After higher-level Core i7 introduced, based on brand new structure LGA 1366 which has become available in the market at the end of last year,
consumers have been waiting for this new mid-level platform.
As for motherboard chipset, Intel P55 is a single chipset for LGA 1156, the design that Intel seldom used before.
As for CPU, Core i7 is the structure, and currently there are two series: Core i7 8XX series with HT, and Core i5 7XX series without HT.
Basically, Core i7 8XX series of LGA 1156 and Core i7 9XX series of LGA 1366 are with the same technology and specification;
the difference of these two series is clock rate.
P55 is also a hot product for motherboard manufacturers.
The related product information is shown on Internet and everywhere.
Within 6 months, motherboard manufacturers, adopting the same way of selling X58,
would release various versions of P55 for consumers to choose.
Concerning its price point, entry-level P55 is about US$150, mid-level P55 from US$150 ~ 210, and highest-level P55 is US$ 210 ~ 270.
This time the protagonist is BIOSTAR TPOWER I55.
This brand might be a little bit unknown in Taiwan because it’s not been sold here.
Last year, BIOSTAR P45, with excellent overclocking ability, has become the focus on the Internet, but later X58 was comparably quiet.
This time we are curious about the performance of BIOSTAR P55 series boards.
First let’s take a look at the product packing.
Gold is the main colour, but a bit too strong.
The matching colour and matching quality should leave something to be desired.
Accessories:
User’s Manual, Full Setup Driver CD, SATA and Power Cables, Rear I/O Panel for ATX Case, SLI Bridge,
CFX Bridge. BIOSTAR provides more cables, so it can be sure that the quantity is enough.
But personally I do not understand why BIOSTAR provides so many 4-Pin to SATA power cables.
BIOSTAR TPOWER I55 itself
The matching CPU is Intel Core i5 750, whose clock rate is 2.66GHz and which does not support HT technology,
and is also the basic CPU of LGA 1156. The price is about US$200.
Down-left of the motherboard
2 X PCIE X16(Support ATI CrossFireX and Nvidia SLI technology，bandwidth is X8+X8)
1 X PCI-E X4
2 X PCI-E X1
2 X PCI
Dual LAN Intel 82578/Realtek RTL8111DL, support 2Gb LAN Teaming.
Sound codec is ALC888S, and supports HD Audio and 7.1 channels.
Down-right of the motherboard
6 X SATAII (P55 provides and supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, and RAID 5)
Power/Reset buttons and debug indicators; 1394a adopts LSI chipset.
Up-right of the motherboard
4 X DIMM DDR3, support 800/1066/1333/1600/2000+
Besides, 1600 will be available when Core i7 is used; 2000+ needs overclocking condition.
1 X IDE
24PIN power source connector; DDR3 uses 2phase power supply.
About power supply, 8 phase CPU Power and 4 phase CPU NB are used.
IO
8 X USB 2.0
2 X eSATA
2 X Gigabit LAN(supports Teaming function)
1 X 1394a
