titleFor X79 we have taken a look in detail at both the reference design and Asus’s professional solution. What about a model made specifically for gaming? The X79 platform is called an enthusiast platform; there are finally no limitations on bandwidth to video card, something that was an issue on 1155 motherboards.  Today we are going to take a look at Asus’s Rampage IV, their flagship motherboard designed specifically for someone who only wants the best. Will this be the end all be all motherboard? Let’s find out!

Product Name: Asus Rampage IV Extreme

Review Sample Provided by: Asus

Pictures by: Wes

Review by: Wes


Specifications

CPU

Intel® Socket 2011 for 2nd Generation Core™ i7 Processors 
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2 
* Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list

Chipset

Intel® X79

Memory

8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Quad Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. 
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).

Multi-GPU Support

Supports NVIDIA® 4-Way SLI™ Technology 
Supports AMD 4-Way CrossFireX Technology

Expansion Slots

4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 *1
1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x8 mode, gray) *1
1 x PCIe 2.0 x1

Storage

Intel® X79 chipset : 
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), black
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : 
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red

LAN

Intel®, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)

Bluetooth

Bluetooth V2.1+EDR

Audio

Realtek® ALC898 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC 
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
Audio Feature :
- Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection 
- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel

USB Ports

ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 
8 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 4 at mid-board)
Intel® X79 chipset : 
12 x USB 2.0 port(s) (8 at back panel, black+red, 4 at mid-board)

Overclocking Features

ROG OC Key
- OSD TweakIt
- OSD Monitor
ROG Connect :
- RC Diagram
- RC Remote
- RC Poster
- GPU TweakIt
ROG iDirect 
Extreme Engine Digi+ II :
- 8 -phase CPU power design
- 3 -phase VCCSA power design
- 2 + 2 phase DRAM power design
ROG Extreme OC kit :
- Subzero Sense
- VGA Hotwire
- Slow Mode
- LN2 Mode
- PCIe x16 Lane Switch
- Q Reset
- EZ Plug
ProbeIt
UEFI BIOS features :
- ROG BIOS Wallpaper
- GPU.DIMM Post
iROG
Extreme Tweaker
Loadline Calibration
BIOS Flashback
USB BIOS Flashback
Overclocking Protection :
- COP EX (Component Overheat Protection - EX)
- Voltiminder LED II
- ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)

Special Features

ASUS EPU :
- EPU 
CPU Level Up
ASUS Exclusive Features :
- MemOK!
- Onboard Button : Power/Reset/Clr CMOS (at back IO)
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
- ASUS Q-Fan Plus
- ASUS Fan Xpert 
ASUS EZ DIY :
- ASUS O.C. Profile
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 
- ASUS EZ Flash 2 
- ASUS MyLogo 2 
ASUS Q-Design :
- ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-DIMM 
- ASUS Q-Connector

Back I/O Ports

1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
1 x Bluetooth module(s)
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s
1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
4 x USB 3.0 
8 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to ROG Connect)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
5 x Audio jack(s)
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch(es)
1 x RC Bluetooth switch(es)

Internal I/O Ports

2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s) 
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s)
2 x CPU Fan connector(s) 
3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) 
3 x Optional Fan connector(s) 
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
1 x System panel(s) 
1 x OC Key header(s)
1 x OT header(s)
2 x Subzero Sense connector(s)
1 x Slow Mode switch(es)
7 x ProbeIt Measurement Points
3 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
1 x LN2 Mode header(s)
1 x Q Reset switch(es)
2 x EZ Plug connector(s) (4-pin in white for memory DIMMs; 6-pin in black for PCIe slots)
1 x Power-on button(s)
1 x Reset button(s)
1 x Go Button(s)
1 x BIOS Switch button(s)

Accessories

I/O Shield
4 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s)
1 x 4-Way SLI bridge(s)
1 x SLI bridge(s)
1 x CrossFire cable(s)
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 
1 x ROG Connect cable(s)
1 x ProbeIt cable set(s)
1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s)
1 x OC Key(s)
1 x OC Key cable(s)
1 x X-Socket pad(s)

BIOS

2 x 64Mb Flash ROMs, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI2.0a Multi-Language BIOS

Manageability

WfM2.0, DMI2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE

Support Disc

Support DVD:
- Drivers and Applications
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
ASUS TurboV EVO Utility
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS Update 
ASUS AI Suite II
ASUS AI Charger+
Daemon Tool Pro Standard
ASUS WebStorage

Form Factor

Extended ATX Form Factor 
12 inch x 10.7 inch ( 30.5 cm x 27.2 cm )

Note

* This motherboard is ready to support PCIe 3.0 SPEC. Functions will be available when using PCIe 3.0-compliant devices. Please refer to www.asus.com for updated details.


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garfi3ld's Avatar
garfi3ld replied the topic: #21496 09 Dec 2011 19:22
A review for you guys to start your weekend with
illuminatiASUS's Avatar
illuminatiASUS replied the topic: #21498 10 Dec 2011 00:34
Great review on an awesome board!

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