ASUS has detailed their entire X299 HEDT product lineup for Intel's brand new Core-X series CPUs. The new lineup features a range of motherboards which fall under the ROG, Prime and TUF series, aimed at gamers, enthusiasts and overclockers.
ASUS X299 Motherboards Fully Detailed - Enthusiast Designs For Everyone Moving To the HEDT Platform
The ASUS lineup is going to feature three categories of products. These will include their ROG or Republic of Gamers, TUF or The Ultimate Force and PRIME series boards. The full product lineup has been mentioned below:
- ASUS ROG Rampage VI Extreme
- ASUS ROG Rampage VI APEX
- ASUS ROG STRIX X299-E Gaming
- ASUS TUF X299 MARK 1
- ASUS TUF X299 MARK 2
- ASUS Prime X299 Deluxe
- ASUS Prime X299-E
ASUS X299 Motherboard Picture Gallery:
ASUS ROG Rampage VI Extreme Motherboard
Almost every aspect of the Rampage VI Extreme has been enhanced to give you more. The usual Intel Gigabit Ethernet controller is bolstered by an onboard 10G chip capable of increasing networking throughput by an order of magnitude. The board also features upgraded the Wi-Fi to the latest 802.11ad standard, increasing wireless bandwidth up to 4.6Gbps.
To help avoid unsightly wiring, three M.2 SSDs can be added to the board without using the VROC card. One slots under the Extreme’s outer skin, while the other two ride our DIMM.2 module next to the memory slots. A U.2 connector is also included for compatibility with enterprise-grade PCIe SSDs. The onboard Thunderbolt header lets you extend high-speed connectivity to external devices with our optional add-in card.
A reinforcing backplate helps the Rampage VI Extreme support heavily loaded rigs. The metal bracing also includes a separate GPU Holder that shoulders the weight of sagging graphics cards. The low-profile bracket leaves enough clearance for SLI bridges, and it’s strong enough to handle the beefiest cards.
New for X299, the Rampage VI Extreme integrates a LiveDash OLED screen that lets you monitor system temperatures, frequencies, and fan speeds right on the board. The dashboard also displays custom messages and graphics to add a little extra flair to your build. It’s complemented by enough onboard LEDs and strip headers to put on a show.
Even the audio goes the extra mile. Backlit audio jacks save you from fumbling around in the dark, and they’re set into an integrated I/O shield that simplifies motherboard installation. Our Sonic Studio III software completes the package with new VR functionality that extends its HRTF effects to headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Simply put, no other motherboard matches what the Rampage VI Extreme can do.
ASUS ROG Rampage VI APEX Motherboard
ROG’s commitment to pursuing the highest overclocks and top performance manifests in the Rampage VI Apex. This model is purpose-built for setting records at sub-zero temperatures—not just with LN2, but also with more exotic liquid helium. We’ll do whatever it takes to eke out a few more MHz.
Less is more on the ragged edge. The Apex has only one DIMM slot per channel, which allows optimized trace routing that can improve stability with the fastest memory kits. You can load the board with 64GB of DDR4 memory running at blistering speeds and extremely low latencies.
Memory is flanked by dual DIMM.2 slots that take up to four M.2 SSDs between them. The left DIMM.2 is connected directly to the CPU and capable of taking advantage of Intel’s VROC technology, while the other runs through the X299 chipset. Both are positioned to exploit airflow from off-the-shelf memory coolers, preventing thermal throttling from slowing your storage during record attempts.
The Rampage VI Apex proudly wears its attitude on its sleeve—or rather PCB. It thinks outside the conventions of its Extended ATX form factor by cutting out sections of the board to facilitate cleaner cable routing around your pristine test bench. The distinctive shape visually sets the Apex apart from the competition, while the customizable name plate provides space to add a personal touch.
Our overclocking experts have already used the Apex to set a new world record with the Core i7-7740K at a staggering 7.56GHz. We've added several benchmark records and global first places, as well, and we’re just getting started. Expect more records to fall as we cement ROG’s legacy as the absolute performance leader.
ASUS ROG STRIX X299-E Gaming Motherboard
The ASUS ROG STRIX X299-E Gaming features the LGA 2066 socket which is the latest socket to support Intel’s upcoming processors. It comes with 2066 pins as the name suggests and looking at the design, the assembly looks pretty much similar to LGA 2011-v3 so current LGA 2011 v3 coolers may remain compatible on the new boards. There are eight DDR4 DIMM slots, four on each side. The DIMMs can support high-speed memory kits rated beyond 4000 MHz (OC+) with capacities of up to 128 GB.
The juicy stuff is in the I/O and design. We are getting three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, all of which are covered by metallic shielding. There’s also two PCIe 3.0 x4 and a single PCIe 3.0 x1 slot if you need to add a fast NVMe PCIe storage card or add-in sound card. The PCIe 3.0 x16 locks come with LED Lighting. The board comes with an overclocking ready design and as such, features a beefy VRM heatsink on the top. The X299 PCH is covered by a large metallic heatsink that is fitted with a secondary cover. This cover doubles as a thermal interface with an M.2 NVMe drive that can hide underneath it, offering greater cooling performance.
For storage, we are looking at 8 SATA III 6 GB/s ports while there are also two USB 3.0 front panel headers. Near the 24-pin ATX power connector, we can spot a USB 2.0 port along with what seems to be a second M.2 slot. And of course, the RGB, there’s lots of it on this product.
The design scheme of the board is similar to the STRIX Z270 motherboard which we reviewed here. It looks like ASUS is taking it a step further, with a fully RGB lit cover between the PCIe slot and CPU socket. The I/O cover also features RGB LEDs and the whole assembly looks great with the cover extending towards the SupremeFX PCB. ASUS is using the S1220A codec teamed with Sonic Studio III to deliver some top-notch audio quality. I/O panel includes a 7.1 channel audio jack, Intel LAN, Ethernet, Gamerfirst IV, 2×2 Wi-Fi, BIOS Flashback switch, two USB 2.0, four USB 3.0 and 2 USB 3.1 (Type-A + Type-C) port.
ASUS ROG X299 Motherboard Full Presentation Slide Deck:
ASUS PRIME X299 Deluxe Motherboard
The ASUS PRIME X299 Deluxe is a feature rich, high-end motherboard with the white and silver accents over the heatsinks. The motherboard features the LGA 2066 socket that supports Intel's Core X processors and is powered by an 8+4 pin connector configuration. The motherboard has a eight phase power delivery system for adequate stability and decent overclocking potential.
The motherboard itself is supplied power through the 24-pin ATX connector. On the motherboard, we can see eight DDR4 DIMM slots that can support 128 GB capacities at speeds of 2400 MHz (two DPC) and 2666 (one DPC). Frequencies can be further increased with Intel's XMP technology that is on board.
Expansion slots include four PCIe 3.0 x16, two PCIe 3.0 x1 and two M.2 slots. The M.2 slots aren't visible on the board as they are hidden beneath the RGB lit PCH heatsink cover that acts as a heat sink. There's another M.2 slot positioned in vertical next to the ATX power connector. In terms of storage, we get 7 SATA III ports, two U.2 ports, two USB 3.0 ports and a butt load of I/O that goes on the back panel.
ASUS PRIME X299-A Motherboard
The ASUS PRIME X299-A is a feature rich motherboard with the white and silver accents over the heatsinks. The motherboard features the LGA 2066 socket that supports Intel's Core X processors and is powered by an 8+4 pin connector configuration. The motherboard itself is supplied power through the 24-pin ATX connector. On the motherboard, we can see eight DDR4 DIMM slots that can support 128 GB capacities at speeds of 2666 MHz (native) and beyond that with Intel XMP 2.0 technology.
Expansion slots include three PCIe 3.0 x16, two PCIe 3.0 x4 and a single PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. There's also two M.2 slots hidden beneath the massive PCH cover. One is located near the north while one is located at the bottom of the PCH. In terms of storage, we get 8 SATA III ports, two USB 3.0 ports and a butt load of I/O that goes on the back panel.
ASUS X299 TUF MARK1 Motherboard
The ASUS X299 TUF MARK1 is a feature rich, high-end motherboard with the white and silver accents over the heatsinks. The motherboard features the LGA 2066 socket that supports Intel's Core X processors and is powered by an 8+4 pin connector configuration. The motherboard has an eight phase power delivery system for adequate stability and decent overclocking potential.
The motherboard itself is supplied power through the 24-pin ATX connector. On the motherboard, we can see eight DDR4 DIMM slots that can support 128 GB capacities at speeds of 2400 MHz (two DPC) and 2666 (one DPC). Frequencies can be further increased with Intel's XMP technology that is on board.
Expansion slots include three PCIe 3.0 x16, two PCIe 3.0 x4 and two M.2 slots. The M.2 slots aren't visible on the board as they are hidden beneath the RGB lit PCH heatsink cover that acts as a heat sink. There's another M.2 slot positioned in vertical near the bottom. The whole PCB is outfitted with a plastic armor which can be removed but looks as it is. The PCH heatsink comes with active fan cooling solution which provides extra cooling potential. In terms of storage, we get 8 SATA III ports, two USB 3.0 ports and a whole ton of I/O on the backpanel.
ASUS X299 TUF MARK2 Motherboard
The ASUS X299 TUF Mark 2 is part of "The Ultimate Force" lineup which comes with a durable HEDT design. The motherboard is similar to the Prime X299-A but has some variations in the design. The board has a distinctive beige and black color scheme with silver accents over the heatsinks. The motherboard features the LGA 2066 socket that supports Intel's Core X processors and is powered by an 8+4 pin connector configuration. The motherboard itself is supplied power through the 24-pin ATX connector. On the motherboard, we can see eight DDR4 DIMM slots that can support 128 GB capacities at speeds of 2666 MHz (native) and beyond that with Intel XMP 2.0 technology.
Expansion slots include three PCIe 3.0 x16, two PCIe 3.0 x4 and a single PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. There's also two M.2 slots that can support NVMe drives. In terms of storage, we get 6 SATA III ports, two USB 3.0 ports. The backpanel I/O includes 6 USB 3.1 ports, 4 USB 2.0 ports, Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN and a range of display connectors.
ASUS PRIME & TUF X299 Motherboard Full Presentation Slide Deck:
The ASUS ROG X299 motherboards are expected to launch in late June. Pricing has not been confirmed yet.
