What to expect
03
The IDE is run off a Marvell controller that also supports SATA 6Gb/s -
double the standard speed - and we like the fact that the ports are
rotated for easy connectivity. However, we're not so impressed by the
location of the other four SATA ports; they should be on the
edge
of the board.
The blue-coloured ports run off the southbridge and support RAID0,1,5,
and 10 modes via Intel's Storage Matrix Technology.
Power and reset buttons are always welcome, and there's basic on-board
troubleshooting via debug LEDs, dubbed Q-LED. The board has the usual
features,
sporting FireWire, dual Gigabit LAN, and eight-channel HD audio,
courtesy of VIA and Realtek controllers.
Graphics-wise, you might as well ignore the third x16 PCIe mechanical
slot. The CPU provides 16 lanes that will be spit either two x8 or a
single x16.
Notice the 2oz copper markings on the PCB? Following on from previous designs, ASUS is sandwiching the copper in the PCB, to
help with heat dissipation. Here it's differentiated by having the
copper interspersed between the PCB's layers.
The rear is pretty standard for a modern motherboard, taking in two
Gigabit LAN ports and two forms of S/PDIF. A
clear CMOS button is also handy, especially if your case is a pain to
get into.
Summary
The introduction of newer Nehalem-based processors will herald the
release of a raft of supporting chipsets to house the LGA1155/1156
chips. The ASUS P7P55D EVO constitutes a typical example of what to
expect from a mid-to-high-end P55 motherboard. Overall layout is good,
if not perfect, and we should expect to see it retail for less than X58 boards.
However, recent price-cuts to X58 motherboards has seen the price
plummet to around
£130,
suggesting significant overlap between it and forthcoming P55. What
Intel will need to do is to price LGA1156 at sensible levels, probably
below £150, to entice buyers to the new platform.
ASUS,
though, is ready to launch boards as soon as Intel gives a green light.
We successfully benchmarked an LGA1156 chip and it's a shame that we
can't publish numbers; they make for some very interesting reading.
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Will be interesting to see the price difference between those that support SLi and those that don't.Quote
Doesn't look like it will do SLi judging by the lack of a nVidia chip.
Will be interesting to see the price difference between those that support SLi and those that don't.
According to the AnandTech article (http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=614), it does support SLi:
The layout of the PCI/PCIe slots is very good and allows for a single PCIe x1, PCIe x4, and PCI slot when running SLI or CrossFire
From what I've read on the tubes, you don't need an nVidia specific chip to support SLi since the licensing options changed. Those that do have the nForce 200 chip have the added ability to support true PCIe x16 3 way-SLi instead of x16x8x8, etc. That flexibility does come at a premium although current GPUs (200 series) don't appear to benefit from the extra lanes in 3 way-SLi as far as gaming goes.Quote
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