Published: October 14, 2016 | Source: ASUS | Author: Tom Logan

ASUS 990FX R3.0 AM3+ Sabertooth Preview

Conclusion

The likelihood is that the ASUS Sabertooth AM3+ 990FX is a motherboard with a niche audience.

Not only do you have to already own an AMD processor, or be looking to buy one, but you also want all the latest technologies too. Usually, and we’re not commenting at all, AMD systems tend to be purchased by those on tight budgets because of the extraordinary good value you get from basing your build around one of their processors. The ASUS Sabertooth seems to go against this ‘value’ ethos by being very much at the enthusiast end of the price spectrum. So it it worth the money?

We think it is. After all, how many AMD AM3 motherboards can you name that come with RGB lighting, ALC1150 Audio, M.2 support and even USB 3.1 support? Not many we’d wager. In addition the Sabertooth has possibly the best power section of an AMD motherboard in history. You could throw in a FX-9590 and be assured that you could overclock it to the limits of the CPU without the motherboard becoming the limiting factor.

It looks spectacular, it comes with all the latest technologies, and really we need to tip our hat to ASUS for taking the time to design and build the very best 990FX motherboard that technology will allow. It’s a blending of all that is current whilst retaining the incredible backwards compatibility for which AMD is rightfully famed amongst the budget conscious community.

If we had to be super critical we’d have preferred to see the plastics sticking to one colour, and we’d quite like to see ASUS TUF Armor employed to really take the 990FX Sabertooth to the next level. But those are all small potatoes. If you’re yearning for the latest high bandwidth options, have an itch for a M.2 OS Drive, want the benefits of ASUS AURA technology without replacing your entire system, want to overclock secure in the knowledge that the motherboard is built to take it to its limits, or merely need a new high-end 990FX motherboard with which to breath new lift into your rig then the ASUS 990FX R3.0 Sabertooth is the finest around and easily wins our OC3D Enthusiast award.

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