X-bit labs

Asus P5K Mainboard: Youngest Member of Asus Family on Intel P35 Express Chipset (page 8)

Category: Mainboards

by Doors4ever

[ 06/15/2007 | 03:29 PM ]

The Chipset section contains North Bridge parameters, such as memory and graphics adapter operation:

Onboard Devices Configuration section allows adjusting operation of the COM port and integrated controllers:

Hardware Monitor section is not very rich, but has everything necessary. We can control the CPU and mainboard temperatures, major voltages and fan rotation speeds.

If the processor fan is connected to the four-pin connector, there are only three preset profiles we can choose from: Optimal, Silent Mode and Performance Mode, and its rotation speed will be controlled automatically. As for the case fans, there are much more options available for their rotation speed control. We can lock their speed at 90, 80, 70 or 60% of the nominal, or let the mainboard adjust the speed by setting the desired temperature mode.

Tools section contains the EZ Flash 2 utility for BIOS updating that boasts very convenient graphical interface. It supports not only floppy disks but also USB storage devices.

Another interesting option from the Tools section is the possibility to save and load BIOS settings profiles. We can save maximum two profiles: it is not much, but enough in most cases. However, you will not be able to rename them, which is probably the biggest inconvenience.

The picture above shows two saved profiles, but what they are and how they differ, is impossible to tell. So, if you know what the difference between the profiles is at the time you create them, then a few weeks or months down the road you may not be able to remember. It would be much better if we could rename the user created profiles or even make a detailed note, just like on mainboards from some other manufacturers.

Start O.C. Profile launches the utility that is very similar to EZ Flash 2 in terms of features and interface looks. It allows saving the profiles to external storage media and even exchanging them with other users.

This way you can save your current settings and then load them on another mainboard like that. O.C. Profile utility is Asus’ unique feature, nothing like that is available on the mainboards from any other makers.