ASRock Updates X99 Boards for Broadwell-E

ASRock has published a bios update that gives its X99 motherboards support for the upcoming Broadwell-E processors. Although a bios update is not yet available for all motherboards, ASRock promises that eventually all models will support the processors.

ASRock announces the bios update with a reference to all of its X99 motherboards, including OC Formula, Fatal1ty and Extreme models. The bios update is not yet available for all motherboards on the list, but this will be the case in the long run, the manufacturer promises.

ASRock advises users who want to upgrade to a Broadwell-E processor to install the update in advance, as the chip generation will be available ‘short term’. Exactly when that will be is unknown. Intel’s latest roadmap stated that the Broadwell-E processor would be released in the second quarter. That quarter lasts until the end of June. Earlier, MSI already announced the bios update for its X99 line of motherboards.

The Broadwell-E processors produced at 14nm have an unlocked multiplier and are therefore intended for overclockers and demanding users. The chips work on the X99 platform with the existing 2011 v3 socket. The most powerful of the four processors is the Core i7-6950X decacore with a clock speed of 3GHz and boost to a maximum of 3.5GHz. Like the 22nm Haswell-E generation, all Broadwell-E CPUs will probably get a TDP of 140W.

Cores/Threads Speed/Boost L3 Cache Socket Memory Speed

The suspected specs of the four Broadwell-E CPUs