ASUS Announces the E3 Pro Gaming V5 Motherboard Based on Intel C232 Chipset

[btarunr]

ASUS today announced E3 Pro Gaming V5, an ATX motherboard based on the latest Intel C232 Express chipset and packed with game-enhancing exclusive features for superior gaming experiences, including gaming-grade SupremeFX and Sonic Radar II audio, gaming-grade Intel Gigabit Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard and GameFirst technologies for fast, safe and lag-free online play.

E3 Pro Gaming V5 offers desktop gamers the unique opportunity to benefit from the performance, stability and ready availability of the latest server-grade Xeon E3-1200 v5 processors based on Intel's high-efficiency 14nm 'Skylake' architecture. It also supports the newest high-speed DDR4 memory modules, for cooler, faster and more efficient performance.



The newest member of the value-packed Pro Gaming line-up is equipped for superior cooling with a dedicated water-pump header, plus intuitive Fan Xpert 3 controls. It also offers the very latest connectivity, with USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A, reversible USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C and NVM Express (NVMe) M.2 all built in.

E3 Pro Gaming V5 includes exclusive RAMCache technology to accelerate game loads, and has durable Gamer's Guardian components to ensure longevity.

Built to game: SupremeFX audio, Sonic Radar II, Intel Gigabit LAN, LANGuard and GameFirst
E3 Pro Gaming V5 is engineered with ASUS-exclusive SupremeFX audio technology for in-game sound that's alive with realism. The purity and stability of the remarkable 115dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is assured, with a shielded design, electromagnetic-interference (EMI) cover and voltage-protected 5V power supply.

Supreme FX's superior components, including the trusted Realtek ALC1150 codec, maximize acoustic performance and eliminate interference - so only the very best audio is enjoyed through either gaming headsets or speakers. The red-line shielding is illuminated for beautiful aesthetics, and it's even customizable, allowing users to create eye-catching lighting effects.

The new motherboard also enables gamers to become hunters rather than the hunted with Sonic Radar II, a stealthy overlay that shows what opponents and teammates are up to on the battlefield - all managed via a simple control panel and customizable game list. Sonic Radar II shows both the direction and origin of key in-game sounds, enabling ASUS gamers to practice enemy-pinpointing skill. It even includes Audio Enhancement technology to clarify every sound detail - providing an audible heads-up to vital events.

Multiple advanced networking technologies to ensure E3 Pro Gaming V5 gamers are victorious, including tournament-level Intel Gigabit Ethernet, ASUS-exclusive LANGuard and GameFirst technologies to keep the connection fast and free from lag.

Intel's LAN technology has the serious double advantage of reducing CPU overhead and offering exceptionally high TCP and UDP throughput, significantly reducing the processor's workload to free up power for the game.

ASUS LANGuard is hardware-level networking protection that employs signal-coupling technology and premium anti-EMI surface-mounted capacitors for rock-solid gaming connections and better throughout for online play, plus electrostatically-guarded and surge-protected components for greater tolerance to static electricity and improved protection against power surges.

All-new and exclusive GameFirst technology prioritizes game-related packets and allocates more bandwidth to games, eliminating laggy gameplay, streaming stutters and file-sharing slowdown. GameFirst also includes Multi-Gate Teaming to team all available networks for maximum bandwidth and the smoothest-ever gameplay.

Equipped to cool: Dedicated liquid-cooling water-pump header, plus Fan Xpert 3 controls
For the ultimate in cooling and quietness, E3 Pro Gaming V5 includes a dedicated water-pump header along with advanced onboard thermal sensors and hardware-level 4-pin/3-pin PWM/DC mode detection - all controlled by the intuitive simplicity of Fan Xpert 3.

E3 Pro Gaming V5's integrated onboard water-pump header makes the best water-cooling efficiency instantly accessible, and Fan Xpert 3 ensures that every fan maximizes cooling performance while minimizing noise.

Next-gen connections and protection: USB 3.1, M.2, RAMCache, Gamer's Guardian and smart DIY
E3 Pro Gaming V5 has the newest, fastest and most convenient connectivity built in, with both USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A and reversible Type-C sockets for data-transfer speeds of up to 10Gbit/s - or twice (2X) as fast as USB 3.0. USB 3.1 is completely backward-compatible with existing USB devices, and ASUS-exclusive USB 3.1 Boost technology automatically accelerates USB 3.1 performance even further.

A built-in M.2 socket provides access to the latest high-speed solid-state drives (SSDs), while uniquely-intelligent RAMCache technology caches an entire storage device so that favorite games and apps launch at breakneck speeds. RAMCache gets to work the moment it's activated, minimizing the risk of data loss and turning milliseconds into microseconds - boosting game-load times to stratospheric levels.

E3 Pro Gaming V5 is protected by multiple self-defenses called Gamer's Guardian, including the Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) for ultra-clean power delivery, DRAM Overcurrent Protection with resettable fuses to prevent overcurrent and short-circuit damage, superior chokes, durable and high-temperature-resistant capacitors, and a corrosion-resistant stainless-steel input/output (I/O) back panel. It also has ASUS ESD Guards to actively protect against sudden electrostatic discharge (ESD).

E3 Pro Gaming V5 is the first ASUS consumer motherboard to support Xeon E3-1200 v5 processors. It will be followed in 2016 by multiple additions to the popular ASUS Signature series, including the ATX E3-Pro V5 and micro ATX (mATX) E3M-ET V5 and E3M-Plus V5. Every ASUS Signature motherboard is engineered with multiple advanced hardware safeguards and LED-illuminated audio.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Nelson Ng]

Using Xeon processors for gaming???

Xeons are server processors, for task and workload intensive workloads only. Consumer grade Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 doesn't even have proper support for these processors. You'll need Linux for proper OS support....

Asus is desperate to milk every soul till their last drop ... *** SIGN ***

 

[Zakin]

Not like you're really gonna see a difference..especially since you can get a "i7" Xeon for about 50 dollars less at the moment.

 

[Patriot]

Using Xeon processors for gaming???

Xeons are server processors, for task and workload intensive workloads only. Consumer grade Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 doesn't even have proper support for these processors. You'll need Linux for proper OS support....

Asus is desperate to milk every soul till their last drop ... *** SIGN ***

You are right up there with the dipshit cable tech who tried to tell me my internet performance sucked because my modem and router were "out of sync" ...

 

[Chaitanya]

So much red vomit on this board, seriously what the hell were designers at Asus thinking when they designed this board.

 

[dj-electric]

Using Xeon processors for gaming???

Xeons are server processors, for task and workload intensive workloads only. Consumer grade Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 doesn't even have proper support for these processors. You'll need Linux for proper OS support....

Asus is desperate to milk every soul till their last drop ... *** SIGN ***

Somebody needs to tell this person that others also have gaming xeon boards.

 

[Kyrios74]

Sorry but I am sickened by intel. Soon we will find its products also in boxes of detergent.
Yes Yes I'm waiting for Zen...

 

[Parn]

Just another product which uses the "Xeon" name to trick the buyers.

I can't see any difference between this and any B150 based budget gaming boards apart from the lack of IGP output. It would be more appealing if they at least implemented C236 (server/workstation equiv. of Z170) instead.

 

[RejZoR]

Using Xeon processors for gaming???

Xeons are server processors, for task and workload intensive workloads only. Consumer grade Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 doesn't even have proper support for these processors. You'll need Linux for proper OS support....

Asus is desperate to milk every soul till their last drop ... *** SIGN ***

Windows 10 supports up to 2 CPU's, 256 cores/threads and 512GB RAM. And we are talking just Pro version that basically everyone has. Most systems still run on single quad cores with 8GB RAM. I think there is very little fear for compatibility. I've seen people with 10 cores/20 threads Xeons on Windows 10. So, I guess there aren't any problems with that...

 

[EarthDog]

Using Xeon processors for gaming???

Xeons are server processors, for task and workload intensive workloads only. Consumer grade Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 doesn't even have proper support for these processors. You'll need Linux for proper OS support....

Asus is desperate to milk every soul till their last drop ... *** SIGN ***

Wat??? NO.

 

[Aquinus]

Xeon board and no VT-d? What the hell? The only "Xeon-like" thing about this chipset is support for RSTe...

Somebody needs to tell this person that others also have gaming xeon boards.

Or that Xeons can run on non C-series chipsets depending on the motherboard?

 

[hojnikb]

Xeon board and no VT-d? What the hell? The only "Xeon-like" thing about this chipset is support for RSTe...

Or that Xeons can run on non C-series chipsets depending on the motherboard?

Xeons (skylake ones) can't run on non C chipsets, unlike previous platforms.
So this board makes a lot of sense. Xeon E3 123x is basicly just i7 6700 with iGPU disabled and noticeably cheaper.

They just need to make cheaper skus, so buyers wanting a cheap 8 thread system will get its treat.

 

[Fabio Bologna]

Using Xeon processors for gaming???

Xeons are server processors, for task and workload intensive workloads only. Consumer grade Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 doesn't even have proper support for these processors. You'll need Linux for proper OS support....

Asus is desperate to milk every soul till their last drop ... *** SIGN ***

First. You're seeing this news in a purely gaming perspective... If we talk stock clocks, is being proven many times now that a xeon of same specs as an equivalent "core" series cpu, actually performs better in many tasks (games included) due to a higher level binning procedure. Also due to to this binning, xeons often consume less power then core parts and have support for pro-sumer features.
Maybe you want to have a workstation and gaming system all in one but you don't necessarely want to spend a fortune on a e5 xeon or extreme edition cpus (lga 2011-3 to be clear).
With this board and a matching xeon e3, you could still have plenty of gaming "umph" to cream most games with no bottlenecks what so ever!
More over you CAN overclock them (BCLK only mind you, but you can!) and I've seen something in the neighbours of a 10% increase in clock speeds for xeon parts...

Perfect streamer-gaming-workstation PC would be:

motherboard : Asus E3 Pro Gaming V5
processor : Intel Xeon E3-1270V5 (Skylake - 80W - base3.6/turbo4.0Ghz - no integrated graphics)
http://ark.intel.com/compare/88195,88174 (i7 6700k vs Xeon E5 1270v5)
memory : Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) Registered DDR4-2133
cooler : beQuiet! DarkRock Pro3
ssd : m.2 Samsung 950pro 256GB
hdd : Seagate 2TB Hybrid
graphics card : Gigabyte Windforce 3X OC GTX 980Ti
power supply : Rosewill Photon 750W 80+Gold
case : beQuiet! Silent Base 600
case fans : beQuiet! silentWings2 120mm 50CFM 19dB
OS : Windows 10 Pro 64bit

PcPartPicker link to a build I made using a B150 board cause no one has that asus board in stock...
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/f2ZBXL

 

[hojnikb]

Just another product which uses the "Xeon" name to trick the buyers.

I can't see any difference between this and any B150 based budget gaming boards apart from the lack of IGP output. It would be more appealing if they at least implemented C236 (server/workstation equiv. of Z170) instead.

There is one fundamental difference. It supports E xeons, while B/H/Z150 boards dont.

 

[hojnikb]

First. You're seeing this news in a purely gaming perspective... If we talk stock clocks, is being proven many times now that a xeon of same specs as an equivalent "core" series cpu, actually performs better in many tasks (games included) due to a higher level binning procedure. Also due to to this binning, xeons often consume less power then core parts and have support for pro-sumer features.
Maybe you want to have a workstation and gaming system all in one but you don't necessarely want to spend a fortune on a e5 xeon or extreme edition cpus (lga 2011-3 to be clear).
With this board and a matching xeon e3, you could still have plenty of gaming "umph" to cream most games with no bottlenecks what so ever!
More over you CAN overclock them (BCLK only mind you, but you can!) and I've seen something in the neighbours of a 10% increase in clock speeds for xeon parts...

Perfect streamer-gaming-workstation PC would be:

motherboard : Asus E3 Pro Gaming V5
processor : Intel Xeon E3-1270V5 (Skylake - 80W - base3.6/turbo4.0Ghz - no integrated graphics)
http://ark.intel.com/compare/88195,88174 (i7 6700k vs Xeon E5 1270v5)
memory : Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) Registered DDR4-2133
cooler : beQuiet! DarkRock Pro3
ssd : m.2 Samsung 950pro 256GB
hdd : Seagate 2TB Hybrid
graphics card : Gigabyte Windforce 3X OC GTX 980Ti
power supply : Rosewill Photon 750W 80+Gold
case : beQuiet! Silent Base 600
case fans : beQuiet! silentWings2 120mm 50CFM 19dB
OS : Windows 10 Pro 64bit

PcPartPicker link to a build I made using a B150 board cause no one has that asus board in stock...
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/f2ZBXL

1151 xeons don't support registered dimms. Also, there is no point in buying 1270V5, if you have 1230V5 for much less.

 

[Aquinus]

Xeons (skylake ones) can't run on non C chipsets, unlike previous platforms.

My P9X79 Deluxe didn't support Xeons until later in its lifetime either. My point is that in a year or less, I wouldn't be surprised if that's no longer the case. There really isn't a whole lot of difference between the two that could make them electrically incompatible.

My point is, give it time.

 

[peche]

@Knoxx29 there you have, what we already discuss in the past lad...
@CAPSLOCKSTUCK your dreams make true....

 

[hojnikb]

My P9X79 Deluxe didn't support Xeons until later in its lifetime either. My point is that in a year or less, I wouldn't be surprised if that's no longer the case. There really isn't a whole lot of difference between the two that could make them electrically incompatible.

My point is, give it time.

I doubt that will be the case. xeon e3 123x v3 were very popular choice instead of i7 (cous they were cheaper). I bet intel smelled that and locked it away next time around (that being 1151).

So i highly doubt we'll see that.

 

[Shou Miko]

There is one fundamental difference. It supports E xeons, while B/H/Z150 boards dont.

It's lame to see Intel has removed Xeon support from even the Z170 chipset, idk if it's just a simple bios remove instead of they have removed it in the chipset while it was build.

I personally hope it's just a bios update needed to be able to run a Xeon.

 

[Patriot]

It's lame to see Intel has removed Xeon support from even the Z170 chipset, idk if it's just a simple bios remove instead of they have removed it in the chipset while it was build.

I personally hope it's just a bios update needed to be able to run a Xeon.

Given that manufactures said its not possible and made server chipset desktop gaming boards... to bypass intel...

 

[Shou Miko]

I hope to see some nice Micro-ATX boards too, instead of all ATX, now that Intel skipped support for Xeon processors on the Z170 chipset board.

 

[Keullo-e]

Using Xeon processors for gaming???

Xeons are server processors, for task and workload intensive workloads only. Consumer grade Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 doesn't even have proper support for these processors. You'll need Linux for proper OS support....

What the hell are you talking about? 10 years ago S939 Opterons were popular with gamers and overclockers because they had a great price/performance ratio and they overclocked well. And Opterons are "server" processors, just like Xeons. But in fact they are just like their desktop counterparts, only different branding and maybe some more features. They run games just like their desktop counterparts when compared clock-to-clock.

 

[cdawall]

Assuming asus gives a bios with unlocked overclocking this will be an excellent setup for semi-budget builds. I rocked a xeon and currently have a 2p opteron setup both of which ran 7 ultimate. It supports it fine.

 

[PP Mguire]

I rock Xeons at work that game completely fine. See no issue with this, especially if there is no immediate support for Xeons on Z170/below boards. In a tech world full of processor stagnation this makes sense from a business perspective.

 

[Dr_b_]

Using Xeon processors for gaming???

Xeons are server processors, for task and workload intensive workloads only. Consumer grade Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 10 doesn't even have proper support for these processors. You'll need Linux for proper OS support....

Asus is desperate to milk every soul till their last drop ... *** SIGN ***

Im gaming on my E5-1650v3 and running windows 7 on it. Its literally the same chip as x99 consumer cpus, but binned and marketed xeon. You don't know what you are talking about, at all. Do you really think Asus would release and market a board with xeon support that didn't work with windows....