BIOSTAR TPower X79 Motherboard Review

BIOSTAR TPower X79

The BIOSTAR TPower X79 LGA2011 motherboard is the only Intel X79 offering from BIOSTAR right now. While most of the companies out there release a board aimed at enthusiasts with all the bells and whistles, BIOSTAR like to keep their prices down and target those on a budget. The BIOSTAR TPower X79 is currently retailing for only $214.99 after rebate. This is a great price point to be at since not everybody needs an extreme board to meet their needs and doesn’t want to spend $400+ on a motherboard. BIOSTAR left out the high price tag, but they didn’t skimp out on features.

The BIOSTAR TPower X79 features the latest technologies that we have been seeing on all of our Intel X79 motherboards. Features like SuperSpeed USB 3.0, SATA III 6Gbps, AMD CrossFireX, and NVIDIA SLI have all become common place features today. What tends to separate the boards is some of the more specific features. Some of the Intel X79 system boards that we have looked at use digital VRM’s for the power delivery to the CPU and memory, while some continue to use the time honored and proven analog VRM’s. There are arguments from fans of both debating which is the better power delivery method, while I’m not here to make an argument for either, I’ll just say that I have had great results from both methods. The BIOSTAR TPower X79 is continuing to use the analog method and features a 9 phase power design along with 100% solid capacitors. The solid capacitors that the BIOSTAR TPower X79 are design for a lasting life cycle, durability, and of course stability.

BIOSTAR has also put some work into the audio on the BIOSTAR TPower X79. Instead of using the generic Realtek audio driver, BIOSTAR is using the THX truStudio Pro. THX truStudio Pro has been specially designed to the same audio experience to the PC that you can find in live performances, films and recording studios. This will give the games you play the extra depth needed to hear your your enemies before you see them. If you browse the installation CD that comes in the bundle for the BIOSTAR TPower X79, you will find several utilities that may be handy for you.

One of the included utilities you will find is BIO-Remote. BIO-Remote will let you use your Android based smart phone as a multimedia remote to control applications like media center, PowerDVD, Media Player, WinAMP, Microsoft PowerPoint and a few others. Simply download the app from the Android marketplace or from BIOSTAR directly, set up the software on your BIOSTAR TPower X79 syatem and you’re good to go after a bit of setup between the two.

BIOSTAR TPower X79 Intel Socket 2011 Motherboard Specifications

Chipset	Intel X79
CPU SUPPORT	2nd Generation Intel Core i7 LGA 2011 Processor Maximum CPU TDP (Thermal Design Power) : 130Watt
MEMORY	Support Quad Channel DDR3 2400(OC)/2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/ 1333 /1066 MHz 4 x DDR3 DIMM Memory Slot Max. Supports up to 32GB Memory
EXPANSION SLOT	1 x PCI Slots 2 x PCI-E x1 2.0 Slot 3 x PCI-E x16 3.0 Slot (x16, 16, x8 )4 WAY CFX, 3 WAY SLI
STORAGE	4 x SATA3 6Gb/s Connector 3 x SATA2 3Gb/s Connector 1 x eSATA2 3Gb/s Connector Support SATA RAID: 0,1,5,10
USB	ASMedia ASM1042 USB 3.0 controller 6 x USB 3.0 Port 1 x USB 3.0 Header 2 x USB 2.0 Port 2 x USB 2.0 Header
Gigabit Ethernet	Realtek RTL8111E – 10/100/1000 Controller
MULTI GRAPHICS	AMD 4-Way CrossFireX NVIDIA 3-Way SLI
Audio CODEC	Realtek ALC898 8 Channel Blu-ray Audio
REAR I/O	1 x PS/2 Keyboard 1 x eSATA2 3Gb/s Connector 6 x USB 3.0 Port 2 x USB 2.0 Port 1 x RJ-45 Port 6 x Audio Connector 1 x S/PDIF Out Port
INTERNAL I/O	1 x USB 3.0 Header 2 x USB 2.0 Header 4 x SATA3 6Gb/s Connector 3 x SATA2 3Gb/s Connector 1 x Front Audio Header 1 x Front Panel Header 1 x S/PDIF-OUT Header 1 x CPU FAN Header 2 x System FAN Header 1 x Serial Header 1 x CIR Header
DIMENSION	ATX Form Factor Dimension: 30.5cm x 24.4cm ( W x L )
OS SUPPORT	Support Windows XP / Vista / 7
ACCESSORIES	6 x SATA Cable 1 x SLI Connector 1 x CrossFire Connector 1 x I/O Shield 1 x CD Driver 1 x User Manual
FEATURES	Supports uEFI GUI Interface BIOS Supports THX TruStudio Pro Supports BIO-Remote2 Supports BIO-Remote Supports Space-Pipe Thermal solution Supports 100% Solid capacitor Supports Puro Tone HD Audio Technology Supports Rapid Switch2 Supports Rapid Debug3 Supports BIOS-Flasher Supports BIOS-Relife Supports Toverclcoker OC software Supports Charger Booster