ASUS P5E3 Deluxe: X38 and DDR3 arrives... almost
by Gary Key on September 18, 2007 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
First Thoughts
We have thoroughly enjoyed our test sessions with the ASUS P5E3 Deluxe board. Although we still do not have final silicon boards yet, we have to say that ASUS has done an excellent job with their design implementation on this board. While the new or revised features such as Express Gate, 802.11n, and the BlackHawk audio technology might mean little to some users, we think the additions complete the overall package that ASUS is after with their Deluxe series of boards. The early package we received just showed a certain level of polish that our other X38 boards do not have at this time. Sometimes that means little, but it certainly left an impression on us in early testing. This is an impression that we hope continues with the retail package as this board is certainly worth a second look.
Overall performance has been very good at stock speeds even with the slight memory throughput penalties that running DDR3 at 1066 brings to the table compared to DDR2 at 1066. However, unlike what we witnessed with the P35 DDR3 boards at launch, the ability to have DDR3 1066 performance match or better DDR2 1066 is impressive considering the potential clocking headroom DDR3 enjoys. Unfortunately, the performance potential of DDR3 sounds great until you realize the current entry price for the high performance modules. As a buyer, looking at the prospect of spending up to four times more for DDR3 is daunting considering the minimal advantages it offers.
We are only a few days away from the official X38 launch and the ability to show a full test suite, provided the retail boards show up in time. We had actually planned on providing a lot more detail today, but last minute updates from the involved parties limited our reporting. With the launch article, we will have additional details including some impressive power consumption numbers that are now lower than the P35 chipset and improved thermal characteristics. We say "impressive" because the early boards showed just the opposite trend. While we would love to provide more information, at the behest of our contacts at Intel it will have to wait. We just hope the wait is not longer than expected.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our test sessions with the ASUS P5E3 Deluxe board. Although we still do not have final silicon boards yet, we have to say that ASUS has done an excellent job with their design implementation on this board. While the new or revised features such as Express Gate, 802.11n, and the BlackHawk audio technology might mean little to some users, we think the additions complete the overall package that ASUS is after with their Deluxe series of boards. The early package we received just showed a certain level of polish that our other X38 boards do not have at this time. Sometimes that means little, but it certainly left an impression on us in early testing. This is an impression that we hope continues with the retail package as this board is certainly worth a second look.
Overall performance has been very good at stock speeds even with the slight memory throughput penalties that running DDR3 at 1066 brings to the table compared to DDR2 at 1066. However, unlike what we witnessed with the P35 DDR3 boards at launch, the ability to have DDR3 1066 performance match or better DDR2 1066 is impressive considering the potential clocking headroom DDR3 enjoys. Unfortunately, the performance potential of DDR3 sounds great until you realize the current entry price for the high performance modules. As a buyer, looking at the prospect of spending up to four times more for DDR3 is daunting considering the minimal advantages it offers.
We are only a few days away from the official X38 launch and the ability to show a full test suite, provided the retail boards show up in time. We had actually planned on providing a lot more detail today, but last minute updates from the involved parties limited our reporting. With the launch article, we will have additional details including some impressive power consumption numbers that are now lower than the P35 chipset and improved thermal characteristics. We say "impressive" because the early boards showed just the opposite trend. While we would love to provide more information, at the behest of our contacts at Intel it will have to wait. We just hope the wait is not longer than expected.
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jppoet - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
I though the ICH9R could only provide 6 PCIe lanes?How can the third physical x16 slot be wired with 8 lanes?
Lanes from the ICH9R are also needed for the x1 PCIe slots, each of the NICs and the JMicron JMB363.
Where are all of these PCIe lanes coming from?
JarredWalton - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
I think the X38 is 40 (or 42?) total PCI-E lanes. That would handle the three x16 slots, and the other stuff would come from the SB.hifisoftware - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
What does it mean: ?Will it need some extra heat sinks or just a side fan blowing on existing heatsinks?
JarredWalton - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
It means a down blowing fan (Tuniq 120 is side blowing) might be necessary. However, as this is a preliminary X38 article and the latest respin appears to address heat and power concerns, this may become less of a problem on retail mobos.tynopik - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
page 7> DDR3 boards will be REGULATED to the very high end of the market for the near future
DigitalFreak - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
What's this green team launch on the 25th? A 680i replacement or something on the low end?n0nsense - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
C72 for mainstream and C73 as 680i replacement.later something with HybridSLI support for intel.
takumsawsherman - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
eSata is fine and all, but at this point, can't we just get some Firewire800? Does it really cost that much more? I can understand that a motherboard destined for OEM is going to need to be pared down. These, however, are enthusiast boards. And Firewire lets you daisy chain, which is nice, but Firewire 400 is getting a little long in the tooth, and you are sharing a bus at that point. Tack the $2 on to the price and do it, already.n0nsense - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
I think Mac coming with 800.at least before they switched to intel.
mostlyprudent - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
It's almost laughable how long it's taken to see Firewire800 show up on motherboards. I'm with you - to see a $250 motherboard with Firewire400 instead of 800 is absolutely ridiculous.