Review - Motherboard AMD Asus A88X-PRO

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Overview

Dual Intelligent Processors 4

Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-Way Optimization

One click for better performance, efficiency, digital power control, reduced noise, and improved cooling.

Dynamic Multi-Scenario Design

Figuring out the best settings for your PC a challenge? 4-Way Optimization automatically detects the best configuration for your system based on actual usage.

Proven Performance

The design makes sure your PC is perfect for gaming, entertainment, productivity, and everything else.

4 Key Tuning Pillars

  • Performance: unlock CPU/iGPU performance with the TPU
  • Efficiency: achieve whole system energy efficiency by reducing power consumption
  • Leading digital power: real-time management of CPU-input voltage regulator via DIGI+ Power Control
  • Customized fan control: detailed supervision of every installed fan improves cooling and reduces noise with Fan Xpert 2

APU performance boost

Unleash your computer’s performance with a simple onboard switch or the ASUS AI Suite 3 utility. It works with the TPU chip to offer precise voltage control and advanced monitoring , enabling great freedom to adjust APU frequencies and ratios for optimized performance in all situations.

All-round energy efficiency

Tap into the world's first real-time PC power saving chip through the AI Suite 3 utility. Get total system-wide energy optimization by automatically detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating power consumption. It can manually switch to Away Mode, so that you can download and stream content or backup data when away from your PC, which minimizes power draw to save money, creating a more efficient PC.

Precise Digital Power Control for both APU and DRAM

Power control is one of the most essential motherboard designs. Intelligent APU power draw detection with ASUS DIGI+ Power Control is an innovative, industry-leading technology that fully complies with Intel® VRD12.5 specifications, increasing overclocking potential, enhancing system stability, and improving power efficiency with superior flexibility and accurate control.

Comprehensive controls for the perfect cool and quiet balance

Hardware-level ASUS Fan Xpert 2 literally blows away the competition. It can scan each fan’s characteristics through automatic fan speed detection, delivering custom settings for each 4-pin/3-pin CPU and chassis fan with a single click and achieving the best balance of cooling performance and low noise. 

Performance Boost


GPU Boost

Unlock integrated graphics performance for up to 30% boost

Exclusive GPU Boost is able to unlock any APU for overclocking integrated graphics. Even non-Black Edition APUs can be boosted – for an integrated graphics performance increase of up to 30%! Gaining this unique power is as simple as flipping an onboard switch or using ASUS AI Suite 3 utility. It easily delivers stable system-wide upgrades for every use.

USB 3.0 Boost (UASP Support)

170% faster transfer speeds than traditional USB 3.0

ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology supports UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) in Windows 8. With USB 3.0 Boost technology, a USB device's transmission speed is significantly increased up to 170%, adding to already fast USB 3.0 performance. ASUS software automatically accelerates data rates for compatible USB 3.0 peripherals without any user interaction.
  • World’s 1st USB 3.0 UASP support – instantly 170% faster.
  • Complete USB 3.0 solution – performance boost under Turbo Mode or UASP Mode for most USB devices.
  • Simple plug and boost – auto detection design ensures best performance.

5X Protection


ASUS 5X Protection

All-round protection provides the best quality, reliability, and durability

ASUS motherboards guard your PC with 5X Protection. We use quality components like DIGI+ VRM digital power design for precise APU power on demand, ESD units tested to strict standards that eliminate electrostatic interference, and resettable fuses around DRAM slots to prevent overcurrent and short-circuit damage. We also use corrosion-resistant back I/O shields, all examples of ASUS providing the best possible reliability and durability.

DIGI+ Power Control (DIGI+ VRM & DRAM)

Precise Digital Power Control for both APU and DRAM

Power control is one of the most essential motherboard designs. Intelligent APU power draw detection with ASUS DIGI+ Power Control is an innovative, industry-leading technology increasing overclocking potential, enhancing system stability, and improving power efficiency with superior flexibility and accurate control 

*DIGI+ VRM functions also available in FM2+ & FM2 CPUs.

Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection

Short-circuit damage prevention

Onboard resettable fuses prevent overcurrent and short-circuit damage. This extends beyond I/O ports to DRAM to safeguard system and device lifespan.


ESD Guards

Strong ESD protection for extended component lifespan

Electrostatic discharges (ESD) can happen suddenly, and their damaging effects are often underestimated. ASUS ESD Guards offer an active protective circuit design that ensures electrostatic discharges are properly grounded, providing greater component longevity.

High-Quality 5K-Hour Solid State Capacitors

2.5X longer lifespan with excellent durability

ASUS high-quality solid state capacitors assure a 5,000-hour lifespan, equivalent to 2.5 times longer than traditional capacitors. All capacitors pass testing under temperatures as high as 105 degrees centigrade and meet Japanese industrial standards to provide excellent durability and enhanced thermal capacity.

Stainless Steel Back I/O

3X more durable corrosion-resistant coating

ASUS motherboard back I/O panels are made from strong and corrosion-resistant stainless steel, which is bonded with a thin layer of chromium oxide to enhance anti-corrosive properties. Passing 72-hour spray salt endurance tests, ASUS stainless steel back I/O panels have a usage life three times longer compared to ordinary panels.

New UEFI BIOS


New UEFI BIOS – friendlier and more intuitive

Exclusive EZ Mode adds useful info to become even easier

Media-renowned UEFI BIOS from ASUS provides the smoothest mouse-controlled graphical BIOS, and now features more intuitive functions to quickly take you to favorite BIOS pages and frequently-accessed settings through custom shortcuts. You can even write quick notes in-BIOS for future reference, view an activity log of setting changes and modifications, and rename SATA ports. EZ Mode has a whole new look, upgraded with extra-friendly capabilities like detailed fan controls, D.O.C.P profile settings, SATA information, and fast clock adjustment. Together, these perfect your BIOS experience.

Remote GO!


Remote GO!

One-stop PC remote control and home entertainment

Remote GO! links PCs, tablets, smartphones, and TVs wirelessly through a LAN cable and router. It allows you to stream multimedia content from PC to DLNA devices, access your computer anywhere using smart devices at home, and easily transfer files to and from your PC. Now upgraded with new Cloud GO!, which syncs your multiple cloud storage accounts and backs up content to your PC with one click.


Set up Your Home PC with Remote GO!
1.Wi-Fi environment setup - use an existing LAN cable and router setup to connect PC and smart devices on the same home network
2.Install Remote GO! software on your PC
3.Download Wi-Fi GO! &NFC Remote to your smart devices (Supported Systems: iOS & Android)
4.Setup complete - get four free apps with ASUS Remote GO



Specifications

CPUAMD Socket FM2+ Athlon™/A- Series Processors 
Supports CPU up to 4 cores 
Supports AMD® Turbo Core 3.0 Technology 
* Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
ChipsetAMD A88X (Bolton D4)
Memory4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2250(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133/1866/1600/1333 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. 

 * Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. 

 * Refer to www.asus.com 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.
GraphicIntegrated AMD Radeon™ HD 7000/8000 Series Graphics in A-series APU 
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI/RGB/DisplayPort ports 
- Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz*1 
- Supports DVI with max. resolution 2560 x 1600 @ 60 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 *2
Multi-GPU SupportSupports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
Expansion Slots2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) *3 
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode) 
2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 
2 x PCI
StorageAMD A88X FCH(Bolton D4) chipset : 
6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), yellow 
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red 
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD
LANRealtek® 8111GR, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
AudioRealtek® ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC 
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
USB PortsAMD A88X FCH(Bolton D4) chipset : 
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
AMD A88X FCH(Bolton D4) chipset : 
10 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, black, 8 at mid-board)
ASMedia® ASM1042 controller : 
2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue)
Special FeaturesASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-Way Optimization : 
- The tuning key perfectly consolidates ASUS-exclusive DIGI+ Power Control, TPU, EPU, and Fan Xpert 2 optimize the digital power setting, system performance, power saving and whole system cooling configuration
ASUS 5X Protection : 
- ASUS DIGI+ VRM - 6 + 2 Phase digital power design
- ASUS Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection - Short circuit damage prevention
- ASUS ESD Guards - Enhanced ESD protection
- ASUS High-Quality 5K-Hour Solid Capacitors - 2.5x long lifespan with excellent durability
- ASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O - 3x more durable corrosion-resistant coating
ASUS EPU : 
- EPU switch
ASUS Exclusive Features : 
- GPU Boost - Remote GO!
- USB BIOS Flashback
- MemOK!
- AI Suite 3
- Ai Charger+
- USB Charger+ *4
- 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-pipe solution
- ASUS Fan Xpert 2
ASUS EZ DIY :
- DirectKey
- Precision Tweaker 2
- ASUS O.C. Tuner
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
- ASUS MyLogo 2
- ASUS USB BIOS Flashback
- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
- Multi-language BIOS
ASUS Q-Design : 
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Q-Code
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-Connector
Operating System SupportWindows® 8.1
Windows® 8 , 32bit/64bit
Windows® 7 , 32bit/64bit
Windows® XP , 32bit
Back I/O Ports1 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)
Internal I/O Ports1 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 COM port(s) connector(s) 
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 
4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -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) (Q-Connector) 
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 Clear CMOS jumper(s) 
1 x USB BIOS Flashback button(s)
AccessoriesUser's manual
ASUS Q-Shield
4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
BIOS64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, F12 PrintScreen Function, F3 Shortcut Function and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
Support DiscDrivers, ASUS utilities, ASUS Update, Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Note*1: *Only FM2+ APU can support up to 4096 x 2160 resolution display via HDMI port.
*2: Refer to HYPERLINK "http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/dual-graphics/Pages/dual-graphics.aspx"http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/dual-graphics/Pages/dual-graphics.aspx#3 for the discrete GPUs which support Dual Graphics technology.
*3: Only FM2+ Processors can support PCIe3.0.
*4 USB Charger+ is only supported in Windows®7 and later versions.
For more information please visit : https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/A88XPRO