Asus Maximus Formula III: A Mid-End Chipset's High End?

In my opinion, Intel designed the P55 chipset to separate the market between high-end and performance (mid-end) segment. Unfortunately, unlike the previous generation where the difference between going from performance to high end is only the memory controller (P45, X48), Intel this time designed 2 sockets (LGA1156 and LGA1366) confusing users which to get if they want the best of the best. On one hand we have the X58 on Socket LGA1366 which supports processors from Intel Core I7 920 and above, and on the other hand, we have P55 on LGA 1156 which supports Intel Core I3 up to Intel Core I7 on the same socket. A bit confusing isn’t it? Before I dig into the review, I have to admit that this article has been way overdue for quite some time now. In fact, the motherboard was given to me for review last December and the data has been completed before then. However, I’m in the middle of switching jobs between 2 companies so I found very little time to work on the article. The most important thing though, is that everything is almost stable with the transition and now I find myself cramming to finish this. Now that that’s out of the way, let us proceed.

When it comes to Asus, it’s easy to distinguish its high end from the rest of the pack through its Republic of Gamers division who caters to not only gamers but enthusiasts and overclockers. The Maximus line is the design that started it all and its predecessors pretty much defined what high-end and performance meant. Today, we will be looking into the third installment of the Maximus line of ROG motherboards on a chipset designed to be mainstream and we’ll find out if it really deserves the ROG branding or the somewhat extreme price.

Packaging and Accessories

As usually, we have the cover flip with a plastic window to showcase the motherboard which is unique to the ROG motherboards. However, the one thing I can’t stand with the packaging is the overall thickness of the foam used. Once the motherboard is taken out of its box, you’ll curse your way to putting it back in due to the cardboard frame versus the foam. It’s not really awful just annoying if you have to put the motherboard back into its case for RMA or if you need to resell it for some reason.

Like the other ROG motherboard reviewed before this, the package contains two more cardboard boxes which separate the motherboard and the accessories. The accessories are compartmentalized so they don’t mix together during shipping. Sadly, of all the things to forget, I forgot to take the photo of the accessories included but you’ll get the following;

• DVD for drivers and software
• A comprehensive user’s manual
• Asus Q-connector kit which makes connecting the front panel headers like a breeze
• 6 SATA connectors with locks; 3 of which are angled
• An Nvidia SLI cable for multiple graphics card configuration.
• Several plastic cable ties
• The padded I/O shield which prevents grounding
• Stickers for labeling your optical and hard drives
• Asus ROG Connect Cable (USB)
• A PCI bracket for additional USB and 1 non-powered E-SATA port
• SupremeFX X-Fi sound card

If you think you’re missing something, you’re probably right. The Maximus Formula III no longer includes the LCD Poster for viewing critical system information. The ROG Connect cable changes that, this feature allows you to connect your portable computer to gain full access not only to system information but overclocking and BIOS flashing as well.

Features and Specifications

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.

GameFirst. The speed you need to pwn. Low Internet latency allows you to frag more, and get fragged less. That´s why ROG has introduced GameFirst, a feature that manages the flow of traffic according to your needs so that you can still listen to online music, download and upload files, and engage in Internet chats without sacrificing the low ping times you need to pwn your opponents.


MemPerfect. Optimize your memory without lifting a finger! Why risk crippling your system with poorly tuned memory? Now, with ROG´s exclusive MemPerfect optimizing your memory performance is a simple matter of selecting the frequency you desire, and letting MemPerfect do the rest! MemPerfect quickly checks your memory settings for errors and automatically fixes them—ensuring system stability and maximum efficiency.


Speeding HDD. Wait less. Play more! Double your hard disk drive performance easily and affordably with Speeding HDD, a remarkable ROG feature that utilizes a dual channel design to enhance HDD transfer rates. Wait less, play more!



iROG. Intelligent multiple control at hand. The iROG is a special IC which enables several ROG highlitghted 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 fun during overclocking for PC enthusiasts and it offers system maintainence and management with more control and efficiency.


CPU Level Up. A Simple click for instant upgrade. Ever wish that you could have a more expansive CPU? Upgrade your CPU at no additional cost with ROG´s CPU Level Up! Simply pick the processor you wanted to OC to, and the motherboard will do the rest! See the new CPU speed and enjoy that performance instantly. Overclocking is never as easy as this.


MemOK! Any memory is A-OK! 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.


Extreme Tweaker. One stop performance tuning shop. Extreme Tweakers is the one stop shop to fine-tune your system to optimal performance. No matter if you´re looking for frequency adjustment, over-voltage options, or memory timing settings, they´re all here!



ProbeIt. Get all hands-on with hardware-based overclocking. ProbeIt takes the guesswork out of locating the motherboard´s measurement points, identifying them clearly in the form of 5 sets of detection points so you´ll know exactly where to get quick yet accurate readings using a multitester.



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.



COP EX. Maximum OC with confidence with burn proof protection to chipsets and GPU! The COP EX allows overclockers to increase chipset voltages without the worries of overheating. It can also be used to monitor and save an overheating GPU. The COP EX allows more freedom and less constraint for maximum performance achievement.


Loadline Calibration. Optimal power boost for extreme CPU overclocking! Maintaining ample voltage support for the CPU is critical during overclocking. The Loadline Calibration ensures stable and optimal CPU voltage under heavy loading. It helps overclockers enjoy the motherboard´s ultimate OC capabilities and benchmark scores.


SupremeFX X-Fi. Listen with Absolute HD. Play in extreme fidelity! SupremeFX X-Fi delivers an excellent high definition audio experience to the gamers of ROG. The SupremeFX X-Fi features unique audio innovations for gamers to spot enemies in 3D environment during game play. SupremeFX X-Fi also provides gamers a special tool to emphasize human voices in games to help make dialogues clearer and more audible.


Noise Filter. Eliminate background noise while recording. This feature detects repetitive and stationary noises like computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates it in the incoming audio stream while recording.

What isn’t mentioned here are the standard Asus ROG offerings; onboard switch to power/reset up the computer. Q-Fan Plus for noise to performance ratio with your fans, the Q-Connector kit which makes it easier to plug in the motherboard headers to your chassis and the EPU-Engine for power management.

The TurboV Evo has been redesigned that it contains more information and a much cleaner interface. Another addition to the robust software that the Maximus III offers is the ROG Game First utility which provides improved internet speeds via shaping. You can either optimize a program to make use of bandwidth or latency but the configuration takes days to complete so I left it alone and just snapped a screenshot. For the complete list of features, please see this.

Motherboard and BIOS

Once again, Asus designed an awesomely good looking motherboard. The colors are well coordinated with the Ferrari red accents and the black PCB. The motherboard size follows the ATX standard which is 12 inches in height and 9.6 inch in length. Like Gigabyte’s Ultra Durable Series, this motherboard also has 2 ounce copper layer which Asus calls “stack cool” which essentially, using the additional thickness as passive cooling for the components.

Attention to detail is impeccable, an example is the small sticker just below the Socket LGA1156 lever that protects the motherboard traces in case the lever is pushed way down which may scratch the surface. All connectors are strategically placed on edges for easier cable management. The board also uses solid ferrite chokes and solid capacitors which are pretty much the standard to today’s high-end and some mid-end motherboards, as always, this is a welcome change from those electrolytic capacitors.

The processor is powered by 16+3 phase VRM, 16 for the cores and 3 for the uncore or the memory controller. The rest of the socket area is fairly clean except for the group of capacitors to the right which may cause problems when insulating the motherboard for extreme benching (think LN2). These capacitors are low-standing which shouldn’t really cause problems with aftermarket coolers available. One of the heatsinks for the transistors is removable if you intend to watercool this as well as such that this is held only by screws for easy removal.

Just to the left of the heatsink for the transistors, you’ll find 2 chips that provide power management to the processor and the voltage regulator. The EPU which dynamically adjusts voltages of the major components (processor, memory, graphics card, etc.) and the PEM which monitors and controls the VRM power phase to evenly distribute load depending on temperature and power consumption. This feature can be disabled in the BIOS in case you’d prefer having all 16 phase for the processor running constantly.

Below the processor socket you’ll find the eye-catching Republic of Gamers logo/heatsink which blinks in and out on standby and fully lit when the system is operational. This heatsink doesn’t serve a purpose but purely aesthetics as the P55 chipset isn’t located here but the clock generator. However, this is designed to be low profile so it won’t cause problems with clearance on your cpu cooler. I have to admit that without this piece, the motherboard would look bare and awkward like the P7P55D Deluxe which is something I’m not used to seeing, yet.

From this angle you’ll find that the 1-sided memory clip makes another appearance, this is designed so removal of the memory would no longer require you to remove the graphics card. Four slots for dual-channel and the MemOK button on the right side (small red button) which also acts as the Go Button for pre-defined overclock presets when pressed if the user is already in Windows. Beside the ATX power connector, you’ll have the Probe It read points which allows you to take voltage readings real-time using a DMM, and beside that the diagnostic LEDs. Each light will turn red during the post sequence and if a problem is found on a certain component, the light stays on giving you an idea which part is causing the problem.

Unfortunately, I find this an odd location for such a useful feature. The cables from the ATX power connector will most likely block the read points making it a pain to take readings or check the diagnostic LEDs when the motherboard is mounted inside the case. Still, these are wonderful additions to the plethora of features for the Maximus that it has almost become a standard for this line.

Moving forward on the bottom left is where the P55 chipset is covered by once again with a low-profile heatsink. I personally liked the fin-type heatsink even if it us low profile, the surface is somewhat greater which makes up for it. 6 right angled SATA ports that are connected directly to the chipset are located here. Just below the memory are the 2 dedicated SATA ports for the optical drive, although some review sites are criticizing the use of JMicron chipset on this area, this should be suitable enough for your optical drive needs but my only regret is that there are unused spaces on the 6 SATA ports and because of the location of these 2, it might pose interference with the graphics card installed on the first PCIE slot. Below the chipset, you’ll find the front panel headers which are conveniently located as this I believe is the optimal location for connecting the headers.

Unfortunately, for a high-end motherboard like this, I wonder why Asus only managed to equip the unit with 1 BIOS if the target markets are enthusiasts who fiddle a lot with the BIOS. Although the likelihood of corrupting the BIOS is slim, providing 2 chips would give users the sense of security. Beside the headers, you’ll find 2 SATA ports which provides instant hardware RAID configuration via another JMicron chipset. This is added for people who do not want to go through the hassles of understanding RAID, it’s simply connecting 2 hard drives in there and a simple activation via the software provided. The rest are basically more fan, USB and firewire headers in line with the reset and power button. The partially hidden x16 PCIE ports provide two x8 speed configuration when multiple graphics cards are used for SLI or Crossfire which isn’t really Asus’ fault. The last x16 PCI slot only offers x4 speed and is connected via the P55 chipset.

Major BIOS Options Screens

The Extreme Tweaker menu is where all the magic happens. With access to almost all voltages to the component in your system, this is where every enthusiast is most likely going to spend his time. As usual, the values are arranged so that it’s easier to navigate the options without the clutter. Knowing that this is a first-class motherboard, Asus provided its users, the most number of options but still maintaining user-friendly GUI. Enough said.

Another major addition to the BIOS is the presence of pre-configured overclocking profiles via the Go button. Take note that the Go button only functions when the system is booted to Windows, pre-post and it serves as MemOK. Then there’s the MemPerfect option which I had the chance to test. This is the utility I used as a starting point to find out if the Patriot Viper II Sector 5 was capable of running 1333 MHz. I then had to manually find out if the RAM would be able to support low timings. Last but not least is the OC profile where there are 8 slots for your different system configuration, you’ll see from my screenshot the different memory frequency and latency I used.

Test Setup and Benchmarks

This review’s benchmarks is going to by-far, the most comprehensive I’ve ever done. Although I’m limited to stock settings because the bracket for my Corsair Hydro Series H50 failed to arrive in time, I’ve included synthetic and real-world applications that will simulate the test on a day-to-day usage scenario. Furthermore, there are 2 memory profiles used; DDR3-1333 5-5-5-15 and DDR3-1800 8-8-8-24 courtesy of Patriot Viper II Sector 5 memory modules that are designed exclusively for LGA1156 processors. Before we dig in, the following are the components used:

Memory Performance

Memory Bandwidth (MB/s, higher = better)

Memory Latency (nanoseconds, lower = better)

Everest Ultimate Edition - Industry leading system diagnostics and benchmarking solution for enthusiasts PC users, based on the award-winning EVEREST Technology. Exhaustive details of system information on 100 pages including CPU, FPU, disk and memory benchmarks, advanced hardware monitoring and diagnostics capabilities. SiSoftware Sandra (the System ANalyser, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant) is an information & diagnostic utility. It should provide most of the information (including undocumented) you need to know about your hardware, software and other devices whether hardware or software.

There’s simply no reason not to make use of the XMP profile included in the memory. The fact that it offers much more bandwidth at a much lower latency is a no-brainer. However, if you’re up to standard settings, then the memory is capable of running DDR3-1333 MHz at CAS5 which is not too bad. In fact, standard latency for this frequency is 7-7-7, 8-8-8 or 9-9-9 but at a much higher frequency, the DDR3-1800’s memory throughput wins, unfortunately.

Synthetic and Real-World Performance

CustomPC Benchmarks Suite 2007 (seconds, lower = better) / PCMark Vantage x64 (points, higher = better)

CustomPC Benchmarks Suite 2007 uses open source real-world applications that measure the performance of a computer. The first test is image manipulation through GIMP where the images are resized, colors improved and then collated for a panoramic view. The GIMP version used is single-thread so higher clock benefit faster performance. The second part of the test is video encoding to h.264 via Handbrake and the utility scales very well with the number of cores. The final test is a combination of 7-zip compressing the multiple images that was created out of GIMP while playing HD video that was encoded earlier. All tests are measured in seconds except for the overall score which is by points.

PCMark Vantage is a PC benchmark suite designed for Windows Vista offering one-click simplicity for casual users and detailed, professional grade testing for industry, press and enthusiasts. A PCMark score is a measure of your computer’s performance across a variety of common tasks such as viewing and editing photos, video, music and other media, gaming, communications, productivity and security.

3D Benchmarking Utilities

3DMark06 is a PC benchmark suite designed to test the DirectX9 performance of your graphics card. 3DMark Vantage is a PC benchmark suite designed to test the DirectX10 performance of your graphics card. A 3DMark score is an overall measure of your system’s 3D gaming capabilities, based on comprehensive real-time 3D graphics and processor tests.

Games

Both are tested with the same graphics card so there’s no surprise the difference is minimal. However, I should mention that the XMP profile slightly overclocks the system so DDR3-1800 leads by a pretty small margin that its negligible. FarCry 2 was tested using the built-in benchmarking utility using the long ranch demo looped 3 times. The same goes for Street Fighter IV Benchmark which by the way; can be downloaded online for free.

Conclusion

The number of features and the software bundled with the Maximus Formula III is impressive. During the course of the review, I was able to test MemOK and MemPerfect which worked perfectly fine albeit aimed towards stability rather than performance. The TurboV Evo is also the most pleasant software utility I’ve encountered. Aesthetics-wise, there are no major issues when it comes to the layout except for the placements of some ports and the questionable use of underperforming chipsets.

If you think I’d give it a perfect score, let me lay down the quirks I’ve encountered; video would just disappear randomly. I usually play WarCraft III single player as past time but the system would just lose video although the sound can still be heard. The system can’t recover and the only way to get the video to work is to reboot the system. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time with the board, even inquired Asus support forums but their representatives gave me scripted answer (video driver, power supply, etc.). Hopefully, these issues will be sorted out via BIOS update in the near future. Another thing worth nothing is like I said earlier, the questionable use of underperforming chipsets like the JMicron controller – for some reason; I just don’t know why Asus went JMicron when there are other better performing chipsets available. Also unknown to many, is that the Ethernet port is routed via the aging PCI bus which pretty much limits the bandwidth. This is probably the reason why Asus ships the Maximus Formula III with a bandwidth manager to compensate for this, I don’t really know but I’m just saying. For a top-tiered motherboard like this, single BIOS is just despicable.

Despite these issues, the Maximus Formula III is a fantastic motherboard but if compared to the previous ROG releases, this one I believe is a little bit hastily made and if you’re someone who has cash to burn, by no means get the board but if you’re looking for something that offers more bang for your back perhaps, you should wait for the Extreme version.

Techisland Season 4 Teaser Two

Tech Island S04 Teaser 2: Captivatingly Tech from Tech Island Cebu on Vimeo.

Techisland Tech Forecast: USB 3.0 >>Sunbeam One of the First in Line!

Techisland Tech Forecast: Watch out for the Coming of USB 3.0>> The maximum transfer speed of USB 2.0 is 480Mbps, and USB 3.0 is able to reach 5Gbps.

YES 5GBS PER SECOND.

Many suppliers has presented SuperSpeed USB peripheral devices, such as portable hard disk, motherboard, flash drives and just about anything USB.

We should be seeing more of this on mid this year towards the end of 2010. By 2011 it will be the standard USB slot for almost all Motherboards and Laptops.

Sunbeam, one of the leading peripherals Manufacturer has already released USB 3.0 devices and is one of the first companies to do so.

For those with USB 2.0 Motherboards or PC's, don't fret, USB 3.0 PCI cards will be available for you to add on to your existing system enabling you to now have USB 3.0 and use 3.0 Devices.

Techisland Season 4 Teaser One.

Tech Island S04 Teaser 1: A New Face from Tech Island Cebu on Vimeo.

Patriot Viper II Sector 5: A New Memory In Town!

We’ve come a long way since DDR3 SDRAM was introduced and yet it’s only been these past few months that the new memory technology has caught up. The fact that the DDR2 was more than enough to cater the needs of the Core 2 architecture hinders DDR3 adoption. But that has changed since Intel introduced its new line of processors with integrated memory controller that forces consumers to use DDR3, DDR2 support was simply abandoned leaving enthusiasts and consumers alike with no choice but to adapt. There really is nothing bad against the new memory, it consumes less power at 1.5 volts compared to 1.8 volts compared to its predecessor and is capable of running to speeds that DDR2 was not possible at a slightly slower latency.

However, I strongly believe that Intel opted to go with DDR3 because of a limitation on its integrated memory controller – low tolerance to voltage coming from the memory modules which puts it 1.65 volts. Anything higher and you kill the IMC (and the processor as a whole) which has been proven with suicide tests performed by extreme overclockers. Higher memory speeds with low latencies require voltage and the limit imposed by Intel is somewhat lot compared to what DDR2 was capable of because the previous chipset did not have such limitation. The last few months saw significant improvements with DDR3. Manufacturers have managed to squeeze every bit of performance from DDR3 memory chips with 1.65 volts as a limit in such a way that even DDR3-2200 speed has been achieved (at a premium price) with low latency. Now that my short history lesson is out of the way, let me discuss shortly how the memory frequency is obtained with the current Intel processors.

Memory frequency is obtained differently when compared to the previous architecture that was based on front-side bus. The FSB architecture determines memory speed via the FSB clock, memory divider (northbridge chipset) and the double data rate of the memory themselves. All these of course varies, from setting to setting and as an example, putting the FSB:DRAM ratio at 1:1 gives you a 200 MHz front-side bus speed and a 200 MHz memory speed (double the data rate and you get 400 MHz) hence, DDR2-400. Apply a different ratio and you get a memory speed that may not be equal to the FSB speed and yet the memory can still run at its rated specification as configured by the memory controller but let’s not dwell too much on the topic since we are here to focus on DDR3. DDR3’s frequency is determined by 2 things, the base clock and the memory multiplier. Each lineup from the LGA1156 has different memory multipliers which puts the memory frequency at standard settings. Below you’ll find a small table with different LGA1156 processors and their respective supported memory speed:

The new processors use a default base clock (BCLK) of 133 MHz this means that if we divide the memory frequency by the BCLK, we get the memory multiplier, for example; 1600 / 133 = 12. Core i7 processors under the LGA1156 socket can use 12 as the highest memory multiplier giving it a memory speed of 1600 MHz. So for 1333, the memory multiplier is 10, 1066 uses 8 and finally 800 uses 6. From the table you’ll also see the limitation of memory speeds supported by the different lineup of processors where 1600 is only available to LGA1156 Core i7. To attain a higher memory speed under the Core i5 processors, one would have to increase the base clock which makes perfect sense. Now that I have explained how the memory speeds are obtained, let’s move on to the memory kit that we will be looking into.

About Patriot Memory

Established in 1985, Patriot Memory builds a full range of memory module and flash memory products, offering a perfect blend of quality and value. Patriot products include Extreme Performance (EP), Signature Lines (SL) and Flash Memory solutions (FM).

We understand the value of designing and responding quickly and intelligently to the rapid changes inherent in the memory module industry. This commitment to R&D enables us to deliver the best quality memory modules powered by the latest innovative technology.

Patriot's development and manufacturing facility are located in Fremont, California USA. Our manufacturing segment is composed of a highly skilled production staff and multiple production lines optimized for modules, giving Patriot the ability and resources necessary to provide a full line of memory module solutions.

To meet the growing global demand for its products, Patriot manufactures its Extreme Performance (EP), Dual Channel (DC) and Signature Line (SL) products in its own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with highly skilled staff in Fremont, California USA.
Patriot is a member of JEDEC. You can feel confident that your Patriot modules are of the highest quality available.

Patriot Memory ensures that every module meets or exceeds industry standards. The manufacturing process begins with high-quality components and ends with rigorous functional testing to ensure each module's reliability and compatibility.

Patriot Memory modules are approved by leading motherboard and system manufacturers such Intel, Tyan, Supermicro and Iwill. Patriot Memory is a member of Apple Developer Connection. Awards from such leading product review sites as XBit Labs, Anandtech, Tom's Hardware and Hot Hardware.com demonstrate Patriot EP and DC+XBLK memory modules set the standard for performance and reliability.

Patriot Viper II Sector 5 – Memory Exclusively for LGA1156 Intel Core i5, i7 Processors

The Patriot Viper II Series, part of the Extreme Performance (EP) line is the ultimate performance memory solution for extreme enthusiasts and PC gamers. Engineered for the highest speeds, lowest latency memory kits, the Viper II Series are built using only the highest quality pre-sorted IC's on the market ensuring both maximum quality and performance. Designed with an extruded aircraft-grade aluminum heat spreader, Viper II Series quickly dissipates heat from the modules that increases both stability and reliability during extreme overclocking conditions. Each module is 100% hand-tested for quality assurance and is backed by a full lifetime warranty and excellent customer service.

Features

• Extreme Performance PC3-14400 (1800MHz)
• EPP Ready
• Equipped with advance aluminum heat-dispersing shields
• 100% Tested and Verified
• Lifetime Warranty
• RoHS Compliant

This is how the memory was packaged when it was handed to me by Jeremy of Fine Upgrades. I requested for at least a 4GB memory for the Asus Maximus Formula III review (will be posted soon) and upon reading the specs, it immediately crossed my mind that this product deserves a review of its own.

The kit includes a free 3DMark Vantage serial key as indicated on the box and is fully secured with its blister pack from the inside which protects the modules from moving around inside during shipping. Once again, there is no 3DMark Vantage CD inside, you’d have to download a trial version and use the CD key in here to activate the installation. There is no mention however, that these are Intel XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) capable memory modules. Aesthetics-wise, Sector 5 doesn’t disappoint. Black aluminum heatsinks coupled with black PCB is a killer combination. The height unfortunately, may post incompatibilities with low-clearance heatsinks depending on the orientation, it should fit just fine but then again, so are the rest of the performance modules available out there.

For those who are unfamiliar, Intel XP allows one to use higher than standard JEDEC frequencies at low timings without the need to manually tune the memory modules. The settings are embedded into the memory EEPROM and all one needs to do (given a motherboard that supports XMP), selects the profile through the BIOS. In this case, the memory is rated at DDR3-1800 CAS8 at 1.65 volts. Like I said earlier, Intel Core i5 processors has memory multiplier limit at 10 which if the default 133 BCLK is used, puts it at DDR3-1333 MHz. Enabling the XMP profile however, increases the BCLK to 180 and still uses giving it DDR3-1800 speed boost. Voltages for the memory and the integrated memory controller are also automatically adjusted to support low latency at 8-8-8-24 1T.

For some reason, Patriot didn’t include a profile for a standard JEDEC setting of DDR3-1333 MHz. I was curious if these modules can support 1333 MHz at a lower latency so I dropped down the frequencies to their default settings, hard set the voltage at 1.65 volts for the IMC and set the memory controller at 1.35 volts then started lowering down the latency and this is what I got:

Make no mistake; you are looking at DDR3-1333 with an ultra low CAS latency of 5. To put it into perspective, JEDEC standard latency for DDR3-1333 are the following; 7-7-7, 8-8-8, 9-9-9 and 10-10-10. What I have here is way below the standard at 5-5-5-15 and STILL at the maximum memory voltage limit at 1.65 volts which may have been lowered down if I had more time to play with them. This frequency has been tested with 5 runs of memtest86 with no errors! Let’s check out what these babies can do.

It’s obvious from this test the advantage of running the memory using its XMP profile. CAS5 may be a lot lower but if we consider the amount of data CAS8 at 1800 MHz can move, it has the clear advantage on all aspects especially with the memory copy.

These benchmarks all say the same thing; there is no reason for the average user to run this memory at stock speeds or even at DDR3-1333. Simply put, they are enthusiast’s memory and they should be configured at DDR3-1800 either by using the XMP profile for non-overclockers or a manual settings which theoretically, can give 300 MHz on BCLK with a 6 memory multiplier for 1800 at its specific voltage. Now that is very high headroom for your CPU, isn’t it?

The one thing that makes these memory kits stand out is after-market support; Fine Upgrades is the new distributor which means that if by any chance you’ll be having problems with a Patriot Memory kit that you purchased, support service is readily available given Fine Upgrade’s track record. This friends, will be the memory to test how the Asus Maximus Formula III fares. :)

ASUS Motherboard Mayhem

Here's to you folks who have ran out of websites to surf; ASUS Motherboard Mayhem. ASUS is giving away several motherboards from its P7P55D series while you're having fun. The P7P55D series is nothing to scoff at, they are performance motherboards for Intel's LGA1156 platform. The last one I reviewed was the Deluxe version and it not only gave solid performance but awesome aesthetics as well.

Before you head on to the link, I'll give you some pointers and heads-up on what you need to do. If you played tower defense before which started out in WarCraft scenarios and eventually became popularized in flash games, then this is a walk in the park. For those who haven't, the objective is simple; You are to destroy the elements that will go into your base through the use of different bots (tower). Each bot has its own specialization and it is important that you make use of how its specialized to succeed.

The left most bot fires rapidly at ground only with low damage and a pretty limited range. The second bot, slows down ground critters with average damage and again, a low range. Third one fires at both air and ground. If it is upgraded, there is a splash effect where the surrounding critters will be damaged as well. This bot has a huge area of coverage once upgraded fully. The fourth bot fires to both air and ground with heaving damage but somewhat limited range. The last bot can fire multiple targets at the same time with splash damage and an insane range.

There are 4 upgrades available. Turbo V Evo provides faster response to incoming enemy. Hybrid Phase improves the rate of fire. Express Gate allows a broader range and SATA 6GB/USB 3.0 increases damage and splash-effect. The upgrades are available only when you make kills as you earn points for upgrading with each kill and the points vary depending on the enemy that was killed.

Your base can also be upgraded to be resistant to the incoming attacks. Once your base is destroyed, the game is over. Your score is calculated on the number of kills made, time between the waves of enemies and the level. For the prizes, you'll have the chance to win any of the following:

• 1st Prize - 3 pieces Asus P7P55D-E Premium
• 1st Runner's Up - 7 pieces Asus P7P55D-E Pro
• 2nd Runner's Up - 10 pieces Asus P7P55D-E LE

As for me, highest score I ever got was 750,693 points with all the levels completed. Its nothing to brag about since I ranked 1000+ among the players but I'm looking for ways to win that premium board :).

The Asus P7P55D Deluxe Review

The P55 chipset (codenamed Lynnfield) has been released for quite some time now, and as promised, this chipset is the answer to mainstream users due to overwhelming prices of the X58 and its LGA1366 socket processors. These components from now on will cater to the individuals with deep pockets and future proofing. For the rest of us, we need not fear that motherboards released with the P55 will be deemed mainstream as Asus releases another board which will accommodate enthusiasts with slightly stretched budget – the Asus P7P55D Deluxe. Once again, I am here to examine just how much innovation they added into this motherboard which sells for not so mainstream.

For those of you who are not familiar with the current technology, the P55 chipset and the LGA1156 socket processors follow the LGA1366 where the memory controller has been integrated into the processor itself. Through this method, Intel has somewhat improved the memory latency while freeing motherboard real-estate as manufacturers start to cramp components into the PCB. Besides that, the PCIE controller which normally resides in the once northbridge chipset has been integrated as well – so you have low latency on memory as well as graphics performance. This pretty much explains the P55 chipset and the LGA1156 processors. We are going to check out Asus’ offering though as to how they designed the P7P55D Deluxe to stand out from the rest.

Before we dig in, let us examine how the block diagram of the P55 chipset and Intel’s current processor compare to the previous technology, the LGA775.

As you can see from the diagram, Intel got rid of the aging front-side bus and replaces it with DMI which basically connects what used to be known as the I/O controller (Southbridge chipset), is now known as the Platform Controller Hub. This chip is where the rest of the peripherals are connected. Once again, your memory is directly connected to the on-chip memory controller in the processor as well as the PCIE 2.0 graphics solution. However, if you look closer, you’ll find that there is a bit of limitation with the current setup; the PCIE 2.0 lanes can only be split to 8x when used in Crossfire or SLI mode. This may be a limitation later on should you be using high-end graphics cards where the ideal move would be to move up to the x58, but when you do so, it basically is no longer mid-end. Anyway, enough yakking about the P55 chipset so let’s move on to see what Asus has to offer with the P7P55D Deluxe.

Features

The P7P55D represents the high-end class of this mainstream chipset; it doesn’t skimp on the components as well as the connectivity provided. The tables below show the plethora of specifications and further below are the highlights of Asus’ offering – features that make it stand out.

Yes, you’re reading it correctly. The P7P55D Deluxe motherboard has support for both Nvidia’s SLI and ATI’s Crossfire multi-GPU configuration at x8. Don’t let the x8 configuration bother you much though as this is PCIE 2.0 which effectively doubles the bandwidth so as it would seem that two x8s would be like two x16 with PCIE 1.1. Before Asus sent a sample for review, I’ve already been keeping track of this board’s progress and it doesn’t disappoint. The DDR3 2200 speed you see there is not marketing hype. In fact, this is the first board with respect to its current generation that reached those speeds. Of course you’ve heard of CPU Level Up, but here’s something new; the Asus TurboV Remote which basically is a peripheral that allows you to overclock with a controller – real-time. The same principle with the OC station I reviewed recently but this one is much, much simpler. Being a BIOS guy, I didn’t get the chance to test this one thoroughly and there’s a bit of an issue with the sample that I received, cable was too short to connect on the motherboard to the I/O back plate…bummer. Another new feature here, the T. Probe technology which supposedly balances the load and temperature but there’s no way for me to test or find out. Low RDS(on) MOSFETS, Ferrite chokes and Japanese-made capacitors sound familiar, though (wink) but nevertheless, I’m still glad Asus adopted the technology.

A Closer Look at the Asus P7P55D Deluxe

We have the signature Asus’ packaging here similar to the likes of the Republic of Gamers brand where a flip-top box style is created sans the window which showcases the board. The right image shows the accessories. The accessories are more than enough to get you up and running – I especially liked the PCI bracket expansion as it provides more connectivity without having to buy anything.

To begin with, the processor socket area where it is surrounded by awesome-looking aluminum heatsinks painted blue with gray accents on top of them. These things basically cool the FETS under them that switches the 12-volt voltage provided by the power supply down to minute power required by the processor. Yes, there are 19 ferrite chokes and most of you might be thinking, it’s a 19-phase power supply however, it’s not. Three of this is exclusively for the memory controller or what we’ve known before was the northbridge chipset. What this means is that even if you start cranking up the voltage for the power supply as you overclock, the memory controller has its separate dials.

Beside one of the heatsinks, you’ll find the slot for the TurboV remote connector of which in my opinion, is not in an ideal location. The cable length between the connector and the I/O shield is way too short that the connector cannot reach the slot if the motherboard is already mounted on your chassis. Unfortunately, I tested the motherboard installed in a chassis which means, I wasn’t able to use it.

I ran into a bit of problem during my installation. You see, I assumed that the black slots where channel A for the memory but they weren’t. Without the help of the on-board diagnostic LEDs (which stays lit red if something’s wrong), I wouldn’t have known that the blue ones are channel A and the black ones were B. On top of the memory slots you’ll find the over volt switches which provide additional voltage to CPU, IMC or your RAM. It’s pretty useful for hardcore enthusiasts but definitely not for the average Joe. Another feature that makes a comeback on this board is the MemOK which allows the system to automatically detect and configure memory frequency and latency.

The P55 chipset is covered by an oversized low profile heatsink which is a bit of overkill since the TDP is only 4.5 watts more than twice the previous P45 (22-watts). This clearly is designed for aesthetics rather than functionality. As for connectivity, there are 6 angled SATA ports which make cable management a little bit easier and the hard-to-kill IDE port which is powered by the JMicron chipset as Intel already stopped supporting IDE with the P55. The bottom two SATA ports are powered by the same JMicron chipset which in turn, provides Asus DriveXpert Technology for backing up those important data.

Asus once again includes thee power and reset buttons on-board which makes it a lot easier to test the board before mounting it on the chassis, so there is no need for you to short jumpers. Lastly, you have the expansion slots for the graphics card (blue and white). PCIE runs at x16 when only 1 graphics card is utilized but automatically switches to x8 when both are used. If you happen to have dual-slot graphics cards, the second x4 PCIE is still usable for your soundcard. The third PCIE x 16 slot is connected via the P55 chipset which is suitable for your other PCIE devices. That pretty much sums up our tour on the motherboard, it is not only stunning but the design is superb, there are only few minor issues encountered.

BIOS and Software Features

Asus EPU-6 Engine

This utility provides power management features for your computer. There are 5 settings available ranging from the least power consumption to maximum performance. There’s also a picture representation at the top which provides an idea which component is utilizing the power management feature as configured by the utility. Most enthusiasts would rather always have the setting it at Maximum Performance, though.

Asus TurboV EVO

TurboV EVO is Asus’ redesigned utility for Overclocking. There are 3 settings available; Easy, Auto and Manual. Easy provides only the basic options for adjusting the base clock (BCLK) and voltages of the processor, memory and IMC. For Auto, you can configure the utility to use a fixed voltage or a flexible voltage (I did not have the chance though to verify if flexible voltage uses within safe limits) and as for Manual, you will have access to the PLL and PCH voltages. Need I say more?

Asus P7P55D Deluxe BIOS Screenshot

As for the BIOS options, the System Performance Settings is where any enthusiast would spend most of his time after disabling the non-essential components and settings. This is where records are made and maximum overclock is found. One thing worth noting though is that when using MemOK on first boot up; make sure to check the DRAM voltage as the system configures it higher than what the integrated memory controller can handle. I was very much surprised to see the system configured it at 1.8 volts which is way more than 1.65 as per Intel’s recommendation.

Installation and Testing

The Core i5 and i7 (LGA 1156) series has just been introduced in the Philippines, and because of this, I currently do not have heatsink brackets for the LGA1156 as well as the processor itself. However, Asus was kind enough to supply us with Intel’s Core i5 750 while Jeremy of Fine Upgrades was quick to supply an OCZ Reaper 1 x 1GB DDR3 1333 rams for testing. The following specification is used on the testing:

As you can see, I am pretty much limited to the stock heatsink and fan that comes with the processor, so this means that I didn’t had the chance to overclock the i5-750 much because the thermal specifications are at its limits. However, I managed to run benchmark tests on the system to see what it’s capable of, even with the limited resources. Before we dig in to the test, this is how the system looked like when fully assembled. The motherboard, CPU and graphics card’s blue accent has pretty much blended everything.

Maximum overclock that the Intel stock heatsink fan cooler has achieved was a measly 2.7 GHz (12 %). This was because of thermal limitations. Ambient temperature at the time of testing was 32 degrees Celsius which basically puts the processor into a much higher temperature, any voltage adjustments would basically cause the clockspeed to be throttled down or the system would just restart due to insufficient voltage at a given frequency. This however, did not prevent me from running benchmarks with PCMark Vantage and the results are below:

From the table above, you can clearly see that the system is optimized for gaming even with its meager specs and limited components used. I am absolutely sure that this board has so much to offer when partnered with the right components but nevertheless, the graph that you are looking at basically represents the simplest configuration and yet it pulled away with decent scores, regardless.

Conclusion

The Asus P7P55D Deluxe when given to the right hands will break records, it already has proven that. Even with the average user, one can simply use the automatic Overclocking utility to get more out of their system, be it stock configuration or with top of the line components. The price may be a little steep but the features, build quality, layout and bundled accessories really makes up for the price. This may not be the Republic of Gamers brand but it certainly is in place with them albeit with a few minor issues – then again, nothing is really perfect.

Pros:
* Excellent color scheme, layout and features
* Very nice automatic utility for overclocking
* Awesome performance even with limited set of parts

Cons:
* Price(?)