Asus Sabertooth 990FX - New BIOS release - 1604 || Asus Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 - New BIOS release...

It seems Asus is on the ball with BIOS updates for the 990FX series of motherboards prior to the Windows 8 roll-out as they just released new updates for both of the Sabertooth models....the original 990FX and the new 'R2 / Revision 2.0' series. You can check out the differences between the two models with the information I provided in the second section below.



SABERTOOTH 990FX BIOS 1604

1. Improve system stability.
2. Support new CPUs.

Please refer to our website at: http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

Release Date: 2012-October-24
BIOS Size: ~ 2.35MB
Download Page: http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&s=24&m=SABERTOOTH+990FX&os=&hashedid=H9GanpgqHG8yN8yQ

The following CPU's (along with the FX-4xxx and FX-6xxx series) are supported with the new BIOS update. The CPU compatibility page shows the same CPU listing as the R2 model. Lucky you!

FX-8350(FD8350FRW8KHK,4.0GHz,8C,125W,rev.C0,AM3+)
FX-8320(FD8320FRW8KHK,3.5GHz,8C,125W,rev.C0,AM3+)
FX-8300(FD8300WMW8KHK,3.2GHz,8C,95W,rev.C0,AM3+)

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The following BIOS if for those users who purchased the newly 'updated' model which is referred to as 'Revision 2.0'. These R2 boards contain some extra BIOS options/goodies and a few physical modifications to the board itself.

R2 boards are natively Windows 8 WHQL certified. The original boards are Win 8 certified as well with the updated BIOS versions and drivers that have been out for a few months now.

Here is the WHQL certification and updated features information page: http://event.asus.com/mb/windows_8/ Click on the AMD Platform tab to view the 990FX and the 990FX R2 Win 8 compatibility information.


SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 BIOS 1006

1. Improve system stability.
2. Support new CPUs.

Please refer to our website at: http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

Release Date: 2012-October-22
BIOS Size: ~ 2.35MB
Download Page: http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&s=24&m=SABERTOOTH+990FX+R2.0&os=&hashedid=Yk1gGoRISkgLawoj


NOTE: This updated Revision 2.0 model DOES support overclocking. The updated BIOS may reflect the necessary BIOS options to do so. I do not have this model so I cannot say for sure whether or not this feature was 'missing' in older BIOS versions as was reported by another user, however, I would assume it would be corrected with this release. Any motherboard not supporting overclocking these days shouldn't even be released

NOTE 2: Yeah I know what everyone with an original Sabertooth board is thinking: "I wonder if the R2 BIOS will work with the old boards? Hmm....I better inquire about that" I though about it too I haven't had the time to do the research yet, however, I will be looking into some of it. If it is, I am sure not all the new BIOS options would be compatible anyways. Someone prove me wrong


Tim

ARS N9NU
Edited by n9nu - 10/28/12 at 1:32pm

I just received an order of FX series of CPU's and a few 990FX Sabertooth R2 motherboards and updated each of the boards with the latest BIOS. I also updated my older 990FX boards as well and can provide the following information:


Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth 990FX - Original Series w/ latest BIOS
BIOS: 1604
Memory: Corsair DDR3 D/C Vengeance 8GB (4GB x 2) Kit - Auto O/C
CPU(S) Tested: As shown below

• FX-8100 (FD8100WMW8KGU) 2.8GHz 8C 95W rev.B2G AM3+ - TOK
• FX-8120 (FD8120FRW8KGU) 3.1GHz 8C 125W rev.B2G AM3+ - TOK
• FX-8120 (FD8120WMW8KGU) 3.1GHz 8C 95W rev.B2G AM3+ - TOK
• FX-8100 (FD8100WMW8KGU) 2.8GHz 8C 95W rev.B2G AM3+ - TOK
• FX-8120 (FD8120FRW8KGU) 3.1GHz 8C 125W rev.B2G AM3+ - TOK
• FX-8120 (FD8120WMW8KGU) 3.1GHz 8C 95W rev.B2G AM3+ - TOK
• FX-8120 (FD8120WMW8KGU) 3.1GHz 8C 95W rev.B2G AM3+ - TOK

Surprisingly, the 3 original (Revision 1 I guess you could call them) boards booted up each and every time using each of the different processors above. While I do not have time at this very moment to supply settings and temperature data for each setup, I did manage to overclock the 8350 CPU from the OEM value of 4.0GHz to a temporary clock value of 4.6GHz. This was with a Corsair H-80 liquid cooler. I say 'temporary' as I only played Max Payne 3 for ~ 10 minutes.

If my system is initially happy with the O/C value(s) when I am playing MP3 for that period of time, I can almost guarantee (myself at least) that the system will remain stable with those settings. My system usually 'BSOD-EES' or freezes up within the first few minutes of maxing it out while playing an intensive game like MP3.


As far as the newer R2.0 motherboards, I encountered a bit of a stability issue with regards to the memory being overclocked when running with the FX-8350 CPU. I have not had the time to fully diagnose it, however, I am sure that manually adjusting or possibly re-setting the BIOS fully may resolve the issue.

If anyone does any additional testing with their systems, I would appreciate it if you would respond via this thread OR the Sabertooth 990FX 'owners' club forum and post some results reflecting the (hopefully) good results you have.

Tnx...de

ARS N9NU


P.S. For some reason I get a message above each edit box as I am posting a new topic. It says:

I am using Firefox 16.x.x (the latest) via Windows 7 64 Bit OS and was wondering if anyone else had this problem using FF.