AMD is slated to release their long awaited FX-Series of processors at Computex on June 7th, codenamed Zambezi and based on their built-from-scratch Bulldozer architecture. While not many hard details have been released about the chips and AM3+ motherboards, leaving us only left to speculate on certain things. One thing we do know however, is that AMD will also be releasing the 900-series chipset to compliment the new FX processors, of which the 990FX will be the high end successor to the 890FX. As such, like many of you (myself included!), it seems that MSI is also eager for this day to arrive and they have released some teaser shots with a specs sheet for their upcoming 990FXA-GD80.
Lets start off with the specs sheet...
The first thing I think many of you will notice, and might think is a misprint, is the SLI support. In fact that is correct as NVidia has given the OK (either to AMD or motherboard vendors) to allow for SLI on the 990FX and 990X equipped boards. Continuing with their determination (and success I might add) to produce products of top notch quality, motherboards and graphics cards alike, the 990FXA-GD80 also comes with their new Military Class II components. This feature includes things like chokes that are smaller and more efficient, as to operate at cooler temps; solid Highly-Conductive (Hi-C) Tantalum capacitors for benefits like lower current leakage, as apposed to polymer electrolytic; and higher grade solid aluminum electrolytic capacitors (what we know as Solid Caps), who have a higher max operating temp and lower ESR for cleaner power. All of these are certified as acceptable by military standards and so their operating lifetime (MTBF) is much longer than what a person could consider as 'consumer grade'.
Something a bit off for me is the memory support. Unless I'm mistaken the Bulldozer, or more specifically the Zambezi AM3+, support a native DDR3 speed of 1866MHz. On the specs sheet there we see that 1866 is only achievable through an OC, same as the current 890FX boards. Heck the DDR3-1600 shows as being an OC speed as well for that matter. Hopefully that isn't the case though, but we'll know in a couple more weeks for sure.
Enough technical gibber-jabber though, right? Right! Lets move on to the pictures then. All seven are clickable for higher res versions.
We've got quite a bit to take in from these. Interestingly MSI decided to go with the old-style heatsink bracket, instead of the new split design that so far we see ASUS and ASRock using. MSI's Easy Buttons are also present, though rendered possibly a finger hazard if running three graphics cards, as a finger could get bitten by a cooling fan. I see four total USB3 options available, two on the back I/O panel and two via onboard header next to the SATA ports. Which brings up the question as to whether that is through a typical IC like the familiar NEC chip (that would require two of), VIA's latest chip capable of 4 channels, some other vendor, OR will the SB950 support up to 4 devices like it's A70 and A75 sibling for Llano? Also of interest is the support for THX TruStudio Pro by Creative, indicated by the small labeled heatspreader over the audio codec. It'll be interesting to find out exactly who is under that, but I suspect the vendor favorite from Realtek, the ALC892.
Time will certainly tell all, as we're at T - 18 Days and counting!
(As always, anything not blindly apparent should be taken as speculation, such as the audio codec and USB3 support on the SB950. The latter of which, while it'll be unfortunate, is unlikely the case.)
Source: Nikola @ MyGarage.ro Forums
This just clicked over at 1PM EST, and the next one will be coming up rather soon since there are 5 Shell Shocker Deals on the weekdays! 