The P55 PCH - Platform Controller Hub
The P55 PCH - Platform Controller Hub
The P55 motherboard chipset is just one chip, no more North and Southbridge. Interesting to learn is that the P55 chipset connects to the processor directly through DMI (Direct media interface) interface bus, and that's different from X58 where it connects directly to the QPI link.
The P55 chip has embedded a lot of goodness in it: we see an all-time first integrated PCIe controller for x16 or two eight-speed PCIe cards, when it comes to input / output capabilities we are talking about support for 14 USB 2.0 ports with integrated USB 2.0 Rate matching hubs, 6 SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports and an integrated Gigabit LAN Ethernet.
The chipset will also support Integrated Clocking Buffer Through Mode, provides Thermal Sensor Data via SMBUS for discrete Fan Control Solutions and Intel Matrix Storage Technology 9.0. New Intel matrix storage has a new user interface for managing all storage related tasks, support for RAID 0,1,5 and 10, Rapid recover technology.
DDR3 wise 1333 MHz is supported straight out of the box, but running the memory at 1600 or 1866 MHz should be no issue either, especially with the motherboard we test today, more on that later though. Speaking of memory, with the arrival of Core i7 870, 860 and i5 750 Intel made the decision to go back to a dual-channel memory interface. Don't get too worried here, the controller is so much faster than the old limited FSB based controllers. You'll have 64-bit memory wide controllers which are connected directly with the processors silicon. As a result this design brings a bandwidth utilization of as much as 90%, a nice jump from the FSB based 50-60% utilization for sure.
In this review we'll actually be using a 2100 MHz DDR3 memory kit. But let's dive a little deeper into the ECS P55h-AK specific.
So we spotted the motherboard at Computex this year, ECS (Elitegroup Computer Systems) is launching the ECS Black Series P55H-AK.
ECS is finally going really enthusiast with a motherboard as it is equipped with a whole lotta stuff like USB 3.0, six SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, two eSATA connectors, dual Gigabit Ethernet and 7.1 channel audio, as well as a pair of SATA 6.0 Gbps ports and even two Super Speed USB 3.0 connectors.
As for what makes this LGA 1156-ready board unique, it has a dark color theme, 15¨¬ gold contacts on the CPU socket and RAM slots (DDR3-2,600+ memory), a PLX PEX 8608 PCIe bridge and an NVIDIA NF200 bridge chip.
This motherboards supports full speed SLI and Crossfire by way of the included NVIDIA NF200 chipset that provides additional PCI Express lanes, up-to 3-way SLI will be supported in a 16:8:8 PCIe lanes configuration. Adding to the gaming side, ECS uses the Realtek ALC899 chip for audio. Specs and stuff aside, just have a look at it ... that is a good looking motherboard.
Some of the more prominent features, courtesy of ECS:
eOC - Easy Over Clock Utility
Easy Over Clock Utility is a easy and simply overclocking tools that provides user-friendly windows operation interface for novices and overclockers, with clicking on your mouse only you can get much higher performance of CPU quickly. It is available for download and updated online to get the latest version. Combine with ECS MIB III technology to challenge undiscovered extreme overclocking than ever before.
3X Gaming Power (3 Way SLI + Crossfire X)
The most advance technologies of multi-graphics processing, supporting both ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA 3-way SLI to deliver up to a 2.8x performance over a single GPU system.
ECS M.I.B X (Ultimate BIOS O.C interface)
ECS O.C profile offers 3 sets of O.C values for CPU and DRAM to reach higher performances in a quick, simple and safe way. It keeps users¡¯ preferable BIOS settings to regain your last successful O.C configuration to create the most convenient O.C experience.
10X Transfer Speed (Rapid 333)
Support latest generation USB 3.0, SATA 3.0(6Gbps)and eSATA 3.0(6Gbps)high-speed interface technologies that meet the high-capacity and high-speed needs of multi-media publishing and PC gaming.
ECS Deep Green
An industry-leading energy saving technology under 0.001 watt power consumption standard at soft off mode. Reduces energy consumption and CO2 production much better than EuP 2013 standard. It means the technology planted 96,500 trees per year.
15¦Ì Gold Contact
ECS 15¦Ì gold technique contains 15¦Ì gold contact on CPU socket and Memory slot pins. It offers 3 times extra anti-oxidation, temperature resistant and scrape protection to ensure motherboards longest lifespan, better reliability and excellent contact.
