BIOS
A strong BIOS is often an important factor when considering a potential motherboard. With similar performance exhibited by motherboards based on a certain chipset, manufacturers need to find methods of differentiating their product from the competition. Let's have a closer look at the main configuration screen, dubbed PowerBIOS.
Most of the major performance settings are contained here. The first aspect to note is that our test 8RDA+ did not unlock our standard XP2400. We could get multipliers over 15x and some errant multipliers (15 - 18) when setting it to 8 - 10x, but we couldn't go below 15x. That's disappointing as our test ABIT NF7-S seemed to unlock the processor fine. We've had word that a very new beta BIOS does indeed unlock the CPU.
The newest BIOS allows FSB speeds of up to 211, up from the 200 of the shipping BIOS. Memory speeds can be set to ratios of the FSB. The choice is varied enough for anyone to maximise their RAM's capabilities. Memory timings are very tweakable, too. Much like other nForce2-based motherboards, the AGP speed can be set to varying speeds, including the default (locked) 66MHz. AGP 8x is available if your card supports the standard.
EPoX have never been worried about supplying their motherboards with voltages that would cause an OEM to have a heart attack. The voltages shown were the maximum on offer from the shipping BIOS. 2.2v is enough to warrant serious watercooling or refrigerant-based cooling. The voltage section is a place that EPoX always do well.
A separate screen gives you a number of feature options, including Firewire, USB2.0 and the excellent nForce2 audio via the Realtek IC. Strangely, there's mention of the 3COM LAN (one that is only available in Dualnet mode). As we only have on RJ45 port, it may be reserved for a more feature-rich version of the 8RDA+.
Here's one section that EPoX always appear to read low on. Running reasonable air cooling and at default speeds, I'm adamant our CPU temperature is above 31c. It was shown to be around 50c on the ABIT NF7-S nForce2 motherboard. All in all, another very good BIOS. Let's hope that we do get an unlocked CPU selection.
