Eldonko
Well-known member
BIOS Rundown p.1
BIOS Rundown
Since the release of the UEFI BIOS, ASUS has been at the forefront of BIOS development. The Z87 generation is no exception and the new ASUS BIOS adds over 15 new features and improvements over previous generation. From a usability standpoint, the Hero's BIOS is clearly labeled and nearly every function has a short but precise explanation attached to it. Novices may find it daunting but there is always the EZ mode to get you started.
Besides the screenshot below, the BIOS pictures in this section show the Advanced section which naturally provides more advanced options for experienced users. Since this is a, ROG product, the Advanced Mode actually loads by default but users can easily switch to EZ Mode if desired.
EZ Mode in the UEFI BIOS is designed for beginners that may be intimidated by Advanced Mode and are just looking for basic settings. EZ Mode is only one page that has most of the key information a user will need such as system information, XMP for memory, CPU temperature and voltage, fan speeds and profiles, SATA information, boot priority, and three levels of system performance presets (Power Saving, Normal, ASUS Optimal). Advanced mode can be accessed by pressing F7 or selecting at the bottom of the screen.
Under the Main tab we have system information on the BIOS version, CPU and memory as well as the system time and date.
If you plan on overclocking the system at all, the page that you will spend the majority of time on is the Extreme Tweaker section. Its items allow you to configure overclocking-related settings such as clock speeds, voltages, and strap. The top of the page shows target CPU, memory, cache, DMI/PEG, and iGPU speeds in yellow and setting Ai Overclock Tuner to Manual will reveal additional settings. Below that are some of the most-used items such as BCLK Frequency, CPU Core Ratio, CPU Cache Ratio, and DRAM Frequency.
CPU Level up has three levels of auto overclocking: 4.2Ghz, 4.4Ghz, and 4.6Ghz. We will go over these in detail in the overclocking section. Manual Mode can be enabled for voltages to reveal voltage settings for the CPU Core and CPU Cache. Alternatively you can use Offset and Adaptive voltage modes for voltage adjustments. Useful voltages for overclocking are CPU Core, CPU Cache, System Agent (helps with memory), I/O voltages (can help stabilize IMC at high CPU clocks), and DRAM.
Subpages for DRAM Timings, GPU.DIMM POST, DIGI+ Power Control, Tweaker’s Paradise, and CPU Power Management are all found within the first half of Extreme Tweaker. Starting with DRAM Timings, there are three groups of memory timings over three pages (Primary, Secondary, Third) and a “Misc” section at the bottom which contains MRC Fast Boot, DRAM CLK Period, SKEW Control, and other DIMM controls. Memory enthusiasts can’t much for more in terms of memory tweakability.
DIGI+ Power Control contains a mix of voltage tweaks and every overclocker will spend some time in this section. Voltage Frequency, Power Phase Control, Power Duty Control, Current Capability, and Power Thermal Control settings are available for CPU and DRAM. Load Line Calibration is found here as well but ut can be left on auto since the VRM is on die and LLC doesn’t make much of a difference.
The Tweakers’ Paradise section has BIOS options you won’t find in mainstream ASUS boards such as VCCIN Shadow Voltage, and Termination / Clock Crossing voltages. It really is a dream come true for overclockers.
The CPU Power Management section contains Intel’s EIST (Speedstep), Turbo Mode, Turbo Mode Parameters, and some other power-related settings such as CPU Internal Power Switching Frequency, Fault Control, and Configuration.
The GPU.DIMM POST screen displays the video card(s) and memory you had installed at POST and the speed each was running.
BIOS Rundown
Since the release of the UEFI BIOS, ASUS has been at the forefront of BIOS development. The Z87 generation is no exception and the new ASUS BIOS adds over 15 new features and improvements over previous generation. From a usability standpoint, the Hero's BIOS is clearly labeled and nearly every function has a short but precise explanation attached to it. Novices may find it daunting but there is always the EZ mode to get you started.
Besides the screenshot below, the BIOS pictures in this section show the Advanced section which naturally provides more advanced options for experienced users. Since this is a, ROG product, the Advanced Mode actually loads by default but users can easily switch to EZ Mode if desired.
EZ Mode in the UEFI BIOS is designed for beginners that may be intimidated by Advanced Mode and are just looking for basic settings. EZ Mode is only one page that has most of the key information a user will need such as system information, XMP for memory, CPU temperature and voltage, fan speeds and profiles, SATA information, boot priority, and three levels of system performance presets (Power Saving, Normal, ASUS Optimal). Advanced mode can be accessed by pressing F7 or selecting at the bottom of the screen.
Under the Main tab we have system information on the BIOS version, CPU and memory as well as the system time and date.
If you plan on overclocking the system at all, the page that you will spend the majority of time on is the Extreme Tweaker section. Its items allow you to configure overclocking-related settings such as clock speeds, voltages, and strap. The top of the page shows target CPU, memory, cache, DMI/PEG, and iGPU speeds in yellow and setting Ai Overclock Tuner to Manual will reveal additional settings. Below that are some of the most-used items such as BCLK Frequency, CPU Core Ratio, CPU Cache Ratio, and DRAM Frequency.
CPU Level up has three levels of auto overclocking: 4.2Ghz, 4.4Ghz, and 4.6Ghz. We will go over these in detail in the overclocking section. Manual Mode can be enabled for voltages to reveal voltage settings for the CPU Core and CPU Cache. Alternatively you can use Offset and Adaptive voltage modes for voltage adjustments. Useful voltages for overclocking are CPU Core, CPU Cache, System Agent (helps with memory), I/O voltages (can help stabilize IMC at high CPU clocks), and DRAM.
Subpages for DRAM Timings, GPU.DIMM POST, DIGI+ Power Control, Tweaker’s Paradise, and CPU Power Management are all found within the first half of Extreme Tweaker. Starting with DRAM Timings, there are three groups of memory timings over three pages (Primary, Secondary, Third) and a “Misc” section at the bottom which contains MRC Fast Boot, DRAM CLK Period, SKEW Control, and other DIMM controls. Memory enthusiasts can’t much for more in terms of memory tweakability.
DIGI+ Power Control contains a mix of voltage tweaks and every overclocker will spend some time in this section. Voltage Frequency, Power Phase Control, Power Duty Control, Current Capability, and Power Thermal Control settings are available for CPU and DRAM. Load Line Calibration is found here as well but ut can be left on auto since the VRM is on die and LLC doesn’t make much of a difference.
The Tweakers’ Paradise section has BIOS options you won’t find in mainstream ASUS boards such as VCCIN Shadow Voltage, and Termination / Clock Crossing voltages. It really is a dream come true for overclockers.
The CPU Power Management section contains Intel’s EIST (Speedstep), Turbo Mode, Turbo Mode Parameters, and some other power-related settings such as CPU Internal Power Switching Frequency, Fault Control, and Configuration.
The GPU.DIMM POST screen displays the video card(s) and memory you had installed at POST and the speed each was running.
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