The i7 has been around for a few months now, and we here at ThinkComputers.org are finally onboard. Recently I reviewed the Intel i7 920, and a Gigabyte i7 motherboard. I was blown away by the awesome capability of the i7, and look forward to reviewing other platforms built around the i7 920.
The Core i7 is not merely a warmed-over Core 2 Quad, there are enough differences in the architecture and processes that it is an entirely new generation of CPU. As more and more software is being written to utilize all cores of multi-core processors, the awesome power of the i7 will be seen and appreciated. Without going into great detail about the i7, probably the most significant difference to me is that each core is capable of running two threads, so in many instances the i7 is running as an 8-core CPU rather than merely a quad-core! Much more detail can be found in my i7 920 review.
Today I will be looking at the P6T, Asus’ basic mainstream X58 motherboard. As with other Asus Intel motherboard series, the P6T falls just under the Deluxe model, and is a full-featured but more affordable board. The P6T supports 3-way SLI and 3-way CrossFireX, triple-channel memory, and all of the other goodies provided by the X58 chipset. Read on to find out about the Asus P6T!
Packaging:
The P6T comes in a non-sleeved box, as most Asus motherboards under the Deluxe models do. The box is quite colorful with its metallic blue motif, and is covered front, back, and under the flap with specs and features.
Inside, the motherboard is separated from the bundle by a cardboard divider.
Specifications/Features
CPU: Intel Socket 1366 Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition/Core i7 Processor/ Processors
– Supports Intel Dynamic Speed Technology
Chipset: Intel X58 / ICH10R
Memory:
– 6 x DIMM, Max. 24 GB, DDR3 2000(O.C.)*/1866(O.C.)*/1800(O.C.)*/1600(O.C.)/1333/1066 Memory
– Triple channel memory architecture
– Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
*Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
Expansion:
– 3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (at x16/x16/x4 mode)
– 1 x PCIe x1
– 2 x PCI
Multi-GPU Support:
– Supports NVIDIA 3-Way SLI Technology*
– Supports ATI Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
Storage – Southbridge:
– 6 xSATA 3 Gb/s ports
– Intel Matrix Storage Technology Support RAID 0,1,5,10
JMicronr JMB363 PATA and SATA controller:
– 1 xUltraDMA 133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices
– 1 xExternal SATA 3Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go)
JMicronr JMB322 (Drive Xpert technology):
– 2 x SATA 3Gb/s
– Supports EZ Backup and Super Speed functions
LAN: Realtek 8111C PCIe Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2
Audio:
– Realtek ALC1200 8 -Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
– Coaxial / Optical S/PDIF out ports at back I/O
– ASUS Noise Filter
– Support Jack-Sensing, Enumeration, Multi-streaming and Jack-Retasking
IEEE 1394: VIA VT6315N controller supports 2 x 1394a ports (one at mid-board; one at back panel)
USB: 12 USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 6 ports at back panel)
Asus Exclusive Features:
– ASUS TurboV
– ASUS 8+2 Phase Power Design
– Express Gate
– ASUS EPU-6 Engine
– ASUS AI Nap
– ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-pipe solution
– ASUS Fanless Design: Stack Cool 2
– ASUS Fan Xpert
– ASUS Noise Filter
– ASUS Q-Shield
– ASUS Q-Connector
– ASUS O.C. Profile
– ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
– ASUS EZ Flash 2
Overclocking Features:
ASUS TurboV utility
Precision Tweaker2:
– vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.00625V increment
– vCPU PLL: 36-step reference voltage control
– vDRAM Bus: 49-step DRAM voltage control
– vChipset(N.B.): 31-step chipset voltage control
– vNB-PCIe: 65-step chipset-PCIe voltage control
SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection)
– Internal Base Clock tuning from 100MHz up to 500MHz at 1MHz increment
– PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to180MHz at 1MHz increment
Overclocking Protection:
– ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features:
– Multi-language BIOS
– ASUS MyLogo 2
Back Panel I/O Ports:
1 x External SATA
2 x S/PDIF Out ( 1xCoaxial & 1xOptical )
1 x IEEE 1394a
1 x LAN(RJ45) port
6 x USB 2.0/1.1
8 -Channel Audio I/O
1 x PS/2 Keyboard (Purple)
1 x PS/2 mouse port (Green)
BIOS:
– 16 Mb Flash ROM
– AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS – – CrashFree BIOS 3
Manageability: WfM 2.0,DMI 2.0,WOL by PME,WOR by PME,PXE
Form Factor: ATX Form Factor
12 inch x 9.6 inch (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)