The EPU 6-engine software enables you to set profiles for your system, ranging from Turbo to max power saving. A readout even tells you how many milligrams of CO2 you've saved by switching modes, which is novel, if not that useful. Set the system to Turbo mode, however, and you can crank the CPU speed up, until you hit stability issues.

Extensive connectivity

As you'd expect, both SLI and CrossFire are supported, and there are three slots for graphics cards.

There's no shortage of ports, with six SATA II sockets, an eSata port, two FireWire ports and the obligatory IDE port.

The back panel has six USB ports, with headers for six more on the board. Audio isn't integrated, but comes on a card that uses a dedicated PCI slot. Because this is an X58 board, there are six DIMM slots for installing three matched modules, in a triple-channel configuration.

High price

In performance terms, the Asus Rampage II Extreme destroys the P45.

Our test with Corsair's triple-channel kit achieved an outstanding 27Gb/s throughput, with memory read speeds clocking in at 16Gb/s, which is over twice the figure supported by P45. This might be the first of a new breed, but its price is enough to make you feel faint.

There's no arguing with the performance figures, but we can't help feeling that there are too many frivolous features being used to justify the price tag.