Monday, February 23rd 2009

ASUS Rampage II Gene Motherboard Unboxed

Ahead of release, ASUS Rampage II Gene motherboard just got unboxed. For starters the Rampage II Gene is a micro-ATX motherboard, not what you'd expect from the R.O.G. series, but that's going to be a perfect solution if you want to build a high-end HTPC or a mega powerful small gaming system for LAN events. The Core i7 supporting motherboard is powered by Intel's X58 + ICH10R chip combo, has six DDR3-2000 memory slots, two PCI-Express x16 slots for NVIDIA SLI or ATI CorssFireX multi-GPU setups, one eSATA and seven SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, Gigabit Ethernet and a 7.1 channel Creative X-Fi audio. The board also sports some of the neat features found on R.O.G. motherboards, such as on-board Power and Reset buttons and an external LCD POST debug display. Expect availability some time next month.
Sources: TechConnect Magazine, xfastest
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45 Comments on ASUS Rampage II Gene Motherboard Unboxed

#1
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
Is that spiked thing in the last picture a case sticker? Without opening it, I thought it looked like cable ties.
Posted on Reply
#2
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
....epic.

Core i7, 6 ram slots, matx, SLI or crossfire, and inbuilt X-fi.

seriously, this is a great board based on features alone.
Posted on Reply
#3
alexp999
Staff
Mussels....epic.

Core i7, 6 ram slots, matx, SLI or crossfire, and inbuilt X-fi.

seriously, this is a great board based on features alone.
This will be perfect for LAN PC's. Cus you can rig it up in one of those MATX boxes. No more lugging around massive cases! :D
Posted on Reply
#4
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
alexp999This will be perfect for LAN PC's. Cus you can rig it up in one of those MATX boxes. No more lugging around massive cases! :D
if i had themoney i'd swap my lan rig with this board, two GTS 240's/4870 1GB's and enjoy its epic awesomeness.
Posted on Reply
#5
wolf
Better Than Native
i think this board will be the upgrade for my current micro atx system, if there was ever doubt that my Q6600 oc and 8gb of DDR2 1066 are holding the GTX295 back, perhaps some i7/ddr3 action could put those worries to rest :toast:
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#6
OnBoard
I like the black IO backplate most in those pics :) (would only see it once @ install, but still think it's cool :D)
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#8
VanguardGX
Well i know what i want for Christmas :D
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#9
SeanG
No heatsink mount at all?
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#10
h3llb3nd4
God wish I had enough cash to get one...:cry:
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#11
DrPepper
The Doctor is in the house
heh single slot tri sli action :rolleyes: custom tri sli connector ... I can see it working right now.
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#12
CyberDruid
Oh yeah. mATX badboy on the scene. Maybe Asus can win back my love and respect after all.
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#13
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
Id love to see what OC you can get with this board. Looks kick ass to me.
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#14
SeanG
I dont know why they removed the heatsink mount cause in my sff case the power supply is right over the cpu so you only really have a choice to use stock hsf.:confused:
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#15
DanishDevil
Looks like it's got the holes for a S775 HSF too. Good call by ASUS.

I've got to say though, after seeing what trouble a few of our guys on TPU had with the ATX Rampage II Extreme, I'm leery of this board. If they made the DFI mATX x58 UV Orange, I'd be sold on it.

I wonder if this is software/emulated X-Fi or if there's an actual X-Fi processor onboard. The chip next to the audio outputs looks like it's got the realtek crab symbol on it.
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#16
PP Mguire
The X-Fi chip looks to be on the bottom left if im not mistaken. This board is full of win. I might just buy an Asus board after all.
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#17
tcorbyn
DanishDevilI've got to say though, after seeing what trouble a few of our guys on TPU had with the ATX Rampage II Extreme, I'm leery of this board.
What troubles? Ive had the REII pretty much since launch and not had a single problem, the P6T Deluxe however... totaly different story!

On a separtate note...

I wonder if this will be cheaper or more expensive than the REII?

Great that they put the 775 mounting holes in there too! Its a shame they didnt think about that for the original REII!
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#18
to6ko91
VanguardGXWell i know what i want for Christmas :D
I am sorry to break it to you but Christmas was two months ago :laugh:
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#19
Castiel
This board looks pretty sweet. Found the board for my LAN PC.
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#20
Megasty
Holy $hit. A mATX with 2 PCI-e 16x slots is a paradox to say the least. It makes me want to stuff it in my TT lanbox. I can get an X2 in there with an inch to spare. That paired with an i7 & the right OC would be the 2nd fast PC I've ever built & it would be the fourth or the size of my Xaser. But the airflow would be terrible for any ATI 4 series card unless I modded it with vent fans on each side :(
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#21
SeanG
I dont know,my TT lanbox gets pretty hot with 1 9800gtx+ in it,I couldnt imagine 2.:eek:
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#22
Shad0WeN
SeanGI dont know why they removed the heatsink mount cause in my sff case the power supply is right over the cpu so you only really have a choice to use stock hsf.:confused:
I'm confused. What exactly are you referring to?
Posted on Reply
#23
Shad0WeN
DanishDevilLooks like it's got the holes for a S775 HSF too. Good call by ASUS.

I've got to say though, after seeing what trouble a few of our guys on TPU had with the ATX Rampage II Extreme, I'm leery of this board. If they made the DFI mATX x58 UV Orange, I'd be sold on it.

I wonder if this is software/emulated X-Fi or if there's an actual X-Fi processor onboard. The chip next to the audio outputs looks like it's got the realtek crab symbol on it.
"software driven X-Fi sound from ADI"

www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2009/02/10/asus-matx-republic-of-gamers-gene-series/1

so it sounds like it may just be software/emulated X-Fi??

There's a closer picture here:

www.techpowerup.com/img/09-02-11/45a.jpg
Posted on Reply
#24
DanishDevil
Thought so. I'm sick of manufacturers saying they've got an X-Fi when there's not an X-Fi chip :shadedshu
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#25
Shad0WeN
Asus Rampage II Gene vs DFI Lanparty Jr. X58-T3H6

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131352

Given that the Rampage II Extreme is priced at like $400, I wouldn't be surprised if this board cost at least $250, if not more, and higher than DFI's similar offering at $230 with the Lanparty Jr. X58-T3H6:

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136066

As far as features differences between the two motherboards go:

- the specs for this board state 8 phase power whereas DFI's has 6 phase. does anyone know if this really makes a difference?
- possibly better onboard sound with the X-Fi?? it is being reported that it is software driven/emulated though
- DFI has both Coax and Optical SPDIF out, this has Optical only
- additional mounting holes for a Socket 775 heatsink?? (DFI does not have this)
- 2 x 1394a Firewire ports (one on rear I/O, one via onboard header) - DFI has none
- Seven SATA ports, as opposed to 6 on the DFI
- one rear eSATA port (DFI has none)
- 5 fan headers, as opposed to 6 on the DFI
- concerning the fan headers, all of them appear to be 4-pin PWM as opposed to only the CPU fan header on the DFI
- no floppy connector port (DFI has one)
- single PS/2 port for keyboard only (DFI has both keyboard and mouse)

Reposted this info from the thread here:
www.techpowerup.com/84807/ASUS_Developing_ROG_Series_mATX_Motherboard.html
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