Intel's high-end desktop platform raises the stakes with updated Intel Core X-Series processors that boast a lot more of everything, including cores, cache, bandwidth, and more. The additional processing power plows through CPU-intensive tasks, while the extra bandwidth lets you add more GPUs and NVMe SSDs to accelerate a wider range of workloads.

Anchored by the X299 platform, this upper echelon scales up to 18 cores with the new Core i9-9980XE. It's now joined by an even more exclusive chip with 28 cores and an entirely separate platform that redefines extreme desktop PCs. We have new motherboards designed to exploit the strengths of each CPU. The Prime X299-Deluxe II gives professionals and power users a flexible foundation for serious work and it is not alone, ROG engineers are also working on a new Rampage motherboard geared toward hardcore gamers and overclockers, while the ROG Dominus Extreme shows what's possible when our engineers have the freedom to go beyond traditional boundariesASUS has also released BIOS updates for existing X299-series motherboards, adding support for the Intel Core X-Series processors family. The latest BIOS updates are now available for download from the official ASUS website.

Get the most out of all your cores with the Prime X299 Deluxe IIUnlike with our last generation of X299 boards, the Prime X299-Deluxe II drops support for four-core Kaby Lake-X CPUs to focus on providing the best experience for chips with higher core counts and more connectivity. With up to 18 cores, four memory channels, and 44 PCIe lanes, these processors demand a lot more juice than typical desktop CPUs.

Higher power requirements are balanced by beefier heatsinks that carefully balance mass and surface area to maximize thermal dissipation. The VRM cooling has enough headroom to push CPUs beyond stock speeds if you want even more performance, and our 5-Way Optimization software makes it easy to get the most out of your individual chip and cooling. Effective cooling arrives with Fan Xpert 4 that can automatically adjust RPMs based on input from a range of sources, including onboard sensors, wired thermistors, and even the GPU diode on select graphics cards.

Deluxe in every sense of the word
High-speed external storage is required for many workstations, so the Prime X299-Deluxe II integrates Thunderbolt 3 with up to 40Gbps of aggregate interface bandwidth. The rear I/O panel has dual Type-C Thunderbolt ports that support data in addition to DisplayPort 1.4 output. Since this processor platform lacks an integrated GPU, you need to connect your graphics card to one of the dual DisplayPort inputs on the motherboard in order to use a Thunderbolt monitor.

Next-level networking brings higher speeds to both wired and wireless connections. The Prime X299-Deluxe II features 5G Ethernet from Aquantia that offers five times the throughput of traditional Gigabit Ethernet, which is also available via a secondary LAN port. Intel provides the gigabit-class integrated 2x2 802.11ac wireless card and Bluetooth 5 is part of the package, extending wireless support to peripherals.

Onboard Crystal Sound 3 audio combines a shielded codec with premium capacitors and a special de-pop circuit and power pre-regulator to produce clear output that lives up to the name. The 120-dB output SNR speaks for itself, and the 113-dB rating for input is great for streaming and recording.

The center of the board is dominated by a large 2" LiveDash OLED. It's positioned for easy visibility and capable of showing vital system stats like clock speeds, temperatures, and voltages. For a more personalized touch, you can add text and custom images, including animated GIFs.

Additional monitoring is possible using the board's new ASUS Node connector, which offers a bidirectional interface with lots of potential for DIY components and builds. The Fan Extension Card II included with the motherboard already connects via Node. In addition to supplying extra headers for cooling, it has three for additional RGB strips.

The ROG Dominus Extreme redefines extreme desktop motherboards
Core X-Series processors are designed for high-performance desktops, which is why they're much more capable than standard desktop CPUs. Intel's new lineup now includes a Skylake-X based chip with 28 cores for the ultimate PC. We designed the ROG Dominus Extreme around this processor.

Everything you'd expect from ROG except moreThis board is all about applying ROG sensibilities on a much larger scale. Despite the fact that it occupies a massive 14" x 14" EEB form factor, there's no room to spare. The socket is flanked by a dozen DDR4 DIMM slots with support for up to 192GB of RAM, and the memory is bookended by dual DIMM.2 modules with room for four NVMe SSDs between them. Dual U.2 ports provide connectivity for additional NVMe drives, while four PCIe x16 slots line up for a stack of graphics cards. To bypass bottlenecks, that's all connected directly to the CPU.

Supplying such a potent platform takes enormous power, which is why you can connect two PSUs. Among the nine EATX power connectors, six are devoted exclusively to 12V power. A staggering 32 power phases stretch across the full width of the board, and they sit under a large heatsink with stealthy active cooling. Four fans are hidden inside and only spin up when thermals demand. The rest of theonboard cooling is tailored for custom liquid loops, starting with headers that support temperature sensing, flow monitoring, and leak detection for compatible CPU blocks.

Even the styling is a cut above what's available on other ROG boards. The armor is aluminum, which adds a more premium feel, and the LiveDash OLED uses a 1.77" color display. Aura Sync lighting punctuates the armor and I/O cover with an easily customized glow that also extends to four headers for RGB strips. This all-black beast doesn't need illumination to look good, but don't expect stealth mode to turn it into a sleeper.

Support for wicked-fast 10G wired networking reinforces the platform's enterprise roots. Gigabit-class WiFi is included as well, along with ROG's latest SupremeFX audio. The board even has the new ASUS Node connector for our latest cooling expansion card and other compatible components.