Machinist X99 Mr9a Pro Bios Top _hot_ «HIGH-QUALITY — Review»
Enable Intel Virtualization Technology if you plan to use virtual machines (VMs) or emulators. E. Fan Control & System Monitoring Location: H/W Monitor
: Often available as a standard configurable option in later revisions.
Go to → SATA Configuration and change SATA Mode Selection from AHCI to RAID . Press F10 to Save & Exit temporarily.
a "top" performer, many users turn to a modified BIOS that allows for: machinist x99 mr9a pro bios top
The Top BIOS includes a patched NVMe driver, but you must disable "Secure Boot" and set "OS Type" to "Other OS."
For expansion, the BIOS recognizes two PCIe x16 Gen 3.0 slots, one PCIe x4 Gen 3.0 slot, and one PCIe x1 Gen 2.0 slot. Storage options include six SATA ports (four SATA 3.0, two SATA 2.0) and two M.2 slots that support NVMe at PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds.
The Machinist X99 MR9A PRO Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Enable Intel Virtualization Technology if you plan to
The heart of the Machinist X99 MR9A Pro is an American Megatrends (AMI) Aptio V BIOS, typically version 5.11 dated around March 2023. While it's built on the familiar UEFI framework, Machinist has significantly stripped down and obfuscated its interface, hiding many advanced features from the standard user. The core of the BIOS is stored on a W25Q128FV flash chip, which you can locate on the motherboard.
A programmer like the is a common and affordable tool. While useful, a dedicated SPI programmer is often more reliable for Chinese X99 boards. This advanced method involves connecting the programmer directly to the BIOS chip to read or write the firmware.
is a revised version of the original MR9A, primarily differentiated by the addition of a , an active cooling fan on the VRM heatsink, and a plastic I/O shroud. While the stock BIOS is functional for standard use, it is widely considered "janky" or limited by enthusiasts, often requiring custom firmware to unlock the platform's full potential. BIOS Interface & Features The board uses a standard AMI (American Megatrends) BIOS . Go to → SATA Configuration and change SATA
: Natively supports Intel Xeon E5 v3 and v4 series and 5th/6th Gen Core i7 processors.
For enthusiasts seeking more than basic tuning, communities are actively working to unlock hidden menus. For example, users have confirmed that all necessary TPM 2.0 modules ( Tpm20PlatformDxe , AmiTcgPlatformDxe , etc.) are present in the BIOS but are intentionally obfuscated and hidden from the setup menu. The community continues to work on ways to expose these and other advanced features.
However, out of the box, the stock BIOS feels limited. To unlock the motherboard's peak potential—such as full RAM timing controls, Turbo Boost unlocking, and vital power modifications—you need a deep understanding of its firmware environment. Hardware Foundation: Why the BIOS Matters