ASUS Rampage II Extreme X58 Motherboard Review

Features

With the relocation of the memory controller from the northbridge to the CPU the performance differences between two competing X58 motherboards are now going to be infinitesimally small. This is a phenomenon that we have observed on the AMD platform since they made the switch to an integrated memory controller, and it is undoubtedly going to apply to Intel from now on. As a result, manufacturer-specific features and overclocking capabilities are going to be the deciding factors when choosing between two similarly-priced X58 motherboards. ASUS is obviously aware of this reality, and since the Rampage II Extreme is currently their most high-end model, they have truly outfitted it with everything and the kitchen sink.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these standout features:

SLI/CrossFire On-Demand By far, bar none, the most anticipated feature in the Rampage II Extreme's arsenal is its CrossFireX AND 3-Way SLI capabilities. For years, enthusiasts have been drooling at the thought of SLI on an Intel chipset and that time has finally arrived. In order to support SLI, X58 motherboards must first be certified by NVIDIA, and ASUS have wisely chosen to do so with this Top-of-the-Line model.	Triple-Channel, DDR3 1800(O.C.) MHz This motherboard blows past the official DDR3-1066 limit and features support for DDR3-1600 and DDR3-1800 via overclocking. While the Core i7 architecture is not particularly memory bandwidth limited, these higher memory speeds will undoubtedly help in setting impressive new benchmarking records. Furthermore, there is a very strong possibility that the DDR3 memory support will be increased up to DDR3-2000 and above sometime in the future via BIOS update.
TweakIT First seen on the original Rampage Extreme, the TweakIt feature allows on-the-fly optimizations of nearly every overclocking option with an easy-to-use joystick control. With the external LCD Poster, we can also monitor fan speeds, voltages, temperatures, and system frequency without any required software.	ProbeIt Second only to SLI in anticipation, the ProbeIt feature is an absolute godsend when it comes to simplifying a previously time-consuming and occasionally precarious task. ASUS have provided enthusiasts with a eight clearly labelled, easily accessible voltage read points where enthusiasts can get quick and accurate readings using a digital multi-meter.
Extreme Engine with ML Cap Design The RIIE has a new dynamic multi-phase power management system featuring 16 phases for the CPU, and 3 phases each for the QPI/DRAM, IOH, and DRAM. It also features new low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) multilayer-type polymer capacitors.	iROG The iROG is a special IC which enables several Republic of Gamers (ROG) features to be processed at a hardware level and therefore accessible at any time. This allows advanced users to control and manage their systems in a more efficient and flexible manner.
BIOS FlashBack The new BIOS Flashback feature gives overclockers the ability to save two versions of the BIOS simultaneously. For example, while overclocking, one BIOS can store your currently stable settings, while you keep tweaking & pushing higher with the other BIOS. This ensures that you will never lose your previous BIOS settings.	CPU Level Up CPU Level Up allows the novice user to have their entire system overclocked automatically according to presets determined by ASUS' engineers. It is simply a BIOS-level automatic overclocking feature instead of the more common and often malfunctioning software-level automatic overclocking methods.
Voltiminder LED The Voltiminder LEDs display the voltage status for CPU, NB, SB, and memory voltages in a color-coded fashion indicating normal, high, and crazy voltage levels. They mainly serve as a simple reminder during hardcore overclocking sessions, and they can be turned off.	Loadline Calibration The Loadline Calibration feature helps ensure stable CPU voltage under full load scenarios. It effectively eliminates the dreaded vDroop and ultimately helps achieve superior overclocking results.
External LCD Poster The new LCD Poster now posts critical POST information in an ever friendly and flexible external display. When system malfunction occurs, the LCD Poster automatically detects device failure and translates the errors on the LCD during POST.	EL I/O The EL I/O feature is an innovative idea in which the rear I/O panel has a built-in light, thereby helping users to connect devices into the right connectors when it is dark.
ASUS Q-Connector The Q-Connector allows you to connect or disconnect chassis front panel cables in one easy step with one complete module. This unique adapter eliminates the trouble of plugging in one cable at a time, making connection quick and accurate.	ASUS EPU-6 Engine The Rampage II Extreme features the new EPU - 6 engine, which provides improved power savings by detecting load status and dynamically moderating power to the CPU, VGA card, memory, chipset, hard drives and CPU cooler/system fans.

As you can see, ASUS have gone to great lengths to outfit the Rampage II Extreme with some new and innovative features, and in doing so they have likely designed a motherboard that will reign above all others for quite some time. However, the essential question is, do all these features work as they should, and do they help improve the general computing experience? That is what we are determined to find out today.