ASUS F2A85-V PRO vs. the regular F2A85-V

[OldtimeGamer]

Ever notice that when you try to research something, you often end up with too much conflicting and imcomplete information?

I'm trying to determine the real differences between the F2A85-V PRO and the regular F2A85-V. Funny thing is that I cant find a side by side comparison, even on the ASUS website.

Cost wise...the "V Pro" model only runs about $10 or $20 more than the non-Pro model....(about $131 vs around $120)
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Physically, the F2A85-V PRO features a Fanless Design Heat-pipe solution ( I recall reading it's filled with nitrogen).

It accepts DDR3 1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz Non-ECC memory.

It has the following expansion slots:
3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode)
2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
2 x PCI

The PRO model seems to offer more in the way of buttons and switches to change settings.
- Auto Tuning
- TurboV
- GPU Boost
- TPU switch
ASUS EPU :
- EPU
- EPU switch

The "PRO" offers Fan Xpert 2 for cooling

Sounds via Realtek ALC892
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The non-Pro model board lacks the Fanless Design Heat-pipe solution "cooling" feature.

It accepts DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2250(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered

So POSSIBLY the non-PRO model allows the use of 2400(O.C.)/2250(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.) whereas the PRO model doesn't???

I found a little comparison cheat sheet...This memory conclusion seems to not be supported based on a chart I found here: http://promos.asus.com/US/F2A85/ASUS-F2A85_Cheatsheet-web.pdf
(They don't even list a non-PRO motherboard option there.)

I find it odd that the less expensive board allows more memory options and the more expensive board doesn't...at least this is according the specs I read.

The board has the following expansion slots:
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x16/x4)
2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
3 x PCI

The non-"PRO" offers Fan Xpert+ for cooling...which I assume is a step down from Fan Xpert 2

Sounds via Realtek ALC887 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
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I'm sure I'm missing some of the key differences between these two boards. Is anyone well schooled in these two.... as they really compare? I'm likely just going to get the V PRO model, but want to be informed before making my final decision. Memory options might seem to be the big difference... In my case for now, I'll be running 16GB of DDR3-1600, which I already picked up at a good price. Maybe the audio which is Realtek ALC892 vs. Realtek ALC887.

I did see this link http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Asus-F2A85-V-FM2-Motherboard-AMD,20978.html but hoped for a little more info.

 

[alexoiu]

Hi,
http://www.asus.com/Compare/
DisplayPort, Different LAN controller, an extre PCIe port, 2 extra USB 3.0 ports, Flashback for the PRO version.

 

[OldtimeGamer]

Hi,
http://www.asus.com/Compare/
DisplayPort, Different LAN controller, an extre PCIe port, 2 extra USB 3.0 ports, Flashback for the PRO version.

Thanks for posting that link. I'm not sure why I didn't stumble on it. Thts just what I was looking for, even if I don't fully understand all the tech jargon.

I did learn that the V model..."non PRO" was just just released in Feb 2013
http://www.techpowerup.com/179896/ASUS-Intros-F2A85-V-Socket-FM2-Motherboard.html shows that the "F2A85-V trims down on a few things over the -Pro variant, such as simpler independent VRM and FCH heatsinks with no heat-pipe connecting them, fewer APU power phases, and a lighter expansion slot layout that isn't ideal for multi-GPU setups."