Intel is apparently not one to rest on its laurels. After huge success with the Core2 processors, Intel has ushered in the new Core i7 family of chips, and this time the rules have changed; namely, a new socket and with it, a new X58 chipset. Technological progress comes at a price, and with Intel’s new Core i7 processors’ need for a new socket and X58 chipset, this obviously means a whole new slew of motherboards as well. Love it or hate it, what would previously have been a simple upgrade now means the upgrade trifecta instead: CPU, motherboard, and RAM. Over the next little while we’ll be looking closely at all three of these, but for today we’ll be focusing on the motherboard component.
ASUS is one of the companies at the forefront of the new required motherboards for the i7 chips, and we’ll be examining their ASUS P6T Deluxe. The P6T is manufactured and marketed as a high-end, enthusiast board, and features some very nice goodies that should pique the curiosity of even the most discerning consumer out there. With the X58 motherboards inherently being enthusiast-class (read: expensive), there are slim pickings out there as each manufacturer does not have multiple products in several series or lineups as in previous generations. In fact, most manufacturers offer only one X58 board in their arsenal, so the i7 motherboard selection is a small one indeed. ASUS is an exception, as they offer the more extreme gaming-oriented Rampage II Extreme (which we hope to be reviewing in the future), in addition to the P6T, which is probably better classified or described as a more “all-round” board.
The P6T Deluxe seems to correct and avoid many mistakes of the previous Socket 775 boards, in addition to offering several new features unique to the X58 chipset. These new i7 chips also change many of the operational rules altogether, from memory controller to multi-GPU support, and ultimately to overclocking as well.
Our thanks go to Motherboard Pro for supplying the ASUS P6T Deluxe review sample. Their business is exclusively motherboards, and they have just about anything you could possibly look for. Please check out their site for all your motherboard needs, big or small, mainstream or specialized.
Motherboard Pro.com provides new and refurbished motherboards, motherboard accessories and neat gifts for computer enthusiasts. We specialize in buying & selling motherboards to bring you the best price and quality available. We provide our customers with the latest motherboards at discounted prices. Our website gives you access for placing orders and receiving warranty support, day or night. If you have questions or concerns, you can always reach us via phone, email or even use our Live Chat feature, which is available on our homepage. We will try our hardest to give you the best prices, quality and service available!
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