ASUS P5E3 Deluxe WiFi X38 Motherboard Review

Chances are, if you know what a motherboard is, you've heard of Asus. Over the years, Asus has carefully crafted an excellent reputation for their products, ranging from budget to full featured enthusiast level computing solutions. 

Borrowing a bevy of features from their vaunted "Republic of Gamers" line of motherboards, the ASUS P5E3 Deluxe WiFi boasts Asus' exclusive AI Lifestyle technology, and a penchant for serious overclocking ability. Pedigree aside, what does a "Deluxe" motherboard really offer over your basic, run-of-the-mill board?

The ASUS P5E3 Deluxe WiFi  utilizes many features of its more expensive "Republic of Gamers" sibling, the Asus Maximus Extreme. For starters, this is one of a handful of motherboards on the market that boasts built-in 802.11n wireless capability. Coupled with Intel's X38 chipset, DDR3 memory support, 1600Mhz FSB support, Crossfire technology, solid-state capacitors, an 8-phase power design, support for PCI-E 2.0, and pure copper heatpipes, not only is this board ready for prime time, but it is also an overclocker's wet dream.

However, laying claim to owning the best of the best does come at an incredible price. The P5E3 currently streets for around $335; not for the faint of heart (unless you have a deep wallet). Nevertheless, the question of the day remains: Will the Asus P5E3 Deluxe make the grade? Is the motherboard, for all its enthusiast level features and pedigree, worth three Benjamins and change? HardwareLogic takes a long and hard look at the Asus P5E3 Deluxe to find out!

The P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n is an Intel® X38 chipset-based motherboard that combines powerful performance with great energy efficiency; and supports DDR3 1800MHz dual-channel memory architecture and Dual PCI Express 2.0 x16 lanes for extreme graphics performance. It also comes with the world’s first ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit), allowing the CPU power supply to be digitally monitored and fine-tuned with improved VRM efficiency in heavy or light loadings – attaining the best possible power efficiency and energy savings to help save the environment. The P5E3 DELUXE/WiFi-AP@n also supports 802.11n WiFi specifications onboard for faster data transfers, and ASUS Express Gate – an optional Linux OS bootup for instant access to the Internet in 5 seconds.

AI Lifestyle Series motherboards bring lifestyle and personal computing together. They provide you better system performance to enjoy graphic-intensive games and applications. The cutting-edge audio feature dramatically enhances the quality of voice signal. Thoughtful design allows you to set up your system easily. To create a peaceful environment, several new and improved innovations are included to reduce noise and temperature. Don´t change your way of life for a computer. Instead let the ASUS Lifestyle Series improve the quality of your life.

Normally at HardwareLogic, we would just give you a quick shot of everything that's included with the product, but the P5E3 Deluxe WiFi delivers on its name by providing a very impressive bundle of accessories that demands more attention than we're accustomed to giving...