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• Asus P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP @n Edition Using the same circuit board as the X38 Express powered P5E3 Deluxe, the P5E3 Premium adds one more feature beyond those available in the earlier model: Express Gate. Before we examine this new feature, let's take a look at what the rest of the board has to offer. Seven expansion slots help P5E3 Premium buyers adapt to currently-changing card interfaces, by providing two PCI Express x1 slots plus two traditional PCI slots. One of each is found above the uppermost PCI Express x16 slot, but the position of the DIMMs limits the two upper slots to 6.75 inches (171 mm) of maximum card length. The two blue PCI Express x16 slots provide full x16 pathways, while PCI Express 2.0 mode doubles peak bandwidth capabilities compared to earlier standards. Placing the uppermost PCI Express x16 slot in the third slot position allowed Asus to move the DIMM location by around 1.5 inches "southward" compared to traditional designs, a compromise that better centers the memory in relation to the northbridge. The result should be shorter trace lengths and better timing accuracy, potentially allowing increased memory speed and stability. In fact, the entire P5E3 circuit board layout is full of well thought-out compromises that promise great improvements in exchange for minor inconveniences. These include positioning the two blue PCI Express 2.0 slots only two spaces apart, to make room for a third x16 slot at the bottom. Both blue slots therefore have the bare minimum of space to fit double-thick graphics coolers, while the third x16 slot will only support single-thickness cards when using a standard seven-slot case. The third x16 slot doesn't support PCI Express 2.0 mode, or even a full sixteen pathways, operating instead in either x1 or x4 mode depending on what type of card is inserted. Bandwidth limitations for the third x16 slot mean that it's an unlikely place to put a high-performance graphics cards, but the slot is still able to host a wide range of x1, x4, x8, or x16 devices at data rates up to 1000 megabytes per second bi-directionally (2000 MB/s combined). Other usually-acceptable compromises include one ATA and four (out of six) SATA connectors that face forward, rather than upward. This allows sufficient cable clearance for extra-long cards such as the HD 3870 X2, but somewhat limits case selection. Some midsized case designs crowd the area immediately in front of the motherboard with a nearby drive cage that could prevent the insertion or removal of SATA cables. Builders who run into clearance problems will find that three of the included SATA cables have ninety-degree ends. However, only two of the four forward-facing ports can be used with ninety-degree cables, since the top row of cable ends would stick out far enough to prevent the insertion of ninety-degree ends into the bottom row. In an ideal world, the Ultra-ATA header might have been placed higher for easier cable reach to upper-bay optical drives, but doing so would have forced Asus to move its SATA connectors to lower positions with all six facing forward, further complicating cable installation in tight cases. Similarly, swapping positions between the floppy and 24-pin ATX power connector could have eased cable routing, but such a move would have put the power connector between the floppy controller and its cable header. Both layout choices point back to our comment about benefits outweighing inconveniences. Clearance around the CPU socket is large enough for nearly any CPU cooler, and our Zalman CNPS9700 fit using the screw-on bracket. Zalman's clip-on bracket, unfortunately, didn't work with any of the boards in today's comparison, due to close proximity of the cooler's support bracket to each motherboard's VRM chokes. Users of wide, flat coolers such as the Zalman CNPS7700 will likely find the chipset and VRM sinks short enough to install such coolers over the top. Such an installation would also prove ideal for chipset cooling, by eliminating the need for additional fans. Asus P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP @n Edition (Revision 2.00G) Northbridge Intel X48 Express MCH Southbridge Intel ICH9R Voltage Regulator Eight Phases BIOS 0123 (12/04/2007) 333.3 MHz (FSB1333) 334.0 MHz (+0.2%) Clock Generator ICS 9LPRS918HKL Connectors and Interfaces Onboard 3x PCIe x16 (Modes: Two x16: One x4/x1) 2x PCIe x1 2x PCI 2x USB 2.0 (2 ports per connector) 1x IEEE-1394 FireWire 1x Serial Port header 1x Floppy 1x Ultra ATA (2 drives) 6x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s 1x Front Panel Audio 1x CD-Audio In 1x S/P-DIF Out 1x Fan 4 pins (CPU) 5x Fan 3 pins (Chassis/Power) IO panel 1x PS2 (keyboard) 2x RJ-45 Network 6x USB 2.0 2x External SATA 1x IEEE-1394 FireWire 2x Digital Audio Out (S/P-DIF optical + coaxial) 6x Analog Audio (7.1 Channel + Mic-In + Line-In) 2x WiFi Antenna Connectors Mass Storage Controllers Intel ICH9R 6x SATA 3.0 Gb/s (RAID 0,1,5,10) JMicron JMB363 PCI-E 1x Ultra ATA-133 (2 drives) 2x External SATA 3.0Gb/s (RAID 0, 1 JBOD) Network Marvell 88E8056-NNC1 PCI-E Gigabit LAN Connection Realtek RTL8110SC PCI Gigabit LAN Connection Ralink RT2770F USB 802.11n/g/b Wireless Network Interface Audio HDA (Azalia) Controller Interface ADI 1988B 8-channel Multi-Streaming Codec FireWire Agere L-FW3227-100 PCI 2x IEEE-1394a (400 Mbit/s) With up to four of its six single PCI Express lanes going to the third PCI Express x16 slot, Asus uses the remaining two lanes to provide optimal bandwidth to its JMicron Ultra ATA/eSATA controller and one Gigabit Ethernet port. The second Gigabit Ethernet port is limited by its PCI interface to a gigabit of combined traffic rather than full bi-directional performance, while PCI bandwidth is more than adequate to support the two-port Agere IEEE-1394 FireWire controller. Rated at 101db signal-to-noise ratio output, the ADI 1988B multi-streaming audio codec can be configured to output separate streams to front-panel and rear-panel jacks. This might prove handy to those who like to use their systems for both entertainment and communication simultaneously. Asus no longer supports PS/2 mice on its high-end boards, but instead places its PS/2 keyboard port on top and two USB 2.0 ports where the keyboard port would have originally been. Four more USB 2.0 ports are found beneath the two Gigabit Ethernet ports. Remaining connectors include digital coaxial and digital optical audio outputs, one IEEE-1394 FireWire port, two eSATA ports with RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD support, six analog audio jacks, and two WiFi antenna jacks. 802.11n Wireless is provided by an AzureWave AW-NA830 mini USB card, powered by the Ralink RT2770F USB 2.0 Wireless Controller.

• ASRock P45TS-R (Revision 1.06) Northbridge Intel P45 Express Southbridge Intel ICH10R Voltage Regulator Four Phases BIOS 1.00 (07/24/2008) 333.3 MHz (FSB1333) 333.5 MHz (+0.05%) Clock Generator ICS 9LPRS918JKLF Connectors and Interfaces Onboard 1x PCIe 2.0 x16 3x PCIe x1 3x PCI 2x USB 2.0 (2 ports per connector) 1x WiFi Card Header (Customized USB 2.0) 1x IEEE-1394 FireWire 1x Serial Port header 1x Floppy 1x Ultra ATA (2 drives) 6x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s 1x Front Panel Audio 1x CD-Audio In 1x S/P-DIF Out 1x Fan 4 pins (CPU) 1x Fan 3 pins (Chassis) IO panel 2x PS2 (keyboard ) 2x Digital Audio Out (S/P-DIF optical + coaxial) 6x USB 2.0 1x External SATA Pass-Through Connectors 1x IEEE-1394 FireWire 1x RJ-45 Network 6x Analog Audio (7.1 Channel + Mic-In + Line-In) Mass Storage Controllers Intel ICH10R 6x SATA 3.0Gb/s (RAID 0,1,5,10) JMicron JMB368 PCI-E 1x Ultra ATA-133 (2-drives) Network Realtek RTL8111C PCI-E Gigabit LAN Connection Audio Realtek ALC890B Eight-Channel (7.1 Surround) Output FireWire VIA VT6308S PCI 2x IEEE-1394a (400 Mbit/s) Two onboard controllers and three PCI Express x1 slots consume only five of the ICH10R southbridge’s six lanes, providing full bandwidth to all devices. PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports and analog audio jacks are the P45TS-R’s only links to the distant past, with digital audio, six USB 2.0, eSATA, IEEE-1394 FireWire, and Gigabit Network ports dominating remaining space. The eSATA connection isn’t actually a port however, as it’s simply a pass-through connector for which a cable must be run internally to on of the Intel ICH10R’s internal ports. The Realtek RTL8111C gets optimal performance from its PCI Express x1 interface, which provides the controller with more than twice the needed bandwidth for peak bi-directional traffic. JMicron’s JMB368 also gets over twice the needed bandwidth via PCI Express x1. Its single Ultra ATA-133 connector is actually slow enough to use a PCI interface, but the use of PCI Express eases cable routing while freeing up a little board space. ASRock uses PCI for its chosen IEEE-1394 FireWire controller, but eliminates complicated trace routing by putting it next to the southbridge. The VT6308S provides two 400 megabit ports, with combined traffic never exceeding the one Gb PCI standard. Like ever recent ASRock motherboard we’ve tested, the ALC890B provides eight-channel (7.1 surround) output with a claimed 110db signal-to-noise ratio.

• Features and Layout The first motherboard ever manufactured by EVGA, the X58 3X SLI, carries forward several visual cues from previous models the firm had previously re-branded as its own. However, other than cosmetics, this is a completely new design. The X58 3X SLI was also the first Core i7 motherboard to provide proper slot spacing for 3-way SLI, with a slot layout similar to the more recent DFI motherboard in today’s comparison. Other brands often force builders to take special precautions in case selection by placing the third PCIe 2.0 slot at the bottom. Also like the DFI motherboard, there is a lack of any expansion slot in the top position, which eliminates the possible use of a discrete sound card when three double-thick graphics cards are installed. The onboard audio quality should be good enough for all but the most discriminate audio fanatics, although casual users may complain about its limited support for Creative Labs' EAX technology. A few things that stand out as being completely different from DFI include EPS12V, ATX/EPS main power, and Ultra ATA connectors that have all been moved “southward” away from the X58 3X SLI’s top edge. The EPS12V connector could be problematic in cases that have the power supply at the bottom, since builders typically try to rout that cable around the back of the motherboard tray and over the top edge of the board. That installation method usually stretches the cable to its limit, so moving the connector away from the top edge exceeds available cable length. Any objection to the Ultra ATA’s lower placement is placated by absence of this technology in recent devices. EVGA could have easily done away with this interface, as it has with the floppy connection. Indeed a floppy connection would have been more useful, since many builders will require these to add AHCI or RAID drivers during a Windows XP installation. A slightly unusual SATA arrangement puts two of the chipset’s ports along the bottom edge and two of an add-in controller’s ports next to the four forward-facing chipset ports. Buyers must take cable management into consideration when selecting an appropriate case for use with forward-facing ports. A ninth internal port is connected to the eSATA controller, so its location above the uppermost expansion slot is logical. We’d suggest using it for removable devices or a front-panel eSATA interface. Above the two outward-facing SATA ports, a Port-80 diagnostics display makes quick work of diagnosing boot failures, if you know the codes. Reset, Power, and Clear CMOS buttons along the X58 3X SLI motherboard’s lower edge make quick work of bench top-tuning sessions, but they become both redundant and impossible to reach once the motherboard is installed in a system. EVGA X58 3X SLI (Revision 1.0)NorthbridgeIntel X58 ExpressSouthbridgeIntel ICH10RVoltage RegulationTen PhasesBIOSZ1G (02/12/2009)133.3 MHz Base Clock132.8 (-0.40%)Clock GeneratorICS 9LPRS139AKLFConnectors and InterfacesOnboard3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (Two with Shared Pathways) 1 x PCIe x12 x PCI2 x USB 2.0 (2 ports per connector)1 x IEEE-1394 FireWire1 x Serial Communications Port1 x Ultra ATA (2 drives)9 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s1 x Fan 4-pin (CPU)4 x Fan 3-pins (Chassis, Power)1 x Front Panel Audio connector1 x S/P-DIF I/O1 x Power Button1 x Reset Button1 x CLR-CMOS Button1 x Port-80 Diagnostics DisplayI/O Panel1 x PS2 (keyboard)8 x USB 2.01 x CLR-CMOS Button2 x Digital Audio Out (Coaxial + Optical)1x IEEE-1394 FireWire1 x External SATA (eSATA) 3.0Gb/s2 x RJ45 Ethernet6 x Analog Audio Jacks (8-ch. out, 4-ch. in)Mass Storage ControllersIntel ICH10R6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10)JMicron JMB363 PCIe1 x Ultra ATA-133 (2-drives)2x  SATA 3.0 Gb/sJMicron JMB362 PCIe1 x SATA, 1x eSATA, 3.0 Gb/sNetwork2 x Realtek RTL8111C PCIeDual Gigabit LANAudioRealtek ALC889 HD CodecEight-Channel (7.1 Surround) OutputIEEE 1394 FireWireTI TSB43AB222 x FireWire 400 (1 x Internal, 1 x I/O Panel) High-quality components are used throughout, but one problem we’ve had when installing the X58 3X SLI in a 3-way SLI system is insufficient clearance between the front-panel audio header and the sinks of popular graphics cards such as the reference-design GTX 280 and GTX 260. The cards we tried were even EVGA models, where a notch in the sink provides almost adequate space that still requires excessive force to install the middle card. A Realtek ALC889 codec provides high-quality digital-to-analog conversion for the ICH10R integrated audio controller. A JMicron JMB363 controller provides Ultra ATA and two SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports at the motherboard’s front, while a JMB362 adds an eSATA and another SATA 3.0 Gb/s port near the rear panel. PCIe x1 links provide 250 MB/s peak interface bandwidth (~2.5 Gb/s) that must be shared by all devices on each controller. Two Realtek Gigabit Ethernet controllers also make use of PCIe bandwidth, without any device-sharing limitations.