ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard Review

Installation

Test Rig:
Intel Core i7 920 LGA 1366 processor
OCZ XMP Ready Series DDR3-1600 6GB Triple Channel Memory Kit
Sapphire Radeon HD 5850
EliteXStream 800 Watt power supply
Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid aluminum full tower (liquid cooling system not used)
Zalman CNPS 10X Performa CPU cooler
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit

Yeah, I know, why use a liquid cooled case without using the cooling system?  Well, I got rid of too many full towers when I moved recently.  Also, disregard the white specs on my hands and arms in the photos, I’m painting my house.

Install the motherboard offsets in the case.  Install the motherboard’s Q-shield in the designated opening in the case.  Install the CPU into the motherboard and prep the CPU surface with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.  Apply thermal compound as directed by manufacturer’s instructions.

ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard

Install the power supply into the case.  Install the optical drive into the case.

ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard

Install the hard drive into the case.

Prep the CPU cooler with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.

ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard

Install the CPU cooler onto the motherboard.  Install the memory onto the motherboard.  Be aware that the proper memory slots for the X58 motherboard are the lighter color DIMM slots, beginning with the slot closest to the forward edge of the motherboard and ending with the second slot from the CPU socket.  Those accustomed to Core 2 systems will find this weird but it is the proper way to install memory on X58 (and P55/H55/H57) motherboards.

Install the motherboard into the case.

ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard

Wire up the motherboard and the drives.  Install the video card and plug in the PCI-E power cables.

Double check your work and you’re done.

ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard ASUS P6X58D-E Intel X58 Express Motherboard