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X58 To The Max: Three New Flagship LGA 1366 Motherboards

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Supporting Intel’s highest-performance processors with twice the bandwidth of its mainstream counterpart, the X58 chipset proves the staying power of good ideas. We take a closer look at what makes the latest generation of premium motherboards special.

Benchmark Results: Synthetic

3DMark shows Asus in the lead, but not by a significant amount.

PCMark indicates an issue with MSI’s AHCI implementation. We reinstalled the Intel ICH10R AHCI driver for Windows 7 and Vista x64, but the performance deficit persisted. This particular problem, though small, might not appear at all in reviews that use a different controller mode.

Sandra’s Arithmetic and Multimedia benchmark reflect the tiny difference in CPU clock between various motherboards.

Sandra Memory Bandwidth is affected by both clock speed and timings. We only set the four main timings and command rate, so the closeness here indicates a high level of similarly between the default timings of these three boards.

67 Comments Comment from the forums
  • one-shot 20 July 2010 13:07
    No EVGA SR-2? :(

    Ok, Hold on. Three Flagship LGA 1366 Boards and no overclocked power consumption results? These boards are obviously made for overclocking and those results would be very interesting to see.
    Reply
  • Tamz_msc 20 July 2010 13:12
    A good 250$ X58 board is enough for most people.
    Reply
  • Lmeow 20 July 2010 13:17
    9498281 said:
    No EVGA SR-2? :(

    The EVGA Classified SR-2 is based on the Intel 5520 chipset and uses Xeons, so it's not an X58 board technically speaking which is why it doesn't qualify. ;)

    If I could spend that much on a motherboard I'd have chosen the Rampage III Extreme, not only does it have good features it also has the best colour scheme. ^^

    Does anyone know why I try to submit a comment it doesn't show up, and I have to use the forums instead to post a comment instead?
    Reply
  • lashabane 20 July 2010 13:41
    I want more.
    Reply
  • sudeshc 20 July 2010 13:44
    I am totally impressed by ASUS they always come up with best solution in every category, but the price is a killer for me :(
    Reply
  • rottingsheep 20 July 2010 14:12
    IMO, the only interesting part about motherboard reviews is the overclocking and power consumption portion.
    Reply
  • avatar_raq 20 July 2010 14:24
    Nice article..I have only catch: Of all the mobos tested, Quad SLI is not possible on the ASUS R3E, courtesy of nVIDIA's drivers
    http://www.guru3d.com/news/quad-sli-on-asus-rampage-iii-extreme-is-not-possible/
    Reply
  • dragonfang18 20 July 2010 14:28
    Whats the point when Intel will come out with new processors with different sockets next year?
    Reply
  • Crashman 20 July 2010 14:29
    avatar_raqNice article..I have only catch: Of all the mobos tested, Quad SLI is not possible on the ASUS R3E, courtesy of nVIDIA's drivershttp://www.guru3d.com/news/quad-sl -possible/Awesome, thanks. Manufacturers don't actually discuss this stuff.
    dragonfang18Whats the point when Intel will come out with new processors with different sockets next year?That's what people like you were saying months before LGA 1156 was released. We see which direction that went.
    Reply
  • dragonfang18 20 July 2010 14:54
    That's what people like you were saying months before LGA 1156 was released. We see which direction that went.

    Yeah... they are changing 1366 to some socket R... Well... At least I can look forward to these motherboards going down in price by next year when they go to Socket R's for performance than 1366's. I guess ill be happy with 1366's. Hopefully they go down by at least $100.
    Reply