In the first half of 2009, readers going for performance would naturally think of the Intel X58 chipset with LGA1366 processors. Although it is quite a transition from the older architecture, users are generally quite interested in how long this platform will continue as there is a Intel P55 in the brewing.

Strictly speaking, Intel P55 shouldn't be a chipset, perhaps we could call it the platform. This is because for Lynnfield and Havendale processors, the memory controller, I/O, graphics are all integrated into the processor itself. In this case, the so called chipset, in natural sense would serve the functions of more the south bridge similar to those of ICH 10R.

In our first looks, we check out the SUPOX AP55+GTR Mainboard. This mainboard is based on the Intel P55 chipset and supports the LGA1156 socket type Intel Lynnfield/Havendale. It comes with  4 x 240 DDR3 DIMM slots supporting DDR3-1333 DIMMs with dual channel architecture of up to 16GB.

On the mainboard itself, you would find 2 PCI, 3 PCI Express lots and 1 PCIe x1. The two PCI connectors compliant with PCI v2.3. The PCI-Express (x1) connector compliant with PCI Express 1.0a and the three PCI Express (x16) connector compliant with PCI Express 2.0a(working in X16 or X8 + X8 or X8+X8+X4). It will support CrossFireX and should support SLI just like the Intel X58 boards.

For peripheral connections, there are 12 USB connectors compliant with USB2.0 from embedded USB controller (4 connectors at rear panel) and 6 SATA II supporting up to 300MB/s bandwidth from P55, Support intel Matrix Raid 0,1,10,5. An additional 1 IDE channel is supported via Jmicron JMB 368 chipset. In addition, the Supox AP55+GTR comes with a Q-SSD/ CF Card port. This CF-X333 port supporst up to 80MB/s bandwidth for DIY SSD / HDD. Q-SSD is SUPoX DIY value SSD.

On the back panel, you would see DVI, D-SUB and HDMI out. That is for supporting the graphics integrated processors that is in the pipeline.

As for connectivity, it comes with 1xGb Ethernet from Realtek RTL8111C PCI-E (x1) controller. The board also supports WIFI by the name of Q-Fi. It supports standard 802.11/a/b/g and bluetooth 2.1. This is an optional feature of the board.
Support Bluetooth communication compliant with bluetooth V2.1.The board comes with 8 ch audio using Realtek ALC888.

Some other neat features on board is the Q button for convenient power-on,Reset ,Clear CMOS. The Q-Tune BIOS also supports programmable FSB and PCI Clock output frequency with 1MHz fine tuning including BIOS adjustable CPU multiplier, FSB clock, PCI-E x16 clock, DIMM frequency, adjustable voltage for CPU Core, chipset and DIMM.

The board also comes with Q-Tune Flash for BIOS update without requiring DOS flash utility and bootable diskette and Q-Screen for personal bootup screen design.

* Specifications are subjected to changes without prior notice.

More pictures on next page.
 

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