ASUS F2A85-M PRO Review

Alongside the launch of the new A-Series APUs, AMD release the A85X chipset. Debuting on the testbed is the eye catching ASUS F2A85-M PRO, does it find glory?

Product on Review: ASUS F2A85-M PRO
Manufacturer: ASUS
Street Price: £109.99inc VAT

As AMDs APUs shift to the FM2 socket, we see the A55 and A75 motherboard chipsets carried over and joined by a new release, the A85X FCH (Hudson D4). If the A55 chipset targets the low end market while the A75 hits out at the mainstream, it is natural that the A85X will appeal more towards gamers and enthusiasts with the addition of CrossfireX support. As a leader in motherboard design and innovation, it is not unsurprising that ASUS have released a range of A85X based motherboards set to exploit the new ‘Virgo’ platform.

Dropping in our A8-5600K APU let’s take a look at the features and performance the ASUS F2A85-M PRO has to offer.

Overview from ASUS

F2A85 Series motherboards come with a variety of ASUS-exclusive features to get users more out of their APU, including Dual Intelligent Processors 3 (DIP3) with new DIGI+ Power Controls to save up to 65% in system energy, GPU Boost to enhance integrated graphics up to 17%, a worry-free USB BIOS Flashback tool and Remote GO! to complement the multimedia experience. In addition to the ASUS exclusive features is a superior design built with high quality components… Combined, they make the F2A85 Series motherboards the perfect platform for everything from HTPCs to mainstream PCs.

Technical Specifications

CPU
AMD Socket FM2 Athlon™/A- Series Processors
Supports CPU up to 4 cores
Supports AMD® Turbo Core 3.0 Technology

Chipset
AMD A85X FCH(Hudson D4)

Memory
4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2250(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Support AMD Memory Profile (AMP) memory
* The Max. 64GB memory capacity can be supported with DIMMs of 16GB (or above). ASUS will update QVL once the DIMMs are available on the market.
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
* Due to OS limitation, when installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Install a 64-bit Windows® OS when you want to install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard.

Graphic
Integrated AMD Radeon™ HD 7000 Series Graphics in A-series APU
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI/RGB/DisplayPort ports *
– Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
– Supports DVI with max. resolution 2560 x 1600 @ Hz
– Supports RGB with max. resolution 1920 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
– Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
Maximum shared memory of 2048 MB
AMD® Dual Graphics technology support
Supports DirectX 11

Multi-GPU Support
Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Supports LucidLogix® Virtu™ MVP Technology *1

Expansion Slots
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)
2 x PCIe 2.0 x1

Storage
AMD A85X FCH(Hudson D4) chipset :
7 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
1 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD

LAN
Realtek® 8111F, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)

Audio
Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
– Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
Audio Feature :
– Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel

USB Ports
ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue)
AMD A85X FCH(Hudson D4) chipset : 4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, , 2 at mid-board)
AMD A85X FCH(Hudson D4) chipset : 10 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, , 8 at mid-board)

Overclocking Features
Overclocking Protection :
– ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)

Special Features
ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors – TPU & EPU :
ASUS TPU :
– Auto Tuning
– TurboV
– GPU Boost
– TPU switch
ASUS EPU :
– EPU
– EPU switch
ASUS Digital Power Design :
– Industry leading Digital 4 +2 Phase Power Design
ASUS Exclusive Features :
– Remote GO!
– USB BIOS Flashback
– MemOK!
– AI Suite II
– Ai Charger+
– USB Charger+
– Anti-Surge
– Low EMI Solution
– ESD Guards
– ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface
– Network iControl
– USB 3.0 Boost
– Disk Unlocker
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
– Stylish Fanless Design Heat-sink solution
– ASUS Fan Xpert 2
ASUS EZ DIY :
– ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
– ASUS EZ Flash 2
– ASUS MyLogo 2
ASUS Q-Design :
– ASUS Q-Shield
– ASUS Q-Slot
100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors

Back I/O Ports
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
1 x DVI
1 x D-Sub
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
1 x eSATA
1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
4 x USB 3.0
2 x USB 2.0
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
6 x Audio jack(s)

Internal I/O Ports
1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
4 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 8 USB 2.0 port(s)
1 x TPM connector(s)
1 x COM port(s) connector(s)
7 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 x -pin)
3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 x -pin)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
1 x System panel(s)
1 x DirectKey Button(s)
1 x DRCT header(s)
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x TPU switch(es)
1 x EPU switch(es)
1 x USB BIOS Flashback button(s)

Accessories
User’s manual
ASUS Q-Shield
2 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)

BIOS
64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI v2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS V2.7, ACPI V2.0a
Support Disc Drivers, ASUS utilities, ASUS Update, Anti-virus software (OEM version)

Form Factor
uATX Form Factor
9.6 inch x 9.6 inch ( 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm )
Note
* Refer to http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/dual-graphics/Pages/dual-graphics.aspx#3 for the discrete GPUs which support Dual Graphics technology
*1 LucidLogix Virtu MVP supports Windows 7 operating systems.
*2 Supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost UASP Mode

The differences between the A85X platform and the A75 is marginal, the A85X contains 2x SATA 6Gb/s ports more, enables CrossfireX by splitting the PCIe x16 lane into dual x8 and introduces RAID 5. Of course these additions are welcomed but it is a wonder whether or not they are needed or why they weren’t there in the first place.

Packaging & First Look

Front of the box is neat and attractive with the model name of the motherboard right in the center. ASUS are really pushing their EPU, TPU and DIGI+ VRMs with multiple mentions and logos on the front. We see that this motherboard is ready to be used with Windows 8 supports dual graphics and AMD CrossfireX and features Lucid Virtu MVP.

More detailed information and specifications fills up the underside of the box, particularly noting various ASUS Exclusive features.

Accessories are satisfactory but a little lack luster for a board of this price, though I do like the quality feel of the padded I/O shield.

The overview of the F2A85-M PRO shows that it is jam packed with electronic wizardry. Set in the blue/black tones that most will now be familiar with and the heatsinks stylised in ASUS’ latest design, there is very little to fault with the overall layout or aesthetic.

Closer Look

4 +2 digital power phases fed by DIGI+ VRMs to aid a reliable power suppy to the APU.

At the top we can see dual CPU 4pin PWM fan headers, handy for all those heatsinks with more than one CPU fan. To the right we can see the 4 memory DIMMs the 24pin ATX power supply socket as well as an edge mounted front USB 3.0 header, convenient for cable routing.

In the bottom left quadrant of the mATX motherboard we find the usual suspects, the RTL8111F gigabit LAN controller in the top left, moving down under the NVT6779D we find the Realtek ALC892 audio codec. At the bottom is the headers for front panel audio, another 4pin fan header and the COM headers.

Here we find 6x right angled SATA 3 (6Gb/s) ports and another SATA port surface mounted. ASUS have chosen to use the 8th SATA port as an eSATA on the I/O so at least there are no redundant SATA connections. At the very bottom right we find the front panel headers for power, reset and activity LEDs. We can also see the clear CMOS jumper should it be needed, while a clrCMOS button is always welcome, ASUS seemingly have omitted one as to rely on their C.P.R. recovery system, regardless a jumper is still handy.

PCIe lanes in order, x16, x1, x1, x8, a little bit of a shame that the first expansion slot isn’t an x1 as many who use a sound card would surely prefer to have it at the top and out of the way rather than under a discrete graphics card potentially blocking air flow to the graphics card, nothing too major however. Along the bottom we see 4x USB 2.0 headers, giving a total of 8x USB 2.0 off the board, this means that ASUS have allowed users the ability to tap into ALL USB 3.0 and 2.0 that the A85X chipset has to offer, not bad at all.

Mouse/Keyboard PS/2, 2x USB 2.0, Displayport, HDMI, Optical S/PDIF out, D-Sub, DVI, 4x USB 3.0, eSATA, Gigabit LAN and the 8 channel HD audio jacks. It is interesting to see that this board offers 4x video out ports which means that this motherboard is capable of offering AMD Eyefinity out the box when paired with an APU. For users wanting to jump on with 4K res AKA Ultra HD, it is supported via the Displayport connection only.

Closer Look Cont… Switches, Switches Everywhere!

While we often see clrCMOS, Power and Reset buttons on motherboards, strangely, the F2A85-M PRO has none of these things, yet, is covered with various switches and buttons.

At the top we see the EPU switch.

Next to the DIMMs we find the DirectKey, direct access to the BIOS, and the MemOK! button which allows the user to test the stability of the RAM used.

Then at the bottom we find the TPU switch.

Finally the BIOS Flashback button, allowing the user to recover BIOS easily themselves via USB.

BIOS

The UEFI BIOS by ASUS are likely to familiar to many by now, in the NB options we can see that this motherboard allows a max of 2GB to be allocated to the iGPU.

Test Setup

A85X Setup
APU – A8-5600K
Motherboard – ASUS F2A85M-PRO
GIGABYTE F2A85X-UP4
RAM – Xtreem LV PC3 19200 DDR3 LV 2400
HDD – Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7200RPM SATAIII
Power Supply – NZXT Hale82 650W
Cooler – CoolerMaster Hyper 212+

APU Settings

ASUS F2A85-M PRO
AMD A8-5600K @ 3.6/3.9GHz (100MHzx 36/39, 1333MHz 9-9-9-24)
@ OC 4.5GHz (100MHz x45, 2400MHz 11-11-11-28) HD7560D @ 950MHz

GIGABYTE F2A85X-UP4
AMD A8-5600K @ 3.6/3.9GHz (100MHzx 36/39, 1333MHz 9-9-9-24)

Overclocking

Using the ASUS OC Tuner results in unexpectedly good results, giving an overclock of 4.3GHz for the CPU and 950MHz on the GPU. Proving stable too, which is not too shabby at all for a fuss free overclock. Pushing a little further we manage to get a stable clock of 4.5GHz with the GPU remaining at 950MHz. This motherboard too supports memory speeds of up to 2400MHz which is great to look out for too.

Quick and easy overclock using ASUS OC Tuner

Final overclock settings

Power Consumption

It’s interesting to note the power consumption across all motherboards because energy results can fluctuate between manufacturers due to the features and specifications that are integrated. First of all, for the idle tests the system is cold booted into Windows and no additional applications are executed – the watts are noted on the external energy monitor we use. Then the system is loaded with LinX 0.6.4 and MSI Kombustor simultainiously – watts are again monitored throughout the period of testing and the highest rated watts are then noted down. Below are the results of this energy test.

Synthetic Benchmarks: AIDA64

Memory Tests

Memory bandwidth benchmarks (Memory Read, Memory Write, Memory Copy) measure the maximum achiveable memory data transfer bandwidth. The code behind these benchmark methods are written in Assembly and they are extremely optimized for every popular AMD and Intel processor core variants by utilizing the appropriate x86, MMX, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2 or SSE4.1 instruction set extension.

The Memory Latency benchmark measures the typical delay when the CPU reads data from system memory. Memory latency time means the penalty measured from the issuing of the read command until the data arrives to the integer registers of the CPU.

CPU Queen Benchmark

This simple integer benchmark focuses on the branch prediction capabilities and the misprediction penalties of the CPU. It finds the solutions for the classic “Queens problem” on a 10 by 10 sized chessboard. At the same clock speed theoretically the processor with the shorter pipeline and smaller misprediction penalties will attain higher benchmark scores. For example — with HyperThreading disabled — the Intel Northwood core processors get higher scores than the Intel Prescott core based ones due to the 20-step vs 31-step long pipeline. CPU Queen test uses integer MMX, SSE2 and SSSE3 optimizations.

CPU Photoworxx Benchmark

This benchmark stresses the integer arithmetic and multiplication execution units of the CPU and also the memory subsystem. Due to the fact that this test performs high memory read/write traffic, it cannot effectively scale in situations where more than 2 processing threads used. For example, on a 8-way Pentium III Xeon system the 8 processing threads will be “fighting” over the memory, creating a serious bottleneck that would lead to as low scores as a 2-way or 4-way similar processor based system could achieve. CPU PhotoWorxx test uses only the basic x86 instructions, and it is HyperThreading, multi-processor (SMP) and multi-core (CMP) aware.

CPU AES Benchmark

This benchmark measures CPU performance using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) data encryption. In cryptography AES is a symmetric-key encryption standard. AES is used in several compression tools today, like 7z, RAR, WinZip, and also in disk encryption solutions like BitLocker, FileVault (Mac OS X), TrueCrypt.CPU AES test uses only the basic x86 instructions, and it’s hardware accelerated on VIA PadLock Security Engine capable VIA C3, VIA C7, VIA Nano and VIA QuadCore processors; and on Intel AES-NI instruction set extension capable processors. The test is HyperThreading, multi-processor (SMP) and multi-core (CMP) aware.

FPU Mandel Benchmark

This benchmark measures the double precision (also known as 64-bit) floating-point performance through the computation of several frames of the popular “Mandelbrot” fractal. The code behind this benchmark method is written in Assembly, and it is extremely optimized for every popular AMD, Intel and VIA processor core variants by utilizing the appropriate x87, SSE2, AVX or FMA4 instruction set extension. FPU Mandel test is HyperThreading, multi-processor (SMP) and multi-core (CMP) aware.

Floating point performance has dropped compared to Llano, though may not be too much of an issue as the GPU portion is starting to take on more floating point operations.

Synthetic Benchmarks: x264 HD

Simply put, this test measures how fast your machine can encode a short, DVD quality MPEG-2 video clip into a high-quality x264 video clip. What’s x264, you ask? It’s more or less the next-generation Xvid/DivX codec. I think it’s ideal for a benchmark because the application (x264.exe) reports fairly accurate compression results (in frames per second) for each pass of the video encoding process, and it uses multi-core processors very efficiently.

Using the latest edition of the x264 HD benchmark, the PC encodes a high quality x264 1080p movie clip and we can see that in the first pass, the A8-5600K performs marginally better than the A8-3870K, a role reversal when compared to the older edition of this benchmark.

Synthetic Benchmarks: Cinebench 11.5

CPU Rendering

CINEBENCH can measure systems with up to 64 processor threads. This test scene contains approximately 2,000 objects which in turn contain more than 300,000 polygons in total, and uses sharp and blurred reflections, area lights, shadows, procedural shaders, antialiasing, and much more. The result is displayed in points (pts). The higher the number, the faster your processor.

Open GL Graphics Rendering

This procedure uses a complex 3D scene depicting a car chase (by renderbaron) which measures the performance of your graphics card in OpenGL mode. The performance depends on various factors, such as the GPU processor on your hardware, but also on the drivers used. The graphics card has to display a huge amount of geometry (nearly 1 million polygons) and textures, as well as a variety of effects, such as environments, bump maps, transparency, lighting and more to evaluate the performance across different disciplines and give a good average overview of the capabilities of your graphics hardware.

Synthetic Benchmarks: SiSoftware SANDRA 2012

SANDRA isn’t always a benchmark that is included in hardware reviews but I believe it shouldn’t be ignored. SANDRA provides a vigorous package that tests your system in a rather large array of benchmarks. There are many aspects of benchmark that can be executed. We will be considering – CPU, memory and GPGPU tests.

Synthetic Benchmarks: SiSoftware SANDRA 2012 cont…

In the GPGPU Processing we see that the ASUS board has a significantly lower score compared to the GIGABYTE F2A85X-UP4, this could be an error of sorts, be it driver or compatibility but retesting proved similar results so is worth taking with a pinch of salt.

Synthetic Benchmarks: 3DMark Vantage & 3DMark 11

3DMark Vantage

3DMark Vantage is the industry standard performance benchmark for DirectX 10 gaming PCs. It includes two graphics tests, two CPU tests and six feature tests. Trusted by gamers worldwide to give accurate and unbiased results, 3DMark Vantage is the best way to consistently and reliably test DirectX 10 under game-like loads.

3DMark 11

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.

Synthetic Benchmarks: PCMark 7 & UNIGINE Heaven 2.5

UNIGINE Heaven 3.0

Unigine’s benchmark is to showcase the benefits of DX 11 and the use of tessellation as opposed to normal rendering techniques. The demo has impressive visuals that give an insight into what we can expect from gaming in the future.

PCMark 7

PCMark 7 is a tool provided by FutureMark that tests the PCs ability in general office and everyday use. It produces a number that reflects the all-round performance of the PC and is useful to compare between differing setups. For more information, visit the FutureMark website.

Game Benchmarks: AVP, Deus Ex:HR, Shogun 2

Alien Vs. Predator

Spawned from the popular Alien and Predator franchises, Rebellion have collaborated to bring the legendary war to us through the medium of a first-person shooter. The game forces you to hunt, prey and most importantly survive in the swamp colony of Freya’s prospect as a Predator, Alien or Marine. The stunning visuals add to the sense of dread and terror that we have become so accustomed to seeing with the series.

The stand-alone Alien VS Predator benchmark tool was used for testing here. All the settings were set to very high and Tessellation was applied. The average FPS was recorded at the end.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

You play Adam Jensen, an ex-SWAT specialist who’s been handpicked to oversee the defensive needs of one of America’s most experimental biotechnology firms. Your job is to safeguard company secrets, but when a black ops team breaks in and kills the very scientists you were hired to protect, everything you thought you knew about your job changes.

Shogun 2

In the darkest age of Japan, endless war leaves a country divided. It is the middle of the 16th Century in Feudal Japan. The country, once ruled by a unified government, is now split into many warring clans. Ten legendary warlords strive for supremacy as conspiracies and conflicts wither the empire. Only one will rise above all to win the heart of a nation as the new shogun…The others will die by his sword.

Game Benchmarks: TESV, DiRT Showdown, Sleeping Dogs

TESV: Skyrim

The Empire of Tamriel is on the edge. The High King of Skyrim has
been murdered. Alliances form as claims to the throne are made. In the midst of this conflict, a far more dangerous, ancient evil is awakened. Dragons, long lost to the passages of the Elder Scrolls, have returned to Tamriel. The future of Skyrim, even the Empire itself, hangs in the balance as they wait for the prophesized Dragonborn to come; a hero born with the power of The Voice, and the only one who can stand amongst the dragons.

DiRT Showdown

DiRT Showdown is the new arcade racing game from the team that brought you the award-winning DiRT series, uncaged in 2012. Pick up and play controls combine with electrifying events, frenzied crowds and stunning graphics to deliver high octane, dive in and drive thrills from event one. DiRT Showdown comes with phenomenal graphical performance, bone-jarring damage, and social online and split-screen multiplayer as standard. Welcome to DiRT Showdown – a new world of driving delirium.

Sleeping Dogs

Welcome to Hong Kong, a vibrant neon city teeming with life, whose exotic locations and busy streets hide one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in the world: the Triads. You play the role of Wei Shen, an undercover cop trying to take down the Triads from the inside out. You’ll have to prove yourself worthy as you fight your way up the organization, taking part in brutal criminal activities without blowing your cover. Torn between your loyalty to the badge and a criminal code of honor, you will risk everything as the lines between truth, loyalty and justice become permanently blurred.

Conclusion

The A85X chipset brings few but welcome additions over the A75 and allows a more versatile platform to support the latest line of A-Series APUs. The F2A85-M PRO delivers everything the A85X chipset has to offer, by way of being able to tap into all USB 3.0 and 2.0 available on the chipset while adding an extra 2x USB 3.0. ASUS have also put four video outputs on the back I/O for instant Eyefinity action. Considering that this is all wrapped in an attractive mATX sized motherboard the potential is quite staggering. A particular area of this motherboard that shone for me was with the overclocking. Firstly, I was impressed with the ASUS OC Tuner which gave a decent stable overclock in a very quick and hassle free manner. Secondly, the C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature, which meant that the system did not hang when overclocking settings failed and simply booted straight into BIOS at default settings. I barely even realised it was happening as it was easy to take for granted, it was only when I began to overclock on other motherboards did I realise the hassle having to clear the CMOS every time the system hung due to unstable settings.

A huge plus to this platform is the inclusion of Lucid Virtu MVP which allows use of the integrated and discrete graphics, which means if you add a discrete card, the capable iGPU on the APU does not go to waste. The UEFI BIOS are smooth and easy to navigate while the blue aesthetic of the motherboard design remains fresh, eye catching and pleasing. The only real downside to this motherboard is that it costs more than the flagship APU, the A10-5800K and that it has a meagre accessory list (an extra 2x SATA cables wouldn’t go amiss!). Overall if you are looking for a mATX A85X motherboard to accompany the latest A-Series APUs, the F2A85-M PRO is highly recommended as it gives everything the platform has to offer and comes with a support of exclusive features that give an excellent user experience. For these reasons, nothing but our Gold award will suffice.

Pros.
+ Good Layout and Aesthetic
+ Lucid Virtu MVP
+ Eyefinity ready out the box
+ C.P.R. and other ASUS Exclusive features
+ CrossfireX Support

Cons.
– Costs more than the APUs it is made for.