The old EasyTune software may end up being a blessing in disguise. The newer Intel software has a nasty issue with global hotkeys and some non-English keyboard layouts. Those hotkeys can not be disabled or remapped and take control of some very usual key combinations like @,# or €.
Again dynamic range "From Graph"? Can't you believe, that numeric value and provided graph are only different presentation of the same result? Noise level drawn on the graph directly depends on FFT size, make FFT calculation with twice the size of data and it will drop by 3dB. RMAA probably draws graph normalized to 1Hz FFT bins, but it is only a convention, nothing there can suggest 102dB DNR.
ITX is where FM2+ shines. We really need a look at the various FM2+ ITX offerings. I've dealt with the GA-F2A88XN-WIFI and while the board itself is very nice, the BIOS and software really needs some work. Overclocking is a mixed bag on FM2+ due to the CPU throttling to 3Ghz under iGPU load. iGPU overclocking is the most important distinguishing factor between boards and the GA-F2A88XN-WIFI (possibly the rest from Gigabyte too) doesn't appear to allow the iGPU to clock beyond 960Mhz even though you can set it higher in BIOS.
. . . but it isn't an elegant solution. I think the UP4 has been reported to restrict iGPU overclocking to 960 mhz by some folks at overclock.net, but my memory is fuzzy on that point.
I'm a little disappointed that Anandtech isn't able to look into issues like this. I think it's pretty important to know these things when determining what CPU and MB to go with. Why even bother with determining what CPU OC a board will support when the use of your iGPU just causes it to throttle to P5 making the OC useless. Given this appears to be a TDP limitation that is designed into Kaveri, wouldn't it make more sense to determine the iGPU OC?? Now whether this TDP limitation affects the iGPU also remains to be seen but there are reports that the iGPU throttles to 450Mhz randomly causing stuttering when it's OC'd. I believe MSI afterburner shows this. Regardless, I think it's time for a little more disclosure from AMD as to whats happening. This is supposed to be an unlocked processor but it's clearly locked. Whether you lock via clocks, multiplier, or TDP is irrelevant, it's still locked.
Allegedly, MSI Afterburner can be used to defeat iGPU throttling, though at least one person I've talked to has voiced the opinion that the throttling behavior may be due to excessive polling by software such as . . . MSI Afterburner (and the person I am citing may step forward to elaborate, if he wishes).
As far as the p5 state throttling, some boards are supposedly able to defeat that behavior by toggling a setting such as advanced power management (APM), but it is not 100% clear whether or not that is effective. Some boards do not offer this option in their UEFI.
I agree that more disclosure and coverage of throttling issues on Kaveri would be nice. Published benchmarks are all potentially tainted by throttling behavior. I don't fault the reviewers really, Kaveri is just an odd chip. Power delivery seems to be a major concern on the FM2+ platform when hosting a Kaveri CPU.
I am finnding many of the same shortfalls in my build as you have mentioned. I did have a big hastle in the loading a fresh copy of Win 7 into my machine however I am using an older A5800K APU. I was lucky that the board came with the updated Bios but even then it was unstable. It has been a challenge. All said and done iot is working pretty well and is OC'd to 4.3 Mghz. Next step is to get the Kaveri and a graphics card for Adobe works.
Why do they keep making ATX boards with FM2+ socket? What is the point in researching boards with this much potential for additional graphics power when the CPU that is intended to be used here has GPU built-in? Why can't they spend more money into researching better AM3+ FX platforms where the CPU performance can be better than the top-of-line 7850K and better potential for graphics? APU in my opinion is for small form factors, and if you really want discrete graphics card, why bother with A series at all? FX + discrete card (or intel) makes more sense.
If you follow the logic of the overall effort that AMD is taking for website and Adobe type creation you will find that additional high powerred graphics cards will be added to make this all possible. Presently you can spend a good $ 30,000 for an Intel - Nvidia Solution and use it for a year only to start over again by your standards. Life is not all gaming or mining.
I am using FM1 and FM2 ATX motherboards with great satisfaction as a cruncher. I prefer ATX above small form factors due to the greater flexibility in amout of memory and number of GPUs.
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I purchased this motherboard and the AMD A-10-7850 CPU. This board meets my expectations and needs except in one area. It only provides one 10 pin audio connector on the board. If it is used for the case audio connections it is not available for my 5.25" usb/sata/eta/audio/power media front panel device. I have found not solution short of devising my own dual audio connection cable.
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apertotes - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
The old EasyTune software may end up being a blessing in disguise. The newer Intel software has a nasty issue with global hotkeys and some non-English keyboard layouts. Those hotkeys can not be disabled or remapped and take control of some very usual key combinations like @,# or €.DukeN - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
Good mining board - inexpensive combined with a cheap AMD proc, even has onboard power button wired in.popej - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
Again dynamic range "From Graph"? Can't you believe, that numeric value and provided graph are only different presentation of the same result?Noise level drawn on the graph directly depends on FFT size, make FFT calculation with twice the size of data and it will drop by 3dB. RMAA probably draws graph normalized to 1Hz FFT bins, but it is only a convention, nothing there can suggest 102dB DNR.
StevoLincolnite - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
I'm really not all that interested in ATX sized FM2+ boards.However, where I think there is a gap that needs to be filled is actually in the AM3+ sector.
SERIOUSLY Where are the ITX based AM3+ boards!?
I have a Phenom 2 x6 and an FX 8120 laying around that would love to find their homes in a Mini-ITX system.
meacupla - Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - link
I think it's just not possible to load up an ITX board with that many voltage regulators.Asrock's first FM2 ITX board went up in flames, and an A10 is lower power than Phenom or FX.
bdub951 - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
ITX is where FM2+ shines. We really need a look at the various FM2+ ITX offerings. I've dealt with the GA-F2A88XN-WIFI and while the board itself is very nice, the BIOS and software really needs some work. Overclocking is a mixed bag on FM2+ due to the CPU throttling to 3Ghz under iGPU load. iGPU overclocking is the most important distinguishing factor between boards and the GA-F2A88XN-WIFI (possibly the rest from Gigabyte too) doesn't appear to allow the iGPU to clock beyond 960Mhz even though you can set it higher in BIOS.DrMrLordX - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
The 3 ghz P5 state throttling under iGPU load can be defeated:http://www.overclock.net/t/1459225/i-have-custom-l...
. . . but it isn't an elegant solution. I think the UP4 has been reported to restrict iGPU overclocking to 960 mhz by some folks at overclock.net, but my memory is fuzzy on that point.
bdub951 - Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - link
I'm a little disappointed that Anandtech isn't able to look into issues like this. I think it's pretty important to know these things when determining what CPU and MB to go with. Why even bother with determining what CPU OC a board will support when the use of your iGPU just causes it to throttle to P5 making the OC useless. Given this appears to be a TDP limitation that is designed into Kaveri, wouldn't it make more sense to determine the iGPU OC??Now whether this TDP limitation affects the iGPU also remains to be seen but there are reports that the iGPU throttles to 450Mhz randomly causing stuttering when it's OC'd. I believe MSI afterburner shows this.
Regardless, I think it's time for a little more disclosure from AMD as to whats happening. This is supposed to be an unlocked processor but it's clearly locked. Whether you lock via clocks, multiplier, or TDP is irrelevant, it's still locked.
DrMrLordX - Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - link
Allegedly, MSI Afterburner can be used to defeat iGPU throttling, though at least one person I've talked to has voiced the opinion that the throttling behavior may be due to excessive polling by software such as . . . MSI Afterburner (and the person I am citing may step forward to elaborate, if he wishes).As far as the p5 state throttling, some boards are supposedly able to defeat that behavior by toggling a setting such as advanced power management (APM), but it is not 100% clear whether or not that is effective. Some boards do not offer this option in their UEFI.
I agree that more disclosure and coverage of throttling issues on Kaveri would be nice. Published benchmarks are all potentially tainted by throttling behavior. I don't fault the reviewers really, Kaveri is just an odd chip. Power delivery seems to be a major concern on the FM2+ platform when hosting a Kaveri CPU.
rozquilla - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
The link to the AMD A10-7850K (ES) processor actually links to the Intel Core i7-4960X.PrimarchLion - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
Nice catch. Hope they fix it (It's on the Teat Setup page).Ryan Smith - Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - link
Thanks. It has been corrected.[email protected] - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - link
Ian,I am finnding many of the same shortfalls in my build as you have mentioned. I did have a big hastle in the loading a fresh copy of Win 7 into my machine however I am using an older A5800K APU. I was lucky that the board came with the updated Bios but even then it was unstable. It has been a challenge. All said and done iot is working pretty well and is OC'd to 4.3 Mghz. Next step is to get the Kaveri and a graphics card for Adobe works.
frozenland - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - link
Why do they keep making ATX boards with FM2+ socket? What is the point in researching boards with this much potential for additional graphics power when the CPU that is intended to be used here has GPU built-in? Why can't they spend more money into researching better AM3+ FX platforms where the CPU performance can be better than the top-of-line 7850K and better potential for graphics?APU in my opinion is for small form factors, and if you really want discrete graphics card, why bother with A series at all? FX + discrete card (or intel) makes more sense.
[email protected] - Thursday, March 27, 2014 - link
If you follow the logic of the overall effort that AMD is taking for website and Adobe type creation you will find that additional high powerred graphics cards will be added to make this all possible. Presently you can spend a good $ 30,000 for an Intel - Nvidia Solution and use it for a year only to start over again by your standards. Life is not all gaming or mining.Dirk Broer - Saturday, March 29, 2014 - link
I am using FM1 and FM2 ATX motherboards with great satisfaction as a cruncher. I prefer ATX above small form factors due to the greater flexibility in amout of memory and number of GPUs.warrenstraw222 - Monday, April 14, 2014 - link
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I purchased this motherboard and the AMD A-10-7850 CPU. This board meets my expectations and needs except in one area. It only provides one 10 pin audio connector on the board. If it is used for the case audio connections it is not available for my 5.25" usb/sata/eta/audio/power media front panel device. I have found not solution short of devising my own dual audio connection cable.