{"id":25931,"date":"2011-06-01T14:49:43","date_gmt":"2011-06-01T13:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=25931"},"modified":"2011-06-03T13:37:14","modified_gmt":"2011-06-03T12:37:14","slug":"asus-p8p67-motherboard-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/asus-p8p67-motherboard-review\/","title":{"rendered":"ASUS P8P67 Motherboard Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

In January of this year, Intel launched their long awaited second generation Core line of processors, codenamed Sandy Bridge. These new CPUs are now based on a new socket and hence a completely new motherboard platform. The LGA 1155 socket that is required for a Sandy Bridge processor, can only be found on boards with the new Intel P67 or H67 chipsets, codenamed Cougar Point.<\/p>\n

\"P8P67_3D\"
\nToday\u2019s feature is about the ASUS P8P67<\/strong>. ASUS has sent us a sample for testing and this article will show the capabilities of this new platform and specifically what this ASUS board brings to the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"P8P67_3D\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

About ASUS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

ASUS<\/a>, the world\u2019s top 3 consumer notebook vendor and the maker of the world\u2019s best selling and most award winning motherboards, is a leading enterprise in the new digital era. ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home, office and person, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, displays, desktop PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia, wireless solutions, networking devices and mobile phones.<\/p>\n

Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 3,398 awards in 2010, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC\u2122. With a global staff of more than ten thousand people and a world-class R&D team of 3,000 engineers, the company’s revenue for 2010 was around US$10 billion.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Package Contents<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The beautifully designed box opens up to reveal the P8P67, I\/O shield, USB 3.0 bracket, 6 SATA cables, quick connectors, manuals and the software and driver disc.<\/p>\n

\"Package<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A nice little bundle to go along with the motherboard.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"P8P67\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Specifications<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The P8P67 specs are shown in the table below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Model<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand<\/td>\nASUS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Model<\/td>\nP8P67 (REV 3.0)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Supported CPU<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CPU Socket Type<\/td>\nLGA 1155<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CPU Type<\/td>\nCore i7 \/ i5 \/ i3 (LGA1155)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Supported CPU Technologies<\/td>\nTurbo Boost Technology 2.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chipsets<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
North Bridge<\/td>\nIntel P67<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Memory<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of Memory Slots<\/td>\n4 x 240-pin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Memory Standard<\/td>\nDDR3 2200(O.C.)\/2133(O.C.)\/1866(O.C.)\/1600\/1333\/1066 (Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200\/2000\/1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133\/1866\/1600 MHz frequency as default.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum Memory Supported<\/td>\n32GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Channel Supported<\/td>\nDual Channel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Expansion Slots<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PCI Express 2.0 x16<\/td>\n1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (single at x16)
\n1 x PCIe 2.0 x16* [Black] (max. at x4 mode)
\n*The PCIEX16_2 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX1_1 slot, PCIEX1_2 slot and USB3_34 connector. The PCIEX16_2 runs at x1 mode by default for system resource optimization.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PCI Express x1<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PCI Slots<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Storage Devices<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SATA 3Gb\/s<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SATA 6Gb\/s<\/td>\n2 x SATA 6.0 Gb\/s ports (gray) by P67
\n2 x SATA 6.0 Gb\/s ports (navy blue) by Marvell 9120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SATA RAID<\/td>\nSATA 6.0 Gb\/s ports (gray) and SATA 3.0 Gb\/s ports (blue) support RAID 0, 1, 5, 10.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard Video<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard Video Chipset<\/td>\nNone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard Audio<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Audio Chipset<\/td>\nRealtek ALC892<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Audio Channels<\/td>\n8 Channels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard LAN<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LAN Chipset<\/td>\nRealtek 8111E<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max LAN Speed<\/td>\n10\/100\/1000 Mbps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bluetooth<\/td>\nBluetooth v2.1 + EDR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rear Panel Ports<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PS\/2<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USB 1.1\/2.0<\/td>\n6 x USB 2.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
USB 3.0<\/td>\n2 x USB 3.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IEEE 1394<\/td>\n1 x IEEE 1394a<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
S\/PDIF Out<\/td>\n1 x Optical<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Audio Ports<\/td>\n6 Ports<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard USB<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard USB<\/td>\n2 x USB 3.0 + 6 x USB 2.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard 1394<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard 1394<\/td>\n1 x 1394a<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Physical Spec<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Form Factor<\/td>\nATX<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dimensions<\/td>\n12.0\u201d x 9.6\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Pin<\/td>\n24 Pin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Features<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Features<\/td>\nDual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nBT GO! (Bluetooth) \u2013 Diverse BT Enjoyment, New Technology Lifestyle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nEFI BIOS (EZ Mode) \u2013 Flexible & Easy BIOS Interface<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nQuad USB 3.0 \/ SATA 6Gb\/s Support \u2013 Double Access, Double Convenience<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nQuad-GPU CrossFireX Support!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Manufacturer Warranty<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Parts<\/td>\n3 Years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Labor<\/td>\n3 Years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"ASUS<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The I\/O section is of particular interest here.<\/p>\n

\"101102_P8P67_IO_H\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here we see two PS\/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, S\/PDIF output, gigabit LAN port, 6 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 firewire port, six jacks for audio output and an onboard Bluetooth receiver (more on that one after the jump).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Features<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a whole host of great features included with this board so let us take a brief look at them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"P8P67<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EFI BIOS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"EFI<\/a><\/p>\n

ASUS utilizes the new EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) BIOS in their entire P67 product line. The EFI BIOS interface is quite different from the tradition BIOS screen we are used to. It is a welcome change from the keyboard-only, two-colour BIOS we are used to. The new, vividly coloured EFI BIOS interface also accepts mouse input and you are able to click your way through the graphical user interface just as you would in your OS.<\/p>\n

\"EFI<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dual Intelligent Processors 2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

ASUS has developed two very unique processors for their motherboards and these are the TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) and the Energy Processing Unit (EPU). They both serve very important functions, one for absolute performance and one for energy efficiency respectively.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TurboV Processing Unit (TPU)<\/span><\/p>\n

The TurboV EVO software is used to control how the TPU functions and gives the end user the ability to tweak the system\u2019s performance setting from within the operating system. This is most likely to appeal to persons that are afraid<\/em> to mess around in the BIOS.<\/p>\n

Any settings that are changed and tested in the operating system are then saved to the CMOS on reboot. This is a very nice feature and it is the best overclocking software I have ever used.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Energy Processing Unit (EPU)<\/span><\/p>\n

On the flipside of ultimate performance, there is another processor that ASUS uses very well to maximize energy savings. The EPU optimizes energy efficiency by allowing the end user to manually adjust voltages and CPU speed based on system load. It can also be set to dynamically change fan speed on the fly, for example lowering the fan\u2019s rpm when the system is idle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DIGI+ VRM
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

DIGI+ VRM is an intelligent management system that manages both the TPU and the EPU. This technology addresses instability and inefficiency.\u00a0 It improves system stability (especially when overclocking) by managing and regulating the motherboard\u2019s VRM power circuits more efficiently to reduce power loss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

BT GO!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The built-in Bluetooth receiver on the P8P67 motherboard has many capabilities. Possibly the most intriguing feature is the ability to remotely overclock your system from a compatible, Bluetooth enabled device. This is done via the RC TweakIt software that is found bundled with the high end ROG motherboards. Compatible devices are those smartphones that run Android, Windows Mobile or Symbian OSes.<\/p>\n

The mainstream Bluetooth functions of BT GO! are very practical and easy to use. From the ASUS AI Suite software package the BT GO! software allows a variety of functions such as Shot & Send, BT Transfer, Folder Sync, Music Player, BT Turbo Remote (similar to RC TweakIt), Personal Manager and BT to Net.<\/p>\n

You are sure to find at least one of these features helpful in your everyday computing. This rounds out a very potent feature set from ASUS on the P8P67.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Test Setup<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The test systems used are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
CPUs:<\/strong><\/td>\nIntel Core 2 Quad Q9550S
\nIntel Core i7-2600K<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CPU Cooler:<\/strong><\/td>\nIntel Stock<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Motherboards:<\/strong><\/td>\nASUS P5E Deluxe X48 (Rampage Formula BIOS)
\nASUS P8P67 (1501 BIOS)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hard Disk:<\/strong><\/td>\nSeagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB (ST3500418AS)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Memory:<\/strong><\/td>\nG.SKILL 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-1000 PQ
\nG.SKILL 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1600 RipJaws<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Video Card:<\/strong><\/td>\nGalaxy GeForce GTX 460 – 768MB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Display:<\/strong><\/td>\n24\u201d Gateway FHD2401 LCD<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Supply:<\/strong><\/td>\nCooler Master UCP (Ultimate Circuit Protection) 1100W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chassis:<\/strong><\/td>\nCM Storm Sniper \u2013 Black Edition \u2013 Mesh Version<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Software & Settings<\/strong><\/p>\n