P5GD2 package and presentation
With so many features that need to be accounted for via external brackets, ASUS packaging and bundle is a portly affair. So much so, that the P5GD2's bundle weighted in at in improbable 3KG. The label highlights the pertinent features.
Layer one consists of 10 red SATA cables, 4 SATA power cables with 2 plugs on each, an ASUS-customised pair of black ATA133 PATA cables, a floppy disk cable and a bag of motherboard jumpers. If the ITE PATA RAID controller is used with 2 drives on each port, there's a possible 12-drive combination, spanning various esoteric RAID arrays. Cabling, as you can see, is a much-needed inclusion.
ASUS also bundles in, thoughtfully I might add, a SATA extension board. Large, server-style cases may locate drives further than a standard SATA cable's reach. By including an extra 2 SATA cables and this extension, ASUS has ensured that connectivity, logistically-speaking, won't be a problem.
Both 1394b (FireWire800) connectors are located on this add-on bracket. The second Gigabit LAN port is also here. ASUS also bundles in its Wireless antenna.
2 separate brackets add in a further 2 USB2.0 ports, a GAME port, and a Serial port. The only problem we can forsee with 3 fly brackets is in the blocking off of PCI and PCI Express slots. Perhaps ASUS should have included a front-mounted bay module that housed these extra connectivity ports. An integrated card reader wouldn't have gone amiss, either.
ASUS' manuals are amongst the best in the business. This one is no exception. It's intuitive, easy to understand, and provides for good reference material. The driver CD contained all the required motherboard and features drives and a couple of ASUS-branded utilities. However, when attempting to flash the board with the latest available BIOS, Rev 1004.007, ASUS' Update program continually drew a blank. We'd also prefer a one-touch feature installation program. ASUS' buying and negotiating power translates to the inclusion of a rather handy InterVideo WinDVD Platinum suite.
The bundle ensures that the board's features can be used immediately. Presentation is good, and there's a few nice touches, namely branded cables and the thoughtful SATA extension board.
