BIOS: Technology Means Business

Asus’s latest motherboard is a powerhouse of a solution which delivers dual-channel DDR2 support on AMD’s latest computing platform. It also supports nVidia’s nForce 590 SLI MCP chipset (a first for Asus), and offers performance adjustment and efficient power supply features to cater for both gaming nuts and media centre users.

The M2N32-SLI Deluxe (Best Current Price: £135) supports AMD’s socket AM2 single-core Athlon 64/Sempron and dual-core Athlon 64 X2/Athlon 64 FX processors with 2MB/1MB/512KB L2 cache, which is based on 64-bit architecture. It features 2000/1600 MT/s HyperTransport Bus, dual-channel un-buffered DDR2 800MHz memory support and AMD’s Cool ‘n’ Quiet! Technology.

The motherboard supports dual-graphics cards to run the most demanding video applications. The M2N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard comes equipped with two PCI Express x16 slots for nVidia’s SLI (Scalable Link Interface) graphics interface, allowing two identical SLI-applicable graphics cards to run simultaneously.

The most striking features is the elaborate chipset cooling and the need to switch the CPU socket and DIMM slots around to accommodate it. The M2N32-SLI Deluxe also has an updated heat-pipe thermal solution from Asus, first spotted on the A8N32-SLI Deluxe. Instead of a three piece solution, the M2N32-SLI Deluxe sports a four piece ensemble with two radiators. Also worth noting is that the radiators are curved so as to provide clearance for graphics cards that have backplates or rear heatsinks.

Two large radiators for the heat-pipes now double up as coolers for the motherboard MOSFETs and capacitors, and both chipsets have their own dedicated heat-pipe complete with shiny new decals. The M2N32-SLI Deluxe isn’t the most expansive motherboard on the market, though it makes up for it with more features that you can shake a stick at.

nVidia’s nForce 500 series of media and communications processors (MCPs) are a top-to-bottom family of core-logic solutions for AMD64-based platforms for enthusiasts, gamers, and mainstream users. The flagship 590 SLI MCP used here delivers the tools and performance PC enthusiasts demand. In fact, it was built and designed for enthusiasts by enthusiasts, and uses a state-of-the-art design that exposes unprecedented hardware controls and BIOS settings to overclockers.

When combined with select nVidia GeForce SLI-ready graphics cards and other system components, the nForce 590 SLI provides automatic access to faster bus speeds ready for system overclocking and greater data throughput, forming the penultimate foundation for the ultimate PC gaming platform.

The nForce 590 SLI MCP includes LinkBoost technology, which automatically increases PCIe bus speeds on the motherboard when LinkBoost-enabled GPUs, such as the GeForce 7900 GTX are installed. It is also the first core-logic solution to feature support for new Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP)-based memory DIMMs using the new EPP memory specification, unlocking even higher levels of memory DIMM performance previously unattainable.

FirstPacket technology is optimised networking technology that gives higher priority to network game traffic, resulting in lower ping counts for accelerated online gaming experiences. DualNet dual Gigabit Ethernet with teaming capability allows the dual Gigabit Ethernet connections to be combined for blazing file transfers - ideal for LAN party game servers and file sharing servers, while TCP/IP acceleration delivers the highest system performance by offloading CPU-intensive packet filtering tasks in hardware, providing users with a PC networking environment that is faster.

MediaShield technology provides massive storage with support for up to six SATA 3Gbit/s HDDs and a dizzying array of RAID configurations including the industry’s first dual RAID 5 support on a single controller. Finally, High Definition Audio (HDA) brings consumer electronics quality sound to the PC delivering high quality sound from multiple channels. Using HDA, systems can deliver 192 kHz/32-bit quality for eight channels, supporting new audio formats.

Compared with dual-PCI Express x8, dual-PCI Express x16 delivers up to a 10 per cent performance hike to boost image quality along with rendering speed, eliminating the need to lower screen resolutions to attain higher frame rates. Whether it’s watching movies, 3D gaming or graphics design, the M2N32-SLI Deluxe can handle them all with ease.

AI Lifestyle Series features bring lifestyle and personal computing together. They provide better system performance for graphics-intensive applications such as 3D games and deliver cutting-edge audio features that dramatically enhance aural atmosphere.

The 8-Phase Power design also delivers a steady power supply to the CPU thereby generating less heat than conventional power solutions and providing a cool computing environment for stable performance and higher overclocking margins. It reduces input ripple current and output ripple voltage, preventing the CPU and power modules from the risk of high power stress.

With ‘AI Nap’ you can instantly ‘relax’ your PC without closing programs. The system will continue to operate at minimum power and noise when you are temporarily away. It can download files and run applications in this quietest state while you are asleep. Simply click the mouse to wake up the system in seconds.

To balance system performance and silent computing, AI Gear enables you to choose from profiles to adjust CPU frequency and vCore voltage, minimising system noise and power consumption.

The M2N32-SLI Deluxe is bundled with an array microphone. While recording, the microphone receives only the sound coming from the reception cone and ignores the sound coming from other directions, eliminating a large number of interferences including neighboring speakers and reverberations. It also features Echo Cancellation Technology, which eliminates the annoying echo typical during audio and voice applications.

Expansion slots comprise one PCI Express x4, one PCI Express x1, and two PCI 2.2. The WiFi-AP Solo USB wireless module supports 802.11b/g and the TI 1394 controller supports two FireWire ports. Up to eight USB2.0/1.1 ports are supported. Backpanel I/O ports comprise one PS/2 keyboard port, PS/2 Mouse port, optical and Coaxial S/PDIF outputs, external SATA, two LAN (RJ45) ports, four USB 2.0/1.1 ports, FireWire, WiFi-g antenna jack (Wireless Edition only), COM port and 8-channel audio ports.

Accessories are plentiful and include an SLI bridge, ASUS array microphone, optional fan, ASUS Q-Connector Kit (USB, FireWire, system panel), wireless antenna (Wireless Edition only), UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable, floppy disk drive cable, six SATA cables, three SATA power cable for six devices, 2-port USB 2.0 module, FireWire module, I/O Shield, InterVideo Media Launcher software (OEM version only), and a User’s manual.

[9] – Editors’ Choice

[Best Motherboard Pricing UK]
[Best Motherboard Pricing US]