Announced in 2011, chipset AMD 990FX, today remains the flagship solution, supporting both top-end processors from AMD, and the massive mid-range CPU. Functional motherboards based on this chipset are often cheaper than the Intel equivalent level and have some advantages. The best example of motherboard supporting top end AMD chips is ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 and today we have brought you the review of this motherboard which will guide you through its pros and cons.
The diversity of current AMD processors in different versions of design is amazing, even the experienced user. To understand the positioning of the CPU and make the right choice when purchasing – the problem is very complicated. Socket AM3 + is by far the most versatile option. Motherboard with this type of connector supports both flagship processor, and popular mass solutions. The AMD 990FX North Bridge in conjunction with the Southern SB950 is the most advanced base platform, allowing you to create the most functional products. Yes, they do not have built-in video and do not support CPU Trinity and Llano, but today quite promising because of the mortgaged building at the design stage and good value “functionality / price”. ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 by the standards of solutions for AMD, is relatively expensive (~ $ 140), but it can boast of excellent set of features.
Scope of supply
The product in question comes as standard for the packaging manufacturer, made in black.
Code designation clearly points to the type of chipset and allows connoisseurs highly likely to predict performance of ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0.
The bundle in addition to traditional manual, CD with software, plug in the rear panel, SATA-cables have a SLI-bridge and the adapter, which simplifies the connection of hull buttons and indicators: AMD 990FX chipset, along with CrossFireX has “inherent” technology support SLI.
Design and Layout Features
The ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 board is made in the typical EVO-series of black and blue colors.
Massive radiators and configuration of expansion slots – perhaps those things that immediately attracted attention. On the back of the PCB soldered only some elements of the CPU VRM.
On the back cover the following connectors are present:
– Two (!) PS / 2;
– Six USB 2.0, two 3.0 and two so-called power-USB (2.0);
– Optical S / PDIF;
– RJ45;
– One eSATA;
– Inputs and outputs of the audio subsystem.
Declared by the board’s capabilities quite predictable: the ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 chipset used is compatible with the latest 32-nanometer processors AMD FX-Series, as well as older but relevant Phenom II, Athlon II, Sempron 1xx.
Four slots for memory modules are designed for installation of up to 32 GB of RAM with speed parameters DDR3-1866 (informally supported DDR3-2133).
Since the SB950 south bridge has native support for USB 3.0, for the implementation of the interface controller is used ASMedia ASM1042, offers two ports on the back panel, two more – internal – can bring closer to the user.
To implement the network interface codec Realtek 8111F is present and for the core audio subsystem used HDA-chip Realtek ALC892.
Transistors power subsystem closed massive radiator which means the heat pipe is connected to the north bridge cooler. South Bridge closed simple passive JI.
The ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 board implemented eight ports SATA (including one eSATA on the back) with a capacity of 6 Gb / s, six of them – by the SB950, two more – Controller ASMedia.
Soldered to the PCB several LEDs – green in the connectors for the front panel indicates the presence of a PC power supply, the red near the memory slots, the first slot PCI-Express chipset and allow you to track the passage of POST-procedure for the memory, video card and CPU, respectively.
Buttons MemOK! , USB BIOS Flashback and DirectKey responsible for the activation of ASUS ‘proprietary technologies with similar names. But the key management system and reset the firmware is missing.
The manufacturer claims the support of the board multiadapter SLI and CrossFireX. For these purposes are utilized slots blue, which share the bandwidth 16-lane PCI-Express 2.0 (x8 + x8). While the black slots PCI-Express mode only x4. The PCB also has one connector PCI-E x1, well, the owners of relatively old cards appreciate the presence of PCI-slot.
Features UEFI
On the ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 model used for the traditional shell ASUS UEFI, and not even the slightest visual separation firmware for systems based on AMD chipset and Intel.
Welcoming saver gives you basic functionality, want more – welcome to the advanced mode. Model M5A99FX PRO R.2.0 has abundant opportunities for tweaking and overclocking, ASUS traditionally collected tab AI Tweaker.
Adjustment range of supply voltages should be enough even for seasoned overclockers. For example, the processor (CPU Vcore) may be submitted up to 2.075 V.
The possibilities of installing primary and secondary memory timings are pretty standard for high-level decisions of the manufacturer. Subsection CPU Configuration (tab Advanced) as opposed to analog for Intel collected only adjustment for energy saving and related functions AMD.
In the monitoring system, monitors and displays the temperature readings of the two components (CPU and motherboard, or more precisely the north bridge), five main supply voltage and speed of the five fans (unless of course you have to have them as a PC).
Bookmark Tool can be useful to those who want to study in detail the SPD memory, even without having to boot the OS (ASUS SPD Information). There is also a sub-set of profiles to store BIOS.
In
This ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 was tested with the following configuration:
– CPU AMD FX-4100;
– Cooler AMD BOX (old version with heat pipes);
– RAM Kingston HyperX KHX2133C9AD3X2K2/4GX (2 × 2GB DDR3-2133);
– Drive Kingston SSDNow! V + 64 GB;
– Video card ASUS HD7970-3GD5;
– PSU Seasonic Platinum SS-1000XP (1000 W).
Memory modules were installed in one into the next to the processor socket slots (black). With the use of RAM in the blue slots fee did not pass POST, the thing to keep in mind when building a PC-based M5A99FX PRO R2.0.
Platform AMD AM3 +, in contrast to the modern solutions Intel, scales well in several ways: you can overclock the CPU as a factor, and on FSB, memory exists for a good set of divisors. Maximum overclock the buswith the memory functioning in DDR3-2100, and the bus HT – 2400 MHz. In experimental purposes on this board and you can conquer the mark of 300 MHz with reduced associated parameters, but their practical value to the end user will be significantly lower.
The maximum acceleration of the processor frequency was 5212 MHz, further speeding up the system hampered the potential to use the cooler. And the supply voltage CPU in the 1.5 – limit the amount to be used with air cooling.
Note that all the key settings perfectly regulated utility from the OS via TurboV EVO.
Results
ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 – interesting motherboard platform for Socket AM3 +. This model proved to be quite functional: the competitors based on chipset AMD 990FX often make simple solutions. At the same time, it’s cheaper than a similar class device that supports Intel CPU. Besides, this board supports a relatively inexpensive six-and eight-core CPU, so by the PC at its base – a very attractive option.
Pros:
+ Effective cooling system
+ Features and overclocking results
+ Support CPU AMD all price
Cons:
– Lack of control buttons
This was all regarding the ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 motherboard and its review.
