ASUS P5Q SE2: specifications, description, pros and cons

The characteristics of the ASUS P5Q SE2 allow us to classify this motherboard as a premium device. It is based on one of the most productive chipset within the LGA775 - P45. But at the same time, a reduced level of functionality can significantly reduce the cost of the component. Therefore, it is quite possible to meet it as part of budget computing systems. This is a universal motherboard.

Specialization

As noted above, the characteristics of the ASUS P5Q SE2 are classified as the most universal solutions. The year of manufacture of this computer component is 2008. At that time, the LGA775 socket was the foremost in the range of Intel products. Accordingly, its chips for this processor socket made it possible to assemble personal computers of various purposes. It could be office PCs that processed only the simplest information. Also, on the basis of this board, it was possible to assemble an average computer in terms of speed. To do this, it was necessary to install in its socket chips of the Core 2Duo or Pentium D series in combination with a powerful discrete graphics card. In addition, LGA775 allowed to assemble and high-performance computing devices. In this case, the specified motherboard should work in conjunction with the Core 2Quad CPU.

Equipment

This decision is very positively characterized by the owners from the standpoint of configuration. The manufacturer included in it not only the main components that allow it to be used immediately as part of a PC, but also additional ones. The latter greatly simplify the process of assembling a new personal computer.

The delivery list for this computer component included the following:

• Motherboard ASUS P5Q SE.
• Russian instruction in paper execution.
• Warranty card.
• Special plug with dielectric coating for mounting the device in a PC case.
• Separate adapter for powering devices with SATA interface.
• One loop for switching drives with an IDE port.
• A standard DVD is a disk on which not only documentation is recorded, but also drivers.
• One cable for connecting a reader and writer for floppy disks.
• A set of convectors for simplified connection of the front panel of a PC.

Layout

Characteristics ASUS P5Q SE2 attribute it to devices of the ATX category. Its length is 305 mm and its width is 193 mm. The key element of the board is the processor socket performed by LGA775. It is located almost at the very top. Four slots for installing RAM modules are grouped to his right. On the opposite side, the main communication ports are displayed. Immediately under the socket is a small aluminum radiator with a blue company logo. Under it the north bridge of the chipset “hid”. To the left of it is the main power connector, and a little lower is the slot for installing the graphics adapter. Next are the expansion slots and the south bridge of the chipset. At the very bottom of the board there are communication ports for connecting drives and connectors on the front panel of the case.

Chipset specifications, processor socket

The characteristics of the motherboard ASUS P5Q SE2, as previously noted, indicated that it is based on a set of P45. The latter was performed on an outdated to date layout, which includes two separate components. One of them is the P45 chip, which acts as a north bridge. It connects the processor, RAM and peripheral devices connected to the communication ports. The second component of this chipset is ICH10. This chip was called the south bridge. She was responsible for the interaction of the controllers installed in the expansion slots, and drives with other elements of the PC. It is also necessary to note the moment that this board was equipped with a LGA775 connector. At the moment, this socket is completely outdated.

CPU models

The instruction for the motherboard ASUS P5Q SE indicates the presence of a sufficiently large number of supported microprocessor models. Actually, there are no restrictions on the brand of CPU in this case. Therefore, in the processor socket, you can install the following chip models:

1. The Celeron and Celeron D series processors allow you to build office PCs with minimal cost. They were suitable for processing office documents, browsing the web and playing multimedia content. The difference between the two families is that in the first case there is one computing module, and in the second - two.
2. Microprocessors of the Pentium D line offered higher performance. Therefore, they can be found even in an entry-level PC. But at the same time, the total cost of the computing system increases significantly.
3. Chips of the Core 2Duo range are used in mid-range PCs. It can be gaming computers, workstations, and even economy-class servers.
4. You can also install Core 2Quad in such a motherboard. Such a chip necessarily includes four separate cores and provides very high performance.
5. You can install Core 2 Extreme microprocessors with an unlocked multiplier in the P5Q SE socket. Only here it will not be possible to significantly overclock such a CPU in this case. To do this, it is better to use solutions based on X48 with an improved power supply system.

The processor of any of the previously mentioned families can be installed in this model of the motherboard, and it can work with it without problems. And you do not even need to update for this BIOS to a newer version.

RAM

The motherboard ASUS P5Q SE PLUS is equipped with four slots for installing RAM modules. Characteristics indicate that it can address four modules of four gigabytes. That is, a computer based on it can address up to 16GB of RAM.

Moreover, the slots allow the installation of only standard DDR2 brackets. Recommended operating frequencies of the latter are 667, 800, 1 066 and 1 200 MHz. If you resort to the help of special utilities, you can overclock the RAM modules to 1333 MHz. Due to this operation, the performance of the computer as a whole will slightly increase.

Expansion slots

The computer component boasts quite good communication capabilities. A set of expansion slots includes the following:

1. One separate blue connector for mounting a PCI-E16x discrete graphics accelerator. That is, in the composition of such a PC there can be only one video accelerator. Now let's figure out which video cards the ASUS P5Q SE PLUS motherboard supports. In its slot, you can install any accelerator with a PCI-E16x connector. That is, even the GeForce 1080Ti as part of such a PC will be able to function. But if you start from the performance and degree of load of components, it is better to use outdated and less efficient accelerators.
2. Three white PCI slots. They are used to connect currently obsolete controllers. It can be a television tuner or an additional network card.
3. There are also two PCI – E slots in white. In this case, new modifications of external controllers should be installed.

Communication ports

Characteristics ASUS P5Q SE2 allow you to focus on a fairly large set of communication ports. The manufacturer included the following in it:

1. Six USB ports version 1.1 / 2.0 format allow you to connect almost any modern peripheral device.
2. There are also two separate PS2 sockets. One of them is used to obtain information from the manipulator, and the second - from the keyboard.
3. One integrated RJ-45 port allows you to connect your PC directly to the computer network.
4. There is also a set of acoustic connectors for connecting an external acoustic subsystem to the computer.
5. Separately, it should be noted the presence of six SATA ports. With their help, the motherboard can interact with any modern drive.
6. The IDE connector complements this list. Up to two drives in an obsolete version can be connected to it.
7. It should also be noted that there is an FDD port to which an outdated diskette drive is connected.
8. In addition, the system board has one connector for an external COM port.

Front panel connection

Now consider the pinout of the motherboard ASUS P5Q SE PLUS, which allows you to connect it to the front panel of the computer case. All the connectors necessary for these purposes are located in the lower right corner of the board and are neatly grouped. The marking of each of them, as well as the plug-in element, are shown in the table.

Cost

You can still buy this computer component on the World Wide Web from stocks. Moreover, the price is not quite affordable for him and amounts to 3,600 rubles. But the new LGA775-based computer is now incorrectly assembled. This platform is outdated and after it the Intel processor lineup has been repeatedly updated. Accordingly, the performance of such computing systems is at a very low level. But in the event of a breakdown of the motherboard based on the LGA775 socket, the purchase of the PC component considered in this material becomes already justified and quite justified. This will allow to “revive” the old computer with minimal investments.

Reviews

As previously mentioned, the characteristics of the ASUS P5Q SE2 motherboard made it a universal device within the LGA775. The component could be successfully used both in the assembly of a budget PC and a high-performance gaming system. That is, she did not have any restrictions in terms of use. This is a key advantage that owners emphasize in reviews. Also, its advantages include democratic value, functionality and reliability. But there is only one drawback of this component - the hardware platform that is outdated today. The board was introduced back in 2008 and since then has managed to become morally and physically obsolete.

Conclusion

In this material, the characteristics of the ASUS P5Q SE2 were examined in detail. This computer component by the standards of 2008 had good functionality and versatility. It could be used in the assembly of any computer system. But now this motherboard, like the entire LGA775 computing platform, is completely outdated and only allows solving problems of the initial or intermediate level of complexity. Therefore, the owners of such system units should now think about their modernization and improvement.