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The features on the board are top notch and should be much more than enough for every type user. The board supports two x16 PCI Express slots for Crossfire based graphics cards (16x 4x in CF mode), followed by two PCI x1, and 3 PCI sockets for your favorite upgrades. Maybe the onboard RAID support is just too slow or not impressive enough to your liking. It's always nice to have the extra slots to compliment a sweet board like this by making it even faster with add on cards. There is onboard support for Firewire 1394 since there are so many more users using USB in which case you get six USB ports at the I/O ports. If those won't do, there are also two onboard USB ports that you can attach your computer case's wires in to for front bezel access. All of the connection ports are also placed around the outside edge of the motherboard to keep them out of the way of the real components that matter.

2 PCIE x16, 3 PCI, 2 PCIX, USB, 1394

Good Connectivity

For SATA storage devices, you'll find six onboard SATA ports that supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and JBOD. The back of the motherboard offers two eSATA ports for quick SATA access. You'll only find one Ultra DMA port that gives you up to 2 devices with RAID 0 and 1. If you're upgrading to a system like this, you really need to convert over to SATA anyways. If you have a few IDE drives that you still like to use, you can easily find external drive enclosures or back planes to combine all your drives in to one case. With the performance gains of SATA II over IDE, there really isn't any reason to try and drag your feet on this kind of upgrade. SATA drives are nearly a dime a dozen now and you can even find many ROM drives with SATA connections over the aging drives with ATA connections.

Lot's of USB,  eSATA, Optical, & Coaxial SPDIF

Wi-Fi users will appreciate the now integrated feature which you don't have to use. This allows you to use this board in a system as a wireless access point and can add a great deal of connectivity for your network. It's Skype friendly even when the system is in Stand By Mode. The Wi-Fi integration saves users from having to install and reconfigure their own add on card and network. If you're looking to save a few extra dollars, this also helps narrow down the options for what to buy. Rather than spend your time walking around the isles or browsing web pages, you can be happy in knowing that the board has done 99% of the work for you. You just have to sign the bottom of the receipt or hit the Add To Basket button. I was once a skeptic myself, but Abit and ASUS helped resolve my own reservations.

Wi-Fi AP Right Side

Integrated Wi-Fi AP

As far as motherboard bundles go, the included goodies bag is top notch as should be with any motherboard aimed at being a flagship of sorts. It has to be able to make an impression and fully support any attempts to establish itself as a serious motherboard. There are plenty of SATA cables, an ATA cable or two, SATA power adapters, CDs, and full diagram manuals and directions if you have any questions. ASUS also includes their very own Front Panel connectors that assist in installation of the chassis wiring. You also get a 1394 and USB jumper that will also help connect your PCI Firewire-USB back plate. And to help achieve optimum cooling if you push your system to the brink, you have an optional chipset fan to keep the temps down. All in all, it's a pretty well thought out bundle.

Open Box

Bundle Contents

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