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Motherboard: ASUS P4C800 Deluxe Review :: BIOS & Overclocking
The ASUS BIOS offers the user a variety of setting options geared at making the task of setup/overclocking a modest affair that does not require a lot of technical expertise to configure. Overclocking is achievable by altering the clock speed of the CPU or increasing the FSB speed, ASUS offers a tool that automatically adjusts the system to its best settings for overclocking. You can alter the performance level by up to 30% above the standard system settings using this automated tool function. Whenever the BIOS gets corrupted, say like when your overclocking exceeded the CPU or systems maximum levels, The ASUS Crash Free BIOS 2 allows users to reboot the computer and perform a smart auto-recovery procedure through the motherboard support CD without having to reset a jumper on the motherboard. This can be quite the handy thing to have available if trying over and over again to achieve the maximum performance values out of your system as too high of setting usually results in a no POST system. Other BIOS featuresQ-Fan This unique technology intelligently and automatically adjusts CPU fan speeds according to system load and temperature, enabling users to work in a distraction-free environment with minimal noise. Basically if your system starts to heat up the fan controller adjusts the system fan speeds to a higher setting if you are using fans that support this feature and have the correct connectors matching the headers on the board. ASUS POST Reporter A voice warning design during POST notifies users of any system errors, which means no more complicated LED messages to try and figure out in your manual. If something is not right according to the BIOS the Post reporter will give a warning message via a simulated human voice, ASUS has had this feature for awhile now but the first time I heard it I went wow. We are so spoiled!
Setup
Getting the board up and going is a simple matter of installing the CPU and memory on the board then putting the motherboard into the enclosure and continuing the hooking up all the systems wires and cables to the board. Easier said than done? Not really as the board is based around a jumper-less design that automatically detects your system parts for optimal performance values.
The P4C800 Deluxe has easy to read and understandable silk-screening that allows the user to simply identify where the various wiring connects and helps eliminate the use of the manual as to what goes where on the board. The assorted headers on the board are equally easy to read so that attaching the USB or IEEE cables becomes a stress free situation.
Windows installation went off without a hitch as did the installation of the system drivers. The total time for setup was about forty minutes not including the ever tedious and time wasting Windows XP SP1 upgrade that just eats up time when trying to install it, which is a killer when on a deadline or when you are impatiently waiting for it to finish. The overall experience was a positive one and most users from the new green meanies to the advanced guru should find the board easy enough to work with.
Test Setup
Software
Benchmarks
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