Intel DP55KG Motherboard Review :: Features

• Support for the Intel Core i7 and Intel Core i5 processors in the LGA-1156 package
• Intel P55 Express Chipset
• Dual-Channel DDR3-1600+ (OC)/1333/1066MHz memory support
• One PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot
• One PCI Express 2.0 x4 slot, two PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots and two PCI slots
• Intel Matrix Storage Technology
• Eight SATA 3.0GB/s ports with two additional external SATA ports
• Six-phase improved voltage regulator
• Exclusive voltage regulator thermal solutions
• Consumer infrared receiver and transmitter
• One IEEE-1394a port with one additional port via internal header
• Eight USB 2.0 ports with four additional ports via two internal headers and one onboard port via one internal header
• Dolby Home Theater with 10-Channel Intel High Definition Audio (7.1) and S/PDIF In and Out
• Intel PRO 10/100/1000 Network
• Lead-free
• ATX 9.6X11.6
• Post code decoder

The Intel DP55KG Extreme motherboard is their top of the line P55 Express based motherboard. The move to the LGA-1156 Socket moved the PCI Express lanes for the graphics cards to the CPU die itself, removing the need for a Northbridge chip as previous motherboard chipsets from Intel required. The current lineup for Intel CPUs includes the Core i7 870 (3.2GHz), the Core i7 860 (2.93GHz) and Core i5 72.93GHz) and Core i5 70 (2.66GHz with HT disabled).

The memory controller on the new platform is also on the CPU, meaning that the memory support will be limited to 1333MHz unless the memory is overclocked. DDR3-1600MHz is supported when the system is overclocked. Note that with the advent of Intel’s Turbo Boost technology on their LGA-1156 CPUs automatic overclocking of the CPUs is the norm.

Intel has begun using CHiL processor voltage regulators on their motherboards. The DP55KG Extreme board uses six phase improved voltage regulators from CHiL on their board, allowing for improved power and voltage delivery to reach even better performance when running games and applications. The board also supports Bluetooth such as for a audio headset or mouse.

The Intel Turbo Boost technology works easily and simply. If the CPU is not overheating, you can set the frequency of the CPU to a higher clock speed than the default clock speed. For example, the Intel Core i7 870 has a default clock speed of 3.2GHz which is a 24x multiplier times the Base Clock of 133MHz. With Turbo Boost enabled, a maximum clock speed of 3.6GHz is attained. For the Core i5 750, the default clock speed is 2.66GHz with a 3.2GHz Turbo Boost speed (160x20). This feature when enabled is turned on all of the time.