The Intel P45 Express chipset is the 2nd 4 series chipset from Intel after the X48, poised to replace the P35, the P45 is is positioned as a mid-end chipset for both the enthusiasts and professional alike, with a series of feature refresh from its P35 predecessor. Notable updates include a 1600Mhz FSB update, official DDR3-1333Mhz support, PCI-E 2.0 support with a possible dual x8 split for ATI Crossfire configurations (the P35 could only do x16+x4). The I/O Controller Hub (ICH) is also updated to ICH10, with LPT support completely removed, as well as potential support for 10GBe Connectivity. 10GBe connectivity will be something that we will not see in the near future, as 10GBe LOM chipsets are expensive and scarce, and the necessary networking equipment is still not available to the average home user.

We've managed to get Asus to send us a copy of the P5Q Deluxe, A P45 board with DDR2 memory support. DDR2 memory is still prevailing due to its significantly cheaper price and lower latencies compared to the DDR3 memories. We've done some snooping and the cheapest DDR3 sticks are available still cost a good 100% more than their DDR2 counterparts. The P5Q Deluxe is similar to its P5Q3 brother, with minute differences like a different Firewire400 chip and a missing wireless addon card.

The P5Q Deluxe mainboard boosts DDR2-1200 support, along with an unprecedented 16 phase CPU power along with an updated EPU-6 engine that touts power savings of up to 40%, with overclocking and power saving on demand features. Apart from these refreshing features, we will also see the usual Expressgate feature that will allow you to start surfing the net 5 seconds upon booting up. On an interesting note, the P5Q Deluxe incorporates the onboard power and reset switches that has been missing on the Deluxe series boards and are only usually present on the Republic of Gamer series. Before we bring you guys on the usual roadtrip, let's go through some brief specifications.

Asus P5Q Deluxe Specifications

• CPU: Supports all Quad/Dual Core Intel LGA775 Processors
• MCH: Intel P45 Express w/ PCI-E 2.0 support
• ICH: ICH10R
• RAM: 4x 667/800/1066/1200 1.8v DDR2 SDRAM up to 8GB
• Storage: 6x SATA 3.0Gbps via ICH10R, 2x SATA 3.0Gbps via Silicon Image SIL3752 controller, 1x UDMA133 & 1x eSATA 3.0Gbps via Marvell 88SE6121 controller
• Audio: Analog Devices ADI2000B 8 channel High Definition Audio Codec with Optical and Coaxial SPDIF
• Networking: 1x Marvell 88E8001 PCI Controller, 1x Marvell 88E8056 PCIe Controller
• Firewire: LSI Firewire 400 dual port controller
• Expansion: 3x PCIe x16 slots, (x16x4x4 or x8x8), 2x PCIe x1 slots, 2x PCI 32bit PCI2.3 compliant slot

The board with its elaborate heatpipe

EPU emblem on southbridge

8 SATA ports and one IDE port

The expansion slots

Back I/O consists of 6 USBs, 1 PS/2 port that can take either mouse or keyboard, e-SATA, Firewire 400 and sound ports.

The power and reset switches, along with the dual BIOS solution on the left.

Marvell Gigabit LAN on PCI, a bummer don't you think? It's been a while since we've seen anyone place any of these 'legacy' chips on boards and they appear to be long forgotten, and personally I'm pretty baffled why Asus would place such an old chip on their P45 board.

The LSI Firewire 400 PHY

Marvell 88E8056 PCIe Gigabit Lan on Motherboard (LOM) solution hidden beeneath the heatpipe

Two phase power to the memory by Asus truly. Did I mention that the Northbridge gets two phase power too!

...and the revolutionary 16 phase power by Asus

The EPU chips

We've seen Asus' Stack Cool 2 on older mainboards, and the Stack Cool 2 on the P5Q comes with heatsink on the bottom of the board dedicated to the MOSFETs.

Silicon Image SIL5723 supplying 2 SATA 3.0Gbps ports. RAID 1 can be enabled automatically without configuration via a simple software. Touted as Asus' Drive Xpert, it can automatically back up your files.

Marvell 88SE6121 Storage controller supplying the IDE and eSATA port

Analog Devices AD2000BX 8 Channel High Definition Codec.

A summary between the differences on the 3 boards before I continue!

We featured theExpressgate function on the P5E3 Deluxe a while back, and now it's back with a vengeance (pun intended)! Asu has made some significant improvement to the Splashtop linux distribution that is included in the embedded flash memory on the board, and now there's added features such as Instant Messaging functions (MSN, ICQ, AIM, QQ etc) via an embedded Pidgin along with a photo gallery function. Yes you can now plug in thumbdrives and view pictures stored in, as well as browse your hard drives (FAT32 & NTFS) for pictures! i'm pretty sure that in time to come, Asus will distribute their boards with a full fledged Linux OS embedded in their boards!

However, do note that the Expressgate now comes in two versions, the Expressgate SSD that is featured first with an embedded flash drive, and the Expressgate that will require you to install the feature into your hard drive without disrupting your other Operating System. We've heard some faint details about it, and we will soon be getting one of these boards from Asus for some simple tests. Do keep a lookout in our forums for more information!

Splashtop Linux bootup

you have the ability to customize language and keyboard layout now. Apart from English, you have your usual French, Chinese and other common languages.

...and yes, you have the ability to multi-task now!

The Asus P5Q Deluxe does come with a significant amount of BIOS Settings, and it might look pretty intimidating to new overclockers. It's been noted that the GTL REF adjustments actually works on the P5Q Deluxe, something new for Asus' Intel-based boards.

The following configuration was used in the test setup

• Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 3.00Ghz (333x9)
• Scythe Zipang w/ Scythe S-Flex F 120MM Fan
• Asus P5Q Deluxe
• Asus P5K Premium
• OCZ Flex II XLC PC9200 (1066Mhz CL5-5-5-15 T2) 2GB x2
• Sapphire Radeon 3850 256MB GDDR3
• FSP Everest 80 Plus 600W PSU
• Seagate Baracuda 7200.7 80GB x2

We've ran a series of benchmarks on the P5Q and it's predecessor, the P5K Premium. It's apparent that the two chipsets perform similarly, with some slight tweaks applied by Asus engineers on the P5Q for a slight performance boost.

Using the same QX9650 processor, we managed to hit a good 485 FSB stable before the board gave way, using the latest 0302 BIOS that was provided by Asus. It is noted that we're facing some difficulties in bringing the CPU pass 4.2Ghz, and with a retail Core 2 Duo 8400 plucked from our test labs, we had significant trouble getting past the 4.2Ghz mark as well. As usual, we'd expect the overclockability of of t he board to be significantly better once it hits retail, as the Asus engineers polishes up the BIOS.

The guys in our labs did some basic power testing on the test setup that we ran, and realise that the P5Q Deluxe draws a load of 130W on 100% CPU load, and the P5K Premium draws 126W on 100% CPU Load. Some food for thought for everyone.

Overall, I am pretty pleased with the P5Q Premium with its myriad of features apart from some minor disappointments. The P45 chipset is a simple refresh of the P35, and apart from some basic feature updates, there isn't much for us to see now as next generation technology such as 10GBe isn't quite ready for the masses yet. For those getting a new PC, a P45 board might spell nice for you, but we just do not see why should anyone upgrade to a P35 from a P45.

Nevertheless, a decent attempt by Asus on delivering new innovations, albeit on a boring chipset. =P

Pretty heatpipes pioneered by Asus.

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