HARDWARE

Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4 Mainboard & AMD A10-5800K Processor Review (Part 1)

4/6/2013 3:30:08 PM

Today, we will discuss the features of the mainboard and try to explain why AMD Trinity processor consumes so much power after all. Which component of the computer system affects the most on the operation and power consumption? Computer cores, graphics or memory – which element needs to be overclocked and why should it be left in the nominal mode?

Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4 Mainboard

Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4 Mainboard

In months, we did research and publish reviews about almost two dozens of LGA 1155 mainboards. Of course, our interest in these products are reasonable, because they are the newest, most current, interesting and universal platform products which allow us to build any system, starting with the entry level and ending with a more senior level. We seem to evaluate again the LGA 1155 mainboard, because Intel will launch the new platform in a very short time. Now, we have our chances to have a closer and wider overview of some alternative products from AMD. We do not use the term of “competitive products” on purpose, because although there is a competition between AMD and Intel processors, it is just true for the entry-product and low-end products, while the price for luxury product segments is almost ruled by Intel. This is not good. The today’s desktop market is suffering a lot of pressure from the increase of mobile device, tablets and smartphones. However, the quite slow development of desktop system is also explained by the failure of AMD in launching their new products, which are competitive enough with Intel processors from the year 2006. Nevertheless, with the fact of no competitors, Intel has no stimulus to move forward. Its consequence is the slowing-down effect on the development of desktops.

In the last autumn, AMD announced the new Socket AM3+ processor, belonging to Vishera series. We discussed them in a very detailed review about the top AMD FX8350 and followed by the summary of all new processors. Of course, the improvements were obviously comparable with the original Bulldozer generation, but they were still very slow and inefficient in saving power compared to Intel’s processors. This is also the reason why we decide not to write any review about numbers of Socket AM3+, because AMD has nothing much to show off in this segment and their position is really low. Instead, we decide to go on with the new FM2 Platform, where this company is the ruler and thus successful opportunity is possible. Unlike in other processor segments, where the direct competition with Intel turns out pretty sad, the acquisition of ATI allows AMD to become a powerful player in the graphics segment and successfully competes with Nvidia. It would be logical when they decided to turn it into their strength and introduced a new processor – APU (Accelerated Processing Unit). In the meantime, tablets were brand new devices. It was so hard to distinguish the super mobile computer and notebook, and the difference between the new APU and CPI with an identical graphics core is also unclear. However, it is still there to emphasize that graphics cores are not responsible for displaying images on the screen, but can help the processor solve some computing tasks.

The idea of adding some influences to computing and graphics cores seems to be very promising, but does not currently work, because it depends on the assistance of a software, which is not available yet. Notwithstanding, FM2 processors seem to be very interesting and have received many optimistic feedbacks from the authorities. The Trinity processor generation based on the Piled driver microarchitecture is the same as the processor for Vishera desktops with AMD Radeons from Northern Island. The only weakness here is the production process of the components is still 32nm line. This is the reason why Trinity processors have to give up their cache memories in order to be compatible with the graphics cores, which results in half of the death of processors. Nevertheless, the identical Devastator graphic core becomes so efficient for modern 3D games. Therefore, once we have put one hand on the top A10-5800K processors, we decide to check out some Socket FM2 mainboard, processors and new application platforms. We would like to start our series of reviews by the evaluation of Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4.

Package and accessories

The Gigabyte’s box is very easy to recognize and independent of the inside mainboard. In the front is the name of the mainboard type, series number and technological logo, while there is a general summary, describing highlight features of the mainboard at the back of the box.

Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4 box

Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4 box

Inside the box, we will find the mainboard wrapped by an anti-static bag, separated accessories wrapped in the cardboard.

Package and accessories:

·         6 ATA cables with metal connector locks, half with the L-shape and the others with straight one.

·         User manual

·         Brief installation instructions in different languages

·         DVD containing software and driver;

·         Stickers with “Gigabyte” logo for the system case

The accessories

The accessories

There are only some accessories which should not be considered as a broken promise but a special issue which should be remembered. The success of AMD processors on the market is usually be determined by an important element as their offer price is quite low that is why the mainboard designed for them cannot be more expensive. It is sure that almost all users will not be disappointed when discovering that there are just four or even two ATA cables inside the mainboard’s box.

 

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