Wednesday, July 24th 2013
ASUS Launches World's First Motherboards for AMD FM2+ APUs
ASUS today announced the new A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 motherboards, the first from any manufacturer to support new Socket FM2+ APUs (Accelerated Processing Units) from AMD. The A88XM-A with AMD A88X chipset and A55BM-A/USB3 with A55 chipset are both Micro-ATX motherboards for existing AMD 'Richland' and 'Trinity' FM2 APUs, and are hardware-ready for upcoming AMD 'Kaveri' FM2+ APUs that support DirectX 11.1 and PCI Express 3.0 natively. ASUS is committed to supporting the latest in PC technology. The new FM2+ motherboards offer customers the very latest in motherboard design, with the added flexibility of both backward and forward compatibility with AMD APUs.
Exclusive ASUS technology
The ASUS A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 motherboards support Kaveri's new PCI Express 3.0 interface with a PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slot and feature exclusive technologies for enhanced performance and reliability. USB 3.0 Boost technology gives data transfer rates up to 1.7 times faster than ordinary USB 3.0 with industry-standard UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) devices. USB 3.0 Boost also incorporates an optimized 'turbo' mode for data transfer speed improvements from any standard USB 3.0 device.
Both motherboards also feature an easy-to-use UEFI BIOS, Fan Xpert fan control for a quiet environment and increased cooling efficiency, and exclusive ASUS 5X Protection technology for enhanced reliability and durability. DIGI+ VRM voltage regulation ensures precise digital control over power delivery to the processor for reduced energy consumption and enhanced stability, while resettable fuses protect I/O ports and DIMM slots from short circuits and voltage spikes.
Electrostatic-discharge guards also protect sensitive components from electromagnetic interference and high-quality solid capacitors, industry-rated for a lifespan for over 50 years of continuous use under typical operating conditions (at 65 degrees Centigrade), last more than twice as long as traditional electrolytic capacitors. Additionally, chromium oxide-plated stainless steel rear I/O subjected to 72-hour spray salt endurance tests for superior corrosion resistance and an increased lifespan.
Full AMD FM2+ motherboard range planned
The ASUS A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 motherboards will be joined later by more models. Full details on the entire ASUS FM2+ motherboard range will be released later in the year.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing and availability for the ASUS A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 vary by region.
The ASUS A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 motherboards support Kaveri's new PCI Express 3.0 interface with a PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slot and feature exclusive technologies for enhanced performance and reliability. USB 3.0 Boost technology gives data transfer rates up to 1.7 times faster than ordinary USB 3.0 with industry-standard UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) devices. USB 3.0 Boost also incorporates an optimized 'turbo' mode for data transfer speed improvements from any standard USB 3.0 device.
Both motherboards also feature an easy-to-use UEFI BIOS, Fan Xpert fan control for a quiet environment and increased cooling efficiency, and exclusive ASUS 5X Protection technology for enhanced reliability and durability. DIGI+ VRM voltage regulation ensures precise digital control over power delivery to the processor for reduced energy consumption and enhanced stability, while resettable fuses protect I/O ports and DIMM slots from short circuits and voltage spikes.
Electrostatic-discharge guards also protect sensitive components from electromagnetic interference and high-quality solid capacitors, industry-rated for a lifespan for over 50 years of continuous use under typical operating conditions (at 65 degrees Centigrade), last more than twice as long as traditional electrolytic capacitors. Additionally, chromium oxide-plated stainless steel rear I/O subjected to 72-hour spray salt endurance tests for superior corrosion resistance and an increased lifespan.
Full AMD FM2+ motherboard range planned
The ASUS A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 motherboards will be joined later by more models. Full details on the entire ASUS FM2+ motherboard range will be released later in the year.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing and availability for the ASUS A88XM-A and A55BM-A/USB3 vary by region.
30 Comments on ASUS Launches World's First Motherboards for AMD FM2+ APUs
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In short, I don't think the launching of FM2+ motherboards implies a soonish launch for Kaveri products.
AMD has done this nearly as long as I have been a PC enthusiast, boards first, since current CPUs work in them fine. AMD's forward-back compatibility has ensured this is the case for many years now.Maybe, but not that soon. My schedule is PACKED until September 1st already, maybe beyond.
What should be obvious from the release of this Asus mobo is that Kaveri is set in stone and ready for mass production and distribution. This would suggest that AMD has done their work and that all is well. Asus has the inside line with AMD and provides prototype mobos for certification before production. Once everything is good to go, Asus has the jump start on releasing new AMD mobos.
Q4 is the target date for some of the first models to ship with the rest rolling out in H1 of '14.
I find it comical that people actually get excited or upset over the color of the mobo and sockets... You've completely missed the purpose of the mobo and have been sucked into marketing hype.
i have a feel that am3+ its the last traditional socket for AMD; they are pushing HSA/APU designs HARD and the fact that this new socket have PCI express 3.0 tells you something
Honestly i dont know if we are going to see a full fledged 8 Steamroller core FX style on desktop (AM3+) without any kind of HSA trow in the mix.. and AMD doesnt have it in their latest roadmap
they said 1 last processor for am3+... maybe the 5ghz piledriver (and the other one) was those "unreleased" cpus?!?!
cant wait to see how this sucker performs, HSA + steamroller looks very promising :rockout: