AMD Bulldozer press kit: ASUS Crosshair V Formula
The board received in our labs from AMD to enable us to test Bulldozer as cutting-edge AMD processor for Scorpius platform, which we remind being the FX-8150, is the ASUS Crosshair V Formula. Over the years Asus has become synonymous with quality where the ROG (Republic of Gamers) production line is the highest expression in terms of quality and technology on both the hardware and software aimed at strongly support the growing set of people who practice the overclocking.
As shown from the series of images, Asus has paid particular attention to the packaging that appears to be both robust and elegant, yet full of information that show the features related to the product in question.
The layout is very neat and innovative and is separated from the traditions so far followed. While the color scheme is classic and always found in other ROG models, a clear advantage in terms of space around the socket is visible on the ASUS Crosshair V Formula . The availability of space on one hand makes more permissive in the choice of the heat sink for the CPU and the other hand let you use a simpler and more effective insulation when you run them under cold overclocking tests. Surely you've noticed that the area at the left of the socket is free and is devoid of classical cooling flange covering the 990FX because that was moved over on the same horizontal line of the power dissipation of the chip, connected by a central channel of Heat Pipe to maximize the dissipation of heat from warmer areas to cooler areas.
On the left we see the presence of 990FX under the sink.
The bundle is rich and full, as required for this class of product. Interesting, hidden in part on the adhesive, there is a USB cable for the monitoring of temperature, frequency and tension where you can act in real time to help us in the practice of overclocking without having to enter the bios or by acting on the test system.
In the area below the PCB of ASUS CROSSHAIR V Formula can not fail to notice the mounting of the socket retention bracket as well as the retention brackets of heat sinks adjacent to it.
The number of USB ports is remarkable, distinguished by color depending on the speed of connection and origin. One of the black ports, can be converted for use with ROG Connect, while we note the absence of a FireWire port and a second LAN port. Instead, from left, below the 2 USB ports group we have 1 e-SATA port. To end the blockade of ports, all the I/O sockets reserved for audio signals.
The viewed socket is the latest AM3+, designed to support the latest processor family. Including those of greatest importance, the Phenom and, the subject of our review, the processor of choice for the desktop market: the FX-8150.
Also on the adjacent part of the perimeter of the motherboard we have 2 extra power connectors for both the CPU socket area of the memory slots.
Proceeding to the left starting from the higher end of the motherboard you can see both the 4-pin molex connector for expansion slot power and the switch to activate/deactivate the ROG Connect connector.
Highlighted, covered by the adhesive, the ASUS Crosshair Formula V has a dedicated audio chip from Creative, the X-Fi 2 SupremeFX signal processing for high-definition audio.
In addition to the usual connectors depicted in the photos, Asus' ROG series include buttons to facilitate bench, overclock, power and reset operations.
Other highlighted connectors dedicated to replicate USB ports and connections for the fans. In total we can count 8 dedicated fan connectors on the PCB.
Framed in the figure are the 6+1 SATA3 6Gbps ports.
On the left of EATX Power 24-pin connector, in red there is the connector dedicated to the replication on the chassis of the USB 3.0 ports.
In the outer part there is a button GO BUTTON that when pressed at boot the system performs a test of RAM, while when pressed in Windows loads a profile specifically associated and stored in the BIOS.
Framed in the top the RAM slots distinguished by color, for installing DIMMs in pairs to support dual channel. Below, along the boundary line, the reading points of the various voltages of the main chips present on the Mainboard such CPU, RAM, NB, SB, etc.
The ASUS Crosshair V Formula has a total of 5 PCI-Express slots and 1 PCI. Supports both SLI and Crossfire configurations. Starting from the right slot and considering only the red, the first and third are at 16x while the second is at 8x and the fourth (i.e. the last) is at 4x.The PCI slot is black, supporting cards compatible with the old standard, while the only slot remained, gray colored, is always a PCI-Express but with 1x speed.
In the picture an elegant passive heat sink above the SB950 southbridge. Below, the support chip for iROG technology for system overclocking.
Technical specification
Following, the technical specifications of the Crosshair V Formula
