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AMD Announces Ryzen AGESA 1.0.0.6 Update: Enables Memory Clocks Up To DDR4-4000
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AMD Announces Ryzen AGESA 1.0.0.6 Update: Enables Memory Clocks Up To DDR4-4000

Demonstrating their commitment to keep improving the AM4 platform, AMD has just published a suite of details about their upcoming AGESA 1.0.0.6 firmware. Of particular interest here, the latest firmware is going to enhance memory overclocking and compability, as well as add a much needed virtualization-related feature.

AGESA is an acronym for “AMD Generic Encapsulated System Architecture”, and it is essentially the foundational code on which BIOS files for AM4 motherboards are built. When the Ryzen AM4 platform was launched back in March, the early AGESA versions lacked a lot of the core capabilities and settings that we have come to expect from a modern platform. As a result, motherboard manufacturers did not have a lot to work with when it came to creating feature-rich custom BIOSes for their own motherboards. Since then AMD has been pretty vocal and proactive about fixing any bugs, opening up new BIOS features, and improving overclocking.

With this new AGESA version, AMD has added 26 new memory-related parameters. The most dramatic improvement is the significant expansion of memory speed options. If we exclude base block overclocking – which relatively few motherboards support – the AM4 platform has thus far been effectively limited to memory speeds of DDR4-3200. Not only that, but the supported range of options from DDR4-1866 to DDR4-3200 was in large 266MT/s increments. With AGESA 1.0.0.6, memory frequencies have not only been expanded all the way up to DDR4-4000, but between DDR4-2667 and DDR4-4000 the increments have been reduced to 133MT/s. Not only does this mean that more memory kits will be able to be run at their rated speed – and not get kicked down to the nearest supported speed – but it also significantly reduces the high-speed memory gap that the AM4 platform had with Intel’s mainstream LGA1151 platform.

The other important announcement is the unlocking of about two dozen memory timings. Up until now, only five primary memory timings have been adjustable and there wasn’t even a command rate option, which was natively locked to the most aggressive 1T setting. All of this should help improve overclocking and most importantly compatibility with the large swathe of DDR4 memory kits that have largely been engineered with Intel platforms in mind.

The last addition should excite those interested in virtualization. AMD has announced “fresh support” for PCI Express Access Control Services (ACS), which enables the ability to manually assign PCIe graphics cards within IOMMU groups. This should be a breath of fresh air to those who have previously tried to dedicate a GPU to a virtual machine on a Ryzen system, since it is a task that has thus far been fraught with difficulties.

AMD has already distributed the AGESA 1.0.0.6 to its motherboard partners, so BIOS updates should be available starting in mid to late June. Having said that, there are apparently beta versions currently available for the ASUS Crosshair VI and GIGABYTE GA-AX370-Gaming 5.

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AMD Announces Ryzen AGESA 1.0.0.6 Update: Enables Memory Clocks Up To DDR4-4000
  • Comments are Closed

AMD Announces Ryzen AGESA 1.0.0.6 Update: Enables Memory Clocks Up To DDR4-4000

Demonstrating their commitment to keep improving the AM4 platform, AMD has just published a suite of details about their upcoming AGESA 1.0.0.6 firmware. Of particular interest here, the latest firmware is going to enhance memory overclocking and compability, as well as add a much needed virtualization-related feature.

AGESA is an acronym for “AMD Generic Encapsulated System Architecture”, and it is essentially the foundational code on which BIOS files for AM4 motherboards are built. When the Ryzen AM4 platform was launched back in March, the early AGESA versions lacked a lot of the core capabilities and settings that we have come to expect from a modern platform. As a result, motherboard manufacturers did not have a lot to work with when it came to creating feature-rich custom BIOSes for their own motherboards. Since then AMD has been pretty vocal and proactive about fixing any bugs, opening up new BIOS features, and improving overclocking.

With this new AGESA version, AMD has added 26 new memory-related parameters. The most dramatic improvement is the significant expansion of memory speed options. If we exclude base block overclocking – which relatively few motherboards support – the AM4 platform has thus far been effectively limited to memory speeds of DDR4-3200. Not only that, but the supported range of options from DDR4-1866 to DDR4-3200 was in large 266MT/s increments. With AGESA 1.0.0.6, memory frequencies have not only been expanded all the way up to DDR4-4000, but between DDR4-2667 and DDR4-4000 the increments have been reduced to 133MT/s. Not only does this mean that more memory kits will be able to be run at their rated speed – and not get kicked down to the nearest supported speed – but it also significantly reduces the high-speed memory gap that the AM4 platform had with Intel’s mainstream LGA1151 platform.

The other important announcement is the unlocking of about two dozen memory timings. Up until now, only five primary memory timings have been adjustable and there wasn’t even a command rate option, which was natively locked to the most aggressive 1T setting. All of this should help improve overclocking and most importantly compatibility with the large swathe of DDR4 memory kits that have largely been engineered with Intel platforms in mind.

The last addition should excite those interested in virtualization. AMD has announced “fresh support” for PCI Express Access Control Services (ACS), which enables the ability to manually assign PCIe graphics cards within IOMMU groups. This should be a breath of fresh air to those who have previously tried to dedicate a GPU to a virtual machine on a Ryzen system, since it is a task that has thus far been fraught with difficulties.

AMD has already distributed the AGESA 1.0.0.6 to its motherboard partners, so BIOS updates should be available starting in mid to late June. Having said that, there are apparently beta versions currently available for the ASUS Crosshair VI and GIGABYTE GA-AX370-Gaming 5.

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Fractal Design Unveils Focus G Series Cases
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Fractal Design Unveils Focus G Series Cases

Fractal Design has just launched two new cases under the banner of the new Focus G series. The Focus G is a standard ATX mid-tower, while the Focus G Mini features a more compact footprint and is intended for Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX builds. While both models will be offered in black, the larger Focus G will also be offered in white and a brand new choice of Gunmetal Gray, Mystic Red, and Petrol Blue. This multiple color option is a first for Fractal Design.

The Focus G series is manufactured using a combination of steel and plastic as you would expect from a cost-conscious case series. What you wouldn’t necessarily expect in 2017 are the two external 5.25” drive bays. Size and color differences aside, these two models are effectively twins and they share numerous key features.

Both cases have a large side panel window, removeable and vibration dampened storage drive bays, 18mm to 25mm of cable routing room behind the motherboard tray, and a front I/O panel that includes one USB 3.0 port, USB 2.0 port, and two audio jacks. When it comes to fans, both models have a total of six 120mm fan mounts, four of which can also hold 140mm fans (three on the Focus G Mini). There are removable dust filters everywhere but the rear. Fractal Design has included two front-mounted Silent Series LL 120mm LED fans that glow white light through the front mesh.

Fractal Design Focus G Series
  Focus G Focus G Mini
Motherboard Size ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Drive Bays External – –
Internal 2 × 2.5″ or 3.5″ and 1 × 2.5″ 2 × 2.5″ or 3.5″ and 1 × 2.5″
AIB Bays Internal 7, up to 380 mm cards are supported 4, up to 380 mm cards are supported
Cooling Front 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm 2 × 120 mm or 1 × 140 mm
Rear 1 × 120 mm 1 × 120 mm
Top 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm
Middle – –
Bottom 1 × 120 mm 1 × 120 mm
Radiator Support Front 1 × 120/240 mm or 140/280 mm 1 × 120/240 mm or 140 mm
Rear 1 × 120 mm 1 × 120 mm
Top 1 × 240 mm 1 × 240 mm
Middle – –
Bottom – –
I/O Port 1 × USB 2.0
1 × USB 3.0
1 × Headphone
1 × Mic		 1 × USB 2.0
1 × USB 3.0
1 × Headphone
1 × Mic
Power Supply Size Up to 230 mm Up to 230 mm
Dimensions – –
Colors Multiple colors Black
Features Large side window panel Large side window panel
Price $49.99 $49.99

These Focus G series models also have extensive liquid cooling support, with radiator mounts in the front, rear, and the top of the cases. Those more interested in air cooling will be able to fit heatsinks that are up to 165mm tall, which means just about every cooler on the market. Both models can also handle graphics cards up to 380mm long, while power supply depth is a very spacious 230mm. The other similarity is that both models are going to retail for $49.99 USD, which places them firmly in the competitive budget case market.

We have no word on availability, but sometime after Computex is a firm bet.

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Gallery: Focus G

Gallery: Focus G Mini

Fractal Design Unveils Focus G Series Cases
  • Comments are Closed

Fractal Design Unveils Focus G Series Cases

Fractal Design has just launched two new cases under the banner of the new Focus G series. The Focus G is a standard ATX mid-tower, while the Focus G Mini features a more compact footprint and is intended for Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX builds. While both models will be offered in black, the larger Focus G will also be offered in white and a brand new choice of Gunmetal Gray, Mystic Red, and Petrol Blue. This multiple color option is a first for Fractal Design.

The Focus G series is manufactured using a combination of steel and plastic as you would expect from a cost-conscious case series. What you wouldn’t necessarily expect in 2017 are the two external 5.25” drive bays. Size and color differences aside, these two models are effectively twins and they share numerous key features.

Both cases have a large side panel window, removeable and vibration dampened storage drive bays, 18mm to 25mm of cable routing room behind the motherboard tray, and a front I/O panel that includes one USB 3.0 port, USB 2.0 port, and two audio jacks. When it comes to fans, both models have a total of six 120mm fan mounts, four of which can also hold 140mm fans (three on the Focus G Mini). There are removable dust filters everywhere but the rear. Fractal Design has included two front-mounted Silent Series LL 120mm LED fans that glow white light through the front mesh.

Fractal Design Focus G Series
  Focus G Focus G Mini
Motherboard Size ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Drive Bays External – –
Internal 2 × 2.5″ or 3.5″ and 1 × 2.5″ 2 × 2.5″ or 3.5″ and 1 × 2.5″
AIB Bays Internal 7, up to 380 mm cards are supported 4, up to 380 mm cards are supported
Cooling Front 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm 2 × 120 mm or 1 × 140 mm
Rear 1 × 120 mm 1 × 120 mm
Top 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm
Middle – –
Bottom 1 × 120 mm 1 × 120 mm
Radiator Support Front 1 × 120/240 mm or 140/280 mm 1 × 120/240 mm or 140 mm
Rear 1 × 120 mm 1 × 120 mm
Top 1 × 240 mm 1 × 240 mm
Middle – –
Bottom – –
I/O Port 1 × USB 2.0
1 × USB 3.0
1 × Headphone
1 × Mic		 1 × USB 2.0
1 × USB 3.0
1 × Headphone
1 × Mic
Power Supply Size Up to 230 mm Up to 230 mm
Dimensions – –
Colors Multiple colors Black
Features Large side window panel Large side window panel
Price $49.99 $49.99

These Focus G series models also have extensive liquid cooling support, with radiator mounts in the front, rear, and the top of the cases. Those more interested in air cooling will be able to fit heatsinks that are up to 165mm tall, which means just about every cooler on the market. Both models can also handle graphics cards up to 380mm long, while power supply depth is a very spacious 230mm. The other similarity is that both models are going to retail for $49.99 USD, which places them firmly in the competitive budget case market.

We have no word on availability, but sometime after Computex is a firm bet.

Related Reading

Gallery: Focus G

Gallery: Focus G Mini

Lian Li Launches PC-T70 Test Bench
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Lian Li Launches PC-T70 Test Bench

Lian Li has been one of the few large case manufacturers to consistently offer test benches over the years, and they have now launched their newest model, the PC-T70. First unveiled at CES 2017, this new test bench was developed with feedback from PC hardware reviewers and it has been designed with an eye towards easy access and simple hardware swapping. There is also an optional accessory kit that encloses the test bench with an acrylic cover, which simulates a closed-air environment and allows for testing conditions that more closely match a regular closed case. For those who would rather have the whole kit from the start, Lian Li will also be offering the PC-T70FX, which comes with the acrylic cover and side panels included.

Starting off with the fundamentals, the PC-T70 is manufactured from both aluminium and steel and it is available in both black and white. It can handle motherboards ranging from Micro-ATX to E-ATX, and it has eight expansion slots that support cards up to 330mm in length, though longer cards should be fine as well if you don’t install the acrylic cover. There is one small and six large pass-through ports that are used to cleanly route cables to the lower half. The bottom chamber can handle one ATX power supply up to 330mm in length, and it is also where you can install your choice of either five 2.5” and one 3.5” storage drives or one 2.5” and two 3.5” storage drives. There is also mounting space for some liquid cooling hardware, namely an up to 360mm radiator, a reservoir, and a pump. The front of the test bench features a small I/O area consisting of a 3.5mm audio input, a 3.5mm audio output, two USB 3.0 ports, and both power and reset buttons.

If you have more advanced cooling needs, or if you’re a reviewer that wants to be able to simulate a closed-air case environment, the T70-1 option kit is an accessory ​that is going to be of great interest:

As mentioned above, the optional T70-1 upgrade kit encloses the test bench with an acrylic cover and side panels that serve as radiator mounts. The idea is that by enclosing the motherboard and other heat-generating components, reviewers will be able to simulate closed-air case environments that are more representative of the insides of regular PC cases. This should ensure more accurate testing of both thermals and acoustics. It should be mentioned that with the cover installed, CPU cooler height is reduced from an effectively unlimited height down to 180mm. Magnetic strips help secure the cover and keep it closed during transport.

Also helping to secure the cover are the panels that enclose the side and back of the test bench. The aluminium side panels feature large cutouts with removable dust filters, and that is because each side panel can hold two 120-140mm fans or a single 240-280mm radiator. The rear panel has mounting holes for one additional 120mm or 140mm fan.

The PC-T70FX model, which includes the T70-1 option kit, is available right now at Newegg.com for $180 USD. It is unclear if the solo PC-T70 will be available for sale in the future, though we suspect that it will because it has its own product page on Lian Li’s website.

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