![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Thursday , September 03, 2009
- Author:
- Morry Teitelman
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
EVGA X58 SLI Classified
EVGA decided to take the Intel camp by storm with its introduction of the X58 SLI Classified on to the Core i7 scene. Boasting a vast array of overclocking features and hardware optimizations, this could very well be the board to beat…
Introduction
EVGA is well known in the computer industry for their high performance video cards and computer components. More recently, the company has branched out in to the motherboard realm with great success in the highly lucrative enthusiast market. Their motherboards have successfully combined eye turning design and top rated performance, with few if any corners left unturned. Their latest motherboard continues this trend rather well.
The EVGA X58 SLI Classified motherboard has in built support for the newest Intel processor offerings via integration with the Intel X58 chipset. The chipset allows the board to offer support for the following technologies: the Intel LGA1366 Core i7 processor line, DDR3 memory operating in Triple Channel memory mode up to 1333MHz officially, and either NVIDIA SLI and ATI CrossFireX graphics mode using matched video cards.
The X58 SLI Classified is feature completed, meaning that it only requires few additional components in order to become operational: an Intel LGA1366 Core i7 processor, DDR3 memory, a video card, drives, and a PSU. In designing the X58 SLI Classified, EVGA chose to integrate the following ports in to the board: 6 SATA II ports (RAID 0, 1, 0+1 and 5 capable) on the Intel ICH10R controller; 2 SATA II ports (RAID 0 and 1) and 1 ATA-133 IDE port on the JMicron JMB363 controller; 1 SATA II port and 1 e-SATA port on the JMicron JMB362 controller; 12 USB 2.0 capable ports (8 in rear panel, and 2 onboard headers supporting 2 ports each); 2 IEEE 1394 capable ports (1 in rear panel, and 1 onboard header supporting 1 port each); 2 Realtek GigE Ethernet ports in the rear panel; Realtek 8-channel HD audio codec with integrated S/PDIF optical and RCA component output ports; integrated power, system reset, and CMOS reset buttons; 2-digit LED diagnostic display; and a PS/2 keyboard port in the rear panel.
Main Specifications Overview:
Detailed Mainboard Specification List:
Packaging
EVGA chose to go with a simple box art design for the X58 SLI Classified, simply showing the board name and supported technologies on a grated black background. The following accessories are bundled in with the board itself: a rounded IDE cable; locking connector SATA drive cables and double header power cables; the rear panel shield; a 2-way and 3-way SLI connectors; a rear panel bracket with USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 ports; the EVGA Control Panel; a numbered certificate of authenticity for the board that also contains the board’s serial and device numbers; and the normal complement of manuals and drivers discs. The EVGA Control Panel device allows for external control of enthusiast friendly features, including integrated power, system reset and CMOS reset buttons, 3 VCore over volt buttons which allow for a real-time VCore boost of up to +0.3V (+0.1V per button), PCI Express x16 port disable jumpers, and an integrated LED diagnostic display. The display shows system initialization codes during system startup, and can be configured to show CPU temperature after system post has completed. Note that the power button also acts as the system power LED, and the reset button acts as the hard drive activity LED.
Board Layout
As has become common place with the higher end enthusiast targeted boards, EVGA did a masterful job with the X58 SLI Classified’s design and overall layout. While the Northbridge cooler does look a bit close to the primary PCI Express x16 video card slot, there are 3 others you can use without any impedance. The board’s serial number and revision are located on a white sticker in the upper left corner of the board, with the board tested being a revision 1.0. The board’s serial number is also located on a white sticker in the upper right hand corner of the included certificate of authenticity. Unsurprisingly, EVGA used high quality aluminum based solid-state capacitors throughout the board’s surface.
The CPU socket area is completely clear of obstructions, with the little amount of power circuitry preset being of the low profile persuasion. The CPU cooler is held to the socket using the standard 4-hole LGA1366 design. Directly to the left of the socket is the X58 Northbridge chipset, covered by a massive passively cooled heat sink, which also acts as a termination point in the board’s heat pipe cooling solution. You didn’t miss-read the previous statement either – the Northbridge and heat pipe itself is passively cooled, that being the one weak link in the board’s design. The Northbridge sink also contains an integrated red colored LED light, which blinks when the board is powered. Above the CPU socket is an additional passive heat sink, covering the CPU power circuitry, with 2 8-pin ATX12V power connectors above it. EVGA designed the board with double 8-pin ATX12V power connectors just in case you wanted or needed the extra power when pushing your i7 to 6GHz. The 4-pin CPU fan header is located to the lower left of the CPU socket, just above the DIMM slots.
The board’s 6 integrated DIMM slots are located just under the CPU socket and Northbridge chipset, arranged in a dual colored single block. Triple Channel memory mode is active with modules in matching colored slots. To the lower left of the memory slots are the power fan header, the PCI Express x16 port activity jumpers, and the 24-pin ATX power connector. Using the jumpers, you can selectively disable the unused PCI Express x16 ports.
The board Intel ICH10R Southbridge chipset is covered by a massive low profile heat sink, which connects in to the heat pipe cooling system connecting with the Northbridge sink. The cooler itself easily takes up one third of the Southbridge chipset area. Directly below the Southbridge cooler are 8 of the onboard SATA 2 ports, and the ATA-133 IDE port. Note that the black colored SATA 2 ports are controlled by the ICH10R controller, while the red colored ports are controlled by the JMicron JMB363 controller. To the left of the Southbridge are the EVGA Control Panel header, the front panel header, the CMOS battery, the onboard 2-digit LED diagnostic display, the USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 headers, and the system and chassis fan headers.
In a radical design move, EVGA packed a total of 4 PCI Express x16 video slots, 1 PCI Express x1 slot and 1 PCI slot in to the board’s upper left quadrant. The onboard power, reset, and CMOS reset buttons are located along the outer edge of PCI Express x16 slot 4, with an integrated speaker just above it. The front panel audio header is located just above the lone PCI slot, while the JMicron JMB 362 controlled SATA 2 port is sandwiched between the PCI Express x1 and primary PCI Express x16 slots.
The X58 SLI Classified’s rear panel contains 1 PS/2 keyboard port; 8 USB 2.0 ports; 1 IEEE 1394 port; 2 Realtek GigE Ethernet ports; 1 e-SATA port; CMOS reset button; and 6 analogue and S/PDIF optical and RCA component audio output ports.
EVGA E-LEET Tuning Utility
Using a unique twist on an old favorite, EVGA designed their E-LEET Tuning Utility based on the ever popular CPU-Z development kit. Note that the version included with the board was 1.05.0. The CPU and Memory tabs are similar in nature and function to CPU-Z, showing detailed CPU and memory related settings data. The options tab allows for settings saving and submission for online validation as well as the creation of customized profiles tied to key-bindings.
The Monitoring tab contains real-time statistics on all system voltages, device temperatures including a per core CPU die temperature read-out, and fan headers. The overclocking related settings are split between 2 tabs, with the Overclocking tab containing settings for bus speed and CPU multiplier manipulation and the Voltage tab housing the board configurable voltage settings.