ASUS P5E3 Deluxe: X38 and DDR3 arrives... almost
by Gary Key on September 18, 2007 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Test Setup
Test conditions were maintained the same, as much as possible, over the platforms tested. Our game tests were run at settings of 1280x1024 HQ to ensure our MSI HD 2900 XT is not the bottleneck during testing. All results are reported in our charts and color-coded for easier identification of results.
We selected the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 as our processor of choice since it represents one of the better price to performance values in the midrange processor market and is the CPU we will concentrate on in future reviews. We are utilizing Microsoft Vista Home Premium 32-bit as our operating system along with a 4GB memory configuration. Even though Vista 32-bit cannot take advantage of the entire 4GB of memory address space (3.326GB), we found the additional 1.278GB of memory available provided improved performance during multi-tasking events and gaming. We would not recommend anything less than 2GB with Vista Home Premium. We will also provide select Vista 64-bit results in the X38 launch article.
We utilize new drive images on each board in order to minimize any potential driver conflicts. Our 3DMark results are generated utilizing the standard benchmark resolution for each program. We run each benchmark five times, throw out the two low and high scores, and report the remaining score. All results at stock speeds for this article are with memory timings at 5-5-4-12 (DDR3-1066) and at 6-6-6-15 (DDR3-1600) for our overclocking tests. Where possible, memory sub-timings were set exactly the same to ensure consistency between the boards.
Our choice of software applications to test is based on programs that enjoy widespread usage and produce repeatable and consistent results during testing. Microsoft Vista has thrown a monkey wrench into testing as the aggressive nature of the operating system to constantly optimize application loading and retrieval from memory or the storage system presents some interesting obstacles. This along with what we still see as a lack of driver maturity will continue to present problems in the near future with benchmark selections. Our normal process is to change our power settings to performance, delete the contents of the Prefetch folder, and then reboot after each benchmark run. This process results in consistency over the course of benchmark testing. All applications are run with administer privileges.
Note: Due to the preview nature of this article, including the use of a pre-release board, our benchmark test suite will be very limited. A full range of benchmarks will be available on September 24th, provided retail kits arrive as planned.
| ASUS P5E3 Deluxe Testbed | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core, 2.4GHz, 8MB Unified Cache, 9x Multiplier, 1066FSB |
| CPU Voltage | 1.1500V Stock |
| Cooling | Tuniq Tower 120 |
| Power Supply | OCZ 1000W |
| Memory | Super Talent DDR3-1866 |
| Memory Settings | 5-5-4-12 (DDR3-1066) |
| Video Cards | MSI HD X2900 XT 512MB |
| Video Drivers | ATI Catalyst 7.9 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital 7200RPM 750GB SATA 3/Gbps 16MB Buffer |
| Optical Drives | Plextor PX-B900A, Toshiba SD-H802A |
| Case | Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evo |
| BIOS | 0302 |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit |
| . | |
Test conditions were maintained the same, as much as possible, over the platforms tested. Our game tests were run at settings of 1280x1024 HQ to ensure our MSI HD 2900 XT is not the bottleneck during testing. All results are reported in our charts and color-coded for easier identification of results.
We selected the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 as our processor of choice since it represents one of the better price to performance values in the midrange processor market and is the CPU we will concentrate on in future reviews. We are utilizing Microsoft Vista Home Premium 32-bit as our operating system along with a 4GB memory configuration. Even though Vista 32-bit cannot take advantage of the entire 4GB of memory address space (3.326GB), we found the additional 1.278GB of memory available provided improved performance during multi-tasking events and gaming. We would not recommend anything less than 2GB with Vista Home Premium. We will also provide select Vista 64-bit results in the X38 launch article.
We utilize new drive images on each board in order to minimize any potential driver conflicts. Our 3DMark results are generated utilizing the standard benchmark resolution for each program. We run each benchmark five times, throw out the two low and high scores, and report the remaining score. All results at stock speeds for this article are with memory timings at 5-5-4-12 (DDR3-1066) and at 6-6-6-15 (DDR3-1600) for our overclocking tests. Where possible, memory sub-timings were set exactly the same to ensure consistency between the boards.
Our choice of software applications to test is based on programs that enjoy widespread usage and produce repeatable and consistent results during testing. Microsoft Vista has thrown a monkey wrench into testing as the aggressive nature of the operating system to constantly optimize application loading and retrieval from memory or the storage system presents some interesting obstacles. This along with what we still see as a lack of driver maturity will continue to present problems in the near future with benchmark selections. Our normal process is to change our power settings to performance, delete the contents of the Prefetch folder, and then reboot after each benchmark run. This process results in consistency over the course of benchmark testing. All applications are run with administer privileges.
Note: Due to the preview nature of this article, including the use of a pre-release board, our benchmark test suite will be very limited. A full range of benchmarks will be available on September 24th, provided retail kits arrive as planned.
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strikeback03 - Thursday, September 20, 2007 - link
My question about the heatpipe cooling is related to this:So why are these companies creating cooling solutions that work best with inferior CPU cooling? The heatpipe towers and water certainly seem to be the best CPU cooling, but the board cooling system looks like it was designed to work with the stock Intel cooler.
mostlyprudent - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
I couldn't be happier to see the passive heatpipe cooling. After reading the reports of the X38 being a "hot" chipset, I was worried that I would be back to screaming/failing little chipset fans...whew...thank goodness.n0nsense - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
there always water cooling option. which i'm thinking about.One circuit for CPU, GPU, NB and SB (like Nautilus 500) + Termalright for mofsets should be perfect for sane overclocking and quiet PC.
Etern205 - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
I guess what they mean by "upside down" is do not install into aBTX case?
n0nsense - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
No, they meant that the only (the best) way to install this boards is when CPU socket located on the upper side.look at the picture of CS-718. in this case CPU socket is in the lowest part. This mean that hotest part of heatpipe system is higher then coolest. Heatpipe working the best when coolant vaporized at hotest part, then liquefied at coolest (radiators). Liquefied coolant should return somehow to the hotest part (chipset), and when motherboard "normally" this done by gravity. When the board installed in "upside-down" or horizontally, this SHOULD be done by capillaries, which are way less effective according to Asus support and wiki.
Etern205 - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
I was right about this "do not install into a BTX case"The Enermax CS-718 supports ATX motherboards, but the design is based on the BTX specs.
On a correct ATX case, if the back of the case if facing you, then you will open the panel on the right. And when the opening is facing you the front will face to the right.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2901/1015uh6.jp...">Image
As for BTX if it's place into the same position, then you will open the panel on the left, which is what the Enermax CS-718 is designed to be and when the opening is facing you the front will face to the left. http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6379/1007xq2.jp...">Image
JarredWalton - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
FYI, I deleted your (numerous) multiple posts. A little bit of patience goes a long way. Once or twice I can understand, but three sets of multiple posts? Hopefully that was just a weird error on the part of your system.n0nsense - Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - link
it is a problem with my computer @ work.I guess it's caused by Synergy.
Anyway, thank you for clearing my extra messages. It's sad that i can't remove or edit my own messages.
n0nsense - Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - link
it is a problem with my computer @ work.I guess it's caused by Synergy.
Anyway, thank you for clearing my extra messages. It's sad that i can't remove or edit my own messages.
8steve8 - Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - link
is the intel g35 chipset launching with the x38? if not, when will it launch?while the x38 doesnt offer much tangable to the users of p35 or 965p, especially those of us that are sane (ddr2 users), the g35 appears to offer a vastly improved 3d engine, and native hdmi support. "vastly improved" over the g965 and g33, which, for example, i can play warcraft3 at 1600x1200 w/full settings... this is onboard video... very impressive.