1-4
Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.3 Special features
1.3.1 Product highlights
Intel
®
Socket 2011 for 2nd Generation Intel
®
Core™ i7 Processor Extreme
Edition
This motherboard supports the latest Intel® 2nd Generation Core™ i7 Processor Extreme
in LGA2011 package, with memory and PCI Express controllers integrated to quad-
channel (8 DIMMs) DDR3 memory and 40 PCI Express 2.0 lanes. This provides great
graphicsperformance. Intel® 2nd Generation Core™ i7 Processor Extreme is one of the most
powerful and energy efcient CPUs in the world.
Intel
®
X79 Express Chipset
The Intel® X79 Express Chipset is the latest single-chipset design that supports the new
socket 2011 Intel® 2nd Generation Core™ i7 Processor Extreme. It improves performance
by utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing for increased bandwidth and stability.
Additionally,the X79 comes with 2 SATA 6Gb/s and 4 SATA 3Gb/s ports for faster data
retrieval, doubling the bandwidth of current bus systems.
PCIe 3.0 Ready
The latest PCI Express bus standard delivers improved encoding for twice the performance
of current PCIe 2.0. Total bandwidth for a x16 link reaches a maximum of 32GB/s, double
the 16GB/s of PCIe 2.0 (in x16 mode). PCIe 3.0 provides users unprecedented data speeds,
combined with the convenicnce and seamless transition offered by complete backward
compatibility with PCIe 1.0 and PCIe 2.0 devices. It is a must-have feature PC users aiming
to improve and optimize graphics performance, as well as have the latest, most future-proof
technology.
* This motherboard is ready to support PCIe 3.0 SPEC. Functions will be available
when using PCIe 3.0-compliant devices. Please refer to www.asus.com for updated
details.
Quad-Channel DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz
Support
The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 2400(O.
C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements
ofthe latest operation system, 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The
quadchannel DDR3 architecture quadruple the bandwidth of your system memory to boost
system performance.
* Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3
2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.
Extra SATA 6.0 Gb/s Support
The Intel® X79 Express Chipset natively supports the next-generation Serial ATA (SATA)
interface, delivering up to 6.0 Gb/s data transfer. ASUS provides extra SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
with enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, and double the bandwidth of current bus
systems.
Complete USB 3.0 Integration
ASUS facilitates strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for both the front and rear panel – 4USB 3.0
ports in total. Experience the latest plug & play connectivity at speeds up to 10 times faster
than USB 2.0. The P9X79-E WS affords greater convenience to high speed connectivity.