ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional ThReAD

[Oliverda]

ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional

BIOS DOWNLOAD

USER MANUAL


Fatal1ty 990FX Professional.jpg

Fatal1ty 990FX Professional_2.jpg

Fatal1ty 990FX Professional_bplate.jpg

asrock990fatal1.jpg

[Oliverda]

Fatal1ty UEFI SETUP UTILITY

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(You can easily create screenshots to an USB pendrive by pressing F12.)


* UPDATE *

From UEFI version 1.44 you can select a different background. So you can say good bye to magnificent John.

[Oliverda]

The good:

There is a 26-27 millimeters space between the CPU socket and the first DIMM slot (MSI 990FXA-GD80 has 22 mm for example). Thanks to this you can use four modules with heatsinks beside a big cooler (mine is a TRUE Black).

fatal2.jpg fatal1.jpg

Anyway I think that this mobo's layout is really good.


If you set the Load-line calibration to 50% then you get (as)rock stable voltages. At this precise moment I only have a Phenom II X840 CPU. I set the CPU VID to 1.500V and then I searched
a proper measure point.

asr_Vpoint.jpg

IDLE:

idle.jpg

100% LOAD (Prime95 small FFTs):

load.jpg




The FAN controller is very good. Gigabyte should copy that. The whole UEFI is pretty nice as well.


The bad:

- SATA AHCI performace is poor compared to an MSI 890FXA-GD65.

asrock_ahci.png

Same SSD, same AMD AHCI driver. Link Power Management is disabled. Hopefully it will be fixed soon via an UEFI update.


- It doesn't really like the four DIMM configuration. I have four matching Dominator GT modules equipped with Elpida Hypers. The system is 100% stable with two modules at 1600MHz/CL6 but it is only stable at 1600/CL8 with all of the four modules.


Minor issue(s):

- The WOL (Wake on LAN) doesn't work after power loss.


I think that most of the above issues can be fixed via an UEFI update.



....so far. More to come.


fun.jpg

[Lightman]

Looking good! Nearly like Asus

I hope you've got BD to test on it as well

[ah_khoo]

nice lookin board with strong specs, thanks for sharing...

may i know how does d board perform on memory oc?

[PatRaceTin]

Gold Capacitor look good

[Oliverda]

Looking good! Nearly like Asus

I hope you've got BD to test on it as well

I think it's better than ASUS.

Unfortunately I haven't got BD.

nice lookin board with strong specs, thanks for sharing...

may i know how does d board perform on memory oc?

Thanks. As I stated above the OC is pretty bad with 4 modules unfortunately. I'm going to check it with 2 modules soon.

[chew*]

The board looks like rampage 3 formula meets crosshair 4 formula, not really a bad thing i guess.

That fatality background EFI needs to go.......

Loos like only 2 way SLI with triple slot vga's, not really a deal breaker since 2 way is more that enough with the top end cards that would be tri slot.

The caps are interesting, can you do a close up of them?

[ah_khoo]

Thanks. As I stated above the OC is pretty bad with 4 modules unfortunately. I'm going to check it with 2 modules soon.

I hardly see any AMD board does well on 4 dimms oc. Thx, I'm lookin forward to that...

[Oliverda]

The caps are interesting, can you do a close up of them?

cap.jpg

[Formula350]

I've got one of these coming for review, but it's still at the site owner's place and he's been under the weather and not been able to get to the post office I'm really excited to get it though!

I hardly see any AMD board does well on 4 dimms oc. Thx, I'm lookin forward to that...

I don't have really good modules to test with unfortunately, timings OR overclocking, but my 2x2GB mis-matched Micron D9 (1.9V) with PSC (1.65V) does 4x2GB 1600 7-8-7 (restriction of the PSC modules, which is a long story itself lol). I was able to do that on my 555BE and 1090T on this old 890FX Deluxe3, so I think it might be a combination of CPU used and a little bit of motherboard thrown in.


I agree with you Chew on the UEFI background :S

EDIT: Olivera-- try getting a reading from this spot, where it says VT8 (or might be a 6, can't tell). I've discovererd those are Voltage Test locations, which I'm sure people knew about but I wasn't aware of haha Anyways, I've noticed they are pretty standard on a lot of boards now (my Giga and DFI S939 both don't), all with the same "VT#" indicators. I think it's worth mentioning that not all of the locations, like on my 890FX Deluxe3, are small double-pad solder points for like SMD resistors or caps, but most of the time just a single round dome of solder.

EDIT2: Holy crap I can't believe I uploaded the version where I didn't point out where I was talking about >_< lol

VT8-2.jpg

[superpyton]

Could you please test memory overclocking (using only PSC) with 1:4 divider? With timings like: 6-8-6 1T, 6-9-6 1T and 7-9-7 1T.
Which CPU do you use? Thuban or Deneb C3?

[Oliverda]

EDIT: Oliverda-- try getting a reading from this spot, where it says VT8 (or might be a 6, can't tell). I've discovererd those are Voltage Test locations, which I'm sure people knew about but I wasn't aware of haha Anyways, I've noticed they are pretty standard on a lot of boards now (my Giga and DFI S939 both don't), all with the same "VT#" indicators. I think it's worth mentioning that not all of the locations, like on my 890FX Deluxe3, are small double-pad solder points for like SMD resistors or caps, but most of the time just a single round dome of solder.VT8-2.jpg

Thanks. I'll try it on the weekend.

Could you please test memory overclocking (using only PSC) with 1:4 divider? With timings like: 6-8-6 1T, 6-9-6 1T and 7-9-7 1T.
Which CPU do you use? Thuban or Deneb C3?

I only have Elpida Hypers (Dominator GT CMG4GX3M2A2000C8) at the moment but maybe I can get some PCS equipped modules. Is it a PSC kit?

Anyway with two sticks of Elpida Hypers it's stable at 1600/CL6 but it doesn't really like the higher frequencies. Please note that I have a Propus C3 based CPU at the moment.

[El Gappo]

Isn't the whole point of those really gay ram clips that the VGA doesn't get in the way? Kind of defeats the point when there is plenty of room and you put them on upside-down.

Very creepy bios.

[Formula350]

Thanks. I'll try it on the weekend.

I only have Elpida Hypers (Dominator GT CMG4GX3M2A2000C8) at the moment but maybe I can get some PCS equipped modules. Is it a PSC kit?

Anyway with two sticks of Elpida Hypers it's stable at 1600/CL6 but it doesn't really like the higher frequencies. Please note that I have a Propus C3 based CPU at the moment.

No Problem :P

I hope they are PSC because that's the kit G.Skill is sending me, but I don't honestly know :\ I've tried to pry some of that info, but it might be company policy not to say since it can (and probably will) change over time.

Are you trying to just crank the RAM speed and leaving everything else? Because for 1866 it is recommended to run the CPU-NB @ 2800MHz. I can't remember what the formula is to figure it out, but whatever it was it calculates out where 1333=2000 which is default Phenom II, and 1866=2800 which is def for Dozer and I think Llano (sans the dual core models, which the memory controller is only 1600)

Kind of defeats the point when there is plenty of room and you put them on upside-down.

They aren't upside down :P The permanently locked ones are indeed at the bottom.

[FlawleZ]

Do you have to use the UEFI or does it provide an optional standard BIOS layout?

[superpyton]

I only have Elpida Hypers (Dominator GT CMG4GX3M2A2000C8) at the moment but maybe I can get some PCS equipped modules. Is it a PSC kit?

This can be PSC but i'm not sure. Sorry.
I've asking Formula350 for testing, but if you also could check this board with different memory then do this please .

Anyway with two sticks of Elpida Hypers it's stable at 1600/CL6 but it doesn't really like the higher frequencies. Please note that I have a Propus C3 based CPU at the moment.

Older ASRocks (like 890GX Extreme3 or 4) with C3 can't boot on 1:4 CL6/7 with Hypers, so there's some progress.

[bamtan2]

That fatality background EFI needs to go.......

everyone already complained about that and so they patched in the uefi option to change the background to just black.

[Mechromancer]

The board layout puts a smile on my face. I also can't believe I'm seeing PS/2 connectors. I could actually use this old, but fantastic keyboard of mine with it. The BIOS background of Fata1ity creepily looking at us is a problem, but a minor one. If the price is right, I'd consider this board. I currently have my heart set on an ASUS Sabretooth.

[fasterklander]

I have this mobo with a AMD Athlon II 455 x3 unlocked to x4 until BD launch but i can't unlock L3 cache :S
Anyone know if this mobo can unlock L3 cache ?

Thx!

[superpyton]

Probably your CPU is based on Propus/Rana core and it doesn't have L3 cache.

[Formula350]

This can be PSC but i'm not sure. Sorry.
I've asking Formula350 for testing, but if you also could check this board with different memory then do this please .

IF the 2x2GB 2133 9-11-9-24 modules G.Skill is sending have PSC, I can test it properly, sure. Otherwise, the PSC-based modules I currently have my 'boss' wasn't able to get them running at their advertised specs of 2200 @ 10-11-10, but I can't verify that since the Deluxe3 only has 1600 divider.

Older ASRocks (like 890GX Extreme3 or 4) with C3 can't boot on 1:4 CL6/7 with Hypers, so there's some progress.

While unrelated, the Micron D9's I have, and the PSC modules I mentioned above, both do 7-7-7 and 7-8-7 @ 1600 just fine on my old 555BE. Mind you, that is on my Deluxe3, but it still doesn't matter since neither of them are Hypers. heh


EDIT: Oh, hey Oliverda... Could you do me a big favor, since you have an X-Fi? ^_^ All of their 890FX boards (and 990FX unfortunately, by the looks of it) have a NB heatsink that was poorly designed, not allowing for any fitment of a long PCIe x1 card in that first slot. I'm not able to tell definitively by the pics I've seen, but will a sound card fit in the first slot and still clear the NB heatsink? I know it isn't necessarily the ideal spot for a sound card, being in the middle of all that noise, but IF a person were to be silly and use that PCIe x16@x4 for a graphics card then that first slot would be all that is left for discrete audio :\

[Oliverda]

EDIT: Olivera-- try getting a reading from this spot, where it says VT8 (or might be a 6, can't tell). I've discovererd those are Voltage Test locations, which I'm sure people knew about but I wasn't aware of haha Anyways, I've noticed they are pretty standard on a lot of boards now (my Giga and DFI S939 both don't), all with the same "VT#" indicators. I think it's worth mentioning that not all of the locations, like on my 890FX Deluxe3, are small double-pad solder points for like SMD resistors or caps, but most of the time just a single round dome of solder.

EDIT2: Holy crap I can't believe I uploaded the version where I didn't point out where I was talking about >_< lol

That point is for the CPU_NB voltage. I found an another VT point (VT1) which is for the cores.

vt1.jpg

Do you have to use the UEFI or does it provide an optional standard BIOS layout?

Yes you do. There is no any other layout so far.

IF the 2x2GB 2133 9-11-9-24 modules G.Skill is sending have PSC, I can test it properly, sure. Otherwise, the PSC-based modules I currently have my 'boss' wasn't able to get them running at their advertised specs of 2200 @ 10-11-10, but I can't verify that since the Deluxe3 only has 1600 divider.

While unrelated, the Micron D9's I have, and the PSC modules I mentioned above, both do 7-7-7 and 7-8-7 @ 1600 just fine on my old 555BE. Mind you, that is on my Deluxe3, but it still doesn't matter since neither of them are Hypers. heh

EDIT: Oh, hey Oliverda... Could you do me a big favor, since you have an X-Fi? ^_^ All of their 890FX boards (and 990FX unfortunately, by the looks of it) have a NB heatsink that was poorly designed, not allowing for any fitment of a long PCIe x1 card in that first slot. I'm not able to tell definitively by the pics I've seen, but will a sound card fit in the first slot and still clear the NB heatsink? I know it isn't necessarily the ideal spot for a sound card, being in the middle of all that noise, but IF a person were to be silly and use that PCIe x16@x4 for a graphics card then that first slot would be all that is left for discrete audio :\

I haven't got that PSC kit unfortunately.

I have an earlier PCI X-Fi so I can't say that. Anyway I think you can't put a longer card into that slot so you forced to use one of the longer x16 slot for that purpose.


I sent an email to ASRock support and they sent me an updated UEFI where you can switch on/off the two LAN and the three USB 3.0 controller separately. They sent me and updated version of F-Stream utility as well which now can use the POST CODE led to display the current CPU temperature. I really satisfied with the support so far.

[Formula350]

I like those added BIOS options! Sadly my motherboard is mounted on my DIY techbench in a way that will not allow me to see the Diagnostic LED very well (upside down, for starters), BUT I do quite like that option! I think they should have it auto-switch to the temp after the system has been in "Everything is Fine" mode for a certain amount of time, or at least make a small program that can load up with Windows to do it.

Really sucks to hear about the first PCIe x1 though :\ Only thing that'd really fit is a stand-alone audio codec like what MSI and ASUS offer on some boards, which I really think ASRock should've done in the first place, or a discrete LAN/USB3 card... The latter two make zero sense though, as why integrate 2 onboard LAN controllers as well as three USB3 controllers?!

Thanks for the info though

[Oliverda]

I like those added BIOS options! Sadly my motherboard is mounted on my DIY techbench in a way that will not allow me to see the Diagnostic LED very well (upside down, for starters), BUT I do quite like that option! I think they should have it auto-switch to the temp after the system has been in "Everything is Fine" mode for a certain amount of time, or at least make a small program that can load up with Windows to do it.

I asked the support for an UEFI option for that. Let's see what they can do with it.

Really sucks to hear about the first PCIe x1 though :\ Only thing that'd really fit is a stand-alone audio codec like what MSI and ASUS offer on some boards, which I really think ASRock should've done in the first place, or a discrete LAN/USB3 card... The latter two make zero sense though, as why integrate 2 onboard LAN controllers as well as three USB3 controllers?!

I think that the 2nd LAN could be useful in some cases, but I agree that the 2nd onboard USB3 connector is unnecessary.

Anyway I checked the VRM controller chip and it's a CHiL one which can measure many things. I've read that the ASUS uses the same controller under DIGI+ name.



It would be very good if the mobo could report the CPU's current.