Asus ROG Rampage VI Extreme (X299) Motherboard Review

Overview

Full specifications and overview can be found on Asus’s website …

• Intel® Core™ X Series processor family: Ready for the latest LGA 2066 socket CPUs.
• Quad-channel DDR4 4200 (OC) support
• Superfast 10Gbps networking for up to 10X-faster data-transfer speeds, plus 802.11ad Wi-Fi support
• Synchronize RGB lighting with a vast portfolio of Aura Sync capable PC gear – now with support for addressable light strips
• ROG DIMM.2: Dual M.2 expansion card allows use of fans to prevent throttling
• 5-Way Optimization: Automated system-wide tuning, providing overclocking and cooling profiles that are tailor made for your rig
• LiveDash OLED : Customizable panel displays vital system stats or your own logo
• Gaming Audio: SupremeFX and Sonic Studio III – High fidelity audio that draws you deeper into the action
• Best gaming protection – SafeSlot, and carefully-selected premium components for maximum durability

Specifications

• CPU
  Intel® Socket 2066 Core™ X-Series Processor 79xx, 78xx Series Processors 
  Supports Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (VROC)
  Supports Intel® 14 nm CPU
  Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 
  * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
  * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 3.0 Support Depends on the CPU types.
• Chipset
  Build in Intel® X299
• Memory
  8 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 4200(O.C.)/4133(O.C.)/4000(O.C.)/3866(O.C.)/3733(O.C.)/3600(O.C.)/3333(O.C.)/3300(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133 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 for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
• Multi-GPU Support
  Supports NVIDIA® 4-Way SLI™ Technology *
  Supports NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI™ Technology 
  Supports NVIDIA® 2-Way SLI™ Technology 
  Supports AMD 4-Way CrossFireX Technology *
  Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology 
  Supports AMD 2-Way CrossFireX Technology 
  * 28-LANE CPUs can only support up to 3-Way SLI™/ 3-Way CrossFireX™
• Expansion Slots
  4 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16, x16/x16, x16/x0/x16/x8, or x16/x8/x8/x8 mode with 44-LANE CPU; x16, x16/x8 orx8/x8/x8 mode with 28-LANE CPU) *
  1 x PCIe 3.0 x4 
  * When M.2_2(DIMM.2) is populated, PCIEx8_4 runs at x4 mode
  * The PCIE_X8_4 slot shares bandwidth with M.2_2(DIMM.2)
• Storage
  Intel® Core™ X-series Processors (6-core above) : 
  1 x ROG DIMM.2 Module support(CPU_DIMM.2), M.2 X4 with M Key design, type 2230/2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only)*¹
  1 x ROG DIMM.2 Module support(PCH_DIMM.2), M.2 X4 with M Key design, type 2230/2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only)*²
  1 x U.2 port, , support PCIe 3.0 x4 NVM Express storage
  Intel® X299 Chipset : 
  1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), 
  Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  Intel® Rapid Storage Technology 15 support
  Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology
  Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready
• LAN
  Aquantia AQC-107 10G
  Intel® I219V, Dual interconnect between the Integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)
  Anti-surge LANGuard
  ROG GameFirst Technology
• Wireless Data Network
  Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac+ WiGig 802.11ad
  Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
  Supports MU-MIMO
  Up to 4600Mbps transfer speed
• Bluetooth
  Bluetooth V4.1
• Audio
  ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220
  – Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  – High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 113 dB SNR recording input
  – SupremeFX Shielding Technology
  – ESS®SABRE9018Q2C DAC/AMP
  Audio Feature :
  – Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
  – LED-illuminated design – Brighten up your build with the gorgeous illuminated audio trace path.
  – Sonic Radar III
  – Sonic Studio III
• USB Ports
  Intel® X299 Chipset : 
  4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (4 at mid-board)
  Intel® X299 Chipset : *³
  2 x USB 2.0 port(s) 
  ASMedia® USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller : 
  1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector port(s) 
  ASMedia® USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller : 
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port(s) (2 at back panel, )
  ASMedia® USB 3.1 Gen 1 controller : 
  8 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) ( at back panel, )
• ROG Exclusive Features
  Clear CMOS button
  ROG RAMCache II
  ROG CPU-Z
  ROG CloneDrive
  Pre-mounted I/O Shield
  MemOK! Button
  Overwolf
  ReTry Button
  Safe Boot Button
  Start Button
  Reset Button
  LN2 Mode
  GameFirst IV
  ROG Aura
  – Aura Lighting Control
  – Aura RGB Strip Headers
  Extreme Engine Digi+ :
  – MicroFine Alloy Chokes
  – NexFET™ Power Block MOSFET
  – 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
  ProbeIt
  KeyBot II
  – One-click Overclocking
  – X.M.P.
  – DirectKey
  – ClrCMOS
  – Power On
  UEFI BIOS features :
  – GPU.DIMM Post
  – Tweakers’ Paradise
  – ROG SSD Secure Erase
  – Graphic Card Information Preview
• Special Features
  OC Design – ASUS PRO Clock II Technology
  ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5 :
  – 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ VRM, Fan Expert 4, and Turbo App
  Gamer’s Guardian:
  – 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
  – Stainless Steel Back I/O
  – SafeSlot
  LiveDash OLED
  SafeDIMM slot
  ASUS Wi-Fi GO!ASUS Exclusive Features :
  – AI Suite 3
  – Ai Charger 
  – USB 3.1 Boost
  ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
  – ASUS Fan Xpert 4
  ASUS Q-Design :
  – ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
  – ASUS Q-Slot
  – ASUS Q-DIMM 
  – ASUS Q-Connector
  Performance Optimization :
  – DIGI + VRM
  – GPU Boost
  – Fan Xpert 4 featuring Fan Auto Tuning function and multiple thermistors selection for optimized system cooling control
  – AI Suite 3
  Digi+VRM
  Turbo App
• Back I/O Ports
  1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 
  8 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 
  1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
  1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
  1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac+ WiGig 802.11ad and Bluetooth v4.1)
  5 x LED-illuminated audio jacks
• Internal I/O Ports
  1 x W_PUMP+ 1
  1 x W_PUMP+ 2
  1 x WB_SENSOR
  1 x Aura Addressable Strip Header(s)
  1 x U.2 port
  1 x Aura RGB Strip Headers
  2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) 
  1 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 2.0 port(s)
  1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA mode & X4 PCIE mode)
  1 x TPM connector(s) 
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  1 x VROC_HW_Key
  1 x CPU Fan connector(s) 
  1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) 
  3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) 
  1 x H_AMP fan connector 
  1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
  1 x 8-pin EATX 12 V Power connector
  1 x 4-pin EATX 12 V_1 Power connector(s)
  1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
  1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
  1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector
  1 x Slow Mode switch(es)
  1 x ProbeIt Measurement Points
  1 x BIOS Switch button(s)
  1 x LN2 Mode jumper(s)
  1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header(s)
  1 x Safe Boot button
  1 x ReTry button
  1 x System panel connector
  1 x PCIe x16 lane switch
  2 x T_Sensor Connector
  1 x W_IN header
  1 x W_OUT header
  1 x W_FLOW header
  1 x Start button
  1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector
• Accessories
  User’s manual
  1 x ROG logo plate sticker
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
  3 x M.2 Screw Package
  1 x ASUS WiGig 802.11ad moving antenna *⁴
  1 x ASUS 2T2R dual band Wi-Fi moving antennas (Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compliant)
  1 x MOS fan bracket kit
  1 x ROG VGA Holder
  1 x ROG DIMM.2 Fan Stand Pack (s)
  1 x Fan Extension Card (3 x 4-pin fan out)
  1 x Fan Extension card screw pack
  1 x Fan Extension card cable
  1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s)
  1 x 4-Way SLI bridge(s)
  1 x SLI HB BRIDGE(2-WAY-L)
  1 x ROG big sticker
  1 x Q-Connector
  1 x 10-in-1 ROG cable label
  3 x Thermistor cable(s)
  1 x ROG coaster(s)
• BIOS
  2 x 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 6.0, Multi-language BIOS, 
  ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Last Modified log, 
  F12 PrintScreen, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information.
• Manageability
  WfM 2.0, WOL by PME, PXE
• Operating System
  Windows® 10 64-bit
• Form Factor
  Extended ATX Form Factor 
  12 inch x 10.9 inch ( 30.5 cm x 27.7 cm )
• Note
  *1 When M.2_1(DIMM.2) comes from CPU, it will be shared with U.2
  *2 When M.2_1(DIMM.2) comes from PCH, It will be shared withPCIex4slot.
  *3 1 x USB 2.0 header support additional 2 x USB 2.0 ports [one connector via ROG_EXT header]
  *4 Wi-Fi 802.11ad(WiGig) is only available in certified countries