Thursday, October 23rd 2008
ASUS Announces its P6T WS Professional Workstation Motherboard
The P6T WS Professional workstation motherboard is the ideal foundation for a powerful workstation-capable of delivering powerful and dependable performance; together with unparalleled I/O scalability for the most demanding tasks and upgrades in the future. Through ASUS' innovative design, the P6T WS Professional is able to support both SLI and CrossFireX technologies in order to deliver extreme and incredible graphical processing performance. Furthermore, it is also equipped with 2 built-in SAS connectors and 2 PCI-X slots onboard to allow users the flexibility of choice in multiple storage solutions. With such diverse features; and the capability to deliver extreme power efficiency through the ASUS EPU, the P6T WS Professional is a 'thoroughbred' that delivers both performance and improvements in the quality of work.
SLI and CrossFireX on Demand
To provide customers with outstanding imagery, the P6T WS Professional comes equipped with built-in the SLI/CrossFireX on Demand technology. This revolutionary technology will now allow users to enjoy either SLI technology or CrossFireX support on the same motherboard. This means that users will be able to install up to three 3-Way SLI-capable graphics cards and retain the flexibility to run a CrossFireX setup instead of an SLI one. Whichever route they choose, users are guaranteed mind-boggling graphics performance for improved work efficiency.
Multitude of Storage Options with Cutting-edge SAS & Legacy PCI-X Support
The P6T WS Professional provides users with onboard SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) ports that supports hard drive upgrade flexibility; and retains full compatibility with the ASUS optional SASsaby card. Faster, safer and more stable, SAS hard disks will provide higher data transmission speeds and better data storage reliability in comparison to current SATA interfaces; and will provide users with a better choice for storage expansion and upgrade needs. To provide support for the user's legacy PCI-X devices, the P6T WS Professional also offers two PCI-X expansion slots, which are backward compatible with PCI-based hardware and software.
EPU for Extreme Power Efficiency
With current trends leaning towards power efficiency, the P6T WS Professional is also equipped with the ASUS exclusive EPU technology. This innovative feature controls 6 major components: the CPU, VGA card, memory, chipset, hard drives, and the CPU cooler/system fan. With the help of a database containing all of the Intel CPU profiles, the EPU intelligently identifies and selects the correct CPU profile and calibrates the best possible settings to ensure the best power management.
In terms of the Chipset and Memory, the EPU provides enhanced power efficiency-improving thermal capabilities, enhancing system stability to provide longer component lifespan and higher overclocking capability. As for VGA cards, the EPU automatically detects system loading and adjusts the VGA card's voltage and frequency-saving up to 37% VGA power during everyday computing. With clever monitoring of the hard disk and fans, power wastage is reduced during periods of idling data access-helping to minimize hard drive and fan noise for quieter acoustics
Enjoy Working with WS Diag. LED and the "ASUS Heartbeat"
Working with the ASUS workstation can now be both enjoyable and interesting. During bootup, the Diag. LED will check key components (CPU, DRAM, VGA card and HDD) sequentially; and if an error is found, the LED next to the error device will remain lit until the problem is solved. Once it has successfully booted up, the LEDs around the ASUS brand name on the motherboard will shine brightly and vividly with a deep blue light according to a regular tempo-much like the steady rhythm of deep breaths-making the workstation board seem like it is "coming to life".
Surfing the Internet within 5 Seconds via Express Gate
This additional built-in Operating System makes a host of commonly used applications available to users in just 5 seconds from bootup; including the web browser, instant messenger, Skype, photo manager, music player and online games. With this convenient, instant access to the Internet, users can now send a last-minute email before rushing off to work, browse the Web in between appointments and reach friends and family via the instant messenger all in the blink of an eye.
Practical Features for Efficient Work Solutions
The P6T WS Professional also comes with an additional G.P. Diagnosis card. This useful tool helps provide quick and precise system checks, and displays errors on the LED display-helping users to pinpoint errors quickly. Connected on the TPM header, the G.P. Diagnosis card also provides great convenience by being near the onboard reset and power buttons for easy troubleshooting.
Source:
ASUS
To provide customers with outstanding imagery, the P6T WS Professional comes equipped with built-in the SLI/CrossFireX on Demand technology. This revolutionary technology will now allow users to enjoy either SLI technology or CrossFireX support on the same motherboard. This means that users will be able to install up to three 3-Way SLI-capable graphics cards and retain the flexibility to run a CrossFireX setup instead of an SLI one. Whichever route they choose, users are guaranteed mind-boggling graphics performance for improved work efficiency.
Multitude of Storage Options with Cutting-edge SAS & Legacy PCI-X Support
The P6T WS Professional provides users with onboard SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) ports that supports hard drive upgrade flexibility; and retains full compatibility with the ASUS optional SASsaby card. Faster, safer and more stable, SAS hard disks will provide higher data transmission speeds and better data storage reliability in comparison to current SATA interfaces; and will provide users with a better choice for storage expansion and upgrade needs. To provide support for the user's legacy PCI-X devices, the P6T WS Professional also offers two PCI-X expansion slots, which are backward compatible with PCI-based hardware and software.
EPU for Extreme Power Efficiency
With current trends leaning towards power efficiency, the P6T WS Professional is also equipped with the ASUS exclusive EPU technology. This innovative feature controls 6 major components: the CPU, VGA card, memory, chipset, hard drives, and the CPU cooler/system fan. With the help of a database containing all of the Intel CPU profiles, the EPU intelligently identifies and selects the correct CPU profile and calibrates the best possible settings to ensure the best power management.
In terms of the Chipset and Memory, the EPU provides enhanced power efficiency-improving thermal capabilities, enhancing system stability to provide longer component lifespan and higher overclocking capability. As for VGA cards, the EPU automatically detects system loading and adjusts the VGA card's voltage and frequency-saving up to 37% VGA power during everyday computing. With clever monitoring of the hard disk and fans, power wastage is reduced during periods of idling data access-helping to minimize hard drive and fan noise for quieter acoustics
Enjoy Working with WS Diag. LED and the "ASUS Heartbeat"
Working with the ASUS workstation can now be both enjoyable and interesting. During bootup, the Diag. LED will check key components (CPU, DRAM, VGA card and HDD) sequentially; and if an error is found, the LED next to the error device will remain lit until the problem is solved. Once it has successfully booted up, the LEDs around the ASUS brand name on the motherboard will shine brightly and vividly with a deep blue light according to a regular tempo-much like the steady rhythm of deep breaths-making the workstation board seem like it is "coming to life".
Surfing the Internet within 5 Seconds via Express Gate
This additional built-in Operating System makes a host of commonly used applications available to users in just 5 seconds from bootup; including the web browser, instant messenger, Skype, photo manager, music player and online games. With this convenient, instant access to the Internet, users can now send a last-minute email before rushing off to work, browse the Web in between appointments and reach friends and family via the instant messenger all in the blink of an eye.
Practical Features for Efficient Work Solutions
The P6T WS Professional also comes with an additional G.P. Diagnosis card. This useful tool helps provide quick and precise system checks, and displays errors on the LED display-helping users to pinpoint errors quickly. Connected on the TPM header, the G.P. Diagnosis card also provides great convenience by being near the onboard reset and power buttons for easy troubleshooting.
2 Comments on ASUS Announces its P6T WS Professional Workstation Motherboard
I like the Onboard SAS, but I wonder how much this board will cost. Sounds very interesting to say the least.
1. There is none PRO cards that needs PCIe x16 v. 2.0 (or even v. 1.1) exist. The only cards that really need PCIe x16 v. 2.0 are Radeon HD 4850 X2 and Radeon HD 4870 X2 - but they are not professional. Any other latest ATI card will nicely suit with PCIe x8 v. 2.0. I am not sure that nVIDIA cards may really work with full PCIe v. 2.0 speed, but they are at least not better than AMD ones (beeng based on the old GPU).
2. Only two PCIe slots mean that the WS owner will have to sacrifice either graphics or storage subsystems productivity - two graphics cards would not allow to install RAID controller and vice versa (well, some outdated PCI-X might be used, but the bus has a limited throughput; the two on-board SAS is a junk - at least 4 ports are needed (I'd preffer 16).
Really, the (e)ATX form factor is an obstacle for making modern workstation motherboard that needs: 2 pairs of (x16/x8 + x8) graphisc slots (double spaced) - to support up to 4 graphics cards - as one full PCIe x16 v.2 will be enough for it, nVIDIA 200 will do as a splitter, though real v.2 switch (and to hell with nVIDIA) will be better.
Two to four PCIe x8 slots - RAID controllers, GPU co-processors, etc.
At least a couple of PCI slots and one PCIE x1 slot - additional I/O connections
Only kind of (extended) WTX may suit or see here for possible other variants