Asus X58 Sabertooth Review
Introduction and Technical Specifications
Published: 11th October 2010 | Source: Asus | Price: £155.90 |
Introduction
Motherboards are the heart of any machine. As we so often prove here at OC3D Towers, the benefit of a great motherboard to your system, or indeed the problems caused by a poor one, cannot be overstated.
Because of the rather fiddly nature of switching them around, when compared to processors, graphics cards and the like, most people tend to upgrade only if they are changing chipset or socket, rather than when a better model arrives.
This makes it doubly important to not only buy a good motherboard in the first place, because it will be with you for such a long time, but also to buy one that will last the journey.
Finding one "built to last" isn't as easy as it sounds. Most manufacturers will happily tell you about the overclocking prowess of their latest creation, very few will mention the longevity.
This neatly brings us to the Asus X58 Sabertooth. This has been designed, and is marketed, almost solely for its long-lasting properties, over and above any overclocking abilities or trumpeting about the latest technologies.
That isn't to say it's not bursting with them anyway, as we'll find out soon enough. Firstly, let's see what we have our hands on.
Technical Specifications
For those of you who enjoy reading through specification tables as much as we do, you'll see that the Sabertooth doesn't really want for anything.
We have SATA 6Gbps, USB 3.0 and a couple of full speed PCIe x16 lanes.
| CPU | Intel® Socket 1366 Core™ i7 Processor Extreme Edition/Core™ i7 Processor Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology |
| Chipset | Intel® X58 /ICH10R |
| System Bus | Up to 6400 MT/s ; Intel® QuickPath Interconnect |
| Memory | 6 x DIMM, Max. 24 GB, DDR3 1866/1800/1600/1333/1066 Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory Triple channel memory architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) *Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. Some hyper DIMMs only support one DIMM per channel. Refer to Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) for details. |
| Expansion Slots | 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (dual at x16/x16 mode) 1 x PCIe x16 (at x4 mode) 2 x PCIe x1 1 x PCI |
| Multi-GPU Support | Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology Supports ATI® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology |
| Storage | Intel ICH10R controller 6 xSATA 3.0 Gb/s ports (black) Intel Matrix Storage Technology Support RAID 0,1,5,10 Marvell® 9128 PCIe SATA6Gb/s controller 2 xSATA 6Gb/s ports (gray) Supports EZ Backup and SuperSpeed functions JMicron® JMB362 SATA controller: 1 xPower eSATA 3Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go) 1 xeSATA 3Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go) |
| LAN | Realtek® 8110SC Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2 |
| Audio | Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC ASUS Noise Filter Supports 192khz/24bit BD Lossless Sound Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-Streaming, Front Panel Jack-Retasking Optical S/PDIF Out port at back I/O |
| IEEE 1394 | VIA® VT6308P controller supports 2 x 1394a port(s) (one at midboard; one at back panel) |
| USB | NEC® USB 3.0 controller - 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, at back panel) Intel® ICH10R Southbridge - 12 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 ports at midboard, 6 ports at back panel) |
| ASUS Unique Features | "TUF ENGINE!" Power Design - 8-phase CPU Power - 2-phase Memory Power - 2-phase VTT_CPU Power - E.S.P. : Efficient Switching Power Design - TUF Components (Alloy Choke, Cap. & MOSFET; certified by military-standard) "Ultimate COOL!" Thermal Solutions - CeraM!X Heatsink Coating Tech. - ASUS Fan Xpert "Safe & Stable!" Guardian Angel - MemOK! |
| Special Features | Multi-language BIOS ASUS MyLogo 2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ASUS Q-Connector ASUS O.C. Profile ASUS Q-DIMM ASUS Q-Slot ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) ASUS Q-Shield True USB 3.0 support True SATA 6Gb/s RAID support |
| Back Panel I/O Ports | 1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo port 1 x S/PDIF Out (Optical) 1 x IEEE 1394a 1 x LAN(RJ45) port 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 8 -Channel Audio I/O 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue) 1 x Power eSATA 3Gb/s port (green) 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port (red) |
| Internal I/O Connectors | 3 x USB connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x IEEE 1394a connector 1 x Power Fan connector 1 x S/PDIF Out connector Front panel audio connector COM connector System Panel (Q-Connector) 2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (gray) 6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (black) 1 x CPU Fan connector (4-pin) 1 x NB Fan connector 3 x Chassis Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 2 x 3-pin) 24-pin ATX Power connector 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector 1 x MemOK! button |
| BIOS | 16 Mb Flash ROM , AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0a, |
| Accessories | User's manual SLI bridge 2 in 1 Q-connector 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables 2 x SATA 3Gb/s cables ASUS Q-Shield |
| Form Factor | ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm ) |
So all in all on paper it looks to be everything you could desire. Time to see it in the flesh.
Most Recent Comments
I like it. A lot.
You could do a wicked cammo computer using that. I was thinking about it the other week as it goes. There's this company in the USA that dips things in this weird cammo stuff and it coats it. They used it on American Chopper once to do a military chopper.Quote
You could do a wicked cammo computer using that. I was thinking about it the other week as it goes. There's this company in the USA that dips things in this weird cammo stuff and it coats it. They used it on American Chopper once to do a military chopper.Quote
i bet this could kill a manQuote
Color Scheme taken from the pages of noctuaQuote
Yeah, I really like the color scheme. Getting sick of blue/red.Quote
Wow.. saw it on overclockers a couple of days ago and quite liked it. I think it'll fit in perfectly with a Maelstrom and a pair of MSI Hawks for a good "Military" theme... and then maybe strap a couple of USB 3.0 cannons and machine guns.. and possibly put it in a tank.Quote
It's a great board, but I still don't like the colour scheme. I mean.. it's originial, but I don't like it.Quote
Wow! I joined the site just because last week I happened to upgrade to an i7 950 (not realising there had been a price drop) and picked up the Sabertooth X58 (store recommendation) to replace my aging P4 board...I'm not an overclocker so I didn't know what to expect, but your reviews of these two core pieces of my new system sure make me happy that I bought them.
Now, Tom, I'll be waiting on that overclocking vid you promised to make...I'm going to need it. If I can unleash a bit more power you'll make me a happy man!
Nice reviews. Keep it up.Quote
Now, Tom, I'll be waiting on that overclocking vid you promised to make...I'm going to need it. If I can unleash a bit more power you'll make me a happy man!
Nice reviews. Keep it up.Quote
The Sabertooth looks sweet and appears to perform well. But I still like a black and red color scheme more.Quote
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Black
What is max safe temp on NB? Mine has 65 in idle and is bloody hot when touching it. |
Well it is now, but BTW same temp I'm getting with OC and without - not so bad I recon.Under prime and superpi32M at 3.8 GHz I'm getting 80C and this is too much I beleive.
One question, what is best QPI voltage when CPU set at 4 GHz
Is there any VTT voltage?
And should I leave PLL voltage at Auto?Quote
One question, what is best QPI voltage when CPU set at 4 GHz
Is there any VTT voltage?
And should I leave PLL voltage at Auto?Quote
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Black
Well it is now, but BTW same temp I'm getting with OC and without - not so bad I recon.Under prime and superpi32M at 3.8 GHz I'm getting 80C and this is too much I beleive. One question, what is best QPI voltage when CPU set at 4 GHz Is there any VTT voltage? And should I leave PLL voltage at Auto? |
leave the pll at auto as it shouldnt matter.
If you are getting 80c what cooler/vcore are you using?
Whats you bclk and multi?Quote
I'm using watercooling for my CPU mate, BCLK 190, multi x20 and vcore 1.225v, RAM 1531 Mhz - 1.64V, QPI voltage 1.25v
I notice when only prime running max I can get on NB temp is 72 C - idle still 65 C.Quote
I notice when only prime running max I can get on NB temp is 72 C - idle still 65 C.Quote
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Black
I'm using watercooling for my CPU mate, BCLK 190, multi x20 and vcore 1.225v, RAM 1531 Mhz - 1.64V, QPI voltage 1.25v I notice when only prime running max I can get on NB temp is 72 C - idle still 65 C. |
qpi 1.45 (for 1600mhz)
turn on LLC
you should get 200 bclk with that and a few more tweaks.Quote
Ok thanks mate.Quote
Hi,
Does anyone know if its ok to put a single HD 6870 in the lower PCI express x16 slot, so the regular PCI slot is free for my old soundcard? I think its the "secondary" x16 slot but if I'm thinking if only using one card, all 16 lanes should be available?
Thanks in advanceQuote
Does anyone know if its ok to put a single HD 6870 in the lower PCI express x16 slot, so the regular PCI slot is free for my old soundcard? I think its the "secondary" x16 slot but if I'm thinking if only using one card, all 16 lanes should be available?
Thanks in advanceQuote
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by PINS
Hi, Does anyone know if its ok to put a single HD 6870 in the lower PCI express x16 slot, so the regular PCI slot is free for my old soundcard? I think its the "secondary" x16 slot but if I'm thinking if only using one card, all 16 lanes should be available? Thanks in advance |
ok, cheersQuote
I'm using the second slot for now, as one of my GTX460 died 
- what a bad luck.
BTW it is working fine into this slot.
Any way - is it all right that after OC I can't see or i can't set Turbo mode?It is visible only when stock clocks.Quote
- what a bad luck.BTW it is working fine into this slot.
Any way - is it all right that after OC I can't see or i can't set Turbo mode?It is visible only when stock clocks.Quote
Hello all.
I am interested in getting this board but I have a question regarding PCIe x1 cards. If I went SLI, one of the PCIe x1 slots will be unusable. I intend to use two PCIe x1 cards (TV tuner and sound card). If I move one of the PCIe x1 cards into the third PCI x16 slot (the black one), it looks as though, according to the manual (p. 2-21), that the two PCIe 2.0 x16 slots won't be affected i.e. both lanes will still be operating at 16x.
I am wondering whether anyone would be good enough to confirm this?Quote
I am interested in getting this board but I have a question regarding PCIe x1 cards. If I went SLI, one of the PCIe x1 slots will be unusable. I intend to use two PCIe x1 cards (TV tuner and sound card). If I move one of the PCIe x1 cards into the third PCI x16 slot (the black one), it looks as though, according to the manual (p. 2-21), that the two PCIe 2.0 x16 slots won't be affected i.e. both lanes will still be operating at 16x.
I am wondering whether anyone would be good enough to confirm this?Quote
It just hit me... One of these, 6 gig of Mushkin Radioactive, scuff the heatsinks up a little, take some of the paint off, pop a 950 in there with an NH-D14 and a pair of MSI "military grade" cards and whack it all in a big 50 cal ammo box. A bunch of fans around it, make it look old and rugged, rusty and stuff, maybe shoot it with a 45 cal (preferably not with the components still in) and you've got an awesome "pre-war" rig. Addicted to Fallout, I am.Quote
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