14 DAY TRIAL // Like all other hardware makers, Sapphire had quite a few Intel-based devices on display at CES, 2011, one of them being a certain motherboard that, instead of the Sandy Bridge CPUs, was aimed at Socket LGA 1366 chips.
The new collection of Core processors definitely saw a strong set of supporting platforms released for them during the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show.
However, they were not the only ones of Intel's central processing units that were taken into account by the company's many partners.
In fact, there was no shortage of platforms compatible with all of its already existing CPUs, like those designed for the LGA 1366 socket.
Sapphire was the maker of one such platform, dubbed Pure Black X58 and equipped with everything that a high-end system may expect from a motherboard.
The first asset one may notice is that Sapphire's Pure Black X58 can handle even six-core Core i7 central processing units.
This alone would be enough to cement it as a high-profile product, but its maker made sure to put in a sufficiently vast array of enthusiast-aimed assets.
Whatever chip happens to be used is backed up by up to six DDR3 memory slots and complemented by up to three video controllers.
Indeed, three PCI Express x16 slots exist, operating at x16/x8/x8. There was also mention of SATA 6.0 Gbps connectors, two to be exact, as well as five SATA 3.0 Gbps.
Other specifications include a debut LED, voltage read points, 7.1 channel audio, USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet and Power, Reset and Clear CMOS buttons.
Finally, for reliability and long lifespan, Sapphire threw in solid capacitors and Diamond Black chokes, especially useful for more stable overclocking.
The Pure Black X58 was showcased alongside a so-called bigger sibling, one Pure Black P67 hydra, which has already been covered. Unfortunately, no availability and pricing information exists so far.