Motherboard Benchmarks

[john1166]

Hello, I'm new here at AnandTech Forums!

I've joined basically because there doesn't seem to be a way to contact the AnandTech site directly. I'm not on FaceBook or Twitter either. I use this site more than any other site to check various benchmarks, video cards, CPUs etc. But I'm curious as to why there are no benchmarks on Motherboards! You know, boards within a 2 or 3 year range able to use the same CPU, ram and video card.

I'm thinking about upgrading my motherboard on my gaming rig and perhaps add some more ram while I'm at it. Currently I have an Asus M4N98TD-EVO motherboard with a Phenom II 555 BE unlocked and all four cores running at 4.00Ghz. Two GTX460 video cards (768 mb) in SLI mode drives my display. I like to play at the native resolution of my 24" screen.

My question is, would I see any improvement in game play going to one of the newer 990FX motherboards or would a pair of GTX560s do a better job with the current board (AnandTech benchmarks show a 30 to 40 percent better frame rate between GTX460/GTX560)!

 

[zlejedi]

There's no such benchmark because mobo doesn't matter ever since memory controler has been integrated into CPU.

 

[john1166]

There's no such benchmark because mobo doesn't matter ever since memory controler has been integrated into CPU.

So what you're saying is a new mobo won't make a hoot of difference so stick with current mobo? A new mobo will more than likely have more enhanced features such as Sata3 and USB3 etc. But data throughput probably negligible?

 

[smirk]

I think what he's saying is that since the memory controller is part of the CPU, the motherboard is irrelevant. It'd be like doing benchmarks on a highway, when it's the car that controls the speed.

Not sure what you mean by "stick with current mobo?". If you plan to use the same CPU and memory then the only reason you'd get a new motherboard is to add features like you said or to replace a faulty board. But chances are when you upgrade your motherboard you will also upgrade your CPU and RAM, at which point your new system will run faster.