ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces the Crossblade Ranger FM2+ Motherboard

[Cristian_25H]

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

• 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)

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[The Quim Reaper]

A Ferrari body powered by a Ford Focus diesel engine.

 

[uuuaaaaaa]

Could this mean that there will be some higher end chips coming to this platform?

 

[ZetZet]

Could this mean that there will be some higher end chips coming to this platform?

no because amd is like 5 years behind on manufacturing process alone.

 

[Lionheart]

A Ferrari body powered by a Ford Focus diesel engine.

More like this!

 

[RT2284]

no because amd is like 5 years behind on manufacturing process alone.

5 years. Really. Ivy Bridge only came out two years ago for 22nm so saying they are 5 years behind is wrong frankly.

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.

 

[MakeDeluxe]

More like this!

I see what you did there

 

[HM_Actua1]

What a waste of ROG time and integrity.

 

[john_]

[dream mode on]
Maybe ASUS knows something that we don't about new APUs with more than two modules.
[dream mode off]

 

[XL-R8R]

For a tech site, I'm really surprised at some of the ignorance portrayed on here these days....


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.



However, the board looks nice.

 

[dj-electric]

I disagree^

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).

 

[MxPhenom 216]

For a tech site, I'm really surprised at some of the ignorance portrayed on here these days....


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.



However, the board looks nice.

You must be new to forums in general....

 

[brian111]

I disagree^

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).

While you may be correct about FM2+, Asus is in the business of making money. I would guess that they don't put out a product unless they feel that there is a reasonable chance of it being successful.

 

[Assimilator]

Crossblade Ranger is fitted with state-of-the-art Intel Gigabit Ethernet...

So. Much. Irony.

 

[john_]

So. Much. Irony.

AMD GPUs on Intel laptops/desktops?

 

[GLD]

What I want to know is where the heck are the other FM2+ chips? There have only been the 2 available since launch.

 

[FlanK3r]

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/asus-crossblade-ranger-fm2-warrior.203881/

the review

 

[GhostRyder]

For a tech site, I'm really surprised at some of the ignorance portrayed on here these days....


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.



However, the board looks nice.

I am with you on that one.

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.

 

[damric]

The FM2+ platform is superior to the AM3+ platform. The only exception is when games can effectively utilize more than 4 compute cores. But for a game that runs fine on 4 cores, a high end GPU like the r9 295 will perform better on the FM2+ platform than on the AM3+ platform.

ASUS releasing another $100 overpriced motherboard with fancy ROG stickers is nothing new.

 

[Kyrios74]

when I assemble a pc for my clients, the best components I choose are: motherboard, power supply and ssd.
This is a very good motherboard. I don't understand why you have a small penis complex.

 

[RealNeil]

ASUS boards work OK in my experience, but I usually buy the less expensive ones.
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.

 

[cyneater]

Nothing wrong with APU's. Most people don't even use anywhere near 90% of the processor.

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.

 

[Lionheart]

For a tech site, I'm really surprised at some of the ignorance portrayed on here these days....


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.



However, the board looks nice.

Totally agree there... I don't comment here as much as I used too.... Over the years fanboys & trolls have spread but that's too be expected

 

[cyneater]

Nothing wrong with FM2....
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...

 

[FlanK3r]

Again...Look deeper at motherboard and read the text btw (today Il be test performance) http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/asus-crossblade-ranger-fm2-warrior.203881/

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 ....