Asus P5E3 Deluxe

Overall performance has been very good at stock speeds even with the slight memory throughput penalties that running DDR3 at 1066 brings to the table compared to DDR2 at 1066. However, unlike what we witnessed with the P35 DDR3 boards at launch, the ability to have DDR3 1066 performance match or better DDR2 1066 is impressive considering the potential clocking headroom DDR3 enjoys. Unfortunately, the performance potential of DDR3 sounds great until you realize the current entry price for the high performance modules. As a buyer, looking at the prospect of spending up to four times more for DDR3 is daunting considering the minimal advantages it offers.

The Asus P5E3-Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n is truly a fully loaded motherboard and beyond, yet retaining a high level of performance, usability, and physical layout. The Asus Express Gate integrated OS is definitely an interesting feature and we would love to see it introduced to more motherboards soon.

If there's one word to describe the P5E3 Deluxe WiFi-AP @n motherboard, it's undoubtedly 'comprehensive'. Is there anything this part doesn't have? From its smaller ASUS-created innovations such as the Q-connector for connecting front panel cables and Q-Shield, to make the motherboard's chassis backplate easier to fit, through to more major efforts such as the embedded Linux ExpressGate functionality and, of course, integrated 802.11n wireless networking. The bad news however, is that this kind of lavish specification comes at a cost - In this case, not far short of £200, which is a lot of money to drop on even a high-end motherboard.

The hardware enthusiast wanting the best is willing to pay the price as you get all of the features you would want, the performance and overclocking you desire and more. There is also a Wi-Fi-AP@N board that sports the same feature set but includes 802.11n support out of the box without additional purchase. Overall there is nothing but good things about this board and it very easily attainable as well as carrying a solid warranty.

ASUS has again stepped up to the plate with a killer enthusiast motherboard. Sometimes the company seems to be unstoppable. The P5E3 should easily be on your short list of DDR3 motherboards, and ASUS has some even more impressive ones coming, but you will pay for the extra features. The ASUS P5E3 Deluxe is surely a motherboard that I would consider using personally. Give it time and I am fairly sure we will see record or near-record front side bus overclock speeds from the motherboard as the BIOS matures. Given it is a DDR3 motherboard with Gen 2 PCIe features, it is one that will stand the test of time…at least till next year.