14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this month, rumors emerged on a new ASUS motherboard that would adopt Intel's X58 chipset and combine it with USB 3.0 and SATA 6GB/s connectivity. The new platform, reportedly dubbed P6X58, was expected to be launched later this year, providing computer enthusiasts with support for the latest connectivity technologies. However, according to updated details that have recently surfaced on the Internet, the Taiwanese motherboard maker has decided to cancel the launch of said board, likely due to some issues with Marvell's SATA 6GB (88SE9123) chip, according to various reports.
Word on the Internet has it that the Marvell SATA 6GB chip raised some problems for motherboard makers, which could lead to a delay for the launch of the first wave of USB 3.0 and SATA 6GB/s motherboards. Apparently, according to a recent news-article on The Inquirer, this was also the case with one of the world's leading motherboard makers, ASUS, which has decided to cancel the much-hyped P6X58 motherboard. The company apparently hasn't delivered any specific details as to why it made this decision or whether it plans to rethink the strategy.
Nevertheless, it looks like computer enthusiasts will have to wait a bit more for the launch of the first USB 3.0 and SATA 6GB/s motherboard. These new features are expected to provide users with an enhanced computing experience, with increased performance for peripheral devices and storage solutions. It is expected that the new connectivity options will become mainstream in late 2010, with prospects for the first supporting devices to emerge later this year.
As far as the ASUS P6X58 board goes, we could be seeing a new motherboard that will incorporate the aforementioned features in the near future. However, at least for the time being, it looks like the Taiwanese company is tight-lipped about any new products that haven't been officially introduced.