HARDWARE

Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4

4/6/2013 3:30:32 PM

We conducted all of our tests based on the following components:

·         Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4 rev.1.0 mainboard (Socket FM2,AMD A85X, BIOS version F3k);

·         AMD A10-5800K CPU (3.8-4.2 GHz, 4 cores, AMD Radeon HD 7660D 800 MHz, 32 nm, 100 W, 0.825-1.475 V, FM2);

·         2 x 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM Corsair Vengeance CMZ16GX3M4X1866C9R (1866 MHz, 9-10-9-27 timings, 1.5 V voltage);

·         Crucial m4 SSD (CT256M4SSD2, 256 GB, SATA 6 Gbps);

·         Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler;

·         ARCTIC MX-2 thermal interface;

·         Enermax NAXN ENM850EWT PSU;

·         Open testbed built using Antec Skeleton system case.

We used the Microsoft Windows 8 Enterprise 64 bit OS (Microsoft Windows, version 6-2, Build 9200), AMD Chipset with version 12.10 driver, AMD Catalyst graphics card with version 12.10 driver).

Operational and overclocking specifics

Normally, system installed on Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4 works very well and problem seldom happens. The installation process of Socket FM2 coolers is the same as in the previous AMD processors, so we have no issue in installing Noctua NH-D14, the component that was original located in Socket AM2 and AM3 processors. This, however, is a positive point compared to a mess that we can face after finishing our installation process on the mainboard for the Intel LGA 775, 1156 and 1155, 1366 and 2011 processors.

Starting screen

                                                                  Starting screen              

When starting up, we see an eye-catching image appear kindly. There, Gigabyte reminds us of all supportive hot keys. You can disable the start-up background, but there would be no information displayed on the screen. You can use the F9 button to have it display the basic information of the system, just like in BIOS. We do not think that is a concern, because the current mainboard startup quite fast that we are, in fact, not able to observe the display of the information on the screen. No matter how it is, you never have enough time to read all of that information. Moreover, sometimes it is also a challenge even when you approach BIOS. Some mainboard manufacturers start launching software and hardware devices allowing approaching BIOS automatically.

The new Microsoft 8 Enterprise 64 bit OS is quickly installed and has no problem. Our first impression is that this OS is not absolutely perfect but is not really bad either. The installation experience and Windows 8 configuration is the same as Windows 7, but a little more difficult. For example, configuration setting can now be found not only by the traditional way of “Control Panel” but also by the “PC setting” windows, designed as a new part of the interface. The startup and reset process now have so many steps that in order to make it easier, we have to create a shortcut button using “shutdown” command. Therefore, if you are using Windows 7, there is no reason which is good enough for you to switch to Windows 8. However, if you are going to buy a new computer system, you should not neglect the new operating system that you will get used to at last.

The key advantage of the Socket FM2 processor is the integrated graphics cores with the powerful speed, so now we do not use any discrete graphics accelerators in our test. With the maximum speed of AMD Radeon HD 7660D, the integrated graphics core works at the speed of 800 MHz, although in the idle mode, this frequency reduces to 300MHz.

Graphics Processor Properties

Graphics Processor Properties

The nominal frequency of AMD A10-5800K processor is 3.8 GHz, but in many case that it works at the 4.0 GHz frequency

The normal working frequency

The normal working frequency

When the data loading process works smoothly, “Core Performance Boost” technologies can accelerate the CPU’s fan speed up to 4.2 GHz.

Core Performance Boost

Core Performance Boost

However, if the CPU is in idle mode, the power saving technology will reduce the voltage and frequency to 1.4 GHz.

Frequency in idle mode

Frequency in idle mode

This has a direct resemblance of the “Intel Turbo Boost” technology, but the operational principals of “Core Performance Boost” pose many questions and cause many problems even. For instance, we failed to measure the power consumption level of the system when the CPU was working with its whole capacity. Normally, we used LinX program for the power consuming tests and changed the number of computing threads. First of all, we measured the power consumed in idle mode. Next came the case that the system just ran one random program, but once we reached this status and the machine was loading at most four programs, we would confront with some challenges. The power consumption was usually quickly stable when opening files. Then it started to constantly rise because the resistance increased with the temperature. However, we found out the opposite fact happening in the system: power consumption process decreased as time went by. It turned out that the processor decreased its operating frequency, sometime under the nominal frequency, to 3.4 GHz. LinX utility led to the overload in the CPU, but with even Prime95 tools, the result was still the same: it is almost right after starting the test, the frequency of the processor decreased.

The problem is when the processors could not implement its functionality as chosen setting and lowered them was not mysterious but attributed to over-clocking. There would be no problem if you installed these optimistic configurations manually with efforts and increased the clock frequency of the CPU, or if the processor manufacturer decided to go with the un-real nominal high-profile configurations to eliminate the latency in operating process and hide the weaknesses. The result is the same in both cases: CPU is overclocked too much and it cannot maintain the expected parameters and thus its speed was decreased. When we test an overclocked system, we dismiss selected configuration: “Screenshot overclocking”, when the processor is overclocked and just able to implement some simple tasks, but turns back to the under peek operational load, it has no practical value. We will not be able to take the full advantages of this potential mode. When it is necessary and thus, we right away lower its core and CPU’s clock to determine parameters at which it is able to work fully in a continuous period of time, not a short time. Unfortunately, this unstable overclocking status is the nominal mode of AMD A10-5800K processor.

 

Other  
  •  Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4 Mainboard & AMD A10-5800K Processor Review (Part 3)
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