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ASUS tackles the high-end mATX market with Rampage II GENE

by Parm Mann on 24 February 2009, 12:07

Tags: Rampage II GENE, ASUSTeK (TPE:2357)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qaq5w

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ASUS has today joined the likes of DFI in the high-end micro ATX market with the launch of its Rampage II GENE motherboard.

The Rampage II GENE, pictured below, forms part of ASUS' ROG (Republic of Gamers) range and aims to deliver some of that Core i7 goodness in the small-form-factor space.

Measuring 24.4cm x 24.4cm, the board features Intel's socket LGA1366 and manages to squeeze in six triple-channel DIMM slots supporting DDR3 memory at speeds of up to 2,000MHz.

Despite its size, the Rampage II GENE sports a duo of PCIe x16 slots, allowing for two-way NVIDIA SLI or ATI CrossFire setups. Elsewhere, users will find a PCIe x4 slot, a PCI 2.2 slot, seven SATA connectors, a single eSATA interface and onboard 7.1 sound from the SupremeFX X-Fi.

In keeping with the high-end ROG theme, the board retains many of the overclocking-friendly extras such as MemOK!, CPU Level Up, Extreme Tweaker, Q-Fan plus and Voltiminder LED.

Looks a very tasty option for those contemplating putting together a small Core i7-based powerhouse, but there's no mention of pricing yet.

Official press release: GENEtically Superior: mATX ROG Rampage II GENE Motherboard Delivers Max Performance in Mini Form Factor
Official product page: ASUS.com



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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What an awesome board - all the best bits of X58, crammed into mATX? I'm really impressed!
Tis impressive however if you are running SLI with dual slot cards you have no room for a soundcard :( Bit of a shame but there isnt anything they could really do i suppose
Biscuit
Tis impressive however if you are running SLI with dual slot cards you have no room for a soundcard :( Bit of a shame but there isnt anything they could really do i suppose
This board has the supreme X-Fi built into the motherboard. It's the chip bottom left of the board.
That is one SWEET board.

I'm surprised ASUS haven't integrated their own Xonar card on to their own motherboard, instead ASUS uses a chip from their fiercest soundcard rival, then again ASUS doesn't manufacture their own sound chips. I really hope that Supreme X-Fi is the real EMU20K deal and not the CA0106 crap, makes the onboard X-Fi a bit redundant.

EDIT: Just looked at spec, only does EAX4 i.e. no EAX5. Looks like it is the CA0106 :confused:
Il never use a creative sound card after my emu1212 and XFI extreme audio ever again…