Board layout

As we stated earlier, the P6T features an entirely different board layout than the P6T Deluxe and P6T Deluxe V2. We actually like the layout of the P6T vanilla better than the Deluxe model. Why? 3-Way SLI.

While the P6T Deluxe physically features 3 PCI Express Graphics (PEG) slots, because the second and third PEG slots are so close to each other on the P6T Deluxe, you can’t house three dual-slot cards like the GeForce GTX 260 together for 3-Way SLI. There simply isn’t enough space between the PEG slots.

ASUS has resolved this issue on the vanilla P6T, with a PCI slot separating the second and third PEG slots from each other. An x1 PCIe slot separates the primary PEG slot from the secondary PEG slot.

Because of these changes, this gives you just enough room for 3-Way SLI.


Another change that separates the P6T from the P6T Deluxe is the removal of the two Marvell-powered SAS ports on the P6T motherboard. Fortunately, two SATA 3Gb/s
ports are retained thanks to the use of JMicron’s JMB322 controller. These two ports are used for ASUS’ Drive Xpert features which include EZ Backup and Super Speed. These are the two orange SATA ports you see in the pictures. The other six SATA ports are powered by the ICH10R chipset.

For those of you with parallel ATA (PATA) DVD-ROM drives, a JMicron JMB363 controller chip is used to support up to two devices, as well as providing eSATA support.

The other major change is the adoption of an 8+2-phase power subsystem versus the 16+2-phase power used on the P6T Deluxe.


With less power phases the P6T’s headroom for OC’ing is technically lower than the Deluxe model, although in our OC’ing tests we found the 8-phase system ASUS has implemented is pretty effective. For the record, ASUS claims 96% efficiency.

In addition to fewer power phases, ASUS also uses tamer cooling for the chipset and MOSFETs. A single heatpipe is used for the North Bridge and MOSFETs, and unlike the P6T Deluxe the heatpipe isn’t made from copper. The South Bridge is then cooled by a simple aluminum heatsink.


The final changes between the P6T and P6T Deluxe are less dramatic. Instead of shipping with dual GigE networking controllers like the Deluxe board, the P6T ships with one GigE controller powered by Realtek’s 8111C chip. Audio duties switch from the Analog Devices AD2000B to Realtek’s ALC1200 8-channel audio CODEC.


Those of you with high-end LGA-775 coolers will be glad to hear that ASUS provides mounting holes for both LGA-775 and LGA1366. You probably should stick with an LGA1366 cooler though for optimal cooling performance.