ASUS Rampage II Extreme (Intel X58)
Author:
Date: 25.01.2009 |
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Performance tests
While determining the starting QPI speed, the board detects it at a very high precision.
In our test setup, we used the following hardware:
| Test setup |
| CPU |
Intel Core i7 920 (LGA1366; 2.66 GHz; Bloomfield) |
| Cooler |
Boxed; |
| Video card |
ASUS 8800 GT (GeForce 8800 GT; PCI Express x16)
Driver version: 180.48 WHQL |
| Sound card |
- |
| HDD |
Samsung HD160JJ |
| Memory |
3x1024 MB Qimonda DDR3-1333; |
| Housing |
FSP 550W |
| OS |
MS Vista |
Let's first take a look at the results of synthetic benchmarks.
Now on to the gaming benchmarks.
Tests of application software.
Video encoding (DivX, Xvid) was measured in seconds, i.e. the less the better.
Data compression (WinRAR) was measured in K/sec, i.e. the more, the better.
Final Words
To date, ASUS Rampage II Extreme is one of the best implementations of capabilities of the Intel X58 chipset. This model will suit most overclockers and enthusiasts since it offers powerful onboard overclocking tools, impressive expansion options, and supports all the ASUS' cutting-edge technologies. We also note that the board supports AMD CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI/3-Way SLI.
The package bundle will meet the needs of most users, although in our view it somehow does not match the retail price. Regarding the price: in January 2009, the average price for Rampage II Extreme is at about $450, which is too high. So let's hope that once the market is saturated with models based on the X58 offered by Gigabyte and MSI, the price for ASUS Rampage II Extreme will go down to the acceptable level.
ConclusionPros:
- high stability and performance;
- 16-phase CPU power scheme;
- 3-phase power scheme for the memory controller, north bridge, and the memory modules;
- three PCI Express x16 v2.0 slots;
- support for NVIDIA SLI/3-Way SLI and AMD CrossFireX;
- support for SerialATA II/RAID ( 8 links; ICH10R + JMicron JMB363);
- support for one P-ATA link (JMicron JMB363);
- High Definition Audio 7.1 (on a separate board) + two Gigabit Ethernet LAN controllers;
- support for USB2.0 (12 ports) and IEEE-1394 (Firewire; 2 ports);
- a wide selection of ASUS' proprietary technologies (PC Probe II, EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, MyLogo 3, Fan Xpert, etc.);
- additional set of AI Proactive technologies (AI Overclock, OC Profile (eight profiles), AI Net 2, Turbo-V, EPU, etc.);
- passive system for cooling the chipset and the power supply module;
- Power and Reset buttons; a button to reset the CMOS;
- ProbeIT; TweakIT, a LCD Poster modules, with onboard controls;
- DieHard BIOS (two BIOS chips).
Cons:
The board's specific features:
- powerful overclocking tools + plus excellent results;
- no LPT and COM ports on the rear panel, no PS/2 for the mouse;
- nonstandard dimensions of the board.
- Discuss the material in the conference
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