It is an unofficial, community-driven BIOS tweak designed specifically for the Machinist MR9A Pro and its variations.
MiSTer FPGA or FPT (Flash Programming Tool) v10.0 software package. A backup of your current stock BIOS binary file. Step-by-Step Safety Backup Download inside a Windows environment. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator. Execute the command: fptw64.exe -d backup.rom
Intel Xeon E5 V3 (Haswell-EP) and Xeon E5 V4 (Broadwell-EP) series.
Before diving into the BIOS, it is essential to understand what hardware you are working with. The Machinist X99 MR9A Pro is an ATX motherboard built around a modified chipset — most commonly based on the Intel B85 or Q87 chipset, though some variations may use C226 or even “魔改” (modified) X99 implementations.
Flashing the modified BIOS requires using the within Windows or a DOS environment. machinist x99 mr9a pro bios exclusive
The active community dedicated to modding this board is its greatest asset, turning a budget-oriented product into a potential beast. If you're willing to invest time into research and are comfortable with the risks, unlocking the hidden features of the Machinist X99 MR9A Pro is an incredibly rewarding journey that can deliver top-tier performance for a fraction of the cost.
This step-by-step guide uses the tools recommended by the community (based on the mr9a GitHub repo).
Quad-channel DDR4 ECC Registered or Desktop RAM (up to 2400MHz)
While standard Xeon CPUs are locked, this BIOS unlocks the ability to overclock unlocked CPUs (like the i7-5820K or i7-6850K). It provides better stability during stress tests, ensuring the set frequency remains stable under heavy load. 3. Faster Boot Times It is an unofficial, community-driven BIOS tweak designed
Navigate to > PCH Configuration > Security Configuration . Disable the BIOS Lock parameter. Save changes and boot back into Windows. 4. Flash the Exclusive Custom BIOS Open Command Prompt as Administrator . Run the command: fptw64 -f mod.rom Wait for the green "FTP Operation Passed" message. Restart your system and clear the CMOS immediately. 🔍 Post-Flash Stability Testing
Use the S3TurboHack tool to inject pre-configured undervolt values directly into your newly modified ROM file.
The Machinist X99 MR9A Pro is not for everyone. It lacks the polish, documentation, and support infrastructure of mainstream motherboards. However, for budget-conscious builders, enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering, and users who need high core counts without a high price tag, the MR9A Pro offers remarkable value — but only if you are willing to master its BIOS.
Unlocks hidden menus to manually adjust memory timings (latency), which is usually locked on standard Chinese X99 boards. CPU Undervolting: Before diving into the BIOS, it is essential
The first step is to create a backup of your current BIOS. You'll need a Windows environment and the following:
Use the BIOS recovery jumper (near CMOS battery) + FAT32 USB named “MR9A.ROM”. No CPU/RAM needed for recovery flash.
BIOS (typically based on American Megatrends Inc. or AMI) provides a basic functional environment but lacks several critical features for modern enthusiasts:
Key specifications include: