ASUS Launches World's First Motherboards for AMD FM2+ APUs

[btarunr]

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.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Must everything be this dull mustard yellow? Be glad when the next round of boards come and they pick a new color.

 

[Nordic]

So we have the motherboards before we have the chips. Is this a sign Kaveri is going to be out real soon or did I miss that press release?

 

[pidgin]

JUST what I needed, amazing

Where to buy?

 

[devguy]

So we have the motherboards before we have the chips. Is this a sign Kaveri is going to be out real soon or did I miss that press release?

If I recall correctly, AMD released the AM3+ 9xx series chipsets well in advance of the Zambezi FX processors. For quite some time, all 9xx series motherboards were reviewed with the Thuban Phenom II processor. Hell, my ASUS 970 motherboard I bought back then is still housing my Thuban, as I haven't seen any reason to upgrade (I'm hoping Steamroller changes that, but I'm not holding my breath).

In short, I don't think the launching of FM2+ motherboards implies a soonish launch for Kaveri products.

 

[EarthDog]

Must everything be this dull mustard yellow? Be glad when the next round of boards come and they pick a new color.

Goldenrod.

 

[JDG1980]

So we have the motherboards before we have the chips. Is this a sign Kaveri is going to be out real soon or did I miss that press release?

AMD's most recent official roadmap has Kaveri scheduled for the second half of 2013. Some unconfirmed rumors from DigiTimes and other sites say it may not be released until well into 2014. I guess we've got to wait and see.

 

[JDG1980]

Must everything be this dull mustard yellow? Be glad when the next round of boards come and they pick a new color.

According to AnandTech, "The market that likes a yellow/yellow-gold color is the Middle East, which could be a potential growth area."

 

[Nordic]

AMD's most recent official roadmap has Kaveri scheduled for the second half of 2013. Some unconfirmed rumors from DigiTimes and other sites say it may not be released until well into 2014. I guess we've got to wait and see.

I saw those. Devguy answered my question. I don't remember doing the same thing with AM3+ boards.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Will you be testing any of these Dave?

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

According to AnandTech, "The market that likes a yellow/yellow-gold color is the Middle East, which could be a potential growth area."

Never try to expand in an unproven market by shafting the proven one. And you know it wouldn't be quite so atrocious if it was actually gold colored. The heatsinks are off but the plastic is in another zip code.

 

[cadaveca]

I saw those. Devguy answered my question. I don't remember doing the same thing with AM3+ boards.

Boards launch May31st(I know, since I had them, first review here, posted June 8th, 2011:http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/M5A97_EVO/), CPUs launched in October 2011.


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.

Will you be testing any of these Dave?

Maybe, but not that soon. My schedule is PACKED until September 1st already, maybe beyond.

 

[Jorge]

Actually the issue is the mobo makers releasing the boards early to get as many sales as possible. Those who are anxious to have a Kaveri can use a Trinity or Richland now and be all ready when Kaveri launchs.

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.

 

[Jstn7477]

FINALLY, AMD has come up with a PCIe 3.0 controller. I'm interested to see what that means for AM3+ which is still using the 900 series NB/SB which are getting long in the tooth and were pretty much rebrands of the non-IGP based 800 series chipsets, am I right?

 

[andresgriego]

No Mini-ITX, no sale.

 

[Roph]

The yellow reminds me of DFI. What happened to those guys

 

[cheesy999]

The yellow reminds me of DFI. What happened to those guys

stopped making money off consumer products, went into industrial design

 

[newtekie1]

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.

Odd, I only recently remember them doing this... In fact I think if you look at the last 10 years more often than not, the old processors won't work in the new boards.

 

[Jstn7477]

Odd, I only recently remember them doing this... In fact I think more often than not, the old processors won't work in the new boards.

AM2+ supported all AM2 processors, AM3+ supported all AM3 processors, FM2+ supports all FM2 processors. The one difference is the AM3 Phenom II processors that are operable in AM2-AM3+ boards since they have dual DDR2/DDR3 memory controllers.

 

[Fourstaff]

No Mini-ITX, no sale.

Give them time, mitx will appear soon.

 

[Huguito]

you guys forget 1 important thing: AMD its under a different management than buldozer/phenom era.. they are acting different; dont expect the same behaviour of the past, specially marketing

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

 

[EpicShweetness]

Kaveri isn't just 25w and below SOC's soldered to the board!!!

 

[seronx]

Kaveri isn't just 25w and below SOC's soldered to the board!!!

Most of the profits are expected to come from the BGA models though.

 

[Absolution]

No Mini-ITX, no sale.

Exactly. Really odd that there arent any APU itx mobos out there considering its market segmet

Give them time, mitx will appear soon.

Idk, they didnt do it for the last 2 generations of APUs...

 

[Nihilus]

Exactly. Really odd that there arent any APU itx mobos out there considering its market segmet



Idk, they didnt do it for the last 2 generations of APUs...

Currently operating an a6-6400k with MSI ITX board, 8gb ram, and 128 GB SSD. I love it!