Test System

Initial Setup

Setting up the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe proved an easy task, no different than any other motherboard, with the JEDEC 1600 MHz 11-11-11-31 1.5V profile of our G.Skill DIMMs booting right up without any issue. The OS install went perfectly, and no issues were noticed at any point during our testing period, even when overclocking.

PWM Power Consumption

Since one of our first tasks was to truly verify system stability, while doing so we measure CPU power consumption. We isolate the power coming through the 8-pin ATX connector using an in-line meter that provides voltage and current readings, as well as total wattage passed through it. While this may not prove to isolate the CPU power draw in all instances, it does serve as a good indicator of board efficiency and effective VRM design.


The ASUS P9X79 Deluxe put up some pretty impressive numbers on 8-pin power consumption. First, in idle mode, a draw of just three watts was noticed, a full 15 watts lower than the last Intel X79 Express product we tested. At load, the situation was a bit different, however, with 129 watts drawn via the 8-pin EPS connector, just one watt less than the ECS X79R-AX.