ASUS A88X-PRO (FM2+) Motherboard Review

Introduction With AMD's fourth generation of AMD APUs, Kaveri, just around the corner it couldn't be a better time to look at a brand spanking new FM2+ motherboard from ASUS. Today we have the ASUS A88X PRO motherboard on the test bench and this high-end motherboard will make the perfect home for any Kaveri based system. Of course you can use Trinity or Richland APUs too as the FM2+ socket is backwards compatible with FM2 APUs, but the main reason these motherboards have been released is to cater for the new Kaveri APUs that have more CPU and GPU performance than their predecessors. The ASUS A88X-PRO has already been released in a few markets, including the USA, but in the UK we won't see this motherboard until some point next month. Of course Kaveri will take until the the end of Q1 to hit the shelves so there's no rush in that regard. The specifications of the ASUS A88X-PRO FM2+ motherboard are as follows: ASUS is pushing its 4 Way Optimisation package as one of the key features - this includes the Digi+ power controls, TPU performance boost, EPU energy savings and Fan Xpert 2 fan controlling and monitoring software. ASUS claim that by enabling their GPU Boost function you can boost the graphics performance of locked APUs from within AI Suite III ASUS are also using their 5X Protection package which includes digital power stability, overcurrent protection, ESD guards, 5K rated solid caps and a stainless steel shielded rear I/O Other features of this motherboard included a revised ASUS UEFI BIOS, ASUS Remote GO! support for an advanced home wireless management system, all the latest connectivity (USB 3.0/ PCIe 3.0/ SATA III), AI Suite III, DirectKey (a dedicated "go to BIOS" button) and 4K/Multi-monitor support with the advanced FM2+ graphics that are due to come with Kaveri. More details can be found on the product page here. Packaging And Accessories The front of the packaging advertises similar features to ones we've already mentioned - TPU/EPU, Digi+ Power, Remote GO! and so on. The back gives more details about the key features and specifications, you can see more of those on the product page here. Included in the accessory package is a user's guide, driver/utility CD, ASUS Q Connectors for the front panel headers, a rear I/O shield and four SATA III cables. A Closer Look Although I am not the biggest fan of the golden colour scheme ASUS have started using since the start of this year, I think this motherboard looks pretty "swish" by anyone's standards. The CPU socket area houses a 6+2 phase VRM and two connected heatsinks joined with a nickel plated copper heat pipe. The CPU 8 pin EPS connector is nestled behind the main heatsink at the top of the motherboard. An EPU switch is located where you'd normally expect to find the CPU fan headers. Those have been moved further down the board. The side of the board has a USB 3.0 header and a BIOS Flashback button if you need to update your BIOS via a USB. Of course the BIOS Flashback essentially means a dual BIOS isn't needed because you can recover your BIOS with that button. The A88X chipset has a small gold heatsink for cooling. There are also six SATA III ports. The chipset actually provides 8 but the other two have been re-routed to the rear I/O as eSATA. At the bottom you can see the DirectKey button, the BIOS chip, four USB 2.0 headers, front panel connectors, a chassis fan header and a TPU LED. Along the left side there's front panel audio, another fan header, a COM port and a debug LED. In terms of PCIe connectivity there are three PCIe 16X slots (16X/8X/4X at Gen 3/3/2 speeds), two PCIe 1X slots (both Gen 2) and two Legacy PCI. The CMOS battery is tucked in between the heat pipe and PCIe lanes. The rear I/O offers up: 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x DVI 1 x D-Sub 1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 2 x eSATA 6Gb/s 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 4 x USB 3.0 2 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 5 x Audio jack(s) BIOS I tend to say this time and time again but ASUS seem to offer one of the most consistent and mature UEFI BIOSes of all motherboard vendors. The UEFI offers a consistent level of functionality and features across all sockets and platforms and the ASUS A88X-PRO UEFI is certainly no exception. It has a wide range of useful features and in true ASUS style you can keep this simple (EZ Mode) or enter the Advanced Mode to access all the complex and advanced options like DRAM timing controls and VRM Spectrum and Calibration options. Test System And Methodology We used the following pre-defined test system - only the motherboard varies between reviews. We only compare results where consistent components have been used. A88X Motherboard Test System Motherboard - Varies by review Processor - AMD A10-6800K APU at Stock Clocks with Turbo Enabled RAM - 16GB (2 X 8GB) Corsair Vengeance Pro Series at 2400MHz and 10-12-12-31-2T Graphics Card - XFX HD 7970 Double Dissipation (Stock Clocks) CPU Cooler - Corsair H100i (Quiet at stock and Performance at overclocked) with Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste Power Supply - Corsair HX1050W Main Storage Drive - Kingston HyperX 240GB SSD over SATA III interface Additional Storage Drive - Patriot Wildfire 120GB SSD over SATA III interface Chassis - Lian Li PC-T60 Test Bench Display – Dell U2711 Ultra Sharp @ 1080p Operating System - Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit We would like to thank Asus, Intel, AMD, Corsair, Kingston, Lian Li, Noctua and all our other partners who supplied us with test equipment and hardware. Their generosity makes our testing possible and without them we wouldn't be able to produce the reviews we do, so thank you! For the testing procedures we use a variety of professional software and free to use programs which you can see below. The full details of each test will be available preceding the graphs if you are interested in the details for purposes of result replication or further enquiry. Software used: 3DMark 11 v1.05 (Professional) AIDA64 Extreme Edition v3.20.2600 (Professional) Cinebench R15 Build RC83328DEMO (Free) CPU-Z v1.67 (Free) PCMark 7 v1.4.0 (Professional) Super PI Mod 1.9 WP (Free) 3DMark (2013) v1.1 (Professional) Rightmark Audio Analyser v6.3 (Free) Audio Benchmark - Rightmark Audio Analyser "RMAA suite is designed for testing quality of analog and digital paths of any audio devices, be it a sound card, an MP3 player, a consumer CD/DVD player or an acoustic set. The results are obtained by playing and recording test signals passed through the tested audio path by means of frequency analysis algorithms. A more common mark is also provided for those unfamiliar with measured technical parameters." Available here. We run the RMAA test using a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable connecting the line out to the line in to test the quality of the motherboard audio codec not any external audio devices. We run the complete playback and recording test at default settings and then get RMAA to interpret the results giving the below outputs. We sync the playback and recording audio devices to the same setting as the test for truly accurate results. 16bit 44.1KHz Performance 24bit 96KHz Performance CPU Benchmarks - Cinebench And SuperPi "CINEBENCH is a real-world cross platform test suite that evaluates your computer’s performance capabilities. CINEBENCH is based on MAXON’s award-winning animation software CINEMA 4D, which is used extensively by studios and production houses worldwide for 3D content creation. MAXON software has been used in blockbuster movies such as Spider-Man, Star Wars, The Chronicles of Narnia and many more. CINEBENCH is the perfect tool to compare CPU and graphics performance across various systems and platforms (Windows and Mac OS X). And best of all: It’s completely free." Available Here. For Cinebench we run the multi-threaded test with our test system (as detailed on page 6). The test is run at its default settings - we don't mess around with anything. We use version R15 and when testing we end all other background tasks and programs that could affect the benchmark result. "Super PI is a single threaded benchmark that calculates pi to a specific number of digits. It uses the Gauss-Legendre algorithm and is a Windows port of a program used by Yasumasa Kanada in 1995 to compute pi to 232 digits. Super PI is a single threaded benchmark ideal for testing pure, single threaded x86 floating point performance and while most of the computing market has shifted towards multithreaded applications and more modern instruction sets, Super PI still remains quite indicative of CPU capability in specific applications such as computer gaming." Available Here. When running SuperPi we simply open it up and calculate 8 million figures of pi. We use version Mod 1.9 WP and when testing we end all other background tasks and programs that could affect the benchmark result. 3D Benchmarks - 3DMark11 and 3DMark (2013) "3DMark 11 is the latest version of the world’s most popular benchmark. Designed to measure your PC’s gaming performance 3DMark 11 makes extensive use of all the new features in DirectX 11 including tessellation, compute shaders and multi-threading. Trusted by gamers worldwide to give accurate and unbiased results, 3DMark 11 is the best way to consistently and reliably test DirectX 11 under game-like loads." From 3DMark.com We run the stock performance and stock extreme tests on 3DMark 11. Like with all other tests we end all other background tasks and programs that could affect the benchmark result. The new 3DMark includes everything you need to benchmark your hardware. With three all new tests you can bench everything from smartphones and tablets, to notebooks and home PCs, to the latest high-end, multi-GPU gaming desktops. And it’s not just for Windows. With 3DMark you can compare your scores with Android and iOS devices too. It’s the most powerful and flexible 3DMark we’ve ever created.” From Futuremark.com We run the stock normal Fire Strike and the stock Fire Strike Extreme benchmarks. Like with all other tests we end all other background tasks and programs that could affect the benchmark result. AIDA64 - Memory Benchmark "AIDA64 Extreme Edition is a streamlined Windows diagnostic and benchmarking software for home users. AIDA64 Extreme Edition provides a wide range of features to assist in overclocking, hardware error diagnosis, stress testing, and sensor monitoring. It has unique capabilities to assess the performance of the processor, system memory, and disk drives. AIDA64 is compatible with all current 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows operating systems, including Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. AIDA64 implements a set of 64-bit benchmarks to measure how fast the computer performs various data processing tasks and mathematical calculations. Memory and cache benchmarks are available to analyze system RAM bandwidth and latency. Processor benchmarks utilize MMX, SSE, XOP, FMA, AVX and AVX2 instructions, and scale up to 32 processor threads. For legacy processors all benchmarks are available in 32-bit version as well. AIDA64 Disk Benchmark determines the data transfer speed of hard disk drives, solid-state drives, optical drives, and flash memory based devices." Available Here. To test the memory performance of each motherboard we simply run the AIDA64 memory and cache test and record the memory scores. We use the same RAM kit with the same XMP profile and ike with all other tests we end all other background tasks and programs that could affect the benchmark result. System Benchmark - PCMark7 "PCMark 7 is a complete PC benchmarking solution for Windows 7 and Windows 8. It includes 7 tests combining more than 25 individual workloads covering storage, computation, image and video manipulation, web browsing and gaming. Specifically designed for the full range of PC hardware from netbooks and tablets to notebooks and desktops, PCMark 7 offers complete Windows PC performance testing for home and business use." Available here. We run the stock PCMark7 test that gives you a PCMark score. Like with all other tests we end all other background tasks and programs that could affect the benchmark result. Storage Benchmark - AIDA64 "AIDA64 Extreme Edition is a streamlined Windows diagnostic and benchmarking software for home users. AIDA64 Extreme Edition provides a wide range of features to assist in overclocking, hardware error diagnosis, stress testing, and sensor monitoring. It has unique capabilities to assess the performance of the processor, system memory, and disk drives. AIDA64 is compatible with all current 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows operating systems, including Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. AIDA64 implements a set of 64-bit benchmarks to measure how fast the computer performs various data processing tasks and mathematical calculations. Memory and cache benchmarks are available to analyze system RAM bandwidth and latency. Processor benchmarks utilize MMX, SSE, XOP, FMA, AVX and AVX2 instructions, and scale up to 32 processor threads. For legacy processors all benchmarks are available in 32-bit version as well. AIDA64 Disk Benchmark determines the data transfer speed of hard disk drives, solid-state drives, optical drives, and flash memory based devices." Available Here. We run AIDA64's dedicated disk benchmark of our SATA III Patriot Wildfire 120GB SSD. We always ensure we use the native SATA III 6Gbps ports with the most up to date AHCI drivers on the motherboard to ensure optimal performance. We don't use our boot drive to avoid the effects of long term SSD degradation. Like with all other tests we end all other background tasks and programs that could affect the benchmark result. USB 3.0 Benchmark - AIDA64 "AIDA64 Extreme Edition is a streamlined Windows diagnostic and benchmarking software for home users. AIDA64 Extreme Edition provides a wide range of features to assist in overclocking, hardware error diagnosis, stress testing, and sensor monitoring. It has unique capabilities to assess the performance of the processor, system memory, and disk drives. AIDA64 is compatible with all current 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows operating systems, including Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. AIDA64 implements a set of 64-bit benchmarks to measure how fast the computer performs various data processing tasks and mathematical calculations. Memory and cache benchmarks are available to analyze system RAM bandwidth and latency. Processor benchmarks utilize MMX, SSE, XOP, FMA, AVX and AVX2 instructions, and scale up to 32 processor threads. For legacy processors all benchmarks are available in 32-bit version as well. AIDA64 Disk Benchmark determines the data transfer speed of hard disk drives, solid-state drives, optical drives, and flash memory based devices." Available Here. We utilise our Kingston HyperX 64GB USB 3.0 flash drive in tandem with AIDA64's disk benchmark which can also be used for USB flash drives. We always test using the chipset-powered USB 3.0 ports (not those powered by third party controllers like ASMedia or Marvell) and using the latest USB 3.0 drivers for those chipset-powered USB 3.0 ports. Like with all other tests we end all other background tasks and programs that could affect the benchmark result. Power Consumption To test power consumption we monitor the overall power consumption of the system through a socket plug-in electricity usage monitor (aka Killawatt meter). Power consumption is measured at an idle system state whereby the system is allowed to stabilise at the desktop with as few applications running as possible for 5 minutes. The load power consumption is measured during the combined load test of 3DMark11 to simulate a realistic load being placed on all parts of the system. Monitoring system power usage at the wall through a usage meter is the easiest way for us to determine differences in power consumption between different motherboards as we do not have access to the complex and expensive equipment required to measure the motherboards individual power consumption. Overclocking Having already reviewed and tested our A10-6800K on a few systems now we know its limits - 4.8GHz. Getting higher than that is possible but a combination of suicide-run voltages and thermal throttling mean going higher is more or less pointless. Getting to 4.9GHz requires so much extra voltage that the CPU overheats and downclocks to lower than 4.8GHz. So when we started overclocking on the ASUS A88X-PRO motherboard we knew exactly what we should aim for - 4.8GHz. As expected the ASUS A88X-PRO did that without a hitch. We used a manual voltage of 1.51v to achieve 4.8GHz. If you had a better chip than us then 5GHz would probably be possible with 1.5-1.55 volts but you're just going to need some solid cooling. Either way the ASUS A88X-PRO, like most ASUS motherboards, is perfectly equipped for overclocking. Overclocked Performance and Power Final Thoughts Pricing The ASUS A88X-PRO is retailing for $128.99 USD on Newegg currently and $125.41 at NCIX Canada. In the UK we do not yet have pricing but my best estimate would be around the £100 mark. We should also see a price of around €115 in Europe. Overview The ASUS A88X-PRO is really quite an expensive motherboard as far as FM2+ motherboards go. This certainly isn't an option for someone wanting to build an APU system as a budget build. Yet I will use sentiments that I very often deployed with Noctua products when I did cooling reviews which are that you get what you pay for. The ASUS A88X-PRO delivered exceptional performance and while it may only be 2-5% higher than rival solutions it is great to know you're getting every last drop of performance - that's something ASUS motherboards always seem to offer. The A88X-PRO is a great motherboard - in terms of its excellent performance, in terms of its abundant connectivity and in terms of its advanced UEFI BIOS. It also boasts exceptional audio for an FM2+ motherboard, being one of the first FM2(+) motherboards I've seen to deploy the Realtek ALC1150 codec and they've managed to extract a lot of performance out of it - the audio is great. They've also kept a lot of high end features normally reserved for more expensive motherboards like the debug LED, DirectKey button, TPU and EPU switches. Of course the motherboard isn't going to appeal to everyone. As I've already alluded to it is a pricey solution. At £100 its as much as £20-40 (30%) more than other A88X motherboards. In return for the extra cost you get a beefier VRM, more PCI(e) connectivity, a more fleshed out rear I/O and more advanced audio - but not everyone needs that, so bare this in mind. Secondly, a minor detail, is that the CPU fan header is in an obscure location. It is located near the rear I/O and first PCIe lane meaning cable management ends up being strange. The CPU fan header is also located next to a Chassis Fan header and it gives the impression you've got two CPU fan headers but you haven't. This is only a minor detail but when you're using a dual fan CPU cooler (in our instance a Corsair H100i) you can tell the difference. Even with identical "Silent" fan profiles set from within the BIOS both fans spin at very different speeds. However, I'm being really picky there, you can buy a splitter cable for a few pounds/dollars and run both fans off the single CPU fan header quite easily. A last point I found strange was that ASUS decided to route two SATA III 6Gbps ports to the rear as eSATA. Maybe my opinion doesn't reflect that of everyone else but I find eSATA redundant. If I want an external hard drive I use a USB 3.0 one (they are cheap and prolific), I'd much rather ASUS left those two SATA III ports inside so you end up with 8 total SATA III 6Gbps ports. 8 may seem like a lot but for a board of this market segmentation it is quite possible someone would have a couple of SSDs in RAID, an optical drive, maybe an eSATA on their case and four to six mechanical storage drives. I understand why ASUS would put eSATA on the rear I/O but I prefer "shared bandwidth" implementations where you don't lose any internal SATA ports from having eSATA but if you use the eSATA it disables the internal SATA port it shares bandwidth with - I think that would of been a better decision for this motherboard. Pros Solid construction Class leading performance Refined UEFI BIOS 3 Year Warranty Abundant connectivity Great audio Cons Pricey relative to the competition and for an APU motherboard (but you get what you pay for - it's premium!) Strange CPU fan header placement Impractical eSATA configuration "When AMD's Kaveri APUs hit the shelves next year the ASUS A88X-PRO will deservedly catch the eye of consumers who want premium and high-end products. It offers top-notch build quality, abundant connectivity, class-leading performance and a rich ASUS software feature set. Of course you're paying a pretty penny over the competition but in this instance I think it is justified." Thanks to ASUS for providing this review sample.