ASUS Presents Full Range of Windows 8-Ready AMD Platform Motherboards

    Taipei, Taiwan (July 23, 2012) to provide the best user experience on the AMD platform, ASUS has refreshed a variety of motherboards, including mainstream channel models, dedicated products from ROG and the TUF Series, plus FM1 socket-compatible and power-efficient APU-based models. Each product offers a variety of new ASUS exclusive technologies such as digital power control, Remote GO!, and Network iControl, alongside innovative Fast Boot, ASUS Boot Setting, and DirectKey, all specifically leveraging upcoming Windows 8 capabilities. Both new and existing features have been tailored and tested to comply with the Windows 8 architecture for total stability and maximized utility, while all motherboards have gone through a full series of compatibility assurance tests in getting ready for the move to Windows 8.

    M5A99/97 R2.0 and TUF Series: refreshed AM3+ with exclusive Windows 8 features

    Fully upgraded AM3+/990FX motherboards now include a variety of features that are designed to enhance the Windows 8 experience. Fast Boot ensures customers make the most of Windows 8 expedited boot up, creating a smoother and more responsive experience. By enabling Fast Boot, system power-up to Windows 8 login takes just two seconds, cutting out annoying waits. A direct result of Windows 8 optimization efforts, ASUS Boot Setting affords greater flexibility in customizing a PCs startup process. It allows for instant one-click access to the user-friendly BIOS upon reboot or the ability to choose between various expedited startup profiles. ASUS Boot Setting saves preferences permanently, and no further selections are needed. Exclusive DirectKey has been developed for customers who demand frequent and effortless BIOS access, even with the PC on standby power. One key press goes to the BIOS immediately, eliminating the tradition of repeatedly pressing the DEL key for greater convenience and accuracy.

    The above features all tie in directly to Windows 8 capabilities, but ASUS has gone even further. New Dual Intelligent Processors 3 with SMART DIGI+ Key, a digital power delivery design that offers dedicated controllers for the CPU and DRAM, makes delicate power tuning of both available on the AMD platform for the first time. Overall system stability, power efficiency and overclocking potential all see an improvement as a result of the new design, which is available on the M5A99/97 R2.0 Series and the TUF SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0. Also on board is the new and compact Remote GO!, catering to diverse home entertainment needs, based on ASUS Wi-Fi GO! technology. With the app installed on mobile devices, smartphones and tablets transform into a PC remote control, with three useful wireless functions: DLNA Media Hub, Remote Desktop, and File Transfer.

    Crosshair V Formula-Z: Windows 8 on AMD with the Republic of Gamers

    The all-new ROG AM3+ gaming motherboard arrives loaded with most of the above mentioned features, reinforcing them via added ROG exclusive technologies to provide hardcore gamers the most powerful and stable AMD platform Windows 8 choice. Gaming and overclocking-specific features include ROG Extreme Engine Digi+ II precision digital power control and delivery, again covering both CPU and DRAM for refined tuning and a wider overclocking margin. Upgraded SupremeFX III™ audio boosts onboard sound to pro-gaming standards, offering enhanced immersion and audio positioning in games. Its Red Line shielding technology maintains clear analog/digital signal separation for cleaner sound quality, while a metallic EMI cover blocks interference from adjacent components inside the case. For better online multiplayer and overall networking, exclusive GameFirst II now features the all-new EZ mode, an intuitive user interface that lets gamers quickly manage bandwidth prioritization and traffic shaping to reduce ping and lag.

    F1A75/A55 Series: addressing a wider customer base

    For the AMD FM1 socket with A75 and A55 chipsets, ASUS has also readied a refresh of models ahead of Windows 8 general availability. F1A75-M PRO R2.0 and F1A55 R2.0 Series motherboards feature hardware tuned for the new operating system alongside ASUS exclusives that make the most of FM1 socket-compatible CPUs and the energy-efficient AMD APU design. The F1A75-M PRO R2.0 is equipped with Dual Intelligent Processors 2, featuring TPU and EPU performance and energy optimization controllers alongside DIGI+ VRM digital power delivery, which offers precision voltage adjustments for customized power based on APU characteristics while creating more overclocking headroom. Additional features include Network iControl, LucidLogix Virtu™ MVP, UEFI BIOS and AI Suite II.

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    About ASUS

    ASUS, the world’s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world’s best-selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era. ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktops, Eee Box and all-in-one PCs, notebooks, netbooks, tablet devices, servers, multimedia and wireless solutions, networking devices, and mobile phones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,886 awards in 2011, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than 11,000 and a world-class R&D team of 3,100 engineers, the company’s revenue for 2011 was around US$11.9 billion.

    About ASUS Motherboards

    Driven by homegrown innovation and dedication to absolute quality, ASUS has become the standard for motherboard excellence across diverse product ranges, leading the industry in global sales and positive customer feedback. Acknowledged by numerous accolades, ASUS motherboards propel computing forward with pioneering inventions. These include New DIGI+ Power Control, Dual Intelligent Processors for combined performance boosts and energy savings, and the unique whole-motherboard heat protection offered by the company’s TUF Series Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar. ASUS Republic of Gamers motherboards enable unfettered overclocking and performance tuning, serving as the mainstays of numerous world computing records. Important ASUS exclusives such as USB 3.0 Boost with UASP support, USB BIOS Flashback, and UEFI BIOS with EZ Mode demonstrate the ASUS commitment to harmonizing ingenuity and environmental responsibility with care for the people who use technology in everyday life.

    About ASUS ROG

    The ASUS Republic of Gamers was created in 2006 in response to gamers and hardcore enthusiasts who requested more from their hardware. Since its creation, ROG has grown into a brand known for high quality and is an active participant in both gaming and overclocking events around the world, including QuakeCon, BlizzCon and Dreamhack. In the past five years, numerous overclocking records have been broken with ROG hardware and worldwide media have earned the brand over 1,800 awards and accolades. Adhering to the principle of “The Choice of Champions”, the ROG lineup includes motherboards, graphics cards, notebooks, desktops, mice and audio solutions, all designed to give gamers and enthusiasts the edge to win. To learn more, visit ROG at http://rog.asus.com.