uGuru software and nTune support
The Fatal1ty's BIOS-level controls are supplemented by Abit's uGuru software package. This suite of utilities is specifically designed for users who don't enjoy mucking around in the BIOS, or who prefer to fine-tune their settings without rebooting. The interface is basic, but virtually every setting detailed in our coverage of the BIOS is available. Memory timings, however, must still be adjusted from within the BIOS or via nTune.

Abit's uGuru software overclocking and monitoring utility is designed to give end-users a quick overview of useful system information, with the actual tweaks and overclocking options sensibly kept under sub-menus where they can't be accidentally activated. Clicking on the "SoftMenu" button brings up the following:

The SoftMenu dialog box offers the same voltage adjustment options as those listed in BIOS. There's also a handy "Default" button, and an option to run the "OCGuru" software when Windows starts. Click on the "FanEQ" button, and a drop-down selection menu appears, like so:

Abit's included software allows for each fan to be controlled individually, according to a range of temperature and speed guidelines.

Finally, if you want to see all system temperatures and voltages at a single glance, Abit includes Abit EQ monitoring software. Abit EQ can also be configured with the same warning and shutdown conditions for temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages that are available in the BIOS.

Normally, the monitoring and control tools created by motherboard vendors are only one or two steps up from useless, and present only minimal information. In contrast, Abit's uGuru software package stands out for the flexibility and control it offers users without ever requiring a reboot. It's much easier to tweak fan speeds and temperature settings when you can actually monitor and set such levels dynamically, while the system is actually under load.

The Fatal1ty AN8 SLI also supports NVIDIA's nTune software. This program can be used to change some of the settings that Abit's OCGuru doesn't cover, including memory timings and video core and memory clocks. Between nTune and OCGuru, nearly all of the AN8 SLI's BIOS-level overclocking options can be accessed, save for CPU multiplier adjustment.