• ASUS X99 Series Motherboards Review | X99-Deluxe, X99-Pro and X99-A

This is a review on the ASUS X99 series motherboards, as announced by ASUS in  a previous press release. An overview of the ASUS X99-A motherboard is also presented, as well as its specifications. All data from taken from ASUS. Links are available at the end of the post.

ASUS Announces X99 Series Motherboards

X99-Deluxe, X99-Pro and X99-A release ultimate performance from X99 chipset with patent-pending OC Socket and exclusive 5-Way Optimization technology

2014/09/01

Taipei, Taiwan (30th August, 2014) — ASUS today announced X99-Deluxe, X99-Pro and X99-A, three new ATX motherboards based on the Intel® X99 chipset and packed with exclusive technologies, including OC Socket and 5-Way Optimization, to ensure ultimate performance from the latest LGA 2011-v3 Intel Core™ i7 processors.

X99-Deluxe is the flagship model, with a bundled ASUS Hyper M.2 x4 expansion card for ultra-fast 32Gbit/s transfer speeds; onboard 3x3 (3T3R) 802.11ac for ultra-fast Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1,300Mbit/s; and an ASUS Fan Extension Card for flexible additional cooling. With a cool, streamlined outlook that includes a broad, striking-white shield, X99-Deluxe and X99-Pro also deliver the futuristic style and strong performance demanded by PC enthusiasts

All new X99 Series motherboards also feature Crystal Sound 2 for flawless audio; Turbo LAN technology for lag-free online gaming and productivity; and our renowned UEFI BIOS for intuitive setup and control.

OC Socket and 5-Way Optimization for pumped overclocking performance

X99 Series motherboards are equipped with a brand-new ASUS invention — our patent-pending OC Socket. This unique socket includes extra pins that connect proprietary circuitry to extra contacts found on Haswell-E's land grid array (LGA), and is 100% compatible with Intel’s new LGA 2011-v3 (‘Haswell-E’) processors. In combination with the ASUS UEFI BIOS, OC Socket enables higher DDR4 memory frequencies, lower latencies and enhanced stability while overclocking, extending all the way to extreme overclocking conditions, such as Liquid Nitrogen (LN2).Users are also able to increase DDR4 memory frequencies to 3200MHz and beyond, even with all eight DIMM slots populated.

PC enthusiasts also benefit from exclusive 5-Way Optimization technology to dynamically optimize an X99-Deluxe-based PC with one click. First up is Turbo Processor Unit (TPU), which offers precise voltage control and advanced monitoring for both the CPU and the graphics card. Then there’s Energy Processing Unit (EPU) to deliver system-wide real-time power savings, controlled via a simple onboard switch or the easy-to-use AI Suite 3 utility.

5-Way Optimization technology also includes the Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) to enhance performance, increase efficiency and ensure reliability, and Fan Xpert 3 for peerless customized fan control. Completing the 5-Way Optimization technology line-up is Turbo App, an intuitive tuning panel to tailor and boost all parts of the system for specific games or programs.

Loaded with extreme hardware for extreme builds

X99-Deluxe is a high-end motherboard loaded with extras for truly awesome builds. The bundled Hyper M.2 x4 expansion card gives users flexibility to equip their systems with up to two M.2 devices to enjoy transfer speeds of up to 32Gbit/s. Hyper M.2 x4 supports M.2 devices from the smallest 30mm (2230) to full-length 110mm (221100) cards.

The supplied ASUS Fan Extension Card provides flexible additional cooling in the shape of three 4-pin/3-pin fan headers. With a hardware-level PWM/DC mode, Fan Extension Card offers exceptional control and is ideal for water-cooled or extreme-airflow high-performance systems.

X99-Deluxe also has super-fast 802.11ac wireless connectivity on board. The three-transmit, three-receive (3x3) antenna configuration enables wireless speeds of up to 1,300Mbit/s.

In common with the other X99-series motherboards, X99-Deluxe supports the ASUS ThunderboltEX II expansion card. This gives users the freedom to add Thunderbolt™ 2 connectivity to X99-Deluxe at any time for bi-directional transfer speeds up to 20Gbit/s — that's four times (4X) faster than USB 3.0.

A complete X99 line-up

X99-Pro and X99-A complete the ASUS X99 motherboard line-up. Both boards will arrive slightly later than X99-Deluxe but share many of the same powerful features.

ASUS X99-A Motherboard Overview and Specifications

Unmatched performance, flawless Crystal Sound 2 audio and customizable Turbo App for your X99 build.

• Patent Pending OC Socket – Drive CPU and DDR4 performance beyond all expectations!
• 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5 – One click overclock and cooling, done!
• 32Gb/s ultrafast M.2 x4
• Crystal Sound 2 - Flawless audio that makes you part of the game!
• Total control anytime, anywhere with Remote GO!

Asus X99-A Specifications

• CPU
  Intel® Socket 2011-v3 Core™ i7 Processors
  Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU
  Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
  * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
• Chipset
  Intel® X99
• Memory
  8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 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® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology
  Supports NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI™ Technology
  Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
  Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
• Expansion Slots
  40-Lane CPU-
  3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x16, x16/x16/x8) *¹
  28-Lane CPU-
  3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 ( x16, x16/x8, x16/x8/x4) *²
  1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode) *³
  2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 (x1 mode) *³
• Storage
  New Intel® Core™ i7 Processors :
  1 x M.2 Socket 3, , with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only)
  Intel® X99 chipset :
  1 x SATA Express port, , compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
  8 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), *⁴,
  Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Recovery Technology*⁵
• LAN
  Intel® I218V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
• Audio
  Realtek® ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 2
  - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  - High quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR stereo playback input (Line-in)
  - High-fidelity audio OP AMP(s)
  Audio Feature :
  - DTS Ultra PC II
  - DTS Connect
  - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
  - BD Audio Layer Content Protection
  - Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference
  - Dedicated audio PCB layers: Separate layers for left and right channels to guard the quality of the sensitive audio signals
  - Audio amplifier: Provides the highest-quality sound for headphone and speakers
  - Premium Japanese-made audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
  - Unique de-pop circuit: Reduces start-up popping noise to audio outputs
  - Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio configuration
  - EMI protection cover to prevent electrical noise to affect the amplifier quality
• USB Ports
  Intel® X99 chipset :
  5 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at mid-board)
  Intel® X99 chipset :
  8 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (4 at back panel, , 4 at mid-board)
  ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller :
  5 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (5 at back panel, )
• Special Features
  5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5
  - Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo App together, providing better CPU performance, efficient power saving, precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even tailor your own app usages.
  ASUS 5X Protection :
  - ASUS DIGI+ VRM - 8 Phase digital power design
  - ASUS Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection - Short circuit damage prevention
  - ASUS ESD Guards - Enhanced ESD protection
  - ASUS High-Quality 5K-Hour Solid Capacitors - 2.5x long lifespan with excellent durability
  - ASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O - 3x more durable corrosion-resistant coating
  ASUS TPU :
  - Auto Tuning
  - GPU Boost
  - TPU switch
  ASUS EPU :
  - EPU switch
  ASUS Digital Power Design :
  - Industry leading Digital 8 Phase Power Design
  - Industry leading Digital 4 Phase DRAM Power Design
  - CPU Power Utility
  - DRAM Power Utility
  ASUS Exclusive Features :
  - Remote GO!
  - USB BIOS Flashback
  - MemOK!
  - AI Suite 3
  - Ai Charger+
  - USB Charger+
  - M.2 & SATA Express
  - Anti-Surge
  - Onboard Button : Power/Reset
  - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface
  - USB 3.0 Boost
  - Disk Unlocker
  - Turbo LAN
  - Crystal Sound 2
  Interactive HomeCloud
  - Media Streamer
  ASUS EZ DIY :
  - Precision Tweaker 2
  - ASUS O.C. Tuner
  - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
  - ASUS EZ Flash 2
  - ASUS USB BIOS Flashback
  - Push Notice
  ASUS Q-Design :
  - ASUS Q-Shield
  - ASUS Q-Code
  - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
  - ASUS Q-Slot
  - ASUS Q-DIMM
  - ASUS Q-Connector
  Special Memory O.C. Design
  Turbo App
  Fan Xpert 3
• Operating System Support
  Windows® 8.1
  Windows® 8
  Windows® 7
• Back I/O Ports
  1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
  1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  6 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  4 x USB 2.0
  1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  5 x Audio jack(s)
  1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
• Internal I/O Ports
  1 x AAFP connector
  2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
  2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
  1 x SATA Express connector: gray,
  1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key design, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only)
  1 x TPM connector(s)
  1 x COM port(s) connector(s)
  8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 x 4 -pin)
  1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
  1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
  1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
  1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
  1 x EZ XMP switch
  1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
  1 x Chassis Intrusion connector(s)
  1 x DRCT header(s)
  1 x MemOK! button(s)
  1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
  1 x TPU switch(es)
  1 x EPU switch(es)
  1 x CPU/DRAM overvoltage jumper(s)
  1 x Power-on button(s)
  1 x Reset button(s)
  1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
  1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector
• Accessories
  User's manual
  ASUS Q-Shield
  4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
  1 x SLI bridge(s)
  1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
• Form Factor
  ATX Form Factor
  12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
• Note
  1* The PCIe x16_4 shares bandwidth with M.2 x4. When M.2 socket is occupied, the PCIe x16_4 slot will be disabled.
  2* The PCIe x16_4 shares bandwidth with M.2 x4. When M.2 socket is occupied, the PCIe x16_4 slot will be disabled.The PCIe x16_3 slot support x8 devices only.
  3* The PCIe x16_2, PCIe x1_1 and USB3_E56 connectors share the same bandwidth. By default, the PCIe x16_2 slot and PCIe x1_1 slot will automatically run at x1 mode with USB3_E56 enabled for best resource optimization.
  4* Due to chipset behavior, The SATA6G_78, SATA6G_910 ports (black) do not support IRST including RAID configuration.
  5* These functions will work depending on the CPU installed.

Sources:
http://www.asus.com/News/tch8YDw8vmCrGthg
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/X99A/

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