Asus P8P67 PRO Motherboard Review

Up for review today is the ASUS P8P67 PRO motherboard. It is a bit more of a mainstream board at an MSRP of $190, but gives you the performance of an enthusiast board. There are some good deals these days on components. And if you want the best performance, building your computer system from the ground up is the way to go. But if you want to get the most out of your system , it all starts with a stable motherboard. You therefore will want to go with a reliable name that you can trust. Asus is one of those names and has all the latest bells and whistles, such as Sata III and USB 3.0.

The Asus is also a great board for those bitten by the upgrade bug. It features the latest Intel socket 1155 for the new 2nd generation core processors. It also has all of the new features that you may be craving, such as USB 3.0, Sata III, eSata, and even a built-in bluetooth. And if you don't want to upgrade everything in your case, the P8P67 PRO also has you covered there. It has multiple card slots of all of the different types, including PCI. That means that upgrading your old sound card and tv tuner (for example), is not necessary. After all, you're already upgrading your processor and motherboard to the new 1155 socket, as well as DDR3 for some of you. At least with the Asus P8P67 PRO there are a few things that you don't need to upgrade at the same time.

It's features and specs include:

CPU Intel® Socket 1155 The 2nd Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3 Processors
Supports Intel® 32 nm CPU
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
* Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
Chipset Intel® P67(B3)
Memory 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 Hz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* According to Intel® SPEC, the Max. 32GB memory capacity can be supported with DIMMs of 8GB (or above). ASUS will update QVL once the DIMMs are available on the market.
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
* Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.
Multi-GPU Support Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Expansion Slots 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black) *1
2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
2 x PCI
Storage Intel® P67(B3) chipset :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Marvell® PCIe SATA 6Gb/s controller :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), navy blue
JMicron® JMB362 controller : *2
1 x eSATA 3G port(s), red
1 x Power eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), green
LAN Intel® 82579, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller
Bluetooth Bluetooth V2.1+EDR
ASUS BT GO! Utility
Audio Realtek® ALC 892 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 Surround Sensation UltraPC
- Coaxial and Optical S/PDIF out ports at back I/O
IEEE 1394 VIA® 6308P controller
2 x IEEE 1394a port(s)
(1 at mid-board, 1 at back panel)
USB Ports ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller :
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
Intel® P67(B3) chipset :
12 x USB 2.0 port(s) (6 at back panel, black, 6 at mid-board)
Overclocking Features Overclocking Protection :
- ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM:
ASUS EPU
- EPU, EPU switch
ASUS TPU
- Auto Tuning, TurboV, TPU switch
ASUS Digital Power Design
- Industry leading Digital 12+2 Phase Power Design
- ASUS DIGI+ VRM Utility
ASUS BT GO! (Bluetooth)
- Folder Sync, BT Transfer, Shot & Send, BT to Net, Music Player, Personal Manager, BT Turbo Remote
ASUS Exclusive Features
- MemOK!
- AI Suite II
- AI Charger+
- Anti Surge
- ASUS EFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution
- ASUS Fanless Design: Stylish Heat-sink solution
- ASUS Fan Xpert
ASUS EZ DIY
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Q-Connector
- ASUS O.C. Tuner
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
ASUS Q-Design
- ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-DIMM
Back I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 keyboard (purple)
1 x PS/2 mouse (green)
1 x Bluetooth module(s)
2 x eSATA 3Gb/s
1 x IEEE 1394a
1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
2 x USB 3.0 (blue)
6 x USB 2.0
1 x Coaxial S/PDIF out
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
6 x Audio Jack(s)
Internal I/O Ports 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin, moss green)
3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 6 USB 2.0 port(s)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s)
1 x IEEE 1394a connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin, 1 x 3 -pin)
1 x Power Fan connector(s) (3 -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)
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x TPU switch(es)
1 x EPU switch(es)
Accessories User's manual
ASUS Q-Shield
2 x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s cable(s)
2 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cable(s)
1 x SLI bridge(s)
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
1 x ASUS USB 3.0 Bracket(s)
BIOS 32 Mb Flash ROM , EFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, 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
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
ASUS Update
ASUS Utilities
Form Factor ATX Form Factor
12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
Note *1: The PCIe x16_3 slot shares bandwidth with PCIe x1_1 slot, PCIe x1_2 slot, USB3_34 and ESATA12. The PCIe x16_3 runs at x1 mode by default for system resource optimization.(PCIe x1_2 will be disabled.)
*2: These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. ATAPI devices are not supported.

The Asus P8P67 PRO as you can see is loaded with features. Some of them really stand out, such as it's innovative software, as well as some of it's associated hardware. They are:

Digi+VRM- The Voltage Regulator Modules do just that. They regulate the power to the CPU, for a constant voltage. This is especially critical in overclocking, where a slight change in voltage can take you from stable to unstable. Asus Digit VRM uses a digital design for the Intel VRDI2 specs, going beyond what analog is capable. It also provides more efficiency. More efficiency means less heat, and less heat is less wear and tear on the components, so you get longer life out of your motherboard. The windows application for using it is simple. There are many settings to choose from, such as standard, optimized, extreme, and there is even a manual setting. There are even application helps for explanations of the settings. For overclocking veterans, it makes life easier. For newbies, it is much less overpowering.

TPU- Stands for Turbo Processor Unit. Unlike many software overclocking solutions, TPU is an actual on-board chip that works with the software programs Auto Tuning and TurboV. The Auto Tuning is just that. There is no need for you to mess with the settings, if you are a newbie and not interested in learning how to overclock. You would rather just do it. Auto Tuning is here for you. TurboV lets you adjust the various settings yourself. And the TPU chip is there to make the changes on the motherboard, such as voltage control.

EPU- stands for Energy Processing Unit. Going Green is a good thing, and Asus is trying to make their contribution, so you can as well. By auto-detecting the PC loads on power, it can make system wide optimizations based on what is needed at the time. It can open up the throttle when gaming, or turn it down when only web surfing.

BT Go!- Bluetooth is everywhere, and now it is on your PC. And Asus has done it right! BT Go! has 7 functions that include Folder Sync, BT transfer, BT Turbo Remote, BT-to-Net, Music Player, Shoot and Send, and Personal Manager. Managing your personal devices and data, such as files, photos,and music just got easier.

EFI Bios- This I thought is an amazing product. I can understand how many stay out of the bios. But now it is a much simpler windows based program that you navigate thru with a mouse. It is still found where you would normally find the bios. It is just much simpler to use and has a fresh look. And just like the TPU, there are different settings to choose from. For those just learning, there is even an EZ mode.

Al Suite II- It is an amazing all-in-one interface for all of your overclocking needs. Here in it's simple to use package, you can manage overclocking fun speed, voltage, energy management, and sensor readings. It will even interact through bluetooth with mobile devices. It is a one stop do everything utility.

Latest interface technology - Asus continues giving additional features with high speed connectivity in the form of USB 3.0 and Sata 6GB/s. USB 3.0 is 10 times as fast as 2.0, and now there are both front and rear ports for it. Sata 6GB/s is twice as fast as the previous generation, and there are extra SATA ports as well. And with Ai Charge+, there is even fast charging through the USB 3.0 ports.

The Asus P8P67 Pro motherboard also supports the latest and greatest in CPU, Chipset, and Graphics. Using the LGA 1155 socket, it is made for the 2nd generation Core i7, i5, and i3 processors, with integrated memory and PCI express controllers. It also supports quad-GPU for both SLI and CrossfireX. And with built-in Intel LAN support, you know your transfer speeds will be fast. RAID and DDR3-2200 support also helps to keep performance up, and solid capacitors help to extend it's life. And 8 channel audio with DTS helps add to pleasurable experience. I also liked the fact that it had a powered eSATA connection.

Features, design, and quality of the P8P67 PRO are very good. The box was very attractive and was well packed. I like the flip up cover that opens to give a great visual picture and description of the board and all of it's components and features. Opening the box yields a well packaged board, as well as it's manuals, driver disc, back plate, and cables. The board itself is also well protected in its antistatic plastic bag.

In the world of consumer electronics, gear is always changing as manufacturers keep coming out with better and better products. Somethings however do not change. Having been an Asus product user, I already know of their high quality products. I am glad to see that has not changed. I have come to expect this quality in the products from Asus. They continue to deliver. The Asus P8P67 PRO performed very well as you can see from the benchmarks below.

The Asus P8P67 PRO is a great motherboard that has the current features to build a system around that can give you years of use. And again, I am glad to say that I was not surprised by its performance. Based on its build quality, design, features, and performance, the Asus P8P67 PRO has earned our Highly Recommended Award. For more information and complete specs, feel free to check out their website at http://www.asus.com/. Reference gear used included included 2nd generation Intel i5 2500K processor, Kingston HyperX DDR3-2100 RAM, and ASUS EAH5850 DirectCU TOP.