ASUS P5E3 Premium (Intel X48)
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Date: 02.06.2008 |
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Overclocking and stability
Prior to moving to overclocking, let's look into the power converter. It uses an 8-phase power scheme in which there are two 270 mkF and eleven 560 mkF capacitors.
Note that engineers at ASUS have introduced the new technology Energy Processing Unit (or, the EPU). The idea behind it is that in the idle mode or under small load the power supply module operates following the 4-phase scheme. Under the full CPU load, the converter operates following the 8-phase scheme. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the overall power consumption level of the CPU.
Now on to the overclocking features.
Above all, we note a reduction in the number of additional overclocking modes. In particular, there is the mode of manual setting of all the parameters, as well as the X.M.P mode (Extended Memory Profiles). This is some sort of an analog to the NVIDIA EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles) technology whose idea is in the additional information written in the SPD of the memory modules, where guaranteed stable memory operation parameters are listed. Each set includes information on the memory frequency, voltage, respective latency timings, and most importantly, the sub-timings. Therefore, overclocking with this feature is performed based on the memory capabilities: the memory frequency is set to the maximum possible and then, with the available multipliers, the FSB (and thus the CPU clock speed) is set.
Unfortunately, there is no feature for dynamic overclocking (ASUS N.O.S.), nor a feature for fixed overclocking (CPU Level UP).
One more change to note: programmers at ASUS have redesigned the interface for selecting the parameters, and in our opinion, that has turned to the worse. The thing is, it's just the menu for CPU multipliers and selection of all the voltages which has gone. Instead of that, the user is offered to input the required value manually or run through them one after another. While that method is fine for setting the FSB, that won't work for voltage selection. By the way, ASUS P5E3 Premium allows adjusting the system bus speed within 200 to 800 MHz in 1 MHz increments. There is also a feature for adjusting the CPU multiplier. In any case, it will be of use for owners of extreme 4-core Intel processors which have the multiplier unlocked.
Then, ASUS P5E3 Premium allows adjusting the CPU voltage (Vcore) voltage within a really wide range: within 0.85V to 2.1V in 0.00625-0.025V increments. However, the upper limit value depends on the position of the OV_CPU jumper. In the nominal position, the maximum Vcore = 1.7V.
The advanced user can raise the Vmem from the nominal 1.5V to 2.78V (in 0.02V increments). Besides, we get a feature for raising voltage on the chipset on both the north bridge (within 1.25 V to 2.21V in 0.02V increments), and on the south bridge (admissible values - 1.05V and 1.2V). By the way, to set the maximum Vdd = 2.21V it is required to change the OV_NB jumper, since in the nominal position the maximum Vdd = 1.91V.
Finally, the user can adjust the FSB voltage within 1.2V to 1.5V in 0.02V increments. It is also possible to adjust the PCI Express bus speed within 100 MHz to 180 MHz.
Now let's try the overclocking features in practice. ASUS P5E3 Premium has demonstrated really record-breaking results: a stable operation at FSB=568 MHz with a Conroe processor.
Performance tests
It turned out that while determining the starting FSB speed, the board detects it at a high enough precision.
In our test setup, we used the following hardware:
Let's first take a look at the results of synthetic benchmarks.
Now on to the gaming benchmarks (performance in fps).
Tests of application software.
Video encoding (DivX, Xvid) was measured in seconds, i.e. the less the better.
Data compression (WinRAR) was measured in KB/sec, i.e. the more, the better.
Final Words
ASUS P5E3 Premium-WiFi is one of the best motherboards based on Intel chipsets. In terms of functionality, we found no issues: it offers an absolutely stable operation, high performance, superb expansion options, and excellent overclocking tools (and most importantly, results). We did not like the price which is about $400. Besides, we did not like the package bundle: at this price, the user should get all the required cables and brackets.
A separate mention of the DDR3 support. Last year, all the motherboards that support this type of memory fell within the "not recommended" category. In 2008, the situation has somehow changed. Indeed, DDR3 memory costs much higher than DDR2, but if we look at the actual cost, now a 1024Mb PC3-12800 memory module (which is equivalent to 1600 MHz) can be purchased at a price a bit lower than $100! And the cheapest PC3-8500 (1066 MHz; also a 1GB module) costs $60 and higher! Therefore, we have every reason to recommend these modules for overclockers because with DDR3 it is possible to overclock to FSB 533-800 MHz (and even without memory overclocking)! Another point to note. In the nearest future, Intel is not planning to release its next high-end chipsets, so X48-based motherboards will be in demand for at least one year. Therefore, if the lifespan of the system is planned just for one year, it makes sense to buy a motherboard with support for DDR3.
A few words on the most recent ASUS Express Gate technology. Currently, it is no more than a nice and relatively useful bonus. However, we should note its great capability. Provided there is a regular update to the software part of Express Gate, it may turn into a really formidable advantage of ASUS P5E3 Premium-WiFi.
ConclusionPros:
- high stability and performance;
- 8-phase CPU power scheme;
- three PCI Express x16 v2.0 slots;
- support for SerialATA II/RAID ( 8 links; ICH9R + JMB363);
- support for one P-ATA link (JMB363);
- two Gigabit Ethernet LAN controllers and 8-channel audio subsystem;
- support for USB2.0 (10 ports) and IEEE-1394 (Firewire; 2 ports);
- WiFi-n module;
- wide selection of ASUS' proprietary technologies (PC Probe II, EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, MyLogo 3, Q-Fan 2, etc.);
- additional set of AI Proactive technologies (AI Overclock, OC Profile, AI Net 2, etc.);
- passive/active system for cooling the chipset and the power supply module;
- ASUS Express Gate technology.
Cons:
- the package bundle does not match the high-end status of the product;
- overstated price.
The board's specific features:
- superb overclocking tools and excellent results.
- Discuss the material in the conference
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