ASUS Unveils first TUF Series Motherboard

by Marco Chiappetta — Thursday, October 01, 2009, 08:05 PM EDT

ASUS Unveils first TUF Series Motherboard

-- SABERTOOTH 55i Offers Exceptional Utility, Stability, and Durability --

Fremont, CA; September 30, 2009 - ASUS today unveils the first in its newly-developed “TUF” (The Ultimate Force) Series motherboards, the SABERTOOTH 55i - meeting power users’ heavy computing demands and operating under the harshest conditions. TUF Series motherboards undergo more stringent testing than what most motherboards currently undertake. Solidly constructed and equipped with resilient components that pass demanding military-style testing, the TUF Series triumphs over intense operating conditions to deliver robust performance. The debut SABERTOOTH 55i model, designed around a "Marine Cool" concept, incorporates the Intel P55 chipset and “tough” features for an especially solid and stable computing platform.

Ultimate Heatsink Cooling with Unique CeraM!X Microfin Coating
The ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i, equipped with new CeraM!X heat sinks, cools active components exceptionally well even under intense operating conditions. Replacing traditional anti-oxidant compounds with advanced ceramics-based composition—commonly used in the aerospace industry for heat insulation—the SABERTOOTH 55i dissipates heat rapidly using microfin surface texture. This rough surface offers an expanded area for heat induction into the surrounding air. As a result, more heat is drawn away from the active system—allowing previously unattainable levels of stability.

Direct Memory Cooling with CoolMem! Fan Frame
Optimal memory operation relies on good cooling. The SABERTOOTH 55i CoolMem! Fan Frame encloses most standard 40mm or 50mm fans. Passing air directly over the memory modules, users can significantly stabilize memory operation.

Resilient Performance from Military-certified Capacitors and MOSFETs
The SABERTOOTH 55i incorporates only high-grade, rigorously-tested components. These excel in performance even under the most demanding conditions. All capacitors undergo thermal shock tests, ensuring continuous, stable operation during rapid temperature changes in the 60°C range. The SABERTOOTH 55i’s capacitors and VRM MOSFETs are certified for military-level use through stringent testing.

Optimal Power with E.S.P.
The SABERTOOTH 55i delivers E.S.P. (Efficient Switching Power) to the CPU, memory, PCI-e x16 expansions slots and IC. This results in cooler, more reliable operation. E.S.P. converts power at 90% efficiency compared to conventional linear designs that are 60% efficient.

Built for tough performance, the SABERTOOTH 55i—and ASUS TUF Series—incorporate breakthroughs in heatsink composition and high-grade, military-tested components to enable the most solid and stable DIY systems around ever created. The SABERTOOTH 55i is available now at authorized ASUS resellers with an MSRP of $219 USD.

P7P55 WS SuperComputer Specifications:

Model	SABERTOOTH 55i
CPU	LGA1156 socket for Intel® Core™ i7/Core™ i5 Processors
Chipset	Intel® P55 Express Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
Memory	4 x DIMM, max. 16GB, DDR3 2000/1800/1600/1333/1066MHz, non-ECC, unbuffered memory Dual channel memory architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Expansion slots	2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (single at x16 or dual at x8/x8 mode)
	3 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 (2.5GT/s)
	2 x PCI
Multi-GPU	Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology and ATI® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Storage	Intel® P55 Express Chipset - 6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports (black) - Intel Matrix Storage Technology supports RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 JMicron® JMB363 SATA & PATA controller: - 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices - 1 x External SATA 3Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go) JMicron® JMB322 (DriveXpert Technology) : - 2 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports (orange and white ) - Supports EZ Backup and SuperSpeed functions
LAN	Realtek® 8112L PCIe Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2
Audio	VIA® VT2020 10-channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Absolute Pitch BD192/24 featuring ENVY HD - DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC - Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking - Optical S/PDIF out port at back I/O - ASUS Noise Filter
USB / IEEE1394a	14 x USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 8 ports at back panel) VIA® 6308P controller supports 2 x IEEE 1394a ports (one at mid-board; one at back panel)
TUF Exclusive Features	Power Design 12-phase CPU Power, 2-phase Memory Power, 2-phase VTT_CPU Power, Efficient Switching Power Design for 3VSB/1.8V/1.05V, TUF Capacitors and MOSFETs (certified military-standard) Thermal Solution CeraM!X Heatsink Coating Tech, CoolMem! Fan Frame, T.Probe Technology, ASUS Fan Xpert, Guardian feature MemOK!, DriveXpert, ESD Guards, EMI Eliminator
Form Factor	ATX Form Factor, 12 inches x 9.6 inches ( 30.5cm x 24.4cm )

Tags: Asus, Motherboard, P55, TUF

Marco Chiappetta

Marco's interest in computing and technology dates all the way back to his early childhood. Even before being exposed to the Commodore P.E.T. and later the Commodore 64 in the early ‘80s, he was interested in electricity and electronics, and he still has the modded AFX cars and shop-worn soldering irons to prove it. Once he got his hands on his own Commodore 64, however, computing became Marco's passion. Throughout his academic and professional lives, Marco has worked with virtually every major platform from the TRS-80 and Amiga, to today's high end, multi-core servers. Over the years, he has worked in many fields related to technology and computing, including system design, assembly and sales, professional quality assurance testing, and technical writing. In addition to being the Managing Editor here at HotHardware for close to 15 years, Marco is also a freelance writer whose work has been published in a number of PC and technology related print publications and he is a regular fixture on HotHardware’s own Two and a Half Geeks webcast. - Contact: marco(at)hothardware(dot)com