll probably build a suitable gaming rig around that. I'll hold onto the 570, maybe go sli, and then wait for the amd 7xxx or nvidia 6xx series and see what goes. The best games this year aren't for sale yet, like BF3, a few others, and I've already purchased SW:TOR so that's probably the longest wait. I think I have to wait for BF3 and the others to hit later this year, and really see where the market and the hardware is at then. I want to build a current rig that'll have 2-4 yrs of solid gaming so... again, must....still....wait....some....more....ugggggg
I'm done rambling. OC3D getting peeps rounded up yet for SW:TOR???
ciao~Quote
Nice review and nice Mobo!Quote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rastalovich
But, Intel are about to feature mobos with PCIe 3.0 and 'quad' channel memory, and I just get the impression that as soon as AMD mobos make these things standard, Intel will be pushing something else new that AMD don't do. |
Triple channel was never the hit it was bigged up to be. And, they have now ditched it (because I would imagine it was a selling point for the I7 range then). It was simply them saying "Look what we're doing that AMD aren't !".
And once again it offered very little over dual channel, hence why they have now switched back to it. Sandybridge's selling point is the raw speed, coupled with a basic underlying set up (dual channel 4gb of ram, for example). X58 also boasted both Xfire and SLI support, back when no other chipset did.
PCIE 3.0 = a complete bloody waste of money. Why? because they haven't even come close to maxing bandwith on PCIE 2.1 or whatever it is we have now.
You're right man, Intel will just bolt on a load of needless tat, use it as a marketting ploy and then charge people out the butt for it. And, no doubt, it'll be pointless crap people are happy to pay for just because it sounds pretty cool.
It's kinda like the whole PCIE 16x = 16x. Instead of the lanes splitting into 8x. I've seen dippys sell their motherboard and buy a dual 16x lane board just to see a 5% increase
Snakeoil. If there was ever a more fitting industry to use that term in it's the PC market.
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Originally Posted by DiggyDiggyHole
YES!!!! FINALLY SLI ON AMD! >.< |
Nice board. Lovely infact. BUT. The heatsink design: it's a bit of a step back from the design of the heatsink on the IV Formula :|Quote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MichaelH
Nice board. Lovely infact. BUT. The heatsink design: it's a bit of a step back from the design of the heatsink on the IV Formula :| |
got the board off pc case gear couple of days ago!, cant wait to whack it in cant yet tho gotta get some more stuffQuote
Do i have to use the sli crossfire or can i just use 1 graphics card?Quote
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brendon
Do i have to use the sli crossfire or can i just use 1 graphics card? |
QuoteYes the mobo is great, it's an Asus mobo so I'd never buy it myself (that's a personal preference), if you game or whatever, there's definitely excuses to go AMD - cost and upgrade-ability continuing to be some good ones.Quote
I suppose, I like ASUS. but you realize this thread is like 10 months old. XDQuote
heys guys newbie here.
i brought this board intending to buy a bulldozer when they came out but them failing by some what i decided to hold back and stick with this athlon for now.
iv been told to sell everything and buy in in to intel but they cost allot.... what would you guys recomend stick with this or join the dark side?Quote
i brought this board intending to buy a bulldozer when they came out but them failing by some what i decided to hold back and stick with this athlon for now.
iv been told to sell everything and buy in in to intel but they cost allot.... what would you guys recomend stick with this or join the dark side?Quote
CSS Valid
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