1.3Special features

1.3.1Product 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 efficient 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.

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Chapter 1: Product Introduction