PC Perspective - ASUS P6T Deluxe X58 Motherboard Review

	ASUS P6T Deluxe X58 Motherboard Review - Core i7 Processors Welcome
	Author: Ryan Shrout Date: Nov 10, 2008 Subject: Motherboard Manufacturer: Asus

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Introduction and Specifications

Introduction

Just last week Intel unveiled the new Core i7 processor based on the Nehalem core architecture bringing about a new platform for Intel systems. The new CPU brought a host of changes when compared to the Intel Core 2 line including an integrated DDR3 memory controller, QuickPath Interconnect interface, a new cache infrastructure and other additions. With the CPU migration comes a socket change and of course a new chipset to fill the gap for core logic.

Intel's answer for the platform is the X58 chipset, the first 5-series product to be released and even this product is quite a change from the previous Core 2 chipsets. The most major shift for the X58 is not what it adds, but what it goes without: a memory controller and front-side bus. With the movement away from the FSB to the QPI and with an integrated memory controller in the Core i7, the chipset north bridge is really responsible for only the PCI Express 2.0 interface and for connecting to the south bridge ICH10.

That doesn't mean the motherboard is inconsequential at all though - in fact your choice of X58 motherboard for your Intel Core i7 could be the most important choice for your next PC.

ASUS P6T Deluxe Specifications

CPU	LGA1366 socket for Intel® Core™ i7 Processor Extreme Edition / Core™ i7 Processor Supports Intel® Dynamic Speed Technology* Refer to www.asus.com for Intel CPU support list
Chipset	Intel® X58 / ICH10R
System Bus	Up to 6.4GT/s; Intel® QuickPath Interconnect
Memory	6 x DIMM, max. 12GB, DDR3 1600(O.C.) / 1333 / 1066 MHz, non-ECC, un-buffered memory Triple channel memory architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)* Refer to www.asus.com or this user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists)
Expansion Slots	3 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (at x16/x16/x1 or x16/x8/x8 mode)1 x PCI Express x4 slot2 x PCI slots
Multi-GPU Support	Supports NVIDIA® 2-Way or Quad-GPU SLI™ TechnologySupports ATI® CrossFireX™ Technology SLI support may need driver update. Visit www.asus. com for more details.
Storage	Intel® ICH10R Southbridge: - 6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports - Intel® Matrix Storage supporting SATA RAID 0,1, 5, and 10 Marvell 88SE6320 controller: - 2 x SAS ports supporting SAS RAID 0 and 1 Marvell 88SE6111 controller: - 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices - 1 x External SATA 3.0 Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go)
LAN	Dual Gigabit LAN controllers2 x Marvell® 88E8056 PCIe Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2
Audio	ADI® AD2000B 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-streaming, and Front Panel Jack-Retasking technology - Coaxial / Optical S/PDIF out ports at back I/O - ASUS Noise Filter AI Audio 2
IEEE 1394	VIA® VT6308 controller supports 2 x IEEE 1394a ports (one at midboard; one at back panel)
USB	14 x USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 8 ports at back panel)
ASUS Unique Features	ASUS Exclusive Features: - ASUS TurboV - ASUS OC Palm (OC Palm version only) - ASUS True 16+2 Phase Power Design - Express Gate SSD ASUS Power Saving Solution: - ASUS EPU-6 Engine - ASUS AI Nap ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution: - ASUS Fanless Design: Wind-Flow Heat-pipe solution - ASUS Fanless Design: Stack Cool 2 - ASUS Fan Xpert - ASUS Optional Fan for Water-cooling or Passive-Cooling only ASUS EZ DIY: - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Connector - ASUS O.C. Profile - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2
Exclusive Overclocking Features	ASUS TurboV utility Precision Tweaker 2: - vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.00625V increment - vCPU PLL: 36-step reference voltage control - vDRAM Bus: 49-step DRAM bus voltage control - vChipset(N.B.): 31-step chipset voltage control - vNB-PCIe: 65-step chipset-PCIe bus voltage control SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection): - Internal Base Clock tuning from 100MHz up to 500 MHz at 1MHz increment - PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 180MHz at 1MHz increment Overclocking Protection: - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features	Multi-language BIOS ASUS MyLogo 3
Back Panel I/O Ports	1 x PS/2 Keyboard / Mouse combo port1 x S/PDIF Out (Coaxial + Optical)1 x External SATA 1 x IEEE1394a2 x RJ45 ports8 x USB 2.0/1.18-channel Audio I/O
Internal I/O Connectors	3 x USB connectors support additional 6 USB ports1 x Floppy disk drive connector1 x IDE connector6 x SATA connectors (Red)2 x SAS connectors (Orange)1 x CPU Fan connector3 x Chassis Fan connectors1 x Power Fan connector1 x IEEE1394a connector Front panel audio connector1 x S/PDIF Out Header Chassis Intrusion connectors audio in24-pin ATX Power connector8-pin EATX 12V Power connectors System Panel (Q-Connector)1 x TPM connector1 x Power on switch1 x Reset switch
BIOS	16 Mb AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, Multi-language BIOS
Manageability	WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chassis Intrusion, PXE
Accessories	I/O modules: 1 x 2-port USB 2.0 / 1-port IEEE1394 module Cables: 6 x Serial ATA signal cables 2 x SAS cables 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable 1 x OC Palm Kit (OC Palm device and USB cable; OC Palm version for retail version only) 1 x ASUS Q-Shield (I/O shield) 1 x Optional Fan for Water-Cooling or Passive-Cooling only 1 x ASUS Q-Connector Kit (USB, system panel; Retail version only) 1 x ASUS SLI bridge connector Application DVD ASUS motherboard support DVD Documentation User guide
Support Disc	Drivers ASUS PC Probe IIASUS Update ASUS AI Suite Image-Editing Suite Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Form Factor	ATX Form Factor, 12”x 9.6” (30.5cm x 24.4cm)

This specifications table from ASUS has an abundance of information but in it lays many of the secrets of the board's success. The board supports both 2-Way SLI and CrossFire X configurations, includes dual Gigabit Ethernet connections and even Serial Attached SCSI support via an included Marvell 88SE6320 chipset.

We'll delve more into the HUGE feature list of the ASUS P6T Deluxe on the coming page.

Next Page - Features and Specifications

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