ASUS A8R32-MVP BIOS, Bundle and Presentation
BIOS
The BIOS for the A8R32-MVP is AMI-based as you'll have come to expect from ASUS. I'm a fan, even if the navigation method is at odds with what you'll play with on an AWARD-based board. The interesting screens are as follows, click for big versions.
Voltage ranges are as follows:
0.80V to 1.4V or 1.55V Vcore (depending on CPU) in 0.025V steps, with 0.1 or 0.2V over-volting, for a potential max of 1.75V. Vmem adjust is 2.60V to 3.20V in 0.05V steps. You get a 1.2V to 1.5V range for northbridge, PCI Express and HyperTransport voltage, in 0.1V steps, and 0.1V over-volt adjust for the southbridge.
CPU bus speed adjust is available from 200 to 400MHz in 1MHz increments, PCIe can be locked at 100 to 150MHz (1MHz steps) and the BIOS will let you set up to DDR500 if the BIOS supports it.
PEG Link mode lets the BIOS have a go at overclocking your graphics card and you have adjust of clock skew timings for the memory controller on that screen, too.
Hardware monitoring is present and correct, the mainboard BIOS watching over and controller voltages, temperatures and fan speeds. Only the CPU and chassis fan headers get in-depth control, with the BIOS offering a temperature range and PWM starting value for those, letting you have decent control over the rotation of what's connected.
ATI make a big deal about Xpress 3200's ability to keep the LDT multiplier up at 4 or 5X, even when pushing the board to high overclocks. The BIOS gives you decent control over LDT parameters should you fancy proving their claims.
The last interesting screen concerns memory timing adjustment, the BIOS giving you full control over the integrated memory controller on all the chip revisions it supports.
Bundle and Presentation
ASUS roll out the usual 'A.I' box art for the A8R32-MVP. Bundle wise it's the usual: SATA power and data for all five possible ports, IDE ribbons, and external FireWire and USB ports.Software wise you get the driver CD and some Intervideo WinDVD and DVD authoring software, and the manual is of the usual ASUS quality.
