Thursday, August 7th 2014
ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces the Crossblade Ranger FM2+ Motherboard
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced Crossblade Ranger, the first AMD FM2+ motherboard to carry the revered ROG brand and packed with exclusive ROG technologies and game-boosting features for an AMD-based gaming powerhouse that's beyond compare.
Crossblade Ranger's core benefits deliver the best gaming networking, with Intel Gigabit Ethernet, GameFirst III and LANGuard, the best gaming audio from SupremeFX 2014, the best gaming interface with KeyBot and the best gaming performance with exclusive Auto Tuning technology to unleash the true power of AMD accelerated-processing units (APUs).
Best gaming networking
Crossblade Ranger is fitted with state-of-the-art Intel Gigabit Ethernet that delivers better throughput with lower processing power for superior speed and increased efficiency.
The new motherboard's networking capabilities additionally benefit from ROG-exclusive GameFirst III technology for no-delay gameplay. This advanced network-optimization software assigns top priority to game-data packets, allocating them more bandwidth to ensure the best online-gaming experience and clear, stutter-free online team-chat - all controlled with ROG's usual intuitive flair.
ROG has even reinvented the RJ45 socket, with LANGuard technology. Advanced signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted capacitors improve throughput, while surge-protected and electrostatically-guarded components (ESD Guards) protect against lightning strikes and static-electricity discharges.
Best gaming audio
Flawless audio is essential for immersive gaming, so Crossblade Ranger is engineered with SupremeFX 2014. Cutting-edge isolation technologies minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI), while premium ELNA audio capacitors and eight-channel gold-plated audio outputs provide precision-engineered audio that's as great as a dedicated soundcard.
SupremeFX 2014 also features exclusive Sonic SenseAmp and Sonic SoundStage technologies. Sonic SenseAmp automatically detects analog-audio front-panel (AAFP) headphone impedance and adjusts the built-in amp accordingly, while Sonic SoundStage applies the best audio settings for popular game genres - just one click is all it takes to generate the perfect sound for first-person shooter (FPS), racing, combat and sports games.
Crossblade Ranger's gaming-audio credentials include Sonic Radar II technology. Designed for first-person shooters (FPS), Sonic Radar II displays a stealthy overlay that shows what opponents and teammates are up to. Players see the precise direction and origin of in-game sounds such as gunshots, footsteps and call-outs, enabling them to hone enemy-pinpointing skills. Exclusive audio enhancement further improves in-game sound for superb hearing awareness, and the all-new Sonic Radar II includes a redesigned control panel with customizable game list.
Best gaming interface
Crossblade Ranger includes KeyBot, a clever tool that lets users instantly 'upgrade' an existing keyboard simply by attaching it to the dedicated USB socket.
Once connected, the KeyBot microprocessor is activated and the user is able to use their current keyboard to control multimedia playback, launch favorite applications or assign macros to specific keys - just perfect for automating complicated in-game key sequences.
Best gaming performance
ROG's Auto Tuning technology enables Crossblade Ranger to unleash the true power of AMD APUs with just few clicks. Enabled by the TurboV Processing Unit (TPU), Auto Tuning adjusts the CPU frequencies and ratios to offer precise voltage control and advanced CPU-performance monitoring, efficiently enhancing system performance with the most stable overclocking profile - so gamers enjoy superb stability and high speeds while playing.
Crossblade Ranger is also compatible with ROG's brilliant Front Base dual-bay gaming panel. When added to Crossblade Ranger, Front Base enables one-click performance boosting and real-time system monitoring to make gaming experiences even more enjoyable.
Crossblade Ranger even comes with a ROG mouse mat completely free of charge. The plush feel and stylish design enables gamers to flaunt the awesome power of Crossblade Ranger.
SPECIFICATIONS
Crossblade Ranger's core benefits deliver the best gaming networking, with Intel Gigabit Ethernet, GameFirst III and LANGuard, the best gaming audio from SupremeFX 2014, the best gaming interface with KeyBot and the best gaming performance with exclusive Auto Tuning technology to unleash the true power of AMD accelerated-processing units (APUs).
Crossblade Ranger is fitted with state-of-the-art Intel Gigabit Ethernet that delivers better throughput with lower processing power for superior speed and increased efficiency.
The new motherboard's networking capabilities additionally benefit from ROG-exclusive GameFirst III technology for no-delay gameplay. This advanced network-optimization software assigns top priority to game-data packets, allocating them more bandwidth to ensure the best online-gaming experience and clear, stutter-free online team-chat - all controlled with ROG's usual intuitive flair.
ROG has even reinvented the RJ45 socket, with LANGuard technology. Advanced signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted capacitors improve throughput, while surge-protected and electrostatically-guarded components (ESD Guards) protect against lightning strikes and static-electricity discharges.
Best gaming audio
Flawless audio is essential for immersive gaming, so Crossblade Ranger is engineered with SupremeFX 2014. Cutting-edge isolation technologies minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI), while premium ELNA audio capacitors and eight-channel gold-plated audio outputs provide precision-engineered audio that's as great as a dedicated soundcard.
SupremeFX 2014 also features exclusive Sonic SenseAmp and Sonic SoundStage technologies. Sonic SenseAmp automatically detects analog-audio front-panel (AAFP) headphone impedance and adjusts the built-in amp accordingly, while Sonic SoundStage applies the best audio settings for popular game genres - just one click is all it takes to generate the perfect sound for first-person shooter (FPS), racing, combat and sports games.
Crossblade Ranger's gaming-audio credentials include Sonic Radar II technology. Designed for first-person shooters (FPS), Sonic Radar II displays a stealthy overlay that shows what opponents and teammates are up to. Players see the precise direction and origin of in-game sounds such as gunshots, footsteps and call-outs, enabling them to hone enemy-pinpointing skills. Exclusive audio enhancement further improves in-game sound for superb hearing awareness, and the all-new Sonic Radar II includes a redesigned control panel with customizable game list.
Best gaming interface
Crossblade Ranger includes KeyBot, a clever tool that lets users instantly 'upgrade' an existing keyboard simply by attaching it to the dedicated USB socket.
Once connected, the KeyBot microprocessor is activated and the user is able to use their current keyboard to control multimedia playback, launch favorite applications or assign macros to specific keys - just perfect for automating complicated in-game key sequences.
Best gaming performance
ROG's Auto Tuning technology enables Crossblade Ranger to unleash the true power of AMD APUs with just few clicks. Enabled by the TurboV Processing Unit (TPU), Auto Tuning adjusts the CPU frequencies and ratios to offer precise voltage control and advanced CPU-performance monitoring, efficiently enhancing system performance with the most stable overclocking profile - so gamers enjoy superb stability and high speeds while playing.
Crossblade Ranger is also compatible with ROG's brilliant Front Base dual-bay gaming panel. When added to Crossblade Ranger, Front Base enables one-click performance boosting and real-time system monitoring to make gaming experiences even more enjoyable.
Crossblade Ranger even comes with a ROG mouse mat completely free of charge. The plush feel and stylish design enables gamers to flaunt the awesome power of Crossblade Ranger.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Processor/CPU socket
AMD FM2+ Socket for AMD A-series / Athlon Series processors - Chipset
AMD A88X FCH (Bolton-D4) - Memory
4 x DIMMs, up to a maximum of 64 GB, DDR3 2666 (O.C.)
Supports AMD Memory Profile (AMP) memory - Expansion slots
2 x PCI Express 3.0*/2.0 x16 slots (red, single x16 or dual x8/x8 mode)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (black, maximum x4 mode)
2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots
2 x PCI slots - Graphics (VGA)
Integrated AMD Radeon R/HD8000/HD7000 Series Graphics in the A-Series APU
Multi-VGA output support: HDMI/DVI/RGB port
Supports HDMI with maximum of resolution 4096 x 2160 at 24Hz and 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz
Supports DVI-D (DVI) with maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600 at 60Hz
Supports RGB (VGA) with maximum resolution 1920 x 1600 at 60Hz
Maximum shared memory of 2 GB
Supports AMD Dual Graphics technology - Multi-GPU
AMD 3-way CrossFireX technology - Storage
8 x SATA 6Gbit/s connectors with RAID 0, RAID 1,RAID 5,RAID 10 and JBOD support - Networking/LAN
Intel Gigabit Ethernet with GameFirst III and ASUS LANGuard - USB
6 x USB 3.0 ports (4 on back panel, 2 mid-board)
8 x USB 2.0 ports (2 on back panel, 6 mid-board) - Audio
ROG SupremeFX Formula 2014 8-channel high-definition audio
SupremeFX shielding technology
ELNA premium audio capacitors
Content protection for full-rate lossless playback of DVD Audio, Blu-ray DVD, and HD-DVD audio content
Jack-detection, multi-streaming, front-panel jack-retasking
Optical S/PDIF-out port on back panel - Dimensions / form factor
ATX, 12 x 9.6in (30.5 x 24.4cm)
29 Comments on ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces the Crossblade Ranger FM2+ Motherboard
In all seriousness though, AMD should drop their APU prices for them to be competitive in the marketplace, 7850K around 140-150 would be nice.
Maybe ASUS knows something that we don't about new APUs with more than two modules.
[dream mode off]
If there wasn't any 'decent' boards for FM2, you'd quickly bag the platform... if there is decent boards.. you'd also quickly bag the platform.... if the prices appear too high/too low/the sun isnt shining; you guessed it! You'd quickly bag the platform.
Remaining open minded about tech products should be your (whoever this applies to!) first priority: maybe it doesn't suit YOUR needs... maybe YOU wont ever buy it... but the MORE choices, the better....... or have I lost my mind and this is just a trollforum at this point in time where people are so bias they need to trash talk EVERYTHING that isn't to their exact liking??
Such a shame. :slap:
However, the board looks nice. :)
FM2+ is a budget platform for those who can't afford or doesn't want to pay more for higher-end components. This product has no place in this price segment.
It doesn't fit those who want a strong iGPU for a good price, it doesn't fit those who want a strong CPU for the price (those people will take H81+Core i5).
the review
Cool looking board in all honesty, Asus is pretty good at delivering when it comes to the ROG products. This board has alot of cool features (Albeit I think the 3 way CFX support is a bit much lol) and it would be nice for someone looking to max out on the platform. With 2666 memory if you can get that stable with a nice GPU overclock and CPU overclock could be really beast.
Of course the end would be the cost of this board and parts to get there but it seems like it could be a pretty cool.
ASUS releasing another $100 overpriced motherboard with fancy ROG stickers is nothing new.
This is a very good motherboard. I don't understand why you have a small penis complex.
This one looks to be OK, but I just bought an Intel based H81I-Plus/CSM.
I considered getting an FM2 board but I already had an i5 CPU on hand, and APUs are not that cheap like they used to be.
A good friend of mine installed his 7890 into A10-6790K with 16gb ram.
It plays everything even the new wolfenstein. I was quiet impressed considering they are meant to be a budget processor.
He didn't go the AM3 / + route because of the lack of mini ITX.
Each to there own. Personally Id not buy another Asus high end board again.
Go back 15 years ago a budge CPU was a celery or duron and you could play games and do stuff. Now days apprently a budget processor is a socket 1150 I5...
I will test only few CPU and few iGPU tests, after some OC of chip. Remmeber, now I have only one 7850K and not good one. Im finding next one 7850K for LN2 ....
Contrary to many false reports and speculation, AMD has NOT discontinued development of high end discrete desktop CPUs. They will come along next year but in the meantime the FM2+ platform will get another performance boost. The fact that existing AMD APUs OC so well is good news as AMD slowly ramps APU performance.
Note: Don't expect AMD to give away their APUs as you are getting a competent CPU and GPU for the price of one processor. The value proposition is quite high and will continue to improve over time as new APUs show up.