ASUS P5E3 Deluxe

Earlier this month we featured an exclusive preview of DeviceVM's SplashTop Technology, which is an instant-on Linux desktop environment that within five seconds of turning on your PC you could be inside a Firefox-based web-browser or talking with the Skype VoIP client. While more motherboards will be shipping with SplashTop shortly (as well as notebooks and desktops), the first motherboard with this embedded Linux technology is the ASUS P5E3 Deluxe. The Intel X38 Chipset was formally introduced earlier this month and that combined with SplashTop (or Express Gate, as ASUS calls it) should make for an interesting review of the P5E3 Deluxe. Other features for this motherboard include improved energy efficiency through an ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit), up to DDR3-1800 support, and integrated 802.11n WiFi.

Features:

CPU
· LGA775 socket for Intel Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo / Pentium Extreme / Pentium D / Pentium 4
· Compatible with Intel 05B/05A/06 processors
· Supports Intel next generation 45nm Multi-Core CPU

Chipset
· Intel X38 / ICH9R with Intel Fast Memory Access Technology
· 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz FSB

Memory
· 4 x DIMM, max. 8GB, DDR3 1800(O.C.)/1600(O.C.)/1333/1066/800 MHz
· Non-ECC, un-buffered memory
· Dual channel memory architecture

Dual Gigabit LAN controllers
· Marvell 88E8056 PCIe Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2
· Realtek RTL8110SC PCI Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2

Wireless LAN
· ASUS WiFi-AP @n
· 300Mbps IEEE 802.11n and backwards compatible with IEEE 802.11g/b

Audio
· ADI AD1988B 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC

IEEE 1394
· Agere L-FW3227 1394a controller supports 2 x IEEE 1394a ports

USB
· 12 x USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 6ports at back panel)

ASUS Power Saving Solution
· ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit)
· ASUS 3rd Generation 8-phase Power Design
· ASUS AI Nap

ASUS AI Lifestyle Features
· ASUS Express Gate
· ASUS WiFi-AP @n
· ASUS AI Direct Link

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution
· ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-pipe solution
· ASUS Fanless Design: Stack Cool 2
· ASUS Q-Fan 2
· ASUS Optional Fan for Water-cooling or Passive-Cooling only

ASUS Crystal Sound
· ASUS Noise Filter

ASUS EZ DIY
· ASUS Q-Shield
· ASUS Q-Connector
· ASUS O.C. Profile
· ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
· ASUS EZ Flash 2
· ASUS AI Slot Detector

BIOS
· 16 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3, ACPI 2.0a

Form Factor
· ATX Form Factor, 12"x 9.6" (30.5cm x 24.4cm)

Contents:

Like the other high-end ASUS motherboards, the P5E3 Deluxe shipped with a wealth of accessories. Among the included extras were the ASUS AI remote, WiFi-AP @n, and other recent ASUS innovations such as the Q-Connector kit and fans that can be mounted on their chipset cooling system. The ASUS AI remote is a mini remote control with USB receiver for controlling your PC while WiFi AP @n is their name for onboard 802.11n (draft standard) wireless. We've seen integrated 802.11g wireless on ASUS motherboards going back to their 945-based P5LD2 Deluxe motherboard, but now ASUS has ventured into 802.11n wireless with dual external antennas. The P5E3 Deluxe also ships with the usual assortment of SATA, IDE, and power cables.