Conclusion

Overall		+	-
The ECS A890GXM-A2 really is good value for money. What you get is a good looking motherboard with a well though layout. Furthermore it is fun for overclocking even the performance is on a good level. As an addition you even get the integrated graphics unit with a complete set of connectors.		- Performance - Design - Overclocking - Price USD 125	- BIOS
Layout		+	-
The layout has been very well thought. ECS didn't forget anything. You find for example a power and reset button onboard as well as a clr_coms button at the back. What we also appreciate is that there is a gap between the two PCIe slots. When you plan to set up a CrossFire system this is a big plus because the cards will get plenty of air for an appropriate cooling.		- Buttons - Space between PCIe slots - USB3 / SATA3	- No internal USB3
Performance		+	-
Unfortunatly the changes regarding the test system leave us with values we cannot compare. However we can say that the overall performance is good and it a good basis for a gaming platform.		- 3D Performance - 2D Performance
Overclocking		+	-
This is where the A890GXM-A2 really can convince. Especially overclocking the bus is quite a lot of fun. Therefore we reach 310 MHz which really is a good result. Additionally, the ECS software is very stable and complete. One can even change the voltage in Windows and it offers a complete monitoring toolset. However, we deeply regret that the BIOS is so unstable. This is the only major downside this board has. The Radeon HD 4290 overclocks pretty well (the average is around 1000 MHz) for the core.		- 310 MHz Reference Clock - Voltages	- BIOS frequencies aren't synchronised - No profiles - 920 MHz - HD 4290
Recommendation		+	-
The A890GXM-A2 definitely is a good choice for a gaming system or ones who wants to start overclocking. Paired up with a CPU that is good value for money one could also assemble a reasonable office PC.		- Gaming-PC - 24/24 7/7 Overclocking	- PC-Enthusiasts - Extreme Overclockers

If the board didn't have such an unstable BIOS it would have well deserved five Stars

Rating

Page 1 - ECS A890GXM-A2	Page 9 - SuperPi/WPrime
Page 2 - Specifications	Page 10 - Games
Page 3 - Presentaion/Layout/I/O/Bundle	Page 11 - Software ECS
Page 4 - BIOS	Page 12 - Temperatures
Page 5 - Test Setup	Page 13 - Overclocking
Page 6 - FutureMark	Page 14 - Radeon HD 4290
Page 7 - SiSoft Sandra 1	Page 15 - Conclusion
Page 8 - SiSoft Sandra 2

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Author :Christian Ney, c.ney@ocaholic.ch Copy edited and translated : Christian Ney, c.ney@ocaholic.ch & Marc Buechel, m.buechel@ocaholic.ch