ASUS once again provides timely, optimized solutions to utilize incoming technology from AMD, supporting the chip maker’s new six-core CPU design. Exclusive features added to ASUS 890FX motherboards realize the hexa-core architecture’s capabilities to the fullest degree.
Better Performance Achieved
Both ROG Crosshair IV Formula and M4A89TD PRO include the AMD 890FX chipset and deliver thrilling PC performance through award-winning ASUS exclusives Core Unlocker and Turbo Unlocker, empowering users with on-demand overclocking and performance boosts for greater CPU capabilities in real time. Combined with the potential of the new design from AMD, these motherboards provide an experience like no other.
Unrivalled CPU Unlocking Leadership
ASUS shows the way in extreme PC performance with the inclusion of Core Unlocker on new 890FX boards. This technology has garnered much acclaim from international media since its inception, and remains the most reliable and successful way to unlock additional cores for performance improvements on motherboards using the AMD 800-series chipset. Core Unlocker makes it possible to turn a budget quad-core version of a CPU into a full six-cores for significant computing gains*.
It is accompanied by Turbo Unlocker, an intelligent overclocking engine that opens up CPU performance instantly by CPU core ratio when engaged in heavy computing or intensive tasks, including gaming.
Speaking on the inclusion of these two unique tools, Joe Hsieh, General Manager of Motherboard Business with ASUS, said: “ASUS will never stop developing the friendliest and most performance-boosting features available to consumers, whether enthusiasts, beginners or anyone else. Both Core Unlocker and Turbo Unlocker realize CPU potential, making them ideal for users looking for the best value on the best performance motherboards around.”
Real Time Boost on All Phenom II Black Edition CPUs (2/3/4/6 Cores)
Turbo Unlocker represents the next evolution of performance tuning from ASUS. Designed for AMD Black Edition and 6-core processors equipped with an unlockable multiplier, it intelligently adjusts CPU clock speeds with one-click input from users to attain even more computing power. When running single-core optimized applications, Turbo Unlocker dynamically adjusts resources and ensures maximum performance on dedicated cores. For multi-threaded applications, all cores supercharge to the highest performance available. Performance gains occur dynamically and instantly based on actual system conditions, so overclocking is always safe and stable.
Turning Four Cores into Six
Using a switch on both new motherboards, award-winning Core Unlocker is an ASUS exclusive that leads to fast and easy performance gains through the activation of latent CPU cores. One press sets Core Unlocker going as it scans the CPU for additional cores and puts them to work for major computational gains. Heavy multitasking, rendering and gaming go faster and better with additional cores available, as Core Unlocker can turn a dual-core CPU into a tri or quad, or turn quad-core versions into a full six-cores for significant computing gains*. In many cases Core Unlocker has demonstrated up to 103% in added performance—it is a supremely capable technology that injects great value into these motherboards.
Faster than Ever Connectivity
Both ROG Crosshair IV Formula and the M4A89TD PRO boast native next-generation data USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s. These super-fast connections bring users into the HD era with the speed and reliability needed to handle large files quickly. The motherboards feature two USB 3.0 ports each, transferring data at up to ten times the speed of USB 2.0, so moving an entire Blu-ray disc (25GB) takes just 70 seconds. SATA 6Gb/s offers twice the throughput of its predecessor, making hard drives noticeably more expedient.
With the performance and speed demanded by users constantly rising, these technologies could not have come at a better time.
Specification:
| Model | ASUS ROG Crosshair IV Formula | ASUS M4A89TD PRO/USB3 |
| CPU | Phenom II/Athlon II/Sempron 100 Socket AM3 |
Phenom II/Athlon II/Sempron 100 Socket AM3 |
| Chipset | AMD® 890FX/SB850 | AMD® 890FX/SB850 |
| Memory | 4 DIMM max 16GB dual channel DDR3 2000 (OC)/1600/1333/1066 |
4 DIMM max 16GB dual channel DDR3 2000(OC)/1600/1333/1066 |
| Power phase | 8+2 phase | 6+2 phase |
| PCIe x16 slots | 3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (dual x16, triple x16 x8 x8) | 2 dual x16 |
| Multi-GPU | CrossFireX | CrossFireX |
| Gigabit LAN | 1 | 1 |
| Audio | SupremeFX X-Fi 8-channel HD | 8-channel HD |
| Storage | 2 x USB 3.0 12x USB 2.0 |
2 x USB 3.0 12x USB 2.0 |
| Exclusive features | Core Unlocker Turbo Unlocker ROG Connect Game First Turbo Key II TurboV EVO EPU MemOK! CPU Level Up SupremeFX X-Fi built-in |
Core Unlocker Turbo Unlocker Turbo Key II TurboV EVO TurboV Express Gate EPU Stack Cool 3 MemOK! CPU Level Up |
Source: Asus