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[nextpage title=”Introduction”]

The Intel Q67 chipset is targeted to the enterprise segment, i.e., desktop computers inside a big corporation. It is basically an H67 chipset with remote management and security technologies, allowing system and network administrators to manage and maintain the computers inside the company remotely, significantly lowering maintenance costs and decreasing the time required to fix and update the computers. Let’s see the features brought by the ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM motherboard.

The ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM supports vPro/AMT (Active Management Technology), which are Intel’s remote management technologies. ASUS has a version of this motherboard with an on-board TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip, which encrypts data that is being handled by the computer, but this version isn’t sold in the US. Unfortunately, the product box incorrectly lists this feature as available on the portrayed motherboard.

This motherboard uses the microATX form factor, as you can see in Figure 1.

Figure 1: ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM motherboard

[nextpage title=”Slots”]

The ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM comes with one PCI Express x16, one PCI Express x4, and two standard PCI slots. The PCI Express x4 slot has its rear part opened, meaning that you can install an x8 or a x16 card in it, but operating at x4. Also, keep in mind that you can install PCI Express x1 cards in the PCI Express x16 and in the PCI Express x4 slots. Since this motherboard is targeted to the average office environment, we believe that the slot configuration is satisfactory.

Figure 2: Slots

[nextpage title=”Memory Support”]

Intel socket LGA1155 CPUs have an embedded memory controller, meaning that it is the processor, not the chipset, which defines what memory technologies you can have and the maximum amount of memory that is possible. The motherboard, however, may have a limitation as to how much memory can be installed.

The integrated memory controller from socket LGA1155 processors supports only DDR3 memories up to 1,333 MHz under dual-channel architecture.

The ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM has four memory sockets and, since DDR3 memory modules can now be found in capacities up to 8 GB, you can have up to 32 GB with this motherboard, if you use four 8 GB modules.

The first and third sockets are black, while the second and fourth are blue. In order to achieve the maximum performance, you should install two or four memory modules in order to enable dual-channel architecture. When only two modules are used, install them in the black sockets; otherwise, your computer won’t turn on.

Figure 3: Memory sockets; install two or four modules for the best performance

[nextpage title=”On-Board Peripherals”]

The Intel Q67 chipset is a single-chip solution which is also known as a PCH (Platform Controller Hub). This chip supports two SATA-600 ports and four SATA-300 ports, supporting RAID (0, 1, 10, and 5). These ports are located at one of the corners of the motherboard, so the installation of an add-on video card won’t block them.

Figure 4: SATA-300 (blue) and SATA-600 (gray) ports

This motherboard has 14 USB 2.0 ports, six soldered on the rear panel and eight available through four headers located on the motherboard. There are no USB 3.0 or FireWire (IEEE1394) ports.

The ASUS P8Q67-M comes with eight-channel audio, generated by the chipset using a VIA VT1708S codec. The specifications of this chip are professional-grade, including a 110 dB signal-to-noise ratio for the analog outputs, 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio for the analog inputs, and up to 192 kHz sampling rate for both inputs and outputs. This means you are able to capture and edit analog audio (e.g., converting LPs to CDs or MP3 files, converting VHS tapes to DVDs or any other digital format, etc.) with this motherboard without adding any background noise.

However, this motherboard has only three analog audio jacks. This means that you can only add a 5.1 speaker set, and since you will have to use the “line in” and “mic in” jacks, they will become unavailable. The motherboard doesn’t come with on-board SPDIF connectors, but you can add them by installing an adapter on the available “SPDIF_OUT” header.

The portrayed motherboard has one Gigabit Ethernet port, controlled by the chipset using an Intel WG82579LM chip to make the interface with the physical layer.

In Figure 5, you can see the motherboard rear panel, with mouse and keyboard PS/2 connectors, DisplayPort output, VGA output, DVI-D output, six USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet port, and shared 5.1 analog audio jacks.

Figure 5: Motherboard rear panel

[nextpage title=”Other Features”]

The ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM has a legacy serial port, available on a header labeled “COM1,” and a legacy parallel port, available on a header labeled “LPT.” If you want to have these ports available, you will have to buy the necessary adapters, since the product doesn’t come with them.

In Figure 6, you can see all the accessories that come with this motherboard.

Figure 6: Accessories

[nextpage title=”Voltage Regulator”]

The CPU voltage regulator circuit of the ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM has four phases for the CPU main voltage (Vcc a.k.a. Vcore), one for the CPU VTT voltage (integrated memory controller and L3 memory cache), and one for the CPU VAXG voltage (integrated video controller). Therefore, it uses a “4+1+1” configuration.

Figure 7: Voltage regulator circuit

This motherboard uses solid capacitors and ferrite-core coils, which provide less energy loss, improving efficiency up to 20%.

If you want to learn more about the voltage regulator circuit, ple
ase read our tutorial on the subject.[nextpage title=”Overclocking Options”]

The ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM has a few overclocking options. Overclocking is mainly controlled through the Intel Turbo Boost technology.

• CPU ratio: From x16 to x34 in x1 increments (for unlocked CPUs)
• Integrated video processor maximum clock: From 1100 MHz to 3000 MHz in 50 MHz increments
• CPU core voltage: From -0.635 V to +0.635 V in 0.005 V increments
• Integrated video processor voltage: From -0.635 V to +0.635 V in 0.005 V increments
• CPU VTT (VCCIO) voltage: From 0.735 V to 1.685 V in 0.005 V increments
• Memory voltage: From 1.185 V to 2.135 V in 0.005 V increments
• Chipset voltage (“PCH”): From 0.735 V to 1.685 V in 0.005 V increments

Figure 8: Overclocking options

Figure 9: Overclocking options

[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]

The main specifications for the ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM include:

• Socket: 1155
• Chipset: Intel Q67 Express
• Super I/O: Nuvoton NCT6776F
• Parallel ATA: None
• Serial ATA: Two SATA-300 and two SATA-600 ports controlled by the chipset (RAID 0, 1, 10, and 5)
• External SATA: None
• USB 2.0: 14 USB 2.0 ports, six soldered on the motherboard rear panel and eight available through four headers on the motherboard
• USB 3.0: None
• FireWire (IEEE 1394): None
• On-board video: Yes, controlled by the CPU, VGA, DVI-D, and DisplayPort outputs
• On-board audio: Produced by the chipset together with a VIA VT1708S codec (eight channels, 24-bit resolution, up to 192 KHz sampling rate for both the inputs and outputs, 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio for the inputs and 110 dB signal-to-noise ratio for the outputs)
• On-board LAN: One Gigabit Ethernet port controlled by the chipset using an Intel WG82579LM chip to make the interface with the physical layer
• Buzzer: No
• Infrared interface: No
• Power supply required: EPS12V
• Slots: One PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot, one PCI Express x4 slot, and two standard PCI slots
• Memory: Four DDR3-DIMM sockets (up to DDR3-1333, 32 GB maximum)
• Fan connectors: One four-pin connector for the CPU cooler and one three-pin connector for an auxiliary fan
• Extra features: Legacy serial port, legacy parallel port, and vPro
• Number of CDs/DVDs provided: One
• Programs included: Motherboard utilities
• More Information: https://usa.asus.com
• Average price in the US*: USD 140.00

* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.

[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]

The ASUS P8Q67-M DO/CSM may be an interesting option for the corporate market, where remote management is a must. It brings a set of features compatible with computers that will be used only for office-style applications. In fact, it carries a professional-grade audio codec, which we believe is overkill.

This is not a motherboard targeted to the home user. If you are an average user building a basic PC, you will probably be better off buying a motherboard based on the H67 chipset (which is cheaper) or even on the Z68 chipset (if you want more features).