EVGA Announces the X299 DARK Motherboard

[btarunr]

EVGA introduces you to the ultimate in raw performance for the next-gen Intel Extreme lineup, the EVGA X299 Dark. The Dark is crafted from the ground up to be the performance apex with everything you need to make a record-breaking benching run or a 24/7 number cruncher, and nothing you don't - a board that is as reliable as it is fast.



EVGA X299 Dark has all of the current gen top-tier component support, including:

• 2x M.2 Key-M slots / 1x M.2 Key-E slot
• Intel Optane Memory Ready
• 2x U.2 Ports
• USB 3.1 Type-A / Type-C
• Up to 64GB of 4000MHz+ (OC) Quad-Channel RAM on Skylake-X CPUs
• Up to 32GB of 4133MHz+ (OC) Dual-Channel RAM on Kaby Lake-X CPUs
• 2x Intel GbE LAN with teaming support
• EVGA's Full Featured GUI UEFI/ BIOS
• Legacy LGA20XX Socket Backplate for custom CPU cooling solutions (optional)

There is much to be said about a beautifully-engineered motherboard designed to handle the highest loads or the most extreme conditions, let alone the rigors and abuse constantly demanded by the best overclockers in the world and still look good doing it. This was achieved, in part, by using:

• 12-Layer PCB
• Highly-Efficient 16-Phase PWM
• 100% Solid State Capacitors
• 300% Higher Gold Content in CPU Socket
• External BCLK / Clock Generators
• 8 SATA Ports - 6 from Intel PCH / 2 from ASMedia ASM1061
• Triple BIOS Select Switch
• PCIe Disable Switches
• ProbeIT Connector
• PS/2 Port
• Creative Core3D Audio
• Intel VROC Header

Although the X299 Dark does not feature RGB LED support, it politely reminds you that you can't see pretty in the Dark. This board is engineered for the ultra-enthusiast, including these features:

• Active PCH & M.2 cooling
• 4-Way SLI Support
• Multi-Function POST Indicator
• Visual Guide / Bench table
• PCIe / DIMM Status LEDs
• Right Angle Power / Fan / and USB3.0 Headers

The X299 Dark proves once again that until you have used it, you don't know the power of the Dark side of the EVGA motherboard lineup.

For more information, visit the product page.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[phanbuey]

i hear fan whine just looking at this thing

 

[Solaris17]

god that looks terrible.

 

[Hood]

i hear fan whine just looking at this thing

Yes, the sound of power! But like a fast Italian sports car, you don't want it to be your 24/7 daily driver. I like the concept, though - this will show the max potential of any CPU, and when it hits a wall, you can be sure the board isn't the limiting factor. The lack of RGB is very much in it's favor, for those who like their money spent on actual performance features instead of carnival lights. I would buy this, if I needed X299.

 

[cdawall]

Why did fans come back?

 

[phanbuey]

Why did fans come back?

i mean the vrm ones i sort of understand but the southbridge one kind of throws me.

 

[Nuckles56]

Man, those cutouts on the side of the board are making me really frustrated

 

[notb]

i mean the vrm ones i sort of understand but the southbridge one kind of throws me.

It's not a southbridge cooler. It just covers the chipset (because where else would it go?).
The aim is to push air around two M.2 NVMe drives, which is not a bad idea.
Actually, I wonder why no manufacturer (AFAIK) went for an isolated M.2 airflow - with input/output via a card slot at the back.

The VRM fans, on the other hand, are pretty sad. Last time I've had such a small fan in a PC, it was cooling a Riva TNT.

 

[dicktracy]

Most people already bought other motherboards. This is just a bit too late from evga.

 

[Chaitanya]

It's not a southbridge cooler. It just covers the chipset (because where else would it go?).
The aim is to push air around two M.2 NVMe drives, which is not a bad idea.
Actually, I wonder why no manufacturer (AFAIK) went for an isolated M.2 airflow - with input/output via a card slot at the back.

The VRM fans, on the other hand, are pretty sad. Last time I've had such a small fan in a PC, it was cooling a Riva TNT.

Riva TNT fan was much larger compared to this.

 

[LiveOrDie]

I like it the fans are epic looking.

 

[bonehead123]

Nice looking board IMHO, I especially like the right angle ATX and USB 3 connectors with cutouts for a much cleaner looking build, but why, oh why do we REALLY need a stinkin ps/2 port, really ?

Hello.....It's 1997 calling, just to let you know that all your antique port connectors are belong to us, and we want them back NOW

 

[claster17]

No comments about this board actually having a proper VRM cooler with fins?

 

[R-T-B]

Hello.....It's 1997 calling, just to let you know that all your antique port connectors are belong to us, and we want them back NOW

I won't buy a board without a ps/2 connector, and I know I am not alone.

 

[Ubersonic]

Why did fans come back?

To keep things cool, it's not like they will be noisey high rpm ones (and will be controlled/deactivated based on temps anyway).

i mean the vrm ones i sort of understand but the southbridge one kind of throws me.

The PCH fan also directs air over the M.2 slots (M.2 drives have a habit of overheating and throttling).

why, oh why do we REALLY need a stinkin ps/2 port, really ?

Yes, mechanical keyboards are a thing.

 

[Slizzo]

Gamer's Nexus already did a review of this board a couple weeks ago. It's a very good board, heatpipes finally make a return, the fans are not too terrible on the board, but they do their job excellently.

Without fans, the board still does a better job of keeping the VRM cool.

 

[hyp36rmax]

I actually prefer the fin stack heatsink. haven't seen one on a modern board since an ASUS X99M-WS.

 

[MasterACC]

why 4 ram slot only?

 

[notb]

why 4 ram slot only?

4 DDR4 slots mean up to 128 GB RAM, so it's not hugely limiting or something.
This is more of an enthusiast product, not a professional one. It's pretty unlikely someone will buy this for a SAP HANA system or whatever similar. So instead of another 2 or 4 slots, it has those many many coolers.

 

[ensabrenoir]

....hhhmmm i get it. This board is actually pretty nice.

 

[Tomorrow]

god that looks terrible.

Yep. No RGB=No Buy. I'm joking ofcourse. I quite like it actually. Finally something that is not all style, no substance.

why 4 ram slot only?

Higher memory speed. The slots can be placed closer to the CPU and since there are fewer slots with shorter traces higher memory overclocks can be achieved. ASUS does the same on their Apex boards.

 

[Solaris17]

Yep. No RGB=No Buy. I'm joking ofcourse. I quite like it actually. Finally something that is not all style, no substance.

I can certainly agree on that point. I'm a bot more then disappointed that RGB dominates PC hardware this generation (and unfortunately probably the next several) im just not a fan of the sheet metal style. Im tired of manufacturers shrouding everything in sheet aluminium.