With the Asus Republic of Gamers Crosshair V Formula it has produced a board that makes us virtually want to suggest it regardless of regardless of whether or not Bulldozer is much cop.
We’ve looked at a few motherboards based on AMD’s 9-series chipsets now, and so far the general impression has been that they’re OK. Unfortunately it all truly depends on the forthcoming FX (aka Bulldozer) processors to make them worthwhile.
Like other Crosshair, Rampage and Maximus motherboards in the RoG series, it is a stupidly over specified board that just makes you want to grin.
It’s unlikely most folks would even know what to do with half of the functions included, let alone actually use them. So becoming able to say you own a motherboard that functions them carries its own form of geek cache.
What sort of points do we mean?
There is the optional remote for overclocking, for a start, and the power out points for taking manual volt readings of the main motherboard rails. There is the plethora of diagnostic LEDs, the inclusion of two full 16 lane graphics ports for two way SLI or Crossfire… the list goes on.
There’s clearly not a lot of performance difference between the 990FX and the 990X chipsets from AMD, and even the lower spec 960 is not far behind.
What’s much more intriguing than the performance benchmarks, maybe, is the power usage. Playing about with ASUS’ EPU settings can lower this even further.
What’s good about the Crosshair V is that in spite of becoming so properly equipped it isn’t intimidating.
Getting mentioned all that, the Crosshair V Formula is not the most extremely specced motherboard ASUS has ever created.
Some of the extras that you will discover in the Extreme range of motherboards like Bluetooth – which is helpful for overclocking via a mobile phone – are noticeable by their absence.
But there is a host of techniques the Asus RoG Crosshair V Formula makes points effortless for the user.
The new UEFI graphical BIOS, for example is effectively laid out and simple to use. And even though the ASUS software utilities are hateful if you ever try to uninstall them, so lengthy as you leave them performing their own factor they’re a straightforward gateway to controlling not just the CPU clock settings but also ASUS’ Push-me-pull-you chips, TPU and EPU. These automatically undervolt or overclock other motherboard components depending on existing system load.
It is the little issues that make the biggest distinction though.
Issues like the inclusion of an X-Fi chip for sound (this isn’t a full blown X-Fi, mind, but it is better than regular on board audio) and 1 touch overclocking buttons.
There is an extra couple of USB 3. ports over and above the norm too.
Sadly, though, as fun as the Crosshair V is, value for funds does have to come into play at some point.
It’s not terrible in this regard – ASUS own Sabertooth 990FX is virtually identical but has a worse soundcard for £10 much less – but it’d nonetheless be unwise to shell out for a best spec motherboard with out knowing how good Bulldozer is going to be or how a lot it is going to expense.
And that last point is crucial – since if AMD’s next CPU can undercut its Intel rivals substantially, it is going to be worth purchasing a premium board to make the most of it.
And they don’t come a lot far more premium than this.
We liked
The Crosshair V has got just about every thing you could wish for to develop a high finish program about.
It is quickly, endlessly teakable and even has a decent on board sound chip.
The cost is not terrible either, unless you are a die challenging bargain hunter that it.
We disliked
As we stated this is a board with every thing, except that is for a great CPU to go with it.
Phenom II is yesterday’s news, and to make the Crosshair V worthwhile, Bulldozer has to be excellent. So like each other AMD 9-series motherboard at the moment it’s just a warm up to the major event.
Final word
If Bulldozer is top notch performance at a bargain cost, it’ll be worth getting a high end motherboard like this to get the most out of it.
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