The Asus BIOS has a different user interface than other versions. Though it does not provide better or more features, it is better structured than the standard Phoenix/Award BIOS. The system frequency can be set in small increments. If your CPU allows the multiplier to be altered, you can also choose this in the Advanced Menu. The Chip Configuration sub menu allows you to alter the memory timings.

Configuration And Manual

The Asus manual has been comprehensive and easy to understand for many years. Unfortunately, this one isn't totally up to date, as the BIOS description only mentions SDRAM settings and does not tell you anything about the DDR parameters. The hardware description and the installation guide are excellent as we are used to.

Configuring the motherboard requires a close look at the jumpers and DIP switches. Though the board is pre-set for soft set-up, I would never install it without verifying it. If you decide to set the CPU parameters in hardware (via DIPs and jumpers), it will take you some minutes.

The hardware description and the installation guide are of the excellent quality that we have come to expect.

Test & Performance

There is not much to say to the Asus board except that I experienced a problem with my 3COM 3C905B-TX network card: When installed into the 3rd PCI slot, it would conflict with the sound system. Everything else was fine: High performance and excellent stability.

Shipment

The Asus box includes a manual, the drivers CD, the USB card (a little slot panel that you need in order to use USB 3 & 4), one 40-pin and one 80-pin IDE cable plus a floppy cable.