ASUS Rampage II Extreme X58 Motherboard Preview
Introduction
Published: 24th October 2008 | Source: Asus | Price: £TBC |
Introduction 
Core i7 (Nehalem) is almost upon us, and I can't remember a time in the recent past where a product release has drawn so much excitement and hype before its release. Sure Conroe made a very large splash when it arrived, as it gave enthusiasts a reason to return to an Intel-based system after what can only be described as a very long time. This time around though, Intel has a new socket, a new processor and a chipset that will provide many features and performance that enthusiasts have been yearning for.
By now I'm sure that many of you have seen previews of Core i7 and what the new platform will entail, as well as preliminary performance benchmarks. Upon Core i7's release, we will see the move from the current LGA775 socket, to the LGA1366 socket; the inclusion of an integrated memory controller (IMC); SLI and CrossfireX support, and the near disappearance of the aging FSB thanks to the new QuickPath Interconnect (QPI). Although the biggest surprise would have to be the return of HyperThreading. Gone are the inefficient days of Pentium 4 CPU's struggling to cope with running two threads on a single core - Core i7 will be able to handle eight threads (two per core).This time around though, Core i7 promises significantly more power under the hood.
With all these new features and increased performance, there is a need for motherboards capable of providing performance equal to and complementing that of this new CPU. Which brings us to the subject of today's preview - the ASUS Rampage II Extreme motherboard. Today we've been sent what will be the actual retail version of the ASUS Rampage II Extreme for some early analysis. Unfortunately, we cant post any performance figures of the board yet as we still have our commitment to the current NDA, but we're still going to take an up-close look at some of the board's finer points. Here are some words from ASUS' recent press release:
ASUS...today unveiled the most advanced and highest performing enthusiast motherboard at present: the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Rampage II Extreme. In keeping with ROG’s commitment to producing cutting-edge, boundary-redefining products for the serious gaming and overclocking community, the ROG Rampage II Extreme incorporates the latest innovations and components into its architecture, such as the latest Intel chipset and SLI/CrossFireX on Demand—delivering blistering performance through its support for the new range of Intel processors and multi-GPU technologies such as 3-Way SLI and CrossFireX™.
To enable users to push the capabilities of the new platform to the limit, the ROG Rampage II Extreme features ROG Extreme Engine, a true multi-phase power management system—16 phases for the CPU and 3 phases each for QPI/DRAM, the Northbridge and memory—with premium Multilayer type Polymer Capacitors (ML Caps) that keep the power supply stable even under the most demanding loads.
To enable users to push the capabilities of the new platform to the limit, the ROG Rampage II Extreme features ROG Extreme Engine, a true multi-phase power management system—16 phases for the CPU and 3 phases each for QPI/DRAM, the Northbridge and memory—with premium Multilayer type Polymer Capacitors (ML Caps) that keep the power supply stable even under the most demanding loads.
The ASUS Rampage II Extreme boasts a number of features that should keep the overclocking enthusiasts happier than a pig in sh&% mud. Without giving too much away, let's just say that voltage control features heavily here.
Let's head over the page to see how the ASUS Rampage II Extreme is packaged and what goodies ASUS have bundled into it...
Most Recent Comments
It is an EATX format. This means you might need a new case if you don't have an EATX case yet, they are quite expensive although I think there might be some cheaper ones out there, I just don't know where to look LOL
Unfortunately I won't be going down that road anymore as I do not want to buy a new case, my Antec Nine Hundred is fine :)
Unfortunately I won't be going down that road anymore as I do not want to buy a new case, my Antec Nine Hundred is fine :)
I wouldn`t buy it merely on the basis that it`s an eATX, if u have to go through so many changes.
There are so many ATX size ones coming out, including some well designed ones.
Saw a great Intel one the other day where they moved the dimm slots and the bridges.
This one has been thrown together imo.
There are so many ATX size ones coming out, including some well designed ones.
Saw a great Intel one the other day where they moved the dimm slots and the bridges.
This one has been thrown together imo.
Well, I already purchased my case, in prep for all the new stuff coming out. I purchased a Li-Lian a17-a. So at this point I am stuck with ATX (which I prefer, don't want some huge box in the corner).
Sizes from Wiki
Mini ATX 11.2 inches (284 mm) 8.2 inches (208 mm)
Standard ATX 12 inches (304.8 mm) 9.6 inches (243.8 mm)
EATX (extended ATX) 12 inches (304.8 mm) 13 inches (330.2 mm)
WTX (workstation ATX) 14 inches (355.6 mm) 16.75 inches (425.4 mm)
from Asus' website for thos ROGII: ATX Form Factor, 12" x 10.6" (30.5 cm x 26.9 cm)"
This MB comes right inbetween the ATX and EATX sizes.... so that is what was confusing.
your probably right on how the MB was thrown together... but haven't really had issues with Asus's stuff. Maybe I will just go with the P6T instead....
Sizes from Wiki
Mini ATX 11.2 inches (284 mm) 8.2 inches (208 mm)
Standard ATX 12 inches (304.8 mm) 9.6 inches (243.8 mm)
EATX (extended ATX) 12 inches (304.8 mm) 13 inches (330.2 mm)
WTX (workstation ATX) 14 inches (355.6 mm) 16.75 inches (425.4 mm)
from Asus' website for thos ROGII: ATX Form Factor, 12" x 10.6" (30.5 cm x 26.9 cm)"
This MB comes right inbetween the ATX and EATX sizes.... so that is what was confusing.
your probably right on how the MB was thrown together... but haven't really had issues with Asus's stuff. Maybe I will just go with the P6T instead....
The P6T is quite known for its overclockability (at least in the one i7 o/c thread I could find). If you want to overclock, you can disable to 130W TDP limit in the bios.
Disreguard my specs here in my profile, as this is what I want to have. But my question is, What kind of psu do I need for this? I was looking at a Corsair 750 watt and was hopeing this was enough...any thoughts????
A 750w corsair will be more than enough. It depends what you are planning on plugging into the motherboard but a 750w will be plenty for all but the ultra highend setups.
Ok, thanks...I am only putting on:
1 x Nvidia 7800 GT video card, for now...maybe more later, but I want to save some money.
I will have probably 3-4 hard drives hooked up. (All SATA Drives).
3 x Optical Drives, 2 x DvD Player/Burner, 1 x CD Player/Burner,
2 x Monitors, many USB devices....
1 External TB Hard Drive probably gonna hook up via eSata now, since this board has it.....
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
APEVIA X-JUPITER G-Type X-JUPITERG-BL Blue Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case that has 4 fans installed.
1 x Nvidia 7800 GT video card, for now...maybe more later, but I want to save some money.
I will have probably 3-4 hard drives hooked up. (All SATA Drives).
3 x Optical Drives, 2 x DvD Player/Burner, 1 x CD Player/Burner,
2 x Monitors, many USB devices....
1 External TB Hard Drive probably gonna hook up via eSata now, since this board has it.....
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
APEVIA X-JUPITER G-Type X-JUPITERG-BL Blue Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case that has 4 fans installed.
700w is most likely overkill for that setup but it should give you a fair amount of 'future proofing' if there is such a thing.
Ok, Thank you very much.......
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Asus's site says ATX. Review says EATX.
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news_show.aspx?id=13130
"ATX Form Factor, 12" x 10.6" (30.5 cm x 26.9 cm)"
Thanks