ASUS will make a grand launch to support AMD’s coming Socket AM3+ platform AMD’s new Bulldozer architecture will launch in the form of the AMD FX series that is not only supported by previous AMD motherboards but also the new M5A series that has been detailed at ASUS’ website.
ASUS M5A series use AMD’s current chipsets and is divided into two categories, one that builds on AMD 760G and one on the more rich AMD 870/880 chipsets. Both of these are budget options and the biggest news with the boards is a native support for AMD FX and Socket AM3+.
In total ASUS is expected to present 10 different motherboards in the M5A series, but already a handful models have appeared at the official website with complete specifications. The biggest differences between the models is various functions and connections, but also the power supplies. The top model with AMD 870/880 is branded as 140W capable and this will be a more retail friendly way of branding motherboards with more powerful power supplies, instead of the regular “x number of phases”. When we look at the low-end M5A models the specification drops to 125W and 95W.
AMD 880G
- M5A88-V EVO
- M5A88-M EVO
- M5A88-M
AMD 870
- M5A87 – Product information
AMD 760G
- M5A78L – Product information
- M5A78L LE – Product information
- M5A78L-M/USB3
- M5A78L-M PLUS
- M5A78L-M LE
- M5A78L-M LX – Product information
All models in the coming AMD FX series is expected to be supported by the new boards, the models with more powerful power supplies will simply be better for overclocking with more room. ASUS lists its new mothebroards as AMD AM3+ and several of the models are listed with the cheapest at below 50€.
The AMD FX series of processors will be introduced in June and will sport four to eight cores and a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller with up to 1866 MHz. The processors are made with 32nm SOI technology and is expected to get TDPs at 95 or 125 watt.
