We’re back for another round with Intel’s X99 platform and this time around we have the ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME motherboard for review. ASUS has been improving its already wide array of feature set to completely define each and every one of its product lines which means we get a more specialized selection of boards for their lineups for mainstream, TUF and in this case, ROG.
In our bench today is the ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME which is one of the three launch products for Intel’s X99 stack with the RAMPAGE V EXTREME serving as the flagship ROG entry along with the mainstream X99-DELUXE. Rounding out their X99 port folio is the budget-targeted X99-A motherboard which we also have in the lab for review.
Intel’s new high-end enthusiast platform has been released and beckons the advent of new chips codenamed Haswell-E which now sit atop Intel’s HEDT portfolio. Haswell-E will come in 3 models with two 6-core models and one 8-core chip which are as follows:
- i7-5960K – 8 cores, 16 threads, 3.0Ghz, Turbo up to 3.5Ghz, 20MB Cache, 140W TDP – $999
- i7-5820K – 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.5Ghz, Turbo up to 3.7Ghz, 15MB Cache, 140W TDP – $583
- i7-5820K – 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.3Ghz, Turbo up to 3.6Ghz, 15MB Cache, 140W TDP – $389
The new HEDT platform ushers in the arrival of socket LGA2011-V3, a revision of the LGA2011 socket used by the previous X79 HEDT platform but both sockets are not inter-operable with each other with LGA2011-V3 chips not compatible with LGA2011 sockets and vice versa.
Also new in the platform is support for DDR4. The new platform fully supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with the new DDR4 modules supporting higher default memory of 2133MHz at only 1.2v.
The ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME is easily the most decked-out X99 motherboard out right now. The RAMPAGE V EXTREME features ASUS’ patent-pending OC Socket technology; re-engineering the LGA2011 socket to include more pins to feed more power to the CPU for a theoretically higher overclocking success rate. The ASUS X99-Deluxe will highlight the mainstream offering of ASUS’ X99 stack with a rich assortment of features that will make your head explode. On the board alone are a large array of expansion slots including five (5) PCI-e x16 slots for quad-GPU configurations and is fully capable of running x16/x8/x8/x8 when fully populated leaving you with a relatively large x16/x16/x8 for triple-GPU setups. An 8-phase digital VRM handles power delivery duties for the board assisted by ASUS’ Digi+ VRM and EPU technologies. A black I/O shroud covers a portion of the motherboard with the signature red LED lighting emanating from the audio solution. The RAMPAGE V EXTREME continues the tradition of high-end ROG boards intended for maximum overclocking with the R5E featuring a unique LN2 pot backplate, ready for LN2 or DICE or cooling pots. Also included is the OC Panel external module, a tethered remote device that allows granular OC control and display of the motherboard.
A list of the extra features of the RAMPAGE V EXTREME are below:
- 5Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo App
- ESD Guards on LAN, Audio, KBMS and USB3.0/2.0 ports
- DRAM Overcurrent Protection
- 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
- Stainless Steel Back I/O
- Wi-Fi GO! Function: Cloud GO!, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer
- Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote app for portable smartphone/tablet, supporting iOS 7 & Android 4.0 systems
- MemOK!
- AI Suite 3
- Ai Charger+
- USB Charger+
- USB 3.0 Boost
- Disk Unlocker
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
- Push Notice
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Q-Code
- ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-DIMM
- ASUS Q-Connector
- ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
The X99 Chipset
The accompanying chipset for the Haswell-E CPUs is the also a 9-series chipset, codenamed Wellsburg and official dubbed Intel X99. Much of the duties of the north bridge have been relegated and built-in to the CPU during the past couple of years and the X99 chipset is no difference. This means that Haswell-E CPUs will communicate directly with the chipset via DMI.
X99 will offer ten SATA3 connections, 8 USB2.0 and 6 USB3.0 ports, and depending on your CPU you can get up to 40 PCI Express 3.0 lanes.
Together with the X99 chipset is support for DDR4 memory. DDR4 will offer timings far higher than DDR3 but at a lower voltage which starts out 1.2v. Most DDR4 memory will be XMP2.0 ready and make setting and getting the rated speeds easy. Also, as mentioned, Haswell-E supports quad-channel memory which offers more bandwidth than its normal dual-channel configurations. Couple that with the higher speed ratings of DDR4 and you get more memory bandwidth at lower voltages.
Packaging & Contents
The RAMPAGE V EXTREME arrives in ASUS’ distinct ROG packaging. The back of the box bears the large detail highlights of features as well as description of the included accessories. The front flap reveals a peak of the board inside and the OC Panel.
And here is the large accessory bundle including SATA cables, manuals, fliexible SLI bridges, Q-connectors, and an I/O shield. Also included are the exclusive R5E LN2 pot backplate and OC Panel as well as its 3.5″ bay holder.
Closer Look -Â ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME
The ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME features eight DDR4 slots supporting up to DDR4-3300 frequencies via OC. As with all quad-channel slot arrangements, the slots are arranged in even rows on the socket’s sides. Curiously though, the extra wide space on the left gives a real unbalanced look to the board, that’s nitpicking though.
As mentioned, we have a total of five PCI-e x16 slots, 2 of which are full x16 speeds.
The upper-right corner area of the board is the OC Zone which features most of the onboard OC controls of the board.
SupremeFX makes a comeback now dubbed SupremeFX 2014 and continues the tradition of illuminated PCB.
Similar to the X99-DELUXE, the ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME also features an 8-phase VRM.
Front I/O connectors line the lower part of the board.
The rear I/O ports are covered by the signature ROG shroud.
Test Setup
Processor: Intel Core i7 5930K
Motherboard:Â ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME
Memory:Â Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 16GB (JEDEC-2133 CL15)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K SSD 120GB
PSU: Corsair AX860i
Cooling: Custom loop (XSPC Raystorm block, XSPC D5 Dual Bayres (set to medium), BlackIce Stealth GT 360Â rad)
Monitor: LG E2350V
VGA: Palit Jetstream GTX 780Ti
As this is a new system, we will be adapting it to the more relative data we have on our database. For best relative information, we are including test data for our i7-4770K and i7-3770K systems. We will also be deferring gaming tests until we can establish a definitive benchmark for the X99 platform. Note that these are for informative purposes only and not for direct comparison.
We will be using an i7-5930K in our system also instead of the i7-5960X. We’ll cover that chip in a later review.
Performance Testing – Synthetic
Performance Testing – Real World
Performance Testing – 3D Benchmarks
Power & Temperatures
We check to see how motherboard makers tune their default BIOS settings and see how it impacts temperatures and power consumption. The system is left to idle for 30 minutes before readings are taken and load data is taken 30 minutes while Prime95 blend test is running. Power readings are taken for the entire system from the socket.
As a glance: ASUS ROG boards have a tendency to dump a bit more voltage than normal boards under load and the R5E isn’t any different. While its nothing huge, this can play a role in temps and as we can see in the charts, compared to the DELUXE, the board does get a bit hotter.
Overclocking
Overclocking on the X99 platform with the new Haswell-E chips should be very familiar with owners of 4770K and 3770K processors. Overclocking can be done either by multipliers or BCLK or by gear ratio. When loading XMP profiles higher than 2800, we found that the system would change gear ratio so you’re basically overclocking the system along with your RAM.
While ASUS claims that they’re OC socket improves OC performance, we still have some reservation about this claim. Similar to the X99-DELUXE from ASUS, we managed to bump our i7-5930K to 4.6Ghz on our standard OC voltage of 1.25v. We’ll update our OC charts once we get a consistent processor for testing.
Conclusion
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As with the previous iterations of the RAMPAGE series motherboard, ASUS has been predominantly marketing it as the ultimate platform for overclocking. Due to this, the ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME has the DNA of previous entries most notable the RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION, which in all aspects is the highest form any X79 motherboard could’ve achieved given its arrival late in the X79 platform’s life span. The RAMPAGE V EXTREME though is different, debuting the same day as the Haswell-E platform billing it as the dream motherboard for extreme overclockers. And that last part is very important as we’ll explain later. For now, let’s break it down further before we give the final verdict:
Performance. The board performs great and doesn’t hold our processor back. While we managed to play around with the board with a 5960X, we’ll keep this review consistent with our tests and stick to our 5930K results. Overall though, performance is within average and butts head with most of the other platforms we have in our charts most notably its own brother the ASUS X99-DELUXE and MSI’s own high-end offering. Overall though, as this is an OC board, if you can get squeeze out your processor more then that equates to more performance, too. Good luck on the silicon lottery though.
Build Quality. The ASUS Rampage V Extreme is far from the usual comparison that a high-performance rig is like a Lambo or Ferrari. That is simply not the proper description for the R5E. It lacks the smooth aesthetics of those exotic rides but resembles more a warship, decked-out with all the guns it can carry and clad in menacing armor. The R5E is heavy and very loaded and ASUS has made sure it packs all of its latest toys in the kit.
Functionality. This board just screams gaming in marketing but its ultimately an overclocking board. That said though, both hobbies do have its parallels and if you’re really into extreme gaming, the quad-GPU support is always a welcome sight. There’s the option having the LN2 backplate for extreme cooling during OC sessions and world record attempts. Other than that though, most of the functions most operations are there and there’s simply nothing more to ask here.
Bundle. The ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME is pretty loaded though not as loaded as the Z97-DELUXE or X99-DELUXE, this is fine though as we’ll talk about later it just might not seem that way to everyone. We do get some unique extras with the kit but we’ve always debated those before so move on to…
Value. Every and all EXTREME ROG series entry we’ve had to contend with the fact of being logically sound in weighing in the value of a product. In this regard the $450 Rampage V is easily the most expensive X99 motherboard out right now and as we’ve mentioned in the section above, the bundle doesn’t really cut it as much as we’d like. After seeing ASUS deliver a really big bundle with the X99-DELUXE, we’re surprised they chose not to include some of those in this motherboard. Closer inspection shows us that both boards are nearly the same component wise with a few features different here and there buts its pretty obvious the two boards have very similar componentries.
Continuing from what we said above, the value ultimately falls to the decision of the buyer and if you’re an extreme overclocker, extremely rich or extremely sponsored then this board should be right for you. Otherwise, we highly recommend the X99-DELUXE.
All in all, the ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME pretty much takes everything from the R4BE, adds some of the unique X99 standards and goodies and we have a very good encore presentation of ASUS’ high-end offering. This in itself is good but there’s really big lacking feeling you get when you purchase a board like this to just run it through its courses in OC or jam 2-3 GPUs in it. Still, there’s no denying the fact that this board has appeal and ultimately, a huge bump in e-peen size. Practically though, it offers no benefit over its DELUXE brother.
The ASUS X99-DELUXE is backed by a 3-year warranty. We give the ASUS X99-DELUXE our B2G Performance Award. Albeit just a very good repeat performance.
3 Comments
That MB is so sexy.. <3
wow ganda kaso ang mahal -__- poor guy
10 USB 3.0 & 2 USB 2.0