HARDWARE

ASRock FM2A85X Extreme6 Socket FM2 Mainboard Review (Part 2)

6/24/2013 11:50:58 AM

BIOS functionality

We have been very familiar with the ASRock’s UEFI BIOS and so many times did we point out that their interfaces are so convenient to work with, and the more-than-enough functions for a successful overclocking and adjusting the system.

“Main” is the first section that we saw when accessing into the BIOS. This section reports basic information about our system. Moreover, there is a function which is very useful and just appears on the Biostar before, and next comes the Intel’s mainboard. We can now choose the BIOS section that we intend to work with by signing in to the BIOS mainboard. It is a very helpful option.

The “Main” section reports basic information about our system

The “Main” section reports basic information about our system

Most of the refining options are gathered in the “OC Tweaker” section. This big page is divided into small sub-sections by the borders. The parameter of the “EZ OC Mode” provides us the option of overclocking the CPU automatically. The next options bundle involves in setting the configuration for the processor and the graphics core integrated in it. This bundle is followed by another bundle of options that configure the sub-system, and the last group of options is for the parameters relating to the voltage adjustment. All of the current voltage readings are displayed next to the corresponding parameter, which is very convenient.

The mainboard sets everything in its way

The mainboard sets everything in its way

Although there are quite many options in the “OC Tweaker” section, they cannot be seen entirely as the mainboard sets everything in its way. However, once the “Multiplier/Voltage Change” parameter is set for your chosen option manually, this means that you are accessing into the previous hidden option to adjust the clock rate core as well as the voltage. It is possible to set the voltage to be above and below the nominal voltage, exactly at a fixed value or simply add another part to compensate for the nominal value. The digital voltage adjusting circuit allows you to set the most suitable Vdroop for the processor and its integrated graphics card.

Its operating principles description will be displayed in the “Description” area on the right

Its operating principles description will be displayed in the “Description” area on the right

Every time you choose an option, its operating principles description will be displayed in the “Description” area on the right, and it is usually very detailed in most of the cases. The screenshot above clarifies that accompanying the load-line calibration options is a highly clear and visual description in the form of a graph. This thoughtful care to users’ needs makes the system configuration adjustment process become easy and painless.

As usual, in order to unload the main page somehow, some parameters are relocated in personal sections. To be specific, all timings settings of the memory configuration have been separated in to a specific page. It is highly useful when the SPD settings can be monitored and reviewed right in this page including settings from the AMP and XMP configurations. However, when you manually choose the configuration timings settings, the “Auto” setting is only available for two of the timings in the whole list, which means that you have to create a lot of manual entries.

We have the sub-section’s functions in the “Advanced” section familiar: Their names show themselves. They enable us to configure the peripheral device and additional controllers.

The “Advanced” section

The “Advanced” section

The basic information about the processor and suggestions for configuring some processing technology is included in the “CPU Configuration” sub-system.

The “CPU configuration” sub-section

The “CPU configuration” sub-section

We intend to look over the “Storage Configuration” section just to remind you of the new “Easy RAID Installer” factor, which allows copying the RAID controlling program from the DVD that accompanies with the flash USB disk. You will need them for the OS installation on a RAID section.

The “Storage Configuration” sub-section

The “Storage Configuration” sub-section

There are many functions of the ASRock mainboard, with which we have already gotten familiar, in the “Tool” section. You will hear a typical soundtrack whenever you access into the BIOS mainboard. Moreover, you will also hear sounds when navigating across the BIOS section, switching between the factors and choose one of the available settings. If looping the sound effects makes you tired you can disable it by the “Sound Effect” option. The “System Browser” sub-system’s design looks just like a meticulously beautiful schematic layout of the board. By rolling the mouse over components of the mainboard on this layout, you will find out their information. The ASRock OMG (Online Management Guard) function enables you to deny Internet access at preset time and week days in BIOS. A very convenient BIOS’s tool “Instant Flash” is also very familiar to us. The connected USB’s content will be assessed by this utility and it also provides you a list of compatible accesses. Choosing the right BIOS version is all that you have to do. Some changes in another updated BIOS utility which is called “Internet Flash” are also notable: you are able to choose the server whose location is the most suitable for you to load the BIOS. The “Dehumidifier Function” technology is for preventing failed boot-up caused by the excessive humidity inside the system case. It is possible for the humidity to fall from the level of 70% down to 40% easily: Booting the system continuously. This function helps setting the system power-ups’ frequency, the length of the on-time and CPU’s fan speed. The last considerable function of the “Tool” section is the ability to save three different user profiles, each of which has its own detailed description.

The “Tool” section contains many functions of the ASRock’s mainboard

The “Tool” section contains many functions of the ASRock’s mainboard

Monitoring temperature, voltage and fan speed are the functions of the “H/W Monitor” section. Everything seems to be simple here: four-pin fan connections allow setting rotation speed of the four-pin fan, whereas three-pin connection allows reducing the three-pin fans’ rotation speeds. However, here exist some unique functions that we will discuss right now, in this review. Moreover, it is possible to monitor the “Power FAN” speed, but impossible to adjust it in any way.

Monitoring temperature, voltage and fan speed are the functions of the “H/W Monitor” section.

Monitoring temperature, voltage and fan speed are the functions of the “H/W Monitor” section.

 You can choose system booting parameters in the “Boot” section.

You can choose system booting parameters in the “Boot” section.

You can choose system booting parameters in the “Boot” section.

Suggestions relating to the administrator and user password are provided in the “Security” section. The “Secure Boot” parameter shows that whether this mainboard is ready for Microsoft Windows 8.

The “Security” section

The “Security” section

The last section called “Exit” allows you to apply, delete or reset any changes or setting to defaults. You can press the F1 key anytime in any section if you need help and a list of the built-in hot keys.

Press F1 to see the help topics and hot keys list

Press F1 to see the help topics and hot keys list

 

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