A motherboard is a base that allows you to assemble an excellent system. Of course, the most powerful devices paired with a weak motherboard never work at full strength. Therefore, if the user is configured to collect a decent powerful PC, you will have to start by choosing a good platform. It has always been so, even when the choice of motherboards was meager. The observed Asus P5Q PRO Turbo model on the market since 2009. She acquired new products from the world of technology and took another step to the current modern options.
Idea
At that time, motherboards were supplied in small quantities. Of course, they were represented by different manufacturers, but regarding the current state of things, we can say that the market was poorly filled. Then Gigabyte decided to introduce the user to its proprietary Ultra Durable technology, which immediately received a positive response.
Asus decided to keep up with the competition and launch its new product with the new Xtreme Design. In addition to the fact that the new features were quite useful, their fashionable names contributed to the promotion of models that became endowed with benefits. This is exactly what the Asus P5Q PRO Turbo motherboard has become.
The essence of this development is in the new board design. It has been specially designed to ensure the speed, stability and integrity of the system. Presented updated overclocking potential.
Packaging
Products were delivered in a bright box with graphic elements. It is executed in blue color with display to all available technologies, functions and characteristics. So, the model’s name flaunted in front, there was a description of the main advantages and an indication of dry numbers. There were more specifications behind. Immediately placed a photograph of the motherboard. And also with the help of graphic icons the main indicators were displayed.
The packaging was spacious, so there was a hope that in addition to the platform, there were many useful accessories inside. In fact, there were not many gifts. In addition to the manual and instructions, there was a driver CD, several cables for SATA and UltraDMA, fit ASUS Q-Connector and dummy panel.
Appearance
If anyone was familiar with the ASUS P5Q PRO, then he could easily recognize her in appearance. But some features still existed. Now the latches of RAM do not overlap the installation location of video cards. But if you change the RAM when the platform is installed in the PC case, then some problems will arise. Not everyone can easily get to the memory modules.
Several radiators are responsible for the cooling system. Asus P45 P5Q PRO Turbo has got an aluminum radiator, which is painted under copper. Naturally, to make the system more efficient it is advisable to purchase a good cooler for increased ventilation in the case. If someone wants to experiment with overclocking, then it is advisable to devote even more time to this moment.
In this model, an additional radiator for power elements has appeared. But the base itself has remained unchanged. Polymeric capacitors are used nearby, there are also chokes with a ferromagnetic core, which was quite common at that time.
An eight-phase circuit that feeds the central processor is responsible for the power stabilizer. It is equipped with proprietary technology from the manufacturer, which allows you to save more energy under heavy loads. This technology works through EPU circuits and allows you to adjust the number of active phases relative to the system load. The power circuit is made according to the specification of VRD.
An interesting change is the 3.5-inch connector, which was previously designed to connect a drive. In this model it is not, therefore, when buying, there were often complaints from those users who did not read the specification. SATA ports also became smaller, though only by one unit.
Noticeable is the use of proprietary Drive Xpert, which is engaged in automatic data backup. There is a special JMicron JMB361 controller on the board, which helps PATA and SATA connectors to function.
Details
It is important to follow the expansion slots of the Asus P5Q PRO Turbo. The instruction indicates all available connectors, and also helps in connecting devices. There are two places on the board for PCIE x16, which easily allowed using technology from AMD CrossFireX. There are slots for expansion cards, implemented in five formats: two PCI and three PCIE x1.
Of course, there was a place on the board and cooling system. The only thing users encountered was the problems associated with the mount. If the cooler was fastened with metal plates, then the board failed.
Noticeable is the place that is responsible for the audio codecs. It is implemented in this case with VIA VT1708S microcircuits and easily provided audio output to 7.1 channels.
The interface panel was more than full. There were all the necessary slots and connectors. So there was a place for connecting a keyboard and mouse, implemented by PS / 2 ports, USB-ports of version 2.0 there are six pieces, there was also a place for connecting an Internet cable, three pairs of audio connectors. Noticeable were the slots RJ-45, S / PDIF and IEEE 1394a.
BIOS
This is another integral part of the Asus P5Q PRO Turbo review. The BIOS is presented with a wide range of control methods. Parameters can be adjusted and changed. The main of all sections here is AI Tweaker, since it is in it that the tuning of system performance passes.
To manage processor technologies, you can go to several menus at once. So this includes the menu CPU TM, Intel SpeedStep, etc. The processor multiplier is adjustable in the CPU Ratio Settings. In this model, its range is from 6. You can change in increments of 1 and 0.5. The latter option is applicable to cores with a 45 nm manufacturing process.
In the FSB Frequency menu, the system bus frequency is changed, the range of which is from 200 to 800 MHz, in increments of 1. Next to the PCIE Frequency menu, the PCI-e bus frequency is adjusted, which is configured according to the same principle, but the range is small - 100-180 MHz .
BIOS Setup Asus P5Q PRO Turbo allows you to adjust the speed of the memory from the DRAM Frequency menu, the maximum value is 1066. You can also configure timings, sub-timings and the memory subsystem.
The huge selection in this menu is for voltage regulation. Here, the current supply to the processor, the clocking chip, bus, RAM, south and north bridges changes. Valid adjustment steps are shown next to it, as well as the range for each of these parameters. There is also a setting in the BIOS of a function that compensates for voltage during system boot. It is represented by three modes: auto, on and off.
Of course, these are far from all the parameters that can be adjusted. But still, working with BIOS is quite dangerous, since for inexperienced users it can lead to malfunctions, system failure and incorrect operation. Therefore, before you configure something yourself, you need to study the essence of the issue well.
Testing
Naturally, when the Asus P5Q PRO Turbo motherboard appeared on the market, it went through all the standard tests to accurately determine its capabilities and needs. Also, these experiments helped to identify errors and shortcomings. Despite the fact that testing the motherboard often depends on the system as a whole, on the video card, processor, hard drive and other elements, the average performance is still at the same level.
So the novelty was driven through PCMARK'05 where it showed not the worst result and was on par with other models like MSI P45-8D and Asus P5 QC. He showed himself exactly in the CrystalMark test, where he also showed the result of the “golden mean”.
Testing “FPS” in games of that time also showed good results, although again everything depends on the rest of the “iron” inside. But they managed to squeeze out their 122 "FPS" in Battlefield 2. As in other equally cool games.
Testing of sound capabilities proved to be excellent. A good assessment was received by the noise level, dynamic range, intermodulation distortion , etc. The frequency response unevenness, harmonic distortion and channel interpenetration showed excellent results. As a result, according to an average assessment, it was possible to identify that with the settings of 16-bit, 44 kHz, the sound of the system is excellent. Naturally, at 24-bit, 192 kHz, it also turned out to be good.
After testing, it was possible to notice that the option turned out to be slightly weaker from its predecessor Asus P5Q PRO, but if you install both motherboards, you can not notice the difference.
Overclocking
To improve the performance for the Asus P5Q PRO Turbo, you should study the overclocking potential of the motherboard. Specialists immediately showed interest in emergency modes, which hinted at the safety margin of components. As a result, overclocking proved to be an interesting way and individually for each system.
With a dual-core chip, the frequency rose to 537 MHz, and the quad-core processor began to work at a speed of 500 MHz. If we compare these indicators with the Asus P5Q PRO version, it becomes clear that after all, installing an additional radiator on the power elements was worth it and was not in vain.
Wide opportunities
In general, the Asus P5Q PRO Turb motherboard turned out to be excellent. Its review does not end with the above. Manufacturers also introduced a special software package that controls the energy consumption of the system.
The program features special profiles-modes, each of which is configured and can be adjusted. Here you can manage system components. Four modes can be adjusted manually, and the fifth is designed for automatic switching. There is also a special function, Climate Savers, which calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.
Automatic overclocking
We also notice the ASUS Turbo Key, an automatic overclocking software that improves the system instantly with a single button, although in general you can also configure everything individually. If there are problems, then you can also stop everything with one button and return the PC to its original state.
There is also an ASUS Turbo V for Asus P5Q PRO Turbo on the disc. With it, you can overclock from the OS. There are not so many parameters as in BIOS, but it is real to regulate some individual characteristics.
Reviews
The motherboard turned out with a bang. In 2009, its release did not mark the release of the next useless copy, but good work on the bugs after the previous version. The model took a kind of evolutionary step forward, corrected all inaccuracies and acquired new products.
Users rated it, and the Asus P5Q PRO Turbo received positive reviews. We noted a good overclocking potential, support for connecting several video cards, the location of all the elements on the board. The connection did not cause problems, since the set, albeit meager, but there was an understandable instruction. Everything was detailed and indicated.
There were also no problems with connecting devices. Nothing blocked other slots and connectors. Cables and loops did not interfere, and the system quickly assembled, and, if necessary, dismantled.