ASUS ROG ZEUS Fuses LGA2011 Motherboard with Dual-GPU Graphics

[btarunr]

ASUS displayed a nerdtastic motherboard design concept, at Computex. Called the Republic of Gamers ZEUS, ASUS' creation is a socket LGA2011 motherboard with a dual-GPU graphics hardware soldered onto the board, in the place otherwise assigned for expansion slots. The top half of the ZEUS resembles that of a conventional LGA2011 motherboard, with the processor being powered by a 10-phase Digi+ VRM, and eight DDR3 DIMM slots. ASUS somehow made the platform support up to 128 GB of unregistered DIMM DDR3 memory (double the 64 GB limit of the Sandy Bridge-E HEDT platform).

The second half of the motherboard has the X79 PCH, and two PCI-Express 3.0 GPUs in dual-GPU configuration. ASUS hasn't revealed which GPUs these are, but sources predict it's a pair of AMD Radeon HD 7970 (Tahiti XT) or HD 7870 (Pitcairn XT). Each GPU system has its own set of memory, and a set of 8-pin + 6-pin PCIe power connectors. The display outputs of this dual-GPU setup are given out on the rear panel, as two mini-DP + Thunderbolt ports, and one each of HDMI and standard DP. The ZEUS even has as many as 8 SATA 6 Gb/s ports, four SATA 3 Gb/s ports, and 12 USB 3.0 ports, besides two Thunderbolt 10 Gb/s ports. For now, ASUS' monstrosity is a design concept, and the company is undecided about launching it to the market. If nothing, the ZEUS serves as a testament of ASUS' mammoth engineering potential.



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[jalex3]

Cant say I would ever want it. Though it is interesting.

 

[ASharp]

I think it would actually be a really nice board if they removed this whole dual GPU thing integrated onto the board and just put plain and proper PCI-Express slots instead.

 

[SK-1]

Brings new meaning to the words "Integrated Graphics".

 

[Mussels]

coming soon to a mac near you!



seems weird to have the GPU's as part of the board.

 

[btarunr]

I think it would actually be a really nice board if they removed this whole dual GPU thing integrated onto the board and just put plain and proper PCI-Express slots instead.

Then it wouldn't be much different from X79 Sabertooth, or any other LGA2011 motherboard.

 

[erixx]

This is sort of what's inside consoles right?

And the cooling for the IGPs doesn't seem enough

 

[Cuzza]

I like it. No stuffing around with add-in boards.

How the hell is that heatsink going to keep two GPUs cool though??

 

[Huddo93]

I am thinking the same thing, How the hell is that small heatsink going to cool dual gpu's??

This however, doesnt actually seem that stupid either. If the GPU's performed well then it would be really easy to do small Micro ATX builds.

On the other hand, I really dont think there is a large enough market for this sort of product to work.

 

[Nordic]

I could see uses in small high powered gaming pc's

 

[entropy13]

A Z77 board with even just one GPU (like the 7870) would be more attractive. The Maximus V Gene is at $210, a 7870 is at least $320. They could probably sell such a mATX board at around $500 and there would certainly be buyers.

Or make a slightly cheaper non-ROG variant, the P8Z77-M is $135, the HD 7770 is at least $130. Sell that board at around $250.

 

[The Von Matrices]

Just judging from the GPU memory arrangement I don't see how there could be larger than a 256-bit bus per GPU, which leads me to believe this is a pair of 7850s or 7870s. This would also make the small heatsink much more reasonable.

 

[joyman]

I think Asus is going over the hill with their boards lately... Overpriced and looking more and more like s**t.

 

[Stephen.]

As for me I want it. ASUS name your price I'll give you the cash for it. Then I'll build me a trophy computer with it.

 

[Splave]

innovative for sure, although now when 1 gpu fails or you get a bent pin in the socket, you are out 2 gpu's and a mobo

 

[Sp33d Junki3]

I think its a great step forwards to a all in one solution mobo.
I like the board.

 

[_JP_]

Looks massive, but I'm having doubts if that heatsink can cope with 2 GPUs.

innovative for sure, although now when 1 gpu fails or you get a bent pin in the socket, you are out 2 gpu's and a mobo

Yep, this will be a shortcoming.

 

[Aquinus]

They height is key. I have a full ATX HTPC case that this could most likely fit in, so you never know. It's definitely an interesting idea, I can't wait to see some benches when it gets released (if it gets released.) What interests me is that the GPUs are passively cooled.

 

[Geofrancis]

New XBOX motherboard? or at least a guide to what's possible

 

[Th3pwn3r]

What do you do when you want to upgrade it?

 

[Aquinus]

New XBOX motherboard? or at least a guide to what's possible

Sounds good if the console remains 300 USD.

 

[ensabrenoir]

.....i likey. Definitely an enthusaist part.....money, praticality and better judgement dont always apply

 

[sergionography]

Just judging from the GPU memory arrangement I don't see how there could be larger than a 256-bit bus per GPU, which leads me to believe this is a pair of 7850s or 7870s. This would also make the small heatsink much more reasonable.

I don't see how this heat sink can keep up with 2 hd7870s
However these could also be mobile gpus solder tonthe motherboard so it could be anything for all we know from gtx650m-680m to hd7750m-7970m tho the higher end parts with 100watt tdp don't seem very likely idk, just doesn't seem like enough cooling to have a fan less heat sink.
But hey I love the idea tho, if they can drive prices down to were buying a mono with built in graphic card is cheaper than getting each desperate then this could be a good platform for some people. Tho putting high end gpus would at least require a bigger heat sink and fans

 

[btarunr]

Maybe also look at the power inputs for each of those two GPUs (8-pin + 6-pin, per GPU). A Pitcairn would never need that.

 

[Random Murderer]

great idea, but highly impractical. what happens when two years down the road your cpu is still acceptably fast but you need a gpu upgrade? you're screwed, you have to replace a (possibly) $600+ mobo, AND buy a gpu!