Today, we will discuss the features
of the mainboard and try to explain why AMD Trinity processor consumes so much
power after all. Which component of the computer system affects the most on the
operation and power consumption? Computer cores, graphics or memory – which
element needs to be overclocked and why should it be left in the nominal mode?
Gigabyte
GA-F2A85X-UP4 Mainboard
In months, we did research and publish
reviews about almost two dozens of LGA 1155 mainboards. Of course, our interest
in these products are reasonable, because they are the newest, most current,
interesting and universal platform products which allow us to build any system,
starting with the entry level and ending with a more senior level. We seem to
evaluate again the LGA 1155 mainboard, because Intel will launch the new
platform in a very short time. Now, we have our chances to have a closer and
wider overview of some alternative products from AMD. We do not use the term of
“competitive products” on purpose, because although there is a competition
between AMD and Intel processors, it is just true for the entry-product and
low-end products, while the price for luxury product segments is almost ruled
by Intel. This is not good. The today’s desktop market is suffering a lot of
pressure from the increase of mobile device, tablets and smartphones. However,
the quite slow development of desktop system is also explained by the failure
of AMD in launching their new products, which are competitive enough with Intel
processors from the year 2006. Nevertheless, with the fact of no competitors,
Intel has no stimulus to move forward. Its consequence is the slowing-down
effect on the development of desktops.
In the last autumn, AMD announced the new
Socket AM3+ processor, belonging to Vishera series. We discussed them in a very
detailed review about the top AMD FX8350 and followed by the summary of all new
processors. Of course, the improvements were obviously comparable with the
original Bulldozer generation, but they were still very slow and inefficient in
saving power compared to Intel’s processors. This is also the reason why we
decide not to write any review about numbers of Socket AM3+, because AMD has
nothing much to show off in this segment and their position is really low. Instead,
we decide to go on with the new FM2 Platform, where this company is the ruler
and thus successful opportunity is possible. Unlike in other processor
segments, where the direct competition with Intel turns out pretty sad, the
acquisition of ATI allows AMD to become a powerful player in the graphics
segment and successfully competes with Nvidia. It would be logical when they
decided to turn it into their strength and introduced a new processor – APU
(Accelerated Processing Unit). In the meantime, tablets were brand new devices.
It was so hard to distinguish the super mobile computer and notebook, and the
difference between the new APU and CPI with an identical graphics core is also
unclear. However, it is still there to emphasize that graphics cores are not
responsible for displaying images on the screen, but can help the processor
solve some computing tasks.
The idea of adding some influences to
computing and graphics cores seems to be very promising, but does not currently
work, because it depends on the assistance of a software, which is not
available yet. Notwithstanding, FM2 processors seem to be very interesting and
have received many optimistic feedbacks from the authorities. The Trinity
processor generation based on the Piled driver microarchitecture is the same as
the processor for Vishera desktops with AMD Radeons from Northern Island. The
only weakness here is the production process of the components is still 32nm line.
This is the reason why Trinity processors have to give up their cache memories
in order to be compatible with the graphics cores, which results in half of the
death of processors. Nevertheless, the identical Devastator graphic core
becomes so efficient for modern 3D games. Therefore, once we have put one hand
on the top A10-5800K processors, we decide to check out some Socket FM2
mainboard, processors and new application platforms. We would like to start our
series of reviews by the evaluation of Gigabyte GA-F2A85X-UP4.
Package and accessories
The Gigabyte’s box is very easy to
recognize and independent of the inside mainboard. In the front is the name of
the mainboard type, series number and technological logo, while there is a
general summary, describing highlight features of the mainboard at the back of
the box.
Gigabyte
GA-F2A85X-UP4 box
Inside the box, we will find the mainboard
wrapped by an anti-static bag, separated accessories wrapped in the cardboard.
Package and accessories:
·
6 ATA cables with metal connector locks, half
with the L-shape and the others with straight one.
·
User manual
·
Brief installation instructions in different
languages
·
DVD containing software and driver;
·
Stickers with “Gigabyte” logo for the system
case
The
accessories
There are only some accessories which
should not be considered as a broken promise but a special issue which should
be remembered. The success of AMD processors on the market is usually be
determined by an important element as their offer price is quite low that is
why the mainboard designed for them cannot be more expensive. It is sure that
almost all users will not be disappointed when discovering that there are just
four or even two ATA cables inside the mainboard’s box.
