BIOS:

The BIOS has numerous screens to it, many of which feature things you would find on just about any motherboard. In this section of the review we will take a closer look at some of the more interesting items.

The two images below are from the Jumper Free Setup tab. This is where all the overclocking takes place. You can manually adjust the CPU multiplier, FSB frequency, DRAM timings, and numerous voltages. There are so many options that you have to scroll down to see them all, which is why it took two images to convey all of the data.


The options in this BIOS allow you to fine tune many features beyond what I am used to. I have another ASUS P35 motherboard (the P5KC), and even its BIOS isn't as tweaker friendly as the P5K PRO's. The FSB frequency can be adjusted in 1MHz increments, the CPU multiplier can be changed in whole number increments up to the CPU's programmed maximum, and the memory can be set to run at a handful of speeds determined by preset ratios of FSB:DRAM. But the settings that are most impressive can be seen when you scroll down and get to the voltages. CPU, north bridge, south bridge, memory, and other components can be adjusted in fine steps that seem to extend beyond what anyone could possibly need. Consider the memory voltage settings, for example. The range is 1.80V to 3.08V, divided into 0.02V increments. On many BIOSes you are lucky to get to the 2.3V needed to run some of the high end overclocking memory modules, and in general you are looking at the relatively 'broad' tuning provided by 0.1V increments.

The images below show the CPU Settings tab and the North Bridge Chipset tab. While some of the information seen above is echoed, a few more tweaks are provided.


The Hardware Monitor tab is shown in the below left image. Here you can check the status of various fan speeds and voltage readings, but more importantly you can configure the "Q-Fan Control". With this feature, you can have the motherboard control the speed of the CPU and case fan based on user selected temperatures and cooling profiles.


The above right image shows the O.C. Profile Configuration. This tab lets the user program two profiles into the BIOS to make switching between different configurations a snap. For example, you could use one to store all the settings for your optimum high power overclock, and use the other to go back to tamer settings for low noise multimedia enjoyment. Instead of having to remember what settings worked and having to take the time to re-enter all the values, you just click to switch profiles before booting.