The VRM Odyssey: ASUS Redesigns VRM Heatsink for X299 ROG Rampage VI Apex

[Raevenlord]

You certainly remember the whole controversy surrounding Intel's X299 platform VRM "disaster". As a surmise, this refers to what basically amounts to inadequate engineering in the VRM cooling components of some motherboards (from varied manufacturers) for Intel's latest HEDT X299 platform. The issue has been discussed frequently, and one of the most recognized voices initially calling out to this issue was overclocker prodigy Der8auer.





In a new video, overclocker Der8auer has basically made an anouncement to ASUS's impending VRM heatsink update for their X299 ROG Rampage VI Apex motherboard. The new design, which has added engineering hours behind it compared to the original solution, sports threaded fins to increase airflow through the VRM cooling block. Previously, this block was just that - a solid one - which didn't facilitate or take advantage of any airflow your case might offer. In addition, ASUS has also added mounting points for a small, dedicated fan for an increased cooling capacity. Also worth mentioning is the addition of a backplate behind the VRM area of the motherboard, so as to further increase heat dissipation. This redesign comes after ASUS contacted Der8auer directly for collaboration on the new heatsink design, taking input from the renowned overclocker towards the final instance of it.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[FR@NK]

I plan on getting the Apex.

Hopefully Asus will release it within the next month.

Hard to believe these chips will do nearly 5GHz with just watercooling. I might have to get a custom loop.

 

[mcraygsx]

I almost purchased Asus Maximus IX APEX for my 7700K, but a old habit of hand could not resist grabbing Asus Maximus IX HERO from store, all the motherboards that were available. My past 4 motherboards were Asus Maximus or Rampage and it is very difficult for me to go for something else.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

nice to see mb heat sink changes matter to someone.

 

[dj-electric]

What about PRIME X299 series

:|

 

[GC_PaNzerFIN]

10 years of research and development, and we have that whimpy "cooling" on 500ish top of the line overclocking motherboards...

Asus Maximus X38 @ 2007

 

[mcraygsx]

10 years of research and development, and we have that whimpy "cooling" on 500ish top of the line overclocking motherboards...

Asus Maximus X38 @ 2007

It all comes down to profit these days. WOW look at amount of heat sinks this board has.

 

[noname00]

10 years of research and development, and we have that whimpy "cooling" on 500ish top of the line overclocking motherboards...

Asus Maximus X38 @ 2007

That's what I want to see on a modern motherboard (the shape, not the color).

I really don't understand why manufacturers aren't using anymore radiators like these, and use plastic shrouds that just block the airflow.

 

[Deleted member 172152]

X299 is back on track! What happened to the skylake-x locomotive though?

 

[Dammeron]

10 years of research and development, and we have that whimpy "cooling" on 500ish top of the line overclocking motherboards...

Asus Maximus X38 @ 2007

Exactly what I thought - "wow, ASUS just now developed a finned radiator!".

Hello, the previous century is calling and asking not to steal it's inventions.

 

[xkm1948]

10 years of research and development, and we have that whimpy "cooling" on 500ish top of the line overclocking motherboards...

Asus Maximus X38 @ 2007

Had that board for almost 8 yrs. One of the best MoBo I have owned.

 

[GhostRyder]

10 years of research and development, and we have that whimpy "cooling" on 500ish top of the line overclocking motherboards...

Asus Maximus X38 @ 2007

I wish our modern motherboards would venture to better designs on the extreme ends (Meaning the special OC boards). The only consolation prize seems to be the boards that have the water cooling built in.

 

[Totally]

I wish our modern motherboards would venture to better designs on the extreme ends (Meaning the special OC boards). The only consolation prize seems to be the boards that have the water cooling built in.

Not much they can do Intel/AMD are pretty strict on board designs which doesn't give them much room for creativity from my understanding. Hence the Apex boards are the closest thing to an ideal OC board feature wise.

 

[theonedub]

They needed someone to tell them fins and fans are better than a passive block of metal? Making me wonder ASUS

 

[cdawall]

10 years of research and development, and we have that whimpy "cooling" on 500ish top of the line overclocking motherboards...

Asus Maximus X38 @ 2007

I mean it makes sense on those X38 was 26.5w TDP, ICH10R is 4.5w, plus the 8 phase VRM section that was far from as efficient as todays designs. For perspective X299 is a 6w TDP chipset.

Remember the QX9650 was a 160w CPU that pushed even further under an overclock...

 

[GhostRyder]

Not much they can do Intel/AMD are pretty strict on board designs which doesn't give them much room for creativity from my understanding. Hence the Apex boards are the closest thing to an ideal OC board feature wise.

They give them a minimum needed for the design, not a max so it's up to the board makers to do the rest. That's why we get crazy VRM designs on some boards like from Colorful. Unless I misunderstood the HEDT requirements.

I mean it makes sense on those X38 was 26.5w TDP, ICH10R is 4.5w, plus the 8 phase VRM section that was far from as efficient as todays designs. For perspective X299 is a 6w TDP chipset.

Remember the QX9650 was a 160w CPU that pushed even further under an overclock...

Yea, but it would still be nice to have better cooling for those of us going to the red line at least on the extreme boards. They charge enough for them XD.

 

[HTC]

10 years of research and development, and we have that whimpy "cooling" on 500ish top of the line overclocking motherboards...

Asus Maximus X38 @ 2007

Them manufacturers have been more interested in saving money by using fancy looking stuff than using stuff that actually performs well. Heatsinks such as the ones in this old board add up in price quite a bit to the total board's price but, personally, i'd rather have that than the fancy looking stuff.

Quality is expensive: problem is we (consumers) are paying expensive prices but not for that much quality ...

 

[Chaitanya]

or

or

 

[Furunomoe]

Why don't they just use a real, finned heatsink from the beginning is beyond me. I mean, looks might be important but I think finned heatsink looks great too.

 

[HTC]

Why don't they just use a real, finned heatsink from the beginning is beyond me. I mean, looks might be important but I think finned heatsink looks great too.

This is the problem: looks is more important then function when it should be the other way around.

 

[cdawall]

Yea, but it would still be nice to have better cooling for those of us going to the red line at least on the extreme boards. They charge enough for them XD.

They pop up in oddball places still this is my X99 board, still a quite large heatsink setup and a finned one at that

 

[GC_PaNzerFIN]

They pop up in oddball places still this is my X99 board, still a quite large heatsink setup and a finned one at that

Perfect example you can have a nice looking and functioning motherboard and still use decent cooling where it matters. Was even a reasonably priced one. I call BS on that impacting much profit margins

 

[eidairaman1]

I plan on getting the Apex.

Hopefully Asus will release it within the next month.

Hard to believe these chips will do nearly 5GHz with just watercooling. I might have to get a custom loop.

8core 5.0GHz on air here

 

[cdawall]

8core 5.0GHz on air here

8 thread 4 module.

 

[looniam]

needs more RGB.