Introduction

The Blitz Formula motherboard is the latest from Asus’ Republic of Gamers lineup and offers up some fancy features not yet seen on a P35-based solution. How does having the highest overclock we’ve yet seen as well as having an optional watercooled north bridge sound to you?

Introduction

The Intel P35 chipset is fast becoming the logic of choice for new builders of PCs based on Intel’s own Core 2 Duo processors.  Yeah, NVIDIA’s 680i series of chipsets is also very compelling but there is something to be said from getting the whole kit-and-caboodle from a single source.  Pairing an Intel CPU and chipset together just seems to make sense — and when you get the P35 chipset that has been overclocking VERY well and performing great too, you really can’t go wrong.

Our first batch P35 motherboards were good, but rather bland.  Since the chipset was brand new, most of the designs and feature sets were pretty much the same and no board from any particular vendors really stood out.  Asus is attempting to change all that by using the Republic of Gamer’s brand coupled with a P35 motherboard named the Blitz. 

Specifications (from Asus.com)

CPU

LGA775 socket for Intel® Core™2 Extreme / Core™2 Quad / Core™2 Duo / Pentium® Extreme / Pentium® D / Pentium® 4 / Celeron® D Processors
Support Intel® next generation 45nm Multi-Core CPU
Compatible with Intel® 06/05B/05A processors
* Refer to http://www.asus.com/ for Intel CPU support list
** Please update the latest BIOS to support Intel 45nm CPU

Chipset
Intel® P35/ICH9R with Intel® Fast Memory Access Technology
Front Side Bus
1333 / 1066 / 800 MHz
Memory
Dual channel memory architecture
4 x DIMM, support max. 8GB, DDR2-1066*/800/667 MHz, non-ECC and un-buffered memory
* The chipset officially supports the memory frequency up to DDR2 800 MHz. Due to the tuning by ASUS exclusive technology, this motherboard natively supports up to DDR2 1066MHz. Please refer to http://www.asus.com/ or user manual for Memory QVL
Expansion Slots
2 x PCIe x16 slot, support dual graphics solution
3 x PCIe x1 ( the PCIEx1_1 (black) is compatible with audio slot)
2 x PCI 2.2
CrossFire
Support ATI CrossFire™ graphics cards (both at x8 mode)
Storage
ICH9R Southbridge:
– 6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports
– Intel Matrix Storage Technology supports RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10.
JMicron® JMB368 PATA controller:
– 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33 for up to 2 PATA devices
LAN
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers, both featuring AI NET2
High Definition Audio
SupremeFX II Audio Card:
– ADI 1988B 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC
– Noise Filter
Coaxial, Optical S/PDIF out at back I/O
IEEE 1394a
2 x 1394a ports(1 port at back I/O, 1 port onboard)
USB
max. 12 USB 2.0 ports(6 ports at mid-board, 6 ports at back panel)
Overclocking Features
Fusion Block System
Crosslinx Technology
Extreme Tweaker
2-Phase DDR2
Loadline Calibration
Intelligent overclocking tools:
– CPU Level Up
– AI NOS™ (Non-delay Overclocking System)
– AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)
– ASUS AI Booster Utility
– O.C Profile
Overclocking Protection:
– COP EX (Component Overheat Protection – EX)
– Voltiminder LED
– ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features
LCD Poster
Onboard Switches: Power / Reset / Cls CMOS (at rear)
ASUS Q-Connector
ASUS Q-Fan 2
ASUS EZ Flash 2
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
ASUS MyLogo3
Back Panel I/O Ports
1 x PS/2 Keyboard port(purple)
1 x PS/2 Mouse port(green)
1 x Optical + 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Output
2 x LAN (RJ45) port
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x IEEE1394a port
1 x Clr CMOS switch
Internal I/O Connectors
3 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector for two devices
6 x SATA connectors
8 x Fan connectors: 1 x CPU / 1 x PWR / 3 x Chassis / 3 x Optional
2 x thermal sensor connectors
1 x IEEE1394a connector
1 x S/PDIF output connector
1 x Chassis Intrusion connector
24-pin ATX Power connector
8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
1 x En/Dis-able Clr CMOS
System panel connector
BIOS
16Mb AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI2.0a Multi-Language BIOS
Manageability
WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chasis Intrusion, PXE
O/S Compatibility
Window XP / Vista
Accessories
Fusion Block System Accessory
LCD Poster
DIY Pedestal
ASUS Optional Fan
SupremeFX II Audio Card
3 in 1 ASUS Q-Connector Kit
UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable
Floppy disk drive cable
SATA cables
SATA power cables
2-port USB2.0 + IEEE 1394a module
I/O Shield
Cable Ties
User’s manual
Software
The hottest 3D Game: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
Support DVD:
– Drivers and applications
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS Update
ASUS AI Suite
Futuremark ® 3DMark® 06 Advanced Edition
Kaspersky® Anti-Virus
Form Factor
ATX Form Factor, 12″x 9.6″ (30.5cm x 24.5cm)

« PreviousNext »