Product comparison · 2 motherboards

ASUS M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX vs MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3)

Add a product
  • 37specifications compared
  • 15differ
  • 22identical
  • 29known for one product only

Key differences

The MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3) has 16 GB more maximum internal memory than the ASUS M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX (32 GB vs 16 GB). The ASUS M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX has 1 more USB 2.0 connectors than the MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3) (4 vs 3). The MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3) has 1 more PCI Express x1 slots than the ASUS M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX (3 vs 2). Processor manufacturer: AMD on the ASUS M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX, Intel on the MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3). Processor socket: Socket AM3 on the ASUS M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX, LGA 1155 (Socket H2) on the MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3).

  • Processor manufacturer
    • M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX:AMD
    • Z68A-GD65 (B3):Intel
  • Processor socket
    • M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX:Socket AM3
    • Z68A-GD65 (B3):LGA 1155 (Socket H2)
  • Supported memory clock speeds
    • M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX:1066,1333,1600,1866,2000 MHz
    • Z68A-GD65 (B3):1066,1333,1600,2133 MHz
  • Maximum internal memory
    • M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX:16 GB
    • Z68A-GD65 (B3):32 GB
  • Parallel processing technology support
    • M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX:Hybrid CrossFireX
    • Z68A-GD65 (B3):Not supported
  • USB 2.0 connectors
    • M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX:4
    • Z68A-GD65 (B3):3
  • Ethernet interface type
    • M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX:Gigabit Ethernet
    • Z68A-GD65 (B3):Fast Ethernet
  • Motherboard form factor
    • M5A88-M AMD 880G Socket AM3 micro ATX:micro ATX
    • Z68A-GD65 (B3):ATX

Side by side

Differences highlightedShow differences only (off)
Comparison of M5A88-M, Z68A-GD65 (B3)
66 specifications
Processor3 differ
Processor manufacturerDiffersAMDIntel
Processor socketDiffersSocket AM3LGA 1155 (Socket H2)
Compatible processor seriesDiffersAMD Phenom II X2, AMD Phenom II X4, AMD Phenom II X6Intel® Core™ i3, Intel® Core™ i5, Intel® Core™ i7
Maximum number of SMP processorsKnown for one1Unknown — not stated by the source
Memory2 differ
Number of memory slots44
Memory channelsKnown for oneDual-channelUnknown — not stated by the source
ECC сompatibilityKnown for oneNon-ECCUnknown — not stated by the source
Supported memory clock speedsDiffers1066,1333,1600,1866,2000 MHz1066,1333,1600,2133 MHz
Maximum internal memoryDiffers16 GB32 GB
Memory voltageKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the source1.5 V
Supported memory module capacitiesKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the source1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
Storage controllersidentical
RAID levelsKnown for one0, 1, 5, 10Unknown — not stated by the source
Graphics1 differ
Maximum graphics card memoryKnown for one1024 MBUnknown — not stated by the source
Parallel processing technology supportDiffersHybrid CrossFireXNot supported
On-board graphics cardKnown for oneYesUnknown — not stated by the source
Graphics card familyKnown for oneAMDUnknown — not stated by the source
Graphics cardKnown for oneRadeon HD 4250Unknown — not stated by the source
Internal I/O1 differ
USB 2.0 connectorsDiffers43
Number of SATA III connectorsKnown for one6Unknown — not stated by the source
Number of Parallel ATA connectors00
S/PDIF out connectorYesYes
Front panel audio connectorYesYes
ATX Power connector (24-pin)YesYes
CPU fan connectorYesYes
Number of chassis fan connectorsKnown for one1Unknown — not stated by the source
Chassis intrusion connectorYesYes
Number of COM connectorsKnown for one1Unknown — not stated by the source
Parallel connectorKnown for oneYesUnknown — not stated by the source
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) connectorsKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the source1
CD/AUX audio inKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
TPM connectorKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
Rear panel I/O portsidentical
USB 2.0 ports quantity44
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) Type-A ports quantity22
Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ports11
eSATA ports quantity00
PS/2 ports quantity11
Firewire (IEEE 1394) ports00
VGA (D-Sub) ports quantity11
HDMI ports quantity11
DVI-D ports quantity11
Headphone outputsKnown for one5Unknown — not stated by the source
Microphone inYesYes
Digital audio optical outKnown for one1Unknown — not stated by the source
S/PDIF out portKnown for oneUnknown — not stated by the sourceYes
Network1 differ
Ethernet interface typeDiffersGigabit EthernetFast Ethernet
LAN controllerRealtek RTL8111ERealtek RTL8111E
Features2 differ
Component forPCPC
Motherboard form factorDiffersmicro ATXATX
Motherboard chipsetDiffersAMD 880GIntel Z68
Motherboard southbridgeKnown for oneAMD SB850Unknown — not stated by the source
Audio chipRealtek ALC892Realtek ALC892
Audio output channels7.1 channels7.1 channels
Power source typeATXATX
Expansion slots2 differ
PCI Express x1 slotsDiffers23
PCI Express x16 slotsDiffers12
PCI Express slots versionKnown for one2.0Unknown — not stated by the source
PCI slotsKnown for one1Unknown — not stated by the source
BIOS1 differ
BIOS typeDiffersAMIEFI
BIOS memory sizeKnown for one16 MbitUnknown — not stated by the source
ACPI versionKnown for one2.0aUnknown — not stated by the source
Weight & dimensions2 differ
WidthDiffers244 mm245 mm
DepthDiffers244 mm305 mm
Packaging contentidentical
Drivers includedKnown for oneYesUnknown — not stated by the source
Trial softwareKnown for oneAntivirusUnknown — not stated by the source
Bundled softwareKnown for oneASUS utilities ASUS UpdateUnknown — not stated by the source
Other featuresidentical
Quick installation guideKnown for oneYesUnknown — not stated by the source

A dash means the value is not stated by the source. Unknown values are never counted for or against a product, and there is no overall score.

More motherboard comparisons

All motherboard comparisons