Introduction

ASUS is a top manufacturer in the world of computing, chances are you've built a system with an ASUS motherboard or know someone that has. ASUS is known for their quality and reliability but not many people would think of ASUS when they want a high end enthusiast motherboard that has all the features an over clocker might want. Today for review I have the ASUS P5WD2-E Premium motherboard that is just that really, ASUS kicks it up a notch by making a fully featured motherboard that any over clocker would love to have, and even if you aren't over clocking you can appreciate the many, many features of this motherboard. Read on to learn more...

Specs / Features

Here are the specs for the P5WD2-E, this is one fully featured motherboard.

Specification:
CPU:
LGA775 socket for Intel Pentium 4/Celeron CPU
Support Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition & Intel Pentium D Processor
Support Intel next generation 65nm CPU
Compatible with Intel 05B/ 05A and 04B/04A processors
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology ready

Chipset:
Intel 975X
Intel ICH7R

Front Side Bus:
1066/ 800/ 533 MHz

Memory:
Dual channel memory architecture
4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support max. 8GB DDR2 800/ 667/ 533 ECC and non-ECC memory
Native DDR2 800 Support
Intel MPT (Intel Memory Pipeline Technology)
ASUS Hyper Path3

Expansion Slots:
2 x PCI Express x 16 slot for discrete graphics card
1 x Universal PCI-E (max. x2 speed)
1 x PCI Express x 1
3 x PCI

CrossFire:
Support ATI CrossFire graphics cards (both @ x8 mode)

Storage/RAID:
Intel ICH7R South Bridge:
1 x UltraDMA 100/66/33
4 x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s with Intel Matrix Storage Technology with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support
Marvell 88SE6141 SATA/ATA controller
4 x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s
(Note: The SATA_RAID4 connector and External SATA port can not be used simultaneously)
1 x External Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66

LAN:
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers
2 x Marvell 88E8053 Gigabit LAN Controller, both featuring AI NET2

Audio:
Realtek ALC882M High Definition Audio 8-channel CODEC
Support Multi-streaming, Jack-sensing and Jack-retasking functions
Coaxial, Optical S/PDIF out on back I/O port
Features Dolby Master Studio technology

IEEE 1394a:
TI 1394 controller supports 2 x 1394a ports

USB:
Max. 8 USB2.0/1.1 ports

ASUS AI Life Features:
Stack Cool 2 patented fanless cooling system
"SATA on the Go" External SATA connector
AI Quiet

Overclocking Features
AI NOS (Non-delay Overclocking System)
ASUS CPU Lock Free
ASUS PEG Link
Precision Tweaker:
- vDIMM: 12-step DRAM voltage control
- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125 increment
- SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection): allowing FSB tuning from 100MHz up to 450MHz at 1MHz increment
- PCIe x16 Frequency: allowing PCIe x16 frequency from 90MHz up to 150MHz at 1MHz increment
AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)
Adjustable FSB/DDR ratio. Fixed PCI/PCIe frequencies.
ASUS AI Booster utility
ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)

Other ASUS Special Features:
CrashFree BIOS 2
Q-Fan2
Multi-language BIOS
MyLogo2
BIOS 8 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3, PXE & RPL

Manageability:
WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chassis Intrusion

Back Panel I/O Ports:
1 x Parallel
1 x Optical + 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Output
1 x PS/2 Keyboard
1 x PS/2 Mouse
2 x RJ45
4 x USB 2.0/1.1
1 x External SATA port
8 - Channel Audio I/O

Internal I/O Connectors:
2 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
2 x IDE connector
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
8 x Serial ATA connectors
(Note: The SATA_RAID4 connector and External SATA port can not be used simultaneously)
2 x IEEE1394a connectors
1 x COM connector
1 x GAME/MIDI connector
CPU / 2 x Chassis / Power Fan connectors
Front panel High Definition Audio connector
Chassis Intrusion connector
CD audio-in connector
24-pin ATX Power connector
System panel connector
4-pin ASUS EZ Plug connector
2 x 4-pin EATX12V Power connector

Support CD:
Drivers
ASUS PC Probe 2
ASUS LiveUpdate Utility
Anti-virus software (OEM version)

Accessories:
InterVideo WinDVD Suite (OEM version)
1 x IEEE1394a port module
6 x SATA cables
3 x SATA power cable for 6 devices
1 x 2-port USB2.0 / Game module
1 x COM Port module
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable
1 x IDE cable
1 x FDD cable
1 x I/O Shield
User's manual

Form Factor:
ATX Form Factor, 12"x 9.6"(30.5cm x 24.5cm)

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