OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0 review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£180CPU socket:AM3+Chipset:AMD 990FX/SB950Form factor:ATX

ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0 Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 1 expert reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

40%

5.1

Technical score

20%

5.1

Reviews score

20%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

5.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 91% of motherboards
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

â–¼Worse than 93%
5.1

Technical score

Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components

19%

4.0

Memory

16%

5.9

Platform

16%

4.0

Storage

15%

3.4

Network

13%

7.4

Ports

8%

4.4

Expansion

8%

5.9

Power & Cooling

5%

8.7

Audio

â–¼Worse than 72%
5.1

Reviews score

Reviews score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models

5.1

Mark 7.8 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.5

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 review, its grade estimated from the review text. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
â–¼Worse than 86%
5.1

User score

User score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models

5.1

Mark 7.9 is below the typical mark 8.4 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

70%

7.7

Rating

30%

8.2

Popularity

â–¼Worse than 83%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
  • asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
  • asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
  • asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
  • asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
  • asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
  • asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
  • asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
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asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
asus-tuf-sabertooth-990fx-r3-0
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of motherboard ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0

Technical score
Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components:

19%

4.0

Memory

16%

5.9

Platform

16%

4.0

Storage

15%

3.4

Network

13%

7.4

Ports

8%

4.4

Expansion

8%

5.9

Power & Cooling

5%

8.7

Audio

5.1
Reviews score
5.1
User score
5.1
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

6.9
CPU socket
AM3+
This motherboard uses AM3+, which is less up-to-date than 96.7% of Motherboards and the same as 0.7% of Motherboards.
CPU platform
AMD
Chipset
AMD 990FX/SB950
This motherboard uses AMD 990FX/SB950, which is less capable than 90.4% of Motherboards.
Paired with SB950 southbridge.
Form factor
ATX
Integrated graphics support
no
This motherboard does not support integrated graphics. 89.9% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR3
This motherboard uses DDR3, which is less modern than 86.9% of Motherboards and the same as 13.2% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.9% of motherboards and equal to 72% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
32 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 32 GB of memory, which is less than 87% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
Memory channels
2
Maximum RAM speed
1,866 MT/s
Market range: <2.1k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 1,866 MT/s, which is lower than that of 91.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.4% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 1 M.2 sockets, which is fewer than 69.5% of motherboards and equal to 18.9% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
1x PCIe 2.0 x4/SATA
This motherboard offers M.2 slots: 1x PCIe 2.0x4/SATA, which is slower than 85% of Motherboards and the same as 0.4% of Motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
5
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 5 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 52.9% of motherboards and equal to 0.6% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/5/10, which is more flexible than 32.5% of Motherboards and the same as 67.5% of Motherboards.
JBOD excluded from RAID-level set
NVMe RAID support
no
This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID. 59.9% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.6% of motherboards and equal to 68.4% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 44.8% of motherboards and equal to 55.2% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 59.6% of motherboards and equal to 40.4% of motherboards.
runs at x4 mode
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x0/x16/x4, x16/x8/x8/x4
This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes as x16/x0/x16/x4, x16/x8/x8/x4, which is more generous than 94.2% of Motherboards and the same as 0.1% of Motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
12
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 12 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 92.7% of motherboards and equal to 5.6% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
20
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 20 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 91.3% of motherboards and equal to 3% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
1
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.8% of motherboards and equal to 48.3% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
1
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 30.5% of motherboards and equal to 21.1% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18% of motherboards and equal to 82% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
1 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is lower than that of 51.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 48.9% of motherboards.
LAN controller
?
N. of RJ45 ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 50.1% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC1150
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC1150, which is higher-end than 53% of Motherboards and the same as 9.1% of Motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
115 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 115 dB, which is higher than that of 47.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 7.6% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 41.2% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
5
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 50.6% of motherboards and equal to 36.3% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
8+2
This motherboard has 8+2 VRM phases, which is fewer than 57.4% of motherboards and equal to 4.4% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors, which is fewer than 45.2% of motherboards and equal to 54.9% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
6
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 6 fan headers, which is more than 50% of motherboards and equal to 22.3% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
1 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 1 A on the pump header, which is lower than that of 56.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 19.6% of motherboards.
Show more

ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0 vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 4 more rear USB ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (12 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    12 vs 8
  • 2 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    3 vs 1
  • 5 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (20 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    20 vs 15
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 4 more PCIe 2.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 2.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 2.0x16 slot/s.
    4 vs 0
  • More generous lane split
    This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes more generously than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x16/x4, x16/x8/x8/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4).
    x16/x0/x16/x4, x16/x8/x8/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1150 vs Realtek ALC897).
    Realtek ALC1150 vs Realtek ALC897
  • Supports ECC memory
    This motherboard supports ECC memory, while the average motherboard does not. 20.9% of motherboards support ECC memory.
    supports ECC unbuffered memory.
  • 1 more SATA 3 connectors
    This motherboard has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (5 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    5 vs 4
  • 4 more PCIe 2.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 2.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 2.0x16 slot/s.
    4 vs 0
  • More generous lane split
    This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes more generously than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x16/x4, x16/x8/x8/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4).
    x16/x0/x16/x4, x16/x8/x8/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 1 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 4 more rear USB ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (12 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    12 vs 8
  • 2 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    3 vs 1
  • 5 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (20 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    20 vs 15
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1150 vs Realtek ALC897).
    Realtek ALC1150 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 2 more 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has more 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (5 vs 3). The average motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks.
    5 vs 3
  • Includes onboard RGB lighting
    This motherboard has onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does not. 50% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
    integrated Aura Sync lighting
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (AMD 990FX/SB950 vs Intel B860).
    Paired with SB950 southbridge.
    AMD 990FX/SB950 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 2x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    1x PCIe 2.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 75% less maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    32 GB vs 128 GB
  • No NVMe RAID support
    This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.9% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • 30.1% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 86% of models

    5.1

    Mark 7.8 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 review, its grade estimated from the review text. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    5.1 vs 7.3
  • More dated memory type
    This motherboard uses a more dated memory type than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4).
    DDR3 vs DDR4
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does. 50.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • 30.1% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 86% of models

    5.1

    Mark 7.8 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 review, its grade estimated from the review text. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    5.1 vs 7.3
  • 31.1% lower user score
    User score
    5.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 83% of models

    5.1

    Mark 7.9 is below the typical mark 8.4 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    70%

    7.7

    Rating

    30%

    8.2

    Popularity

    5.1 vs 7.4
  • 11.5% worse value for money
    ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0 has worse value for money than the average motherboard (6.9 vs 7.7).
    6.9 vs 7.7
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (AMD 990FX/SB950 vs Intel B860).
    Paired with SB950 southbridge.
    AMD 990FX/SB950 vs Intel B860
  • No integrated graphics support
    This motherboard does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.8% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • More dated socket
    This motherboard uses a more dated socket than the average motherboard (AM3+ vs LGA 1151).
    AM3+ vs LGA 1,151
  • Not ready for Windows 11
    This motherboard is not ready for Windows 11, while the average motherboard is. 77.4% of motherboards are ready for Windows 11.
  • Narrower Windows support
    This motherboard supports a narrower range of Windows versions than the average motherboard (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10).
    Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10
  • 75% less maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    32 GB vs 128 GB
  • More dated memory type
    This motherboard uses a more dated memory type than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4).
    DDR3 vs DDR4
  • 60.3% lower maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (1,866 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    1,866 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • 52% lower overclocked RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (2,400 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 5,000 MT/s.
    2,400 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 2x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    1x PCIe 2.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • No NVMe RAID support
    This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.9% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • 1 fewer M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    1 vs 2
  • 1 fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has fewer PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    runs at x4 mode
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    no onboard video outputs
    0 vs 1
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does. 50.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    This motherboard does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer RGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer RGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 A lower pump header current limit
    This motherboard has a lower pump header current than the average motherboard (1 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
    1 A vs 2 A

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

9.0
vortez.net
≈ estimated
23/10/2016
Review · AM3+ motherboard
Verdict
The ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0 is a camo-styled refresh of an older AMD board with four USB 3.1 ports, though it looks plainer than the Intel Sabertooth models.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0

  • Excellent build quality with military-standard TUF components for high durability.
  • Comprehensive modern connectivity including four USB 3.1 ports (one Type-C) and an NVMe M.2 slot.
  • Highly stable power delivery with an 8+2 phase VRM, supporting 220W TDP CPUs like the FX-9590.
  • User-friendly UEFI BIOS with extensive overclocking and fan control options.
  • Aesthetically pleasing design featuring AURA RGB lighting and a digital camo PCB.
  • Solid 5-year warranty reflecting the 'TUF' reliability promise.
  • Support for both 3-way NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX multi-GPU configurations.

What customers don't like about ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0

  • Built on the aging AM3+ platform and DDR3 memory, limiting long-term upgrade paths.
  • Most USB ports require driver installation before they are functional in the OS.
  • Lack of a graphical interface for fan control within the UEFI (standard menu-based instead).
  • Limited load-line calibration documentation without visual aid for voltage curves.
  • The 990FX chipset itself is quite old compared to the modern features added to this revision.

Verdict

The ASUS TUF Sabertooth 990FX R3.0 is a rugged ATX motherboard for the AMD AM3+ platform, featuring the 990FX/SB950 chipset and updated support for NVMe M.2 (PCIe 2.0 x4) and USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A/C. Built with 'TUF' military-grade components and 'Thermal Armor' aesthetics, it offers a robust 8+2 phase Digi+ VRM, four DDR3-1866 slots, and 3-way SLI/CrossFireX support. Its primary strengths are its exceptional durability, Aura RGB lighting, and modern connectivity on an older socket, while its main drawbacks include the aged PCIe 2.0 architecture, high power consumption of compatible FX-series CPUs, and lack of DDR4 support.

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