Overview of the cheap motherboard P5Q series - ASUS P5Q SE. ASUS P5Q Pro Motherboard Review Chipset Characteristics, Processor Connector

The introduction specifically decided to take some pause in the tests of motherboards based on the latest LGA775 Intel logic set, P45 Express. The fact is that acquaintance with the first products using this seemingly the most progressive on this moment Chipset, left after himself not the most irreproof impressions. Those several boards that we looked did not allow any more high performance, nor conquer higher frequencies during acceleration. Moreover, considered asus boards, MSI and Gigabyte impressed the "raw" products, with errors in the BIOS and the hardware base, because of which there was no positive opinion about these products.

Now, I want to hope, the situation has changed. Boards on intel database P45 Express should be supplied with more mature firmware, in which not only the "children's diseases" are corrected, but also implemented the entire potential provided by the new chipset. Therefore, return to tests of such boards seems to be the time.

For new tests, we chose the ASUS P5Q Pro motherboard. This is not a top-end product, but a medium price category, supporting DDR2 memory and having a pair of slots PCI EXPRESS. x16. Consider expensive LGA775 motherboards already, most likely, irrelevant - enthusiasts focused on conquering vertices of performance, today is hardly satisfied with the system based on LGA775 Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors. They are looking forward to the emergence of new products: Core i7 family processors, which should be announced in the next few weeks. The onboards on the basis of Intel P45 Express today must be interested in the first place of the devotee, which is not speeding at the head of the corner, but the optimal price and speed ratio. In this key, ASUS P5Q Pro looks promising. It has quite good opportunities, but at the same time it cannot be called an unnecessary "tricky". Yes, and the ASUS marketing department, obviously, did not pay a P5Q Pro too much attention, having relived it from many unnecessary "phenushek" and "Ryushech".

In other words, if the ASUS P5Q Pro also works as high-quality products that the ASUS logo is applied, the board can definitely count on receiving our best recommendations. This article, in fact, will be devoted to the verification of P5Q Pro in practical conditions.

Specification

If you believe the official ASUS site, today this company is ready to offer 11 different boards based on the Intel P45 Express logic set. The medial position in question occupies the average position in this list: on the one hand, it uses a high-quality element base, like the most expensive representatives of the series, but on the other, is deprived of an overwhelming-papus 16-phase processor power module.

The appearance of the board is quite ordinary, there is no vertical interlacing of heat pipes and huge butt radiators. Board as fee.

However, the list of characteristics of this product is not so short, as it would be expected. The fact is that in the entire series of boards built on the Intel P45 Express logic set, ASUS implemented a number of new enough interesting technologies, which is reflected in the list. Three of them would like to note immediately, since they are particularly aggressively advertised by the manufacturer:

ASUS EPU-6 Engine - software and hardware management system of the operating parameters of the processor, memory, boards, video cards and a hard disk aimed at reducing power consumption;
ASUS Express Gate - the ability to quickly download pre-installed on the hard disk freely distributed operating system Splashtop (based on Linux) with multiple integrated Internet applications;
ASUS Drive Xpert - integrated on the SATA board RAID controller Silicon Image SIL572, which allows you to create RAID arrays of levels 0 and 1 without prior configuration and installation of drivers.

In addition, attention is drawn to another fact. For P5Q Pro, as well as for other boards of this series, ASUS promises compatibility with processors using a 1600-megahertz tire, which is officially not supported by the Intel P45 logic set. As a result, Asus semi-uniform advocates the possibility of overclocking on their board, guaranteeing its reliable operation in such modes.

Packaging and delivery package

The box in which the ASUS P5Q Pro comes, is not remarkable. It is standard size, without windows and folding false covers, which today are flattened dear products. The only thing that allocates P5Q Pro packaging is a glossy coating and deep blue-purple color gamut used in the design. Logos are applied on the box and short description Technologies that are especially proud of the manufacturer, and there is also a small photo of the board itself.

Inside the box, a complete standard for the average price category is detected, including the user manual, a DVD drive with drivers and software, an insert panel for the rear wall of the housing (I / O Shield) and a set of cables for connecting various storage devices. In addition, ASUS did not forget to put into the box with its Q-Connector adapter card and the bracket plug for the rear case panel with the outward 4-pin IEEE1394 port and the ESATA port.

This set could be recognized quite sufficient if it were not for the lack of a traditional centrifugal rotary fan installed on the cooling system of the board. After all, when accelerating the chipset and the processor power converter can be very hot, and the ability of the standard cooling system to ASUS P5Q Pro effectively dispel heat in passive mode causes serious doubts. Especially since the expensive models of the P5Q series cards with obviously best system Cooling This fan included in the delivery kit contains mandatory.

Features of the board

ASUS P5Q Pro is a typical board built on the Intel P45 Express logic set. She does not surprise her design or opportunities. In full compliance with the chipset specifications, there are 4 DDR2 DIMM slots, grouped by pairs via channels, and two PCI Express X16 2.0 slots, which operate x8 + x8 with simultaneous use of CrossFire technology. In addition to this, the board may offer two traditional PCI slots and three PCI Express X1 slots.

The charges of the chipset on the board are also implemented by six SATA ports 3 Gb / s. Two more ports are provided by the Silicon Image Sil5723 controller - Drive Xpert technology media. Support for the single PATA-133 interface is implemented via an additional Marvell 88SE6111 controller.

The chipset is responsible for the operation of the twelve ports of USB 2.0, six of which are made on rear panel fees. But the IEEE 1394 ports in the Southern ICH10R bridge applied to ASUS P5Q Pro are not supported, so there is an additional two-port controller FireWire LSI L-FW3227 on the board under consideration.

Also, the external chips ensures the operation of a gigabit network port, the ATHEROS AR8121 controller is responsible for it, and the eight-channel integrated audio path based on the REALTEK Alc1200 codec. Both of these chips are quite curious. So, atheros AR8121 is the smallest PCI Express Gigabit network ControllerAnd the Alc1200 chip is made by Realtek specifically for ASUS. Asus Finally decided to replace the Analog Devices applied sound solutions to more popular RealTek chips, but due to the exclusiveness of the selected model, it is impossible to find detailed information about its characteristics. Therefore, we obtain our practical assessments of this chip in 16 bits, 44 kHz.

The absence of originality in the characteristics of P5Q Pro is also affected on the contents of the back of the board. Here are six USB 2.0 ports, six analog audio connections, coaxial S / PDIF output, gigabit network port, six-contact IEEE1394 and PS / 2 connectors for connecting the keyboard and mouse.

Another port of IEEE1394, six USB 2.0 ports and serial COM port are represented by internal needle-free connections on the board.

There are no special findings in the implementation of processor, memory and chipset. While the older boards in the P5Q series use a 16-channel processor power converter and three-channel stabilizers for memory and chipset, on the P5Q Pro considered, everything is much easier. The number of channels in the processor power scheme is limited to eight, and two-channel stabilizers are used with the northern bridge. However, the reduction did not affect the quality of the element base. Like on expensive boards, in the ASUS P5Q Pro power schemes, solid-state Japanese capacitors with polymer electrolyte and high-frequency field transistors with a small resistance of the stock source in open state are used.

At the same time, the ASUS EPU company chip (Energy Processing Unit) is also forgotten, it is not only present on the board under consideration, but also capable of signaling the control software to switch the processor power converter in two-channel mode. That is why the board is attached by the ASUS Six Engine branded utility, one of the tasks of which is exactly the translation of the CPU voltage stabilizer to a more efficient and economical condition at low loads.

However, with the task entrusted to it, this program copes out of the hands badly: in particular, it cannot work in a system with an overclocked processor.

The chipset cooling system is divided into two parts. A simple aluminum radiator is installed on the southern bridge.

In the North Bridge, a radiator is used higher, besides, it is connected by a heat tube with another aluminum radiator located on the part of the transistors of the CPU power circuit. But since during work, they are heated extremely insignificant, this radiator is quite appropriate to be considered a continuation of the cooling system of the northern bridge.

However, the sufficiency of such a solution can only be said when operating fees in modes close to staff, without lifting the MCH supply voltage. Conducting overclocker experiments on ASUS P5Q Pro requires the improvement of the heat sink from the Northern Bridge, at a minimum due to the installation of an additional fan.

The lapidary style of the cooling system has some advantages: any processor coolers will be raised without any problems. However, it should be noted that the lower surface of the board in the area of \u200b\u200bthe processor socket contains several protruding contacts, which can perform a certain obstacle in the installation of cooling systems using fastener plates on the reverse side of the board.

Otherwise, with the exception of marked shortcomings, the design of ASUS P5Q Pro is quite acceptable.

The most essential flaws lies in the location sATA connectorsAccess to which is seriously complicated in the case of installation in the second PCI Express X16 slot "large-caliber" video card. But, obviously, this drawback will feel on its skin only a small part of the owners of the fee under consideration.

Bios.

Talking about what is the motherboard, we have already focused on the fact that in terms of design and characteristics it is completely ordarnation and therefore refers to the average price category. But from this no one does not follow that ASUS P5Q Pro is not suitable for enthusiasts. The fact that the manufacturers of the equipment are intentionally trying to draw the attention of this audience on the most expensive products, starting them with all sorts and sometimes even unnecessary properties and elements, completely unreasonable. However, experienced overclockers are not bought on such marketing "wiring" and often in love with much less expensive platforms.

So happened with ASUS P5Q Pro. Although this fee is not so "finally", as, for example, the same P5Q3 Deluxe, it provides quite sufficient for experiments to accelerate the set of options in BIOS Setup.. And moreover, a peculiar symptom of P5Q Pro recognition in the enthusiast environment is the presence of alternative firmware for it, which will be enhanced by the owners of this fee regardless of ASUS engineers. For example, here you can download informal BIOSs, which expanded support for new processors and improved memory stability.

It is with such version BIOS. We were tested by ASUS P5Q Pro. We have used the modified version 1104 modified firmware created by Ketxxx. Note that this firmware does not have visible differences from the official, so everything that has been said may be equally attributed to the official BIOS of the same version 1104.

The ASUS P5Q Pro motherboard BIOS is based on AMI microcode and has a traditional interface. So, the main mass of settings affecting the performance of the system is collected in the special section "AI TWEAKER".

There are options for manual processor multiplier installation and FSB bus frequency, which changes from 200 to 800 MHz. Nearby offers setting for the frequency of the PCI Express tire, which varies from 100 to 180 MHz. The memory frequency changes not so flexibly, since the Intel P45 Express logic set, which is based on ASUS P5Q Pro, clocks memory using divisters relative to the FSB frequency. The set of these divisors is the same for all the latest Intel chipsets and depends on the FSB Strap parameter, which can also be set in the neighborhood. It should be noted that the stability of the boards during the acceleration of the tire frequency depends on the size of the FSB Strap. Obviously, to achieve the highest results, it is better to install FSB StRAP in 333 or 400 MHz, and the first option, according to our experience, is more preferable.

To configure the BIOS memory delays in the board under consideration, it offers a practically comprehensive set of settings. However, among the numerous parameters in the BIOS P5Q Pro, there is no option that is responsible for managing the "Command Rate" parameter. But there was a new option "MEM. OC Charger, "which, with its activation, changes the boards settings for the best acceleration of memory modules. However, you should not wait for miracles: a slight positive effect on the inclusion of this parameter is manifested only on selected memory modules, while often this function even impairs the stability of the system.

Special attention I would like to reverse the "Transaction Booster" option, which now allows you to manipulate the most important parameter of the Northern Bridge "Performance Level" directly.

Did not let and the options responsible for configuring voltages.

The corresponding block includes the following settings:

Note that extreme high voltages on the processor and the North Bridge are available only after reinstalling the OV_CPU and OV_NB jumpers on the board.

All voltages can be set to "AUTO", in this case the board is trying to select the optimal parameters on their own, based on the frequency of the processor and memory. In other words, setting "AUTO" means that with increasing FSB frequency or memory above the standard values, the board itself increases the voltages at its own discretion. This is a significant help for inexperienced overclockers, but with serious acceleration, manual adjustment allows you to achieve better results, especially since the board itself is inclined to choose overestimated voltages.

Also, among the voltage settings, select the extremely useful option "Loadline Calibration", which allows you to automatically compensate for a harmful effect of the voltage drop on the board from the power converter to the processor itself.

But the ability to change the reference voltage of the CPU GTL VREF is independently for each of the cores of four-core processors, the fee does not allow the prerogative of only top products in the ASUS P5Q lineup.

Briefly run through the rest of the BIOS Setup pages. The Advanced page proposes to change the parameters of the chipset, include and disconnect the integrated controllers and uSB ports, as well as manage processor technologies.

The "Power" page traditionally sets out a section dedicated to hardware monitoring.

The "BOOT" page allows you to set the ordering of the loading device polling and configure the starting fees.

The "Tools" section offers the usual ASUS utilities for the EZ Flash 2 utilities for flashing BIOS. and O.C. Profile To save the settings profiles, as well as options for controlling Drive Xpert and Express Gate technologies.

Description of the test system

The test system that we used for practical tests of the motherboard under consideration included the next set of components:

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro (BIOS 1104);
Processors:

Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (3.0 GHz, 333 MHz FSB, 2x6 MB, Yorkfield Rev. C0);
Core 2 Duo E8600 (3.33 GHz, 333 MHz FSB, 6 MB, WolfDale Rev. E0);

Processor cooler: Scythe Mugen (Infinity);
Memory: 2 GB DDR2-1111 SDRAM (Corsair Twin2x2048-8888C4D);
Video card: OCZ GeForce 8800GTX;
HDDWestern Digital Raptor WD1500AHFD;
Power SupplySilverstone SST-ST85ZF.

Tests were carried out in the operating windows system Vista Ultimate X86 SP1.

Experimental experiments

First of all, we decided to check the ability of the motherboard under consideration to accelerate processors. Previously tested products based on the Intel P45 logic set showed good results when overclocking dual-core processors, but not particularly pleased, if it came with four-core CORE 2 QUAD or Core 2 Extreme family CPUs. To check the appropriate aSUS features P5Q Pro, we tried to cut out processors on it with different number of cores, trying to achieve maximum FSB frequencies.

First of all, Core 2 Duo E8600 is installed in the fee - a new processor that uses the most "accelerated" steppping E0. The regular frequency of this processor is 3.33 GHz, and the nominal multiplier is set to 10x. When using this multiplier and increasing the supply voltage to 1.4 V, the processor easily conquered a 4.4 GHz frequency on the P5Q Pro, for which it only needed to increase the FSB frequency to 440 MHz.

Note that all voltages except Vcore were installed on full-time values. In other words, overclocking Core 2 Duo E8600 on the specified board passed with minimal effort. At the same time, the system remained completely stable, which was checked both as a test in Prime95 and time testing by the OCCT Perestroika program.

Following the goal, an attempt was made at similar acceleration of the processor and with a multiplier reduced to 8x. Naturally, in such conditions, when a much more radical increase in FSB frequency is over normal values, the acceleration process has some subtleties. And the main restraining factor on the considered board is the difficulty of tangible increase in the supply voltage of the northern bridge of the chipset, since effective cooling This chip is the simple system of radiators, which is installed on P5Q Pro, copes very badly. Even after replacing the standard thermal interface to a more efficient silicone thermal thermal, the voltage in the North Bridge was impossible to raise over 1.32 V, which did not allow to achieve stability at FSB frequencies over 540 MHz. A greater increase in this tension entailed a banal overheating of the MCH chip.

In other words, when a multiplier decreases to 8X, we could not achieve the same results as with a regular 10x multiplier. The processor accelerated only to 4.32 GHz, which, however, is also not bad.

Note that the stable operation of the CPU at a frequency of FSB 540 MHz demanded not only the increment of the supply voltage of the processor itself, but also an increase in other stresses. The CPU PLL Voltage parameter was additionally set to 1.56 V, and the FSB Termination Voltage voltage increased to 1.28 V. In this case, it should be borne in mind that the tire frequency achieved is not the limit for ASUS P5Q Pro, it is only a limit for a regular cooling systems. Its replacement for more efficient can allow to better reveal the accelerated potential of this board and ensure the stable operation of the system and at higher FSB frequencies.

The result achieved allowed us to check and the stability of P5Q Pro when installing the aggressive parameters of the memory subsystem. In the above-described conditions, the memory was able to tact at a frequency of 1080 MHz when using timings 4-4-4-12. Naturally, in this case, we raised the voltage on the memory modules. In these tests, it was 2.3 V.

In the fact that cards based on the Intel P45 Express logic set are capable of overclocking dual-core processors very well, we have already convinced more than once. But with the acceleration of four-siders, as practice shows, the situation is somewhat worse. The Asus P5Q Pro motherboard has been reviewed by this thesis reaffirmed.

More specifically, using the Core 2 Extreme QX9650 four-core processor, we tried to find out the maximum FSB frequency at which the P5Q Pro will be able to ensure stable operation. To do this, we reduced the multiplier of this processor to 8x, and the CPU PLL Voltage voltage and FSB Termination Voltage were installed in their maximum safe value for the processor - 1.7 and 1.35 V, respectively.

With such a combination of parameters, the processor was able to demonstrate stable operation only at FSB frequency not exceeding 453 MHz.

Obviously, this is not the limit for our processor, but it was not possible to achieve qualitatively better results, even with a significant increase in CPU PLL Voltage and FSB Termination Voltage, which are completely influenced by overclocking four-core processors. So, even with an increase in FSB Termination Voltage, up to 1.5 in acceleration stalled at FSB frequencies, only slightly superior 460 MHz.

In other words, ASUS P5Q Pro is not the best platform for overclocking four-core. Cards based on the Intel X48 Express logic set are suitable for this purpose much better.

To this, it remains to add that in the process of overclocker experiments, we have recently noted problems with the incorrect behavior of the board in reworking. As well as the previously tested ASUS P5Q3 DELUXE, P5Q Pro, if it cannot start with installations installed in BIOS setup, often launched not in " safe mode»With a proposal to correct mistakes, but simply performs full cleaning CMOS contents, requiring repeated configuration of the entire set of parameters.

Performance during acceleration

Testing the speed of motherboards based on the Intel P45 Express logic set is a sufficiently ungiring occupation. After all, Intel in the last generation of its chipsets uses the same memory controller as in past products, and therefore, the P45 base fees show approximately the same performance as their predecessors. The same support for the second version of the PCI Express protocol, although it increases the theoretical bandwidth graphic tireIn reality, only when the CRSSFIRE video cards and technology is involved, and therefore most users simply do not care.

Does this mean that ASUS P5Q Pro performance tests can be neglected? Not only, because at the speed of the board, not only the features of the chipset, but also the results of the work of engineers engaged in optimization of BIOS are affected. Moreover, differences in the performance of boards, due to the various realization of firmware, are primarily detected during acceleration. That is why we decided to see how fast ASUS P5Q Pro compared to the "previous generation" boards based on Intel P35 Express, with typical overclocking use.

It must be said that the idea of \u200b\u200bsuch a comparison originated by itself. The fact is that the BIOS Setup of the Motherboard ASUS P5Q Pro on the set of parameters affecting performance differs from the BIOS Setup of the Board of the same developer previously tested. Thus, the new board disappeared the ability to change the "Command Rate" parameter, but in return to the "AI CLOCK TWISTER" setting, which is missing from the P5K series boards, based on the P35. In addition, in the process of acceleration tests, it was noticed that the ASUS P5Q Pro sets the default suspiciously high values \u200b\u200bof the Performance Level parameter, which also cannot but affect speed.

To evaluate the speed of the ASUS P5Q Pro, we compared it with the ASUS P5K-E motherboard. In the testing of both boards, we used dual-core core processor 2 Duo E8600, which accelerated to 4.41 GHz using a multiplier reduced to 9x (which allows you to simulate the overclocking of the Core 2 DUO E8400 - the Junior E8000 series processor from the E0 translated stepping translated.

The frequency of the tire with such an acceleration was set to 490 MHz, and the memory for the tact of which synchronous mode was used, worked as DDR2-980 with timings 4-4-4-12. This applies to both platforms.

Now - about differences in the settings. The main heroine of today's article, ASUS P5Q Pro, in the screenshot recorded in the above state set the parameter "Performance Level" equal to 12, which, of course, too much to conquer the performance records. Therefore, we resorted to manual reduction of this delay by the "AI Transaction Buster" parameter. As it turned out, the minimum level of "Performance LEVEL", in which P5Q Pro successfully starts, is 9. It was it used in tests. Another parameter affecting the performance, "AI CLOCK TWISTER", I had to set the value of "Light", since otherwise the board worked unstable.

On the ASUS P5K-E board, which, unlike the P5Q Pro, allows you to change the DRAM Command Rate through the BIOS settings, unfortunately, to set this delay to 1t the value, failed, the failures occurred at the operating system loading phase. But much stronger than on the P5Q Pro, we managed to undertake the "Performance Level" - to 7.

It is with such settings that tests were carried out, the results of which are reduced to the table.

A quick glance on the table is enough to realize the fact that the new P5Q Pro board will suffer a full fiasco, losing the product based on Intel P35 Express in all tests. The reason is obvious: ASUS P5Q Pro does not allow the use of equally aggressive values \u200b\u200bof "Performance LEVEL" as old good fees with the P35 chipset. Why it is so obvious, the developers should be asked. As a result, although ASUS P5Q Pro and can accelerate dual-core processors very well, the performance obtained somewhat seams.

conclusions

Unfortunately, already at once, after reviewing the ASUS motherboard, we cannot write a definitely positive conclusion. Despite the fact that ASUS continues to remain a generally accepted leader among manufacturers and developers of motherboards, its products are not disappropriate flaws and flaws, which can be attributed to the category of critical.

So, considered in this review, the ASUS P5Q Pro board at first glance produces a good impression. It has a good combination of cost and opportunities, has a sufficiently convenient design and offers several useful new technologies, including emphasicate EXPRESSGATE support - an alternative lightweight operating environment.

In the practical use of ASUS P5Q Pro manifests itself somewhat dively. On the one hand, it seems, the potential of this fee is very large. But on the other, it turns out that it is not so easy to reveal it. The chipset cooling system does not cope with the load entrusted to it in "heavy" modes, and the performance received during acceleration is far from those indicators that can be achieved when using other platforms.

But among alternative solutions based on Intel P45 Express and issued by other manufacturers, we have not yet met any outstanding products. All this suggests that Intel P45 Express - although the newest, but far from the best platform today. So follow the reviews on our website, we intend to continue familiarizing with products based on this chipset in search of the ideal.

However, everything above is true only if you consider yourself to cohort overclockers and enthusiasts. In the case, if you are interested in non-accelerated, but stable and modern platform, the ASUS P5Q Pro board is a very good option that can be recommended without thinking.

Refine the availability and cost of ASUS P5Q

Idea

At that time, motherboards were delivered in small quantities. Of course, different manufacturers were represented, but relative to the current state of affairs it can be said that the market was slightly filled. Then Gigabyte decided to acquaint the user with his branded Ultra Durable technology, which immediately received a positive response.

Asus decided to keep up with competitors and release his novelty together with the novelty Xtreme Design. In addition to the fact that new features were quite useful, their fashionable names contributed to the promotion of models that have become endowed with the benefits. This was the motherboard Pro Turbo.

The essence of this development is in the new design of the board. It was specifically designed to ensure the speed, stability and integrity of the system. Represented an updated overclocking potential.

Packaging

Products were supplied in a bright box with graphic elements. Made in blue color with the display of all available technologies, functions and characteristics. So, the model was concerned in front, there was a description of the main advantages and the direction of dry numbers. The rear of the specifications was more. The photo of the motherboard immediately fit. And also with the help of graphic icons, the main indicators were displayed.

The packaging was spacious, so there was hope that in addition to the platform inside there were a lot of useful accessories. In fact, there were not a lot of gifts. In addition to the manual and instruction, there was a CD with drivers, several cables for SATA and Ultradma, placed ASUS Q-Connector and a panel plug.

Appearance

If someone was familiar with ASUS P5Q Pro, it could easily know her appearance. But some features were still. Now the latches of the RAM do not block the installation location of the video cards. But if you change RAM when the platform is installed in the PC body, then some problems will occur. Not everyone will be able to do so easily reach the memory modules.

There are several radiators for the cooling system. P5Q Pro Turbo got an aluminum radiator, which is painted under copper. Naturally, to make the system more efficiently, it is desirable to purchase a good cooler, for high ventilation in the case. If someone wants to experiment with acceleration, it is desirable to give this point even more time.

This model appeared an additional radiator on the strength elements. And the base itself remained unchanged. Nearby are polymer capacitors, there are also chokes with a ferromagnetic core, which was quite common at the time.

For the power stabilizer corresponds to an eight-phase diagram that feeds cPU. It is equipped with branded technology from the manufacturer, which allows you to maintain more energy with heavy loads. This technology is working at the EPU schemes, allows you to adjust the number of active phases regarding the system load. The power circuit is made according to the VRD specification.

Interesting is the change that concerns the connector 3.5 "", which used to be designed to connect the drive. It is not in this model, so when buying often there were complaints from those users who did not read the specification. Less than the SATA ports, the truth is only one unit.

Noticeably the use of DRIVE XPERT branded development, which is engaged in automatic data redundancy. The board is a special JMicron JMB361 controller, which helps the PATA and SATA connectors.

Details

It is important to trace the ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo expansion slots. The instruction indicates all available connectors, and also helps in connecting devices. The board is noticeable two places for PCIE X16, which easily allowed to use AMD CrossFirex technology. There are also slots for extension boards implemented by five formats: two PCI and three PCIE X1.

Of course, there was a place on the board and the cooling system. The only thing users have encountered, so it is with the problems associated with the fastening. If the cooler was mounted with metal plates, then due to this, the failure of the fee.

Noticeably and place that is responsible for sound codecs. It is implemented in this case by the VIA VT1708S chips and easily ensured the audio output by 7.1 channels.

The interface panel was more than filled. There were all the necessary slots and connectors. So it was a place to connect the keyboard and mouse, implemented by PS / 2 ports, USB ports version 2.0 here six pieces, there was also a connection cable connection, three pairs of audio connections. Were noticeable slots RJ-45, S / PDIF and

BIOS

This is another integral part review ASUS. P5Q Pro Turbo. BIOS is presented with a wide range of control methods. Parameters can be adjusted and modified. The main one of all sections here is the AI \u200b\u200bTweaker, since it is in it that the system performance is configured.

To manage processor technologies, you can go immediately into several menus. So here refers to the CPU TM, Intel Speedstep menu, etc. The processor multiplier is adjustable to CPU Ratio Settings. In this model, its range is from 6. You can change with 1 and 0.5 increments. The last option is applicable to 45 nm technical process kernels.

The FSB Frequency menu change the system bus frequency, the range of which is from 200 to 800 MHz, with a step in 1. Near the PCIe Frequency menu, the PCI-E tire frequencies are adjusted, which is configured by the same principle, but the range has a small one - 100-180 MHz .

Configuring BIOS Pro Turbo Allows you to adjust the speed of memory from the DRAM FREQUENCY menu, the maximum value is 1066. You can also customize timings, foundations and memory subsystem.

A huge selection in this menu is presented to adjust the voltage. This changes the current supply to the processor, tacting chip, bus, RAM, South and North Bridges. Nearby are the permissible steps of adjustment, as well as the range for each of these parameters. There are in the BIOS and setting up a function that compensates for the voltage during system boot. It is represented by three modes: auto, turned on and off.

Of course, these are not all parameters that can be adjusted. But still, working with bios is quite dangerous, as for inexperienced users, it can lead to problems, failure of the system and incorrect work. Therefore, before something to customize yourself, you need to explore the essence of the question.

Testing

Naturally, when the Motherboard ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo appeared on the market, it passed through all the standard tests to accurately determine its capabilities and needs. Also these experiments helped to identify errors and shortcomings. Despite the fact that the testing of motherboard often depends on the system as a whole, from the video card, processor, hard disk and other elements, still averages are at the same level.

So the novelty was driven through PCMark'05 where it showed not the worst result and was on a par with other models of the MSI P45-8D and ASUS P5 QC. Exactly showed himself in the Crystalmark test, where he also showed the result of the Golden Middle.

Testing "FPS" in the games of that time also showed good results, although again it all depends on the rest of the "iron" inside. But its 122 "FPS" in Battlefield 2 managed to squeeze. As in other no less steep games.

Excellent showed itself and testing sound capabilities. A good assessment was the noise level, dynamic range, etc., perfectly showed themselves unevenness of Ahh, harmonic distortion and interpenetration of channels. As a result, on an average estimate, it was possible to reveal that when settings were 16-bit, 44 kHz, the sound sound is excellent. Naturally, at 24-bit, 192 khz, he also turned out to be good.

After testing, it was possible to notice that the option was somewhat weaker from its predecessor ASUS P5Q Pro, but if you install both motherboards, then the difference can not be noticed.

Overclocking

To improve the characteristics for ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo, you should study the dispersal potential of the motherboard. Experts immediately showed interest in abnormal modes that hinted in the margin of the strength of components. As a result, overclocking showed itself interesting and individually for each system.

With a dual-core chip, the frequency rose to 537 MHz, and the quad-core processor began to work at a speed of 500 MHz. If you compare these indicators with the version of ASUS P5Q Pro, it becomes clear that all the same, the installation of an additional radiator on the power elements was worth it and was inconsistent.

Wide opportunities

In general, both the Motherboard ASUS P5Q Pro Turb turned out to be the most excellent. The review of it does not end the above described above. The manufacturers also presented a special program complex that manages the power consumption of the system.

Special profiles modes are noticeable in the program, each of which is configured and can be adjusted. Here you can manage system components. Four modes can be adjusted manually, and the fifth created for automatic switching. There is a special feature of Climate Savers, which calculates the volume of thrown out carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Automatic acceleration

We also notice ASUS Turbo Key - this is an automatic operating system for overclocking, which by one button improves the system instantly, although in general it can also be configured individually. If problems arose, you can also stop all with one button and return the PC to the original state.

There is an ASUS Turbo V on the disk for ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo. With it, it can be accessed from the OS. There are not so many parameters as in BIOS, but to adjust some separate characteristics are real.

Introduction
In this review, you would like to introduce another motherboard based on the new Intel P45 chipset.
Motherboards at the Intel P45 chipset, slowly crowded motherboards based on the previous generation intel P35 chipset from the market.
This is due, first of all, with a decrease in prices for motherboards based on a new chipset, and due to write-off from the production of motherboards based on the chipset of the previous generation.
Equipment.

The motherboard comes in a fairly pretty design box, although it should be noted - the style of the boxes of the entire video cards of the same feature.

In the box were discovered:
1. Instruction.
2. Drive disk.
3. One FDD loop.
4. One cable IDE.
5. Six SATA cables.
6. Two power adapters on SATA.
7. Braces with IEEE1394 and ESATA ports.
8. Cooler for chipset, for additional cooling.
9. Stickers.
10. And the TPM module (Trusted Platform Module).

As you can see, the package fully corresponds to the "Premium" level. Specifications.

1. Processors:
-INTEL Socket 775 Processories for Intel® Core ™ 2 Extreme / Core ™ 2 Quad / Core ™ 2 DUO / PENTIUM® Dual-Core / Celeron® Dual-Core / Celeron® Processories
-Cable with Intel® 05B / 05A / 06 Processories
- Support Intel® 45NM Multi-Core CPU

2. Chipset:
-INTEL P45 / ICH10R with Intel® Fast Memory Access (FMA) Support

3. FSB tire: 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz

4. Memory:
-4 x Dimm, Max. 16 GB, DDR2 1200/1066/800/667 Non-ECC, Un-Buffered Memory
Frontal architecture

5. Support:
-CrossFire Support Ati CrossFirex ™ Technology, Up to Quad CrossFirex

6. Slots of Razing:
-1 X PCI Express 2.0 X16 Slot At Max. X16 LINK (Blue)
-1 X PCI Express 2.0 X16 Slot At Max. X8 Link (White)
-2 X PCI Express X16 Slot At Max. X4 Link (black)
-1 x pcie x1
-2 x PCI

7. Data storage:
-Yuzhny bridge:
6 XSATA 3 GB / S Ports Intel® Matrix Storage Technology
RAID support 0,1,5,10
-Marvell 88SE6121
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 for Up to 2 Pata Devices
Silicon Image Sil5723 (DRIVE XPERT TECHNOLOGY)
4 x SATA 3GB / S (Orange and Blue)
EZ support Backup and. Super Speed \u200b\u200bFunctions

8. Network:
-Quad Gigabit Lan Controllers
-Marvell 88E8056® Gigabit Lan Controller Featuring AI Net 2, Teaming and Redundant

9. Sound:
-ADI® AD2000B 8 -Channel High Definition Audio Codec
- COAXIAL / OPTICAL S / PDIF OUT PORTS AT Back I / O
- ASUS Noise-Filtering

10. USB:
-14 USB 2.0 ports (4 ports on the board, 10 ports on the rear wall)

11. IEEE1394:
-Lsi 3227 2 x 1394a ports

12. ASUS UNIQUE FEATURES:
- Features of ASUS:
- ASUS 16 phase power system
- Express Gate SSD

13. Rear port entry ports:
- 1 x PS / 2 Keyboard / Mouse Combo Port
- 1 x Optical + 1 x Coaxial S / PDIF OUTPUT
-4 x LAN (RJ45) Port
-10 x USB 2.0 / 1.1 Ports
-8-Channel Audio I / O

14. Internal output ports:
- 2 x USB Connector - Extreme 4 USBport
- 1 x FLOPPY DISK DRIVE
- 1 x IDE
- 1 x com
-6 x SATA.
-4 X Drive Xpert SATA Connectors (Orange and Blue)
-1 x CPU Fan
-3 x chassis fan
-1 x Power Fan
-2 x IEEE1394A.
-Front Panel Audio.
-1 X S / PDIF OUT HEADER
-Chassis Intrusion
-CD Audio In.
-24-pin ATX POWER
-8-Pin ATX 12V Power Connector
-Power on Switch
-Reset Switch
-System Panel (Q-Connector)
15. Form Factor: ATX
16. Dimensions:
30.5 cm x 24.4 cm Features of bios.

I want to say one thing - there are all the necessary tension, with the necessary adjustment steps. In a word - full scope for overclocker. Many items learn from the very simplicity did not have enough time.
1. Maximum voltage on a 2.1 volt processor.
2. NB voltage up to 2.04 volts
3. Manual installation of all timings.
4. Manual installation of memory divisors.
5. Q-FAN-reference fans.
6. Bios settings profiles. The results of overclocking.

The Core Quad Q9450 processor was installed on this motherboard. It acted to 3.7 GHz, with a bus 460 MHz. The result is certainly not a record, but the average.
The motherboard itself after the multiplier decorations conquered 498 MHz in conjunction with this processor. Output:
Excellent motherboard, with a rich equipment, with a thoughtful organization of all output ports. She left me only positive impressions. This motherboard scares only one thing - the price, which at the time of writing the article equals $ 299. The article has prepared FireAid. especially for Mega Obzor.

As you know, the pursuit of maximum performance can not have any logical end. It is like a sport in which there is no limit to perfection. Menten computer components to new, faster and new features can be infinite. On this and founded the business of most companies making money in the market hardware. New products that have tangible or ephemeral improvements overlapping with enviable frequency, whether processors, video cards, memory or something else.

Nevertheless, among all this rapid variability, a kind of "stability islands" is sometimes formed. Such a situation, for example, originated with sets of system logic for the LGA775 platform after the output of Intel P35. Although this chipset was represented a year ago, it cannot be called outdated today. The Intel X38 and X48 that appeared after him only slightly improved its characteristics, but could not become its full alternative in terms of the ratio of the price and the qualities offered. The next attempts by NVIDIA to gain themselves in the market of LGA775 chipsets led only to the emergence of another series of niche products. In other words, the fact that Intel P35 to date continues to remain the most common platform - quite naturally. It has a universal and productive memory controller, supports all modern processorsIt offers a completely sufficient set of external interfaces. Of course, somewhat disappoints the lack of compatibility of the PCI Express tire with version 2.0 protocol, however, for modern video cards, this deficiency does not have a determining value.

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But, despite the apparent well-being in the market of logic sets, Intel still decided to update its main offer. And now the change of P35 comes a new chipset - P45, the first boards on the basis of which have already begun to appear in stores. We cannot bind to the appearance of Intel P45 no loud epitles. It is not revolutionary, does not have frank advantages over their predecessors and does not promise the conquest of new running speed. In fact, this is the second version of the same P35, which, however, can be attributed to the advantages of new items. From the point of view of the characteristics new set system logic received long-awaited support for PCI Express 2.0 and new south Most, which can boast only insignificant differences from the usual ICH9.

However, in this case, Intel P45 and such qualities that are inevitably attaching to him the attention of those who carefully monitors what is happening on the computer market. After all, P45 is the last set of logic for the LGA775 platform, nothing new for the CORE 2 Intel family processors will no longer offer. Now all engineering forces in Intel are thrown to the future platform, the basis of which the Nehalem processors will be. But considering that in the middle sector of the market they will come not earlier than the middle of the next year, it turns out that P45 expects a very long life. In the light of this, you can say that P45 collected all the best in himself, which was invented in intel chipsets For processors with microarchitecture Core. And, in addition, Intel P45, unlike its predecessors, is produced by more modern 65 nm technological processDue to overlook, certain hopes for conquest with the help of a new chipset of new overclocking.

The fact that Intel P45 deserves a separate story, no doubt causes. However, so far we have not decided to make a conversation about it, although we had the opportunity to get acquainted with samples based on Intel P45 from some manufacturers. The fact is that all the samples obtained by us up to this point were little similar to serial products and had problems that should not be. Therefore, we preferred not to run forward and wait for the appearance of the first serial motherboards that can give a full impression of the next set of Intel logic. Today's story appeared due to the fact that our laboratory received a serial motherboard based on Intel P45 logic database provided by ASUS, P5Q3 Deluxe.

Overview of the cheap motherboard P5Q series - ASUS P5Q SE. ASUS P5Q Pro Motherboard Review Chipset Characteristics, Processor Connector

Specification

Packaging and delivery package

Features of the board

Bios.

Description of the test system

Experimental experiments

Performance during acceleration

conclusions

Other materials on this topic

conclusions

Idea

Packaging

Appearance

Details

BIOS

Testing

Overclocking

Wide opportunities

Automatic acceleration

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