The Board - A Closer Look

Starting with the board's BIOS chip, we find it sitting in a user-replaceable socket, just under the red SATA ports. Just below that we find a handy dual-digit POST code display, which also serves to display CPU temperature once the POST process has completed.


The STMicroelectronics VRM controller features an I2C interface, hinting at support for software adjustment once within the OS. As each phase is separately controlled, a series of LEDs just above the socket on the board's edge indicate load levels of each VRM phase, with the intensity of the LED showing load levels. We find the VRM composed of a standard hi/lo triple MOSFET design, with dual input drivers for the CPU phases, while the NB phase gets a slightly different configuration. The DIMM VRM is composed of a single phase, and while we'd prefer to see a more robust design, the low speed memory options available for the FM1 socket should not need anything more.


At this point, the Realtek ALC892 and RTL8111E are some of the most common components for audio and LAN, respectively, and their wide adoption in the market should ensure more than adequate functionality for all users.


However, the RTM880N PLL controller is not something we see too commonly, an affordable solution from Realtek. The ITE8728F SuperI/O controller, on the other hand, we are more than familiar with, offering user adjustable fan profiles as well as standard voltage and monitoring options. The ASMedia ASM1445 allows automatic assignment of the DVI or HDMI port, switching the voltage levels of the output to the required voltage based on which interface is in use.


Of course, that leaves us with the cooling. We must say, first of all, the stylized design was not something we expected from Biostar, and definitely makes for an impressive visual statement usually reserved for much more expensive products. The red/black vanity plates added to the heatsinks tie in very well with the red slots and black PCB, while also serving as an aid in convective airflow to help keep things cool. Upon close inspection, both heatsinks make full contact with vital components, and we noted that Biostar had the foresight to add in a couple of extra thermal pads to the VRM heatsink to ensure the input drivers are sufficiently cooled as well.