ASUS P9X79 Deluxe Motherboard Review

By Legit Staff

ASUS P9X79 Deluxe Motherboard

I recently came to the conclusion that my aging core Intel i7-970 ‘Gulftown’ based computer system needed to be updated to something that is a bit newer. While my LGA1366 socket based system was able to handle most of the tasks I was performing on it, or with it, it still lacked some of the capabilities that the newer based platforms had; for instance, native SATA III (SATA 6Gb/s) connectivity, lower voltage usage, more USB 3.0 ports, front USB 3.0 headers, the UEFI BIOS interfacing, and a few other minor other capabilities. The LGA1155 and LGA2011 platforms both use newer processors and chipsets that support the capabilities that I was looking for. It left me with a choice of: which platform do I go with?

ASUS P9X79 Deluxe

Like what everyone does when looking at new computer parts, I started with the newest components available. Since I was looking at purchasing a new CPU/motherboard combination, I immediately started researching Ivy Bridge CPUs and the Z77 chipset based motherboards. I will have to admit I was thoroughly impressed with the performance numbers that Ivy Bridge did bring to the table, but at the same time though I realized that Ivy Bridge was nothing more than an updated version of the socket 1155 Sandy Bridge P67/Z68 CPU/motherboard combination. And since one of my computers is currently utilizing a 2600K CPU on a P67 based motherboard, the last thing I wanted was another computer system that has limited number of PCI Express lanes available to it. This left me with only one alternative that meets my requirements for my new computer, that being an Intel Socket LGA2011 motherboard using the Intel X79 Express chipset.

Which brings me to the purpose of this review, and we over here at Legit Reviews happens to be looking at one of many X79 based motherboards that are currently being offered, the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe. So sit down, grab a drink, and hold on while we see exactly what this particular motherboard has to offer us computer users.

ASUS P9X79 Deluxe Specifications

  • CPU: Intel Socket 2011 for 2nd Generation Core i7 Processors
    Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2
  • Chipset: Intel X79
  • Memory: 8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
    Quad Channel Memory Architecture, Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Multi-GPU Support: NVIDIA 3-Way SLI Technology, AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
  • Expansion Slots:
  • 3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (dual x16 or x16, x8, x8)
  • 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x8 mode)
  • 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
  • Storage Intel X79 chipset:
    • 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), white
    • 4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue
    • Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Marvell PCIe 9128 controller:
    • 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), white
  • ASMedia ASM1061 controller:
    • 2 x Power eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), green
  • LAN: Dual Gigabit LAN controllers
    • Realtek 8111E
    • Intel 82579V
  • Wireless Data Network: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth V3.0+HS, ASUS BT GO! Utility
  • Audio: Realtek ALC898 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
    • Supports:
    • Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
    • Audio Feature:
    • Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless Sound
    • Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection
    • DTS Ultra PC II
    • DTS Connect
    • Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
  • USB Ports: ASMedia USB 3.0 controller
    • 8 x USB 3.0 port(s) (6 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
    • Intel X79 chipset:
    • 12 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black+white, 8 at mid-board)
  • Special Features: ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 3 with New DIGI+ Power Control
    • ASUS TPU
    • Auto Tuning
    • TurboV
    • TPU switch
  • ASUS EPU
    • EPU
    • EPU switch
  • ASUS Digital Power Design
    • Industry leading Digital 16 + 4 Phase CPU Power Design
    • Industry leading Digital 2 + 2 Phase DRAM Power Design
    • CPU Power Utility
    • DRAM Power Utility
  • ASUS BT GO!
    • Folder Sync
    • BT Transfer
    • Shot & Send
    • BT to Net
    • Music Player
    • Personal Manager
  • ASUS BT Turbo Remote
    • Exclusive Smartphone Interface supporting iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, and Symbian systems
  • ASUS Exclusive Features
    • MemOK!
    • AI Suite II
    • Ai Charger
    • ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface
    • ASUS SSD Caching
    • USB 3.0 Boost
    • ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution
    • Stylish Fanless Design Heat-pipe solution
    • ASUS Fan Xpert+
  • ASUS EZ DIY
    • USB BIOS Flashback
    • ASUS Q-Shield
    • ASUS O.C. Profile
    • ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
    • ASUS EZ Flash 2
    • ASUS MyLogo 2
    • Multi-language BIOS
  • ASUS Q-Design
    • ASUS Q-Code
    • ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
    • ASUS Q-Slot
    • ASUS Q-DIMM
    • ASUS Q-Connector
  • Back I/O Ports
    • 1 x Bluetooth module(s)
    • 2 x Power eSATA 6Gb/s
    • 2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
    • 6 x USB 3.0
    • 4 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to USB BIOS Flashback)
    • 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
    • 6 x Audio jack(s)
    • 1 x Wi-Fi antenna port(s)
    • 1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
  • Internal I/O Ports 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
    • 4 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 8 USB 2.0 port(s)
    • 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
    • 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s)
    • 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
    • 4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
    • 1 x Optional Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
    • 1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
    • 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
    • 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
    • 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
    • 1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
    • 1 x MemOK! button(s)
    • 1 x TPU switch(es)
    • 1 x EPU switch(es)
    • 1 x Power-on button(s)
    • 1 x Reset button(s)
    • 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
    • 1 x Bluetooth v3.0 + HS header(s)
  • Accessories:
    • User’s manual
    • I/O Shield
    • 4 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s)
    • 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
    • 1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s)
    • 1 x SLI bridge(s)
    • 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
    • 1 x Wi-Fi Ring Moving Antenna(s)
    • 1 x Bluetooth v3.0 + HS module(s)
  • BIOS: 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.6, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
  • Manageability: WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE
  • Support:
    • Disc Drivers
    • ASUS Utilities
    • ASUS Update
    • Anti-virus software (OEM version)
  • Form Factor: ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )

    • ASUS P9X79 Deluxe

    Giving the specifications of the P9X79 Deluxe motherboard a quick look through, we can see that this motherboard comes fully loaded. Some of these features/specifications include: TPU, EPU (I will go more into depth with this a bit later on), dual Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 jacks, WIFI, Blue tooth 3.0. Since the X79 motherboards do not natively support SSD caching, ASUS gives us this ability through the use of the 2 Marvel controlled SATA III HDD/SSD ports. And finally a thing worth noting is ASUS’ very own USB flashback feature, this particular feature turned out to be quite useful when I first acquired this motherboard, as always, I will go more into detail about these features/capabilities a bit more into detail throughout this review. So without further ado, let’s get on with the show.

    The ASUS P9X79 Deluxe motherboard pricing comes in around 369.99 USD with free shipping, this motherboard also comes with a 3 year parts/labor warranty. I will go more into detail about the pricing a little later on in the review.

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