| ASUS P9X79 Deluxe Motherboard |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Motherboards | |
| Written by Olin Coles & David Ramsey | |
| Monday, 14 November 2011 | |
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Page 5 of 17
ASUS UEFI BIOSHardware enthusiasts have been asking for the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) BIOS replacement on their desktop motherboards for many years, and for many years their requests went ignored. Then, back in 2010, ASUS answered back with the first major innovation to replace an aging text-only layout with a new graphical user interface for pre-boot settings. UEFI is the replacement for Intel's original EFI 1.1 specification. Every ASUS X79 Express motherboard allows users to export UEFI screen captures onto an attached USB flash drive and then share with others to help illustrate settings.
A welcomed part of UEFI is that anyone can build their own custom environment based on the Unified EFI Specification, and while BIOS vendors will likely make up the majority of builds the enthusiast community can also join in. Another nice feature about the UEFI (BIOS) is that it's already compatible with storage devices larger than 2.2 TB capacity - a barrier that holds many older motherboards back and restricts some of the latest large-capacity storage products. Floppy diskette drives now have no official purpose being used with modern computer hardware. Previous BIOS firmware could be compressed to fit on a 1.44 MB floppy, but because of the large UEFI (BIOS) interface a 32MB ROM is now required. This will accelerate the use of USB-based devices for flashing BIOS firmware updates. With the ASUS X79 Express series, users can use the USB BIOS Flashback function to upgrade/restore firmware without anything more than a power supply attached to the motherboard for standby/sleep current.
The ASUS UEFI (BIOS) can be used to configure hardware parameters and power settings, but users may prefer the robust AI Suite II software. The BIOS provides most of the same functionality, but AI Suite II allows for real-time changes by using integrated DIGI+ VRM, EPU, TurboV EVO, BT GO!, FAN Xpert, and Probe II software. Unlike the USB BIOS Flashback feature, system memory is required to boot into the firmware menu, since none of the ASUS X79-based motherboards have onboard memory beyond a 64MB ROM firmware chip. While UEFI is a great step forward, having the ability to boot the motherboard without system memory installed would have solved countless troubleshooting situations for hardware enthusiasts. Until this is possible, ASUS BIOS Flashback appears to be a useful tool in this regard.
For users with a familiarity with text-only BIOS options, the new ASUS UEFI (BIOS) will come naturally as most options mirror those previously available. For novice hardware enthusiasts, the easy-to-navigate graphical user interface will allow them to make changes to the ASUS X79 Express motherboard series without fear. Advanced overclockers will enjoy the UEFI EZ Mode utility, which allows them to make adjustments and test settings before entering the Operating System. Surprisingly, the ASUS auto-overclocking utilities (Easy OC Tool/TurboV EVO) do an impressive job at finding the maximum overclock possible.
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Comments
Hardware is moving forward and the SSD will be like the change from DVD to Blue-ray. Come on benchmark, you need to show Sata 3 transfer speed and the switch from PCI-E 2.0 to 3.0, how can you leave out the two main factors of motherboards ? ATTO, Furmark, really need to be shown. The difference on Sata 3 with HDD and SSD, and PCI-E 3.0 with say two video cards against these cards on PCI-e 2.0. Motherboard testing without this kind of testing leaves questions that need answers.
I can't believe ASUS put the FAILED Marvell 9128 on the new x79, they keep up this kind of work and they will be laughed out of the MOBO market.
Additionally, we have about one hundred SATA 6Gb/s tests here:
benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=3&Itemid=60
Wouldn't you use a SSD PCI-E ?
not lately from what i have seen - build quality deteriorating from what most people see in fact.Interesting to finish with an assertion about rma's - where does that figure come from?
Just another opinion on potential?
Then my PSU caused a short and burnt the EATX 24pin block, I ran two 6 hr burn in tests on all hardware on the mobo, all test completed fine with no hardware problems. I wanted to have Asus check it and got an RMA. The board was 7 months old.
I received an e-mail, the problem is not under warranty and the board is unrepairable, please send 175.00 for a replacement. Gave the board to a friend and its working fine.
Asus- rotten dirty thieves, last system I will ever build for anyone with Asus. I'll have them spend an extra 200.00 for a ASRock before buying an Asus. I have been buying Gigabytes, only been a few months, but so far the boards are awesome. The only thing is slow booting due to pool data, so you have to install their software to over ride it. Excellent overclock, no problems with XMP with G-skill, Patriot, Corsair. Gigabyte also seems to keep their drivers up to date better then Asus. With building systems I wish I knew as much as Olin and David, but I get by.
Seems most hardware, caps, are all close in quality. I'm just hurt that Asus shunned me, buying tons of their products, Boards, LCD, Coolers, Roms, then to be told to buy another board. They recall cars, they should recall their boards with the 9128. I generally don't fan to one company like most, I don't love Intel or AMD and try and knock the other. Everything can fail. Just disappointing how Asus treated me as a customer. Your site has been a great help and I think you people have done a good job at informing the public.
I would be interested in finding out what issues you have with the 9128? As it is a controller not only we have used but also competitors. This was the first qualified SATA6G controller to come to market in addition the custom firmware support on this controller is what allows us to offer SSD caching on our X79 vs not having it at all. The validation not only performed by us but those of our partners ( like system integrators has validated the solution as being one that is functional and reliable while offering additional functionality ). For a platfrom like X58 this was additionally the only way to intially provide support for SATA6G capacble SSDs when they launched ( like the C300 ). In regards to it not being a true SATA6G controller this is incorrect as it fully supports the specification yes there is a PCI-E link limitation but this does not mean it will not offer single SSD performance for a SATA6G SSD compared to SATA3G SATA port that is part of the PCH. If you have other feedback as always we are interested in hearing it.
Regards,
JJ
gtx 580 video card and vertex 3 240 gb but the system runs slower then my previus pc is that normal ?????????????
No need for water-cooling.