PCB Layout

Although Asus P5K uses simplified design compared with the high-end products within the same family, we can’t really find any drawbacks at first glance.

The installed graphics card doesn’t block the clips of the memory slots, the gap between two PCI-E x16 slots has been increased (Asus exclusive two-slot thermal design), the three PCI slots will be just enough for all your needs and the power supply connectors are all very conveniently located.

You can see some empty spots for capacitors, but they all are polymeric, which makes the board slightly more expensive but promises longer and more stable life. Asus P5K is equipped with four fan connectors, which is more than enough for a mainstream board that doesn’t claim any enthusiast titles.

There are no electronic components beneath the processor socket on the reverse side of the mainboard PCB that could potentially hinder installation of cooling backplates.

Three-phase processor voltage regulator circuitry is not an advantage, but not a drawback at the same time. A definite plus is fanless, i.e. noiseless, chipset cooling system using a heat-pipe.