ASUS Maximus III Extreme review - P55 PCH - Platform Controller Hub | Features

The P55 PCH - Platform Controller Hub

So the P55 chipset itself, the Lynnfield and Clarkdale processors embargo was recently lifted. Weirdest thing to see physically with a P55 motherboard is that the chipset is just one chip, no more North and Southbridge. Interesting to learn is that the P55 chipset connects to the processor directly through the DMI (Direct Media Interface) bus, and that's different from X58 where it connects directly to the QPI link.

The P55 chipset 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 having 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. The new Intel matrix storage has a new user interface for managing all storage related tasks, support for RAID 0,1,5 and 10, and Rapid recover technology.

DDR3 wise, 1333 MHz is supported straight out of the box, but running the memory at 1866 MHz or higher should be no issue either. 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 processor's 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.

Mind you we are talking about the chipset here, ASUS improved a lot which we'll dive into right now.

Right then, for a motherboard which is targeted at PC enthusiasts and hardcore gamers the ASUS Maximus III Extreme without a doubt has a lot of unique and high-end features to show off. Let's look at the marketing features as supplied by ASUS:

Dual-Channel, DDR3 2200(O.C.) MHz
The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600(O.C.) / 1333 / 1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest operation system, 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3 architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system's memory to boost system performance.

RC Bluetooth
Overwhelm your acknowledgement with wireless overclocking experience!
Still overclocking in old-fashioned way? Let RC Bluetooth bring you the whole new idea of how to do! Simply push the button from the Back I/O on the RC Bluetooth card, overclockers can monitor their desktop in real-time, PC's system status & tweak its parameters - such as voltages and frequency on the fly. When users want to use ordinary bluetooth functions, simply push the button once again & enjoy all the wireless convenience brought from RC Bluetooth.

ROG Connect
Plug and Overclock - Tweak it the hardcore way!
Monitor the status of your desktop PC and tweak its parameters in real-time via a notebook—just like a race car engineer—with ROG Connect. ROG Connect links your main system to a notebook through a USB cable, allowing you to view real-time POST code and hardware status readouts on your notebook, as well as make on-the-fly parameter adjustments at a purely hardware level.

Extreme Engine Digi+
Extreme Engine—a next generation dynamic multi-phase power management equipped with high performance digital Voltage Regulator Mudule (VRM) design. Through digital power management, the board can easily achieve the ultimate performance with adjustable CPU PWM frequency. The FET+ expedite heat dissipation & achieve better electric conduction. ML Cap ensures a stable power supply during overvoltage by lowering Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), keeping critical components reliable. This means you’ll be able to push your spanking new Intel CPU to the limit, hitting benchmark scores that others only dream of. Extreme Engine balances the need for voltage and the desire for rock solid performance to bring the ultimate user experience.

USB BIOS Flashback
USB BIOS Flashback must be the most convenient way to flash BIOS ever! It allows overclockers to try their BIOS with the simplist way one can imagine. No need to enter the BIOS or the operating system, just plug the thumb drive into the ROG Connect port & push the ROG Connect button for 2 seconds, BIOS would be automatically flashed under standby power. It´s no doubt that USB BIOS Flashback gives overclockers the ultimate convenience!

MemOK!
Memory compatibility is among the top concerns when it comes to computer upgrades. Worry no more, MemOK! is the fastest memory booting solution today. This remarkable memory rescue tool requires nothing but a push of a button to patch memory issues and get your system up and running in no time. The technology is able to determine failsafe settings that can dramatically improve system booting success.

iROG
Intelligent multiple control at hand
The iROG is a special IC which enables several ROG highlighted functions that gives users full disposal of the motherboard at any stage! This design allows advanced user control and management to be processed purely at a hardware level. iROG greatly increases the fun during overclocking for PC enthusiasts and it offers system maintenance and management with more control and efficiency.

BIOS FlashBack
Two BIOS ROM. Two BIOS settings. Twice the overclocking flexibility.
Overclocker´s prayer to have BIOS flexibility is answered! With the new BIOS Flashback, PC enthusiasts can overclock with even more confidence. BIOS Flashback gives overclockers the ability to save two versions of the BIOS simultaneously. Very much like the "SaveGame" function, one BIOS can be used for the overclocking adventure, while the other BIOS is to be stored with any previous version. BIOS Flashback brings the ultimate convenience to overclockers! By pushing the BIOS button, overclockers can easily choose which BIOS ROM they want to save & boot from.

Voltiminder LED
Friendly reminder on Voltage Settings
In the pursuit of extreme performance, overvoltage adjustment is critical but risky. Acting as the "red zone" of a tachometer, the Voltiminder LED displays the voltage status for CPU, PCH, and Memory in a intuitive color-coded fashion. The voltiminder LED allows quick voltage monitoring for overclockers.

USB 3.0 Support
10X Faster Date Rates!
Experience ultra-fast data transfers at 4.8Gbps with USB 3.0—the latest connectivity standard. Built to connect easily with next generation components and peripherals, USB 3.0 transfers data 10X faster and is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 components.

SATA 6Gb/s Support
Experience the future of storage!
Supporting next-generation Serial ATA (SATA) storage interface, this motherboard delivers up to 6.0Gb/s data transfer rates. Additionally, get enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, double the bandwidth of current bus systems

10-channel Audio
Enjoy high-end 10-channel sound system on your PC
The onboard 10-channel HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different destinations. This motherboard now adopts the future standard to deliver the most vivid audio enjoyment.

So as you can observe, next to being a kicks motherboard, it has a trick or two more up it's sleeve. This PP55 motherboard will support Core i7, i5 and i3 Processors with the LGA1156 Package.