BIOS Setup

Biostar TP45 HP mainboard uses BIOS based on American Megatrends, Inc. (AMI) that is why we are going to see a lot of familiar things that we have already seen by other previously discussed mainboards. However, the BIOS has been modified a lot and features a lot of traits typical only of Biostar solutions. During our test session we used the latest available BIOS version P45BA710 from 07.10.2008.

The Main section contains only the initial minimal information. Here we can also access IDE/SATA Configuration section.

Advanced section contains a few sub-sections.

The first is called CPU Configuration.

SuperIO Configuration comes next.

Hardware Health Configuration page offers sufficient monitoring options. It registers two temperatures, rotation speeds of all three fans that can be connected to the board, and such overclocking-related voltages as CPU Voltage, NB/SB Voltage, DDR2 Voltage and FSB Voltage that can be adjusted. First pleasant surprise.

The rotation speed of the fans can be adjusted in a separate sub-section called Smart Fan Configuration. And this is where we find the second pleasant surprise. In order to set the most optimal rotation speed offering comfortable acoustics and sufficient cooling efficiency, you don’t have to use variable resistors or install any utilities. All settings are available right there in the BIOS. Unfortunately, there is one small drawback: the processor fan has to be connected using a four-pin plug, otherwise you will not be able to adjust its rotation speed.