Asus P6T6 WS Revolution Core i7 Motherboard
Introduction and Specifications
When we think about what is perhaps the one draw-back that enthusiasts and gamers could point to with respect to an Intel chipset-based motherboard, historically, it was lack of NVIDIA SLI multi-GPU support. Though you could drop more than one AMD ATI Radeon-based graphics card into a P45, X38 or X48-chipset based motherboard, for the most part, SLI was a no-go, save perhaps for a few custom OEM solutions. This wasn't too much of a problem for gaming purists that wanted in on NVIDIA powered multi-GPU action, since there was always the most recent revision of the nForce chipset in support of Intel's platform architecture; that is of course until the launch of Intel's Core i7 platform.
Intel's fledgling new desktop platform offers several new architectural advancements, in addition to native support for NVIDAI SLI technology. Though motherboard manufacturers like Asus need to have their board "certified" and enable SLI via hooks in their BIOS firmware, you can in fact now have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. Curiously, we have yet to hear from NVIDIA regarding an upcoming nForce motherboard chipset platform in support of Core i7 and from the sound of the recent banter between the two companies, we probably never will. Though, in this industry, never is a very long time. It will be interesting to see how the landscape shakes out for all parties involved.
Regardless, taking this new capability for Intel chipsets one step further, motherboard manufacturers also have the ability to enable various 3-way SLI combinations through the use of NVIDIA's NF200 PCI Express fanout switch chip and also with existing PCI Express links in the X58 chipset itself. The Asus P6T6 WS Revolution motherboard is one such product and we've got a full evaluation of it on tap in the pages ahead. We'll show you how this new high-end X58 Express solution performs versus other motherboards in its class and also look at what a full Gen2 PCIe X16 3-Way SLI setup (48-lanes) can do for a killer gaming rig configuration; a realm where price is secondary at best, but fun nonetheless to explore. Let's get on with it then...
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| Processor and Chipset Based on Intel X58/ICH10R chipset Supports Intel Core i7 Processors NVIDIA nForce200 PCI Express Switch Memory 6 x DIMM, Max. 24 GB, DDR3 2000(O.C.)*/1866(O.C.)*/1800(O.C.)*/1600(O.C.)/1333/1066 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory Triple channel memory architecture Support Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) *Hyper DIMM (DDR3 1800MHz or above) support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. **Refer to www.asus.com. Or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendor Lists.) *** ECC memory support requires Intel® Nehalem-WS 1S W3500 series or Nehalem-EP E5502/E5504/E5506 processors Expansion Slot 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (at x16 or x8 mode) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (at x16 mode) 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (at x8 mode) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot (at x4 mode) * True full x16 3-Way SLI™ in slots 1, 3 and 5, when slots 2 and 4 are not occupied Storage I/O Intel ICH10R controller 6 xSATA 3 Gb/s ports Intel® Matrix Storage supporting SATA RAID 0, 1, 10, and 5 Marvell 88SE6320 SAS controller 2 x SAS ports supporting SAS RAID 0, 1, 10* Marvell 88SE6121 SATA controller 2 xExternal SATA 150/300 (SATA On-the-G0), supporting SATA RAID 0, 1, 10, and 5** * A SAS expander (excluded in package) is required while using RAID 10 on SAS ports. ** A port-multiplier (excluded in package) is required while using RAID 5 or 10 on eSATA ports. Integrated Peripherals 2 x Realtek 8111C Dual Gb LAN Support Teaming Technology ADI 2000B, 8 -Channel High Definition Audio CODEC Multi-Streaming Jack-Sensing Front Panel Jack-Retasking Coaxial / Optical S/PDIF out ports at back I/O 12 USB 2.0 ports Multi I/O 1 x PS/2 Keyboard 1 x PS/2 Mouse 2 x External SATA 1 x S/PDIF Out (Coaxial + Optical) 2 x LAN(RJ45) port 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 8 -Channel Audio I/O ASUS Noise-Filer Workstation Key Features 6 PCIe Gen2.0 x 16 slots G.P. Dignosis Card bundle ASUS SASaby Cards support ASUS WS Diag. LED ASUS WS Heartbeat SAS Onboard |
Special Features EPU - 6 Engine True 16+2 Phase Power Design Turbo V Fan Xpert Express Gate AI Nap Q-Shield Q-Connector Fanless Design: Heat-pipe solution Fanless Design: Stack Cool 2 My Logo 2 CrashFree BIOS 3 EZ Flash 2 C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall) SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) O.C. Profile Internal IO 24-pin EATX Power connector 8-pin ATX +12V Power connector Chassis intrusion CPU fan with PWM control Chassis fan1 with Q-fan control Chassis fan2 with Q-fan control Chassis fan3 with Q-fan control PWR fan CD audio in 3 x USB connectors support additional 6 USB ports 20-pin Panel connector TPM header Front panel connector S/PDIF Out header Accessories BIOS flash utility under DOS AI Suite ASUS Update ASUS PC Probe II Anti-Virus Software (OEM version) Adobe Acrobat Reader ver 8.0 Microsoft DirectX ver 9.0C Image-Editing Suite Solid Capacitors Offers a longer lifespan, better stability when at high frequencies, can operate at higher temperatures, and no longer runs the risk of exploding. ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.5 cm )
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Dual Gig-E NICs, six SATA ports, two eSATA ports, HD Audio, 12-USB, four full-length X16 PCIe slots (three of which can be utilized to a full X16 connection), an on-board Marvell SAS RAID controller with two SAS ports (Serial Attached SCSI), and a diagnostic daughter card with power and reset switches--what else on earth could you want in a workstation or desktop motherboard, currently? The Asus P6T6WS Revolution virtually has it all and then some.
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In terms of the bundle, the P6T6 WS Revolution does come nicely equipped with a plethora of cabling, as well as a high quality user manual and driver CD that has a slew of useful utilities on it, including Asus EPU-6 Engine and Turbo-V software for one-touch performance tuning and power saving profile adjustments, and slider driven overclocking from the desktop. Asus also bundled in a pair of SAS data and power combination cables (in yellow above) with the board as well. In short, the bundle offers pretty much all you need to enable all of the board's features, with the exception of eSATA cables. Where are the eSATA cables? It seems that very few board manufacturers include them these days, which makes no sense at all to us.
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