Every company has a flagship product or service. ASUS, which started out as a motherboard brand, has its newest, the ROG Rampage V Extreme. Based on the Intel X99 Express chipset, the board drives Core i7-5000 "Haswell-E" HEDT processors. It begins with a high-current 8-phase CPU VRM that draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS, and 4-pin ATX connectors. The CPU socket is wired to eight DDR4 DIMM slots, and five PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (one of which features a lane bypass).

Storage connectivity on the Rampage V Extreme includes 12 SATA 6 Gb/s, one SATA-Express, and an M.2 with PCIe 2.0 x4 physical layer. Other connectivity includes SupremeFX 2014 audio, Intel-made gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 ac WLAN with Bluetooth 4.0, fourteen USB 3.0 ports (ten on the rear panel, four by headers), and high-current USB 2.0 ports so your USB gaming peripherals never run out of juice. The usual complement of ROG-exclusive features are present.

Intel launched its next-generation Core i7-5000 series high-end desktop platform, consisting of socket LGA2011-V3 Core i7 processors, and compatible motherboards based on the Intel X99 Express chipset. The platform is an upscaling of the "Haswell" micro-architecture, codenamed "Haswell-E" and targets Ultra HD gamers, media professionals, and PC enthusiasts. The platform begins with the "Haswell-E" silicon, which physically features eight "Haswell" CPU cores, a staggering 20 MB of L3 cache, a quad-channel DDR4 integrated memory controller, and a 40-lane PCI-Express Gen 3.0 root complex. Three SKUs are carved out of this silicon.

The series is led by the Core i7-5960X. Intel's first eight-core processor for the high-end desktop market, this chip features HyperThreading, which enables 16 logical CPUs for the OS to play with, 20 MB of L3 cache, and clock speeds of 3.00 GHz, with 3.50 GHz maximum Turbo Boost. It commands a price of $999. Next up, is the Core i7-5930K. A six-core chip with HyperThreading that enables 12 logical CPUs, this chip features 15 MB of L3 cache, clock speeds of 3.50 GHz with 3.70 GHz maximum Turbo Boost, and a US $583 price-tag. The most affordable chip is the Core i7-5820K. At US $389, it's the cheapest six-core HEDT chip by Intel (at launch). It features 12 MB of L3 cache, and clock speeds of 3.30 GHz, with 3.60 GHz of Turbo Boost. Too good to be true? Not so fast. It features a slimmer 28-lane PCIe root complex, so certain multi-GPU configurations won't run optimally. The Intel X99 Express chipset corrects many of the shortcomings of its predecessor, the X79 Express. It features a meaty storage controller that offers ten SATA 6 Gb/s ports, one or more SATA-Express, and M.2 slots. It also integrates a 6-port USB 3.0 host controller, and two independent 4-port USB 2.0 host controllers.

We have been here before, haven't we? Back in the days when we were used to having X79-chipset based motherboard for building up the supercomputers, and setting up the incredible rig on the face of earth, a brand new chipset motherboard with unassuming power came along and changed everything. It is ASRock's Super Alloy X99 motherboard series. The long-awaited X99 gears based on Haswell-E architecture were born today, including the prestigious Extreme Series, gamers' most wanted Fatal1ty Killer Series and crazy Nick Shih's Overclocking Series.

To identify the flagship motherboards among the three product lines, that would be X99 Extreme6, X99 OC Formula and Fatal1ty X99 Professional. Using out of the world to describe ASRock's top-end motherboards X99 OC Formula and Fatal1ty X99 Professional is actually an understatement. Two motherboards boast a whopping 12 Power Phase Design with 24 Dual-N MOSFETs, which can reach up to an unearthly 1300W support! In addition, two boards are equipped with dual M.2 sockets to satisfy more demands, one Ultra M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 slot for experiencing the fastest M.2 performance and one M.2 PCIe Gen2 x4 & SATA3 socket for users who would like to equip dual M.2 devices.

MSI, world leader in motherboard technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the new MSI X99 motherboards line-up. Featuring 5 models, the MSI X99S GAMING 9 AC, X99S GAMING 7, X99S XPOWER AC, X99S MPOWER and X99S SLI PLUS, MSI caters to everyones needs.

With a long history of unique and high performing motherboards under any condition, MSI X99 motherboards are all based on Military Class 4 components and are packed with a freight train of features. All MSI X99 motherboards feature Turbo M.2 to drive your SSD up to 32 Gb/s and SATA Express for the latest technology in data storage. MSI X99 also offers full support for Quad SLI and CrossFire configurations, whether you demand the highest FPS when GAMING, Overclocking or rendering graphics.

Among ASUS' soon-to-be-released line of X99-based motherboards workstation users will be able to find one product made specifically for them, the X99-E WS. This new ATX board offers support for both Core i7 5xxx Series and Xeon E5 processors and includes no less than seven PCI-Express x16 slots for SLI or CrossFireX setups.

The X99-E WS also has eight DDR4 memory slots, one SATA Express connector, eight SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet, Crystal Sound 2 7.1-channel audio, ten USB 3.0 and two eSATA ports, a Q-Code logger button, 12K solid capacitors, and ProCool power connectors. ASUS' motherboard is said to have a MSRP of $519 but it can be found listed at $499.

Much like ASUS, Gigabyte has branched its high-end DIY motherboard lineup into gamer and overclocker-centric ones, while retaining a mainline. The Gaming G1 series targets gamers, while the SuperOverclock Force (SOC Force) targets overclockers. The mainline Ultra Durable brand still draws some buyers to it, and Gigabyte has them covered with a high-end motherboard that gives them a balanced feature-set. The X99-UD7 is that product.

The X99-UD7 features a PCB that's 90% identical to that of the X99 Gaming G1 WiFi. The 10% that remains is toward the board's south-west, where the X99-UD7 features a different onboard audio solution across the "fence" (ground-layer isolation). The one on the X99-UD7 features audio-grade electrolytic capacitors, although not the green Nichicon-made ones found on the X99 Gaming G1 WiFi. It also lacks user-replaceable OPAMP. The rest of the feature-set is identical, barring cosmetic differences, like the heatsink color scheme.

ASUS will address the socket LGA2011-3 motherboard market with three of its brands, the gamer and overclocker-centric ROG (Republic of Gamers), the durable TUF (The Ultimate Force) brand, and its mainline brand, which features a balanced feature-set between the two. Its flagship motherboard will be the X99-Deluxe. Pictured below, this ATX motherboard is one of the most feature-rich ever built by ASUS. It draws power from 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors. The CPU is powered by an 8-phase VRM, and the memory by a 4-phase one. The socket is flanked by eight DDR4 DIMM slots. Expansion slots include four PCI-Express 3.0 x16, one PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (electrical x4), and an additional PCI-Express 2.0 x4.

Storage connectivity on the ASUS X99-Deluxe includes twelve SATA 6 Gb/s ports, one SATA-Express 10 Gb/s port, and a "standing" M.2 slot with PCI-Express 2.0 x4 physical layer. There are 14 USB 3.0 ports in all (ten on the rear panel, four by headers). Network connectivity includes two gigabit Ethernet interfaces (both driven by Intel-made controllers), 802.11 ac WLAN, and Bluetooth 4.0. The 8-channel onboard audio, dubbed Crystal Sound 2, features a high SNR DAC, audio-grade electrolytic capacitors, a headphones amp circuit, and ground-layer isolation.

It turns out that the Fatal1ty X99X Killer isn't the only Fatal1ty-branded X99 motherboard ASRock is planning. There's also its bigger sibling designed for high-end gaming PC builds with four graphics cards, the Fatal1ty X99 Professional. The board is based on the same exact PCB as the ASRock X99 OC Formula, and has mostly the same feature-set, barring a few differences. To begin with, its VRM limits aren't as high, so it won't deliver up to 1300W of CPU power. The voltage and clock limits overall are lower. The board trades its pro-overclocker credentials for pro-gamer ones. One of its gigabit Ethernet interfaces is a Killer E2200 gaming NIC. The onboard audio is tuned for higher-impedance headphones on all channels (to drive multi-channel headsets). It also features USB 2.0 ports with higher power output, and voltage stabilizer circuitry, so your USB headsets and other gaming peripherals don't run out of power.

Here are the first pictures of ASRock X99 OC Formula, the Nick Shih-designed socket LGA2011-3 motherboard for professional overclockers. Designed for CPU and memory overclocking, apart from running up to four graphics cards in multi-GPU configs, the board can supply a claimed "1300W" of maximum CPU power, using its 12-phase CPU VRM. Memory is care of a 4-phase VRM. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS, 4-pin ATX, and 4-pin Molex power connectors, to stabilize the various power domains.

The LGA2011-3 socket is wired to eight DDR4 DIMM slots, which can support up to 64 GB of quad-channel DDR4 memory. The board features BIOS options that can let you crank DRAM frequencies over 4000 MHz. Expansion slots include four PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (x16/x8/x16/x8), an mPCIe 2.0 x1 (for WLAN cards), and one PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (physical x4). Storage connectivity includes two M.2 slots, from which one is an "Ultra M.2" slot, which is wired to the CPU, and features physical-layer PCI-Express 3.0 x4; and ten SATA 6 Gb/s ports. The board offers ten USB 3.0 ports (six on the rear panel, four by headers). 8-channel HD audio with audio-grade capacitors and ground-layer isolation; two gigabit Ethernet interfaces, at least one of which is Intel-made, make for the rest of it.

G.SKILL International Co., Ltd., the leading high performance memory designer and manufacturer, reveals the long awaited next generation Ripjaws 4 series DDR4 memory kits! Featuring all new redesigned heatspreaders in three different colors, high performance frequencies, high capacity, DDR4 quad-channel ready, and ultra low voltages, the Ripjaws 4 series is all the benefits of DDR4 rolled into one sleek package.

With a standard of 2133MHz, DDR4 is the next generation definition of performance. Also available in 2400MHz, 2666MHz, 2800MHz, 3000MHz, and 3200MHz, the starting lineup is continuing where DDR3 left off. With capacities starting at 16GB (4GBx4), 32GB (8GBx4 / 4GBx8) and 64GB (8GBx8), your new X99 platform will have more memory space to do what you need it to do. That's not all! Ripjaws 4 also has an ultra low voltage rating of 1.2V for kits under 2800MHz and 1.35V for 3000/3200MHz.

Today ASRock decided to show off yet another (last week it revealed the X99X Killer, X99M Killer and X99 WS) motherboard based on the Intel X99 chipset, the X99 Extreme6. This board, like the X99 WS, has a black and blue color theme and it features support for Haswell-E processors, eight DDR4 memory slots (for up to 128 GB of RAM), ten SATA 6.0 Gbps ports and one Ultra (PCIe 3.0 x4) M.2 connector, plus three PCI-Express x16 slots allowing SLI or CrossFire multi-GPU setups.

ASRock's creation also has 7.1 channel Purity Sound 2 audio, dual Gigabit Ethernet (includes one Intel NIC), two USB 2.0 and six USB 3.0 ports on the back panel plus another connector on the PCB near the DDR4 slots, one eSATA connector, and a debug LED. The X99 Extreme6 is expected to be officially launched next week.

It turns out that our older report suggesting that the most affordable of Intel's new Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT processors will feature a slimmer PCI-Express root complex, even if it gives you 6 cores at a [hopefully] sub-$400 price-point, holds true, after all. Intel's wacky approach to its latest HEDT processor lineup was confirmed by leaked manuals of Gigabyte's socket LGA2011-3 motherboards, based on the Intel X99 Express chipset. The manual confirms that while Intel's $500-$750 Core i7-5930K and >$1,000 Core i7-4960X offer bigger 40-lane PCI-Express Gen 3.0 root complexes; the Core i7-5820K features a narrower 28-lane one. This means that multi-GPU configurations on systems running the chip won't be too different from those on LGA1150 "Haswell" platforms.

On motherboards with, say, three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, the i7-5930K and i7-5960X will let you run two slots at full x16 bandwidth, and a third slot at x8. On systems with the i7-5820K, the second slot won't go beyond x8, and the third one will cap out at x4. On boards with four slots, one of them will run out of bandwidth. The trade-off for this narrower PCI-Express interface is the fact that you're getting six "Haswell" cores, twelve logical CPUs enabled with HyperThreading, about 12 MB of L3 cache, and a quad-channel DDR4 memory interface, at a price-point not too far off from the Core i7-4790K. So for enthusiasts with no more than two high-end graphics cards, the i7-5820K could provide an attractive gateway option to Intel's new HEDT platform. You can find the leaked manuals in this thread.

Still in a sharing mood, ASRock has now given us a peek at yet another X99-based motherboard it plans to release at the end of this month, the X99M Killer aka the X99X Killer's little brother. As its name suggests, the X99M Killer has a micro ATX form factor but it's still quite feature-packed - three PCIe x16 slots, ten SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, one Ultra M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4) connector, dual Gigabit Ethernet (Intel and Killer E2200), and Purity Sound 2 7.1-channel audio.

ASRock's X99 board also offers two Fatal1ty mouse ports, four USB 3.0 ports, a debug LED, and even an eSATA connector, but it has to settle for four DDR4 memory slots. No price tag was announced but that should be revealed in the next couple of weeks.

With two more weeks left to the official launch of Haswell-E and the X99 chipset, ASRock decided to reveal another one of its X99-based boards, the 'workstation level' X99 WS. Seen below, the upcoming LGA2011 motherboard makes use of the Super Alloy technology (extra large aluminum alloy heatsinks, premium alloy chokes, dual-stack MOSFET, 12K platinum capacitors) and features eight DDR4 slots allowing up to 128 GB of RAM, ten SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, one Ultra M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4) connector and no less than six PCIe x16 slots (SLI and CrossFire are supported).

The X99 WS also has dual Intel Gigabit Ethernet, Purity Sound 2 7.1 channel audio, one eSATA port, four USB 3.0 connectors, and a debut LED. Unfortunately ASRock hasn't shared any info regarding the board's price tag.

Corsair, a leader in high-performance PC hardware, today announced the availability of Corsair Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum lines of high-speed DDR4 computer memory. This new generation of memory ushers in a new age of ultrafast computing with optimizations such as increased DRAM bandwidth, higher bus frequencies, lower power usage, and higher reliability.

Corsair Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum DDR4 memory kits are validated with motherboard partners (ASUS, ASRock, EVGA, Gigabyte, and MSI) and use the new XMP 2.0 profile to deliver easy, reliable overclocking performance with the upcoming next-generation Intel X99 platforms and Intel Core i7 processors (codenamed Haswell-E). The Vengeance LPX and Dominator Platinum memory kits are supplied with a limited lifetime warranty.

Overclockers UK were the first e-tailer to list the brand new DDR4 memory with the Crucial Ballistix range and now have expanded their portfolio to include Corsair's high performance memory now bringing it to the largest range of DDR4 in the UK. The memory is ready to order with already a few modules in stock ready to buy.

Overclockers UK are well known to hit the market first with new technology. As X99 chipsets are just around the corner, we see the advancement in memory technology to DDR4. Overclockers UK were the first in the UK to list Crucials Ballistix DDR4 memory range with full specs and product details. Since then, Overclockers UK have expanded their DDR4 memory range to include Corsairs high-performance modules even including the well established Corsair Platinum range. Prepared like a coiled spring ready for X99, Overclockers UK will be ready with all the components customers need to upgrade to the latest technology, hosting a full range of motherboards, memory and even fully built X99 systems. With the addition of Corsairs DDR4 range, Overclockers UK now boasts the largest range to offer.

Noctua today announced that it will continue its tradition of supplying customers with its premium-class SecuFirm2 mounting kits for novel platforms free of charge. While newer Noctua heatsinks support Haswell-E's LGA2011-3 socket out of the box, older models can be upgraded with the NM-I2011 kit at no additional cost.

"We're determined to provide the best possible support to our customers and over the years, we've sent many thousands of mounting kits free of charge to users who wanted to upgrade to new platforms", says Mag. Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "With Haswell-E just around the corner, we're pleased to announce that we'll extend this offer for LGA2011-3. Owners of older Noctua retail heatsinks that don't support LGA2011 out of the box will be able to upgrade to the new socket free of charge!"

Taiwanese company ASRock has this week provided a few press images of its soon-to-be-released X99X Killer motherboard. Based on Intel's X99 chipset, the board offers support for Haswell-E (LGA2011) processors and features eight DDR4 memory slots (for up to 128 GB of RAM), three PCI-Express x16 slots (allowing SLI or CrossFire setups), ten SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, plus one Ultra (PCIe x4-powered) M2 connector.

ASRock's creation also has 7.1-channel Purity Sound 2 audio, dual Gigabit Ethernet (one Intel NIC and one Killer E2200 NIC), two Fatal1ty and six 'regular' USB 3.0 mouse ports, one eSATA connector, plus a debug LED. The X99X Killer is set to become available after August 29th.

Ahead of its late-August launch, a picture of Gigabyte's flagship socket LGA2011-3 motherboard targeted at overclockers, the X99-SOC Force, leaked to the web. It reveals a monstrosity. In addition to overclocker-friendly VRM brawn, the board introduces a few segment-first features. To begin with, it's built in the ATX form-factor, and draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS, and SATA power connectors. It uses an 8+2+2 phase VRM to power the CPU and memory. The CPU socket is wired to eight DDR4 DIMM slots, and four PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots.

Overclocker features include onboard clock and voltage tuning buttons, voltage measurement points, redundant UEFI Dual-BIOS, and more. Storage connectivity includes a 20 Gb/s (PCI-Express 2.0 x4 physical layer) M.2 slot, a SATA-Express 10 Gb/s port, and ten SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Other features include Gigabyte's AmpUP audio solution that features audiophile-grade capacitors, ground-layer isolation, and user-replaceable OPAMP chips, Intel-made gigabit Ethernet, and a number of USB 3.0 ports.

Here's the first picture of Gigabyte's new socket LGA2011-3 motherboard, the X99 Gaming G1. Designed for Core i7 "Haswell-E" processors, the board is packed to the brim with features, although it's positioned in the mainline lineup. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, and conditions it for the CPU using an 8-phase VRM. The CPU socket is wired to eight DDR4 DIMM slots, supporting up to 64 GB of quad-channel DDR4 memory; and four PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots.

Storage connectivity includes ten SATA 6 Gb/s, one SATA-Express 10 Gb/s, and an M.2 slot. Network connectivity include 802.11 ac WLAN, Bluetooth 4.0, and gigabit Ethernet, driven by Qualcomm Killer E2200. The Sound Core3D audio solution features a user-replaceable headphone amp, audio-grade capacitors, and ground-layer isolation. A number of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0/1.1 ports make for the rest of it.

MSI released teaser shots of its upcoming flagship socket LGA2011-2 motherboard, designed for Core i7 "Haswell-E" processors, featuring DDR4 memory interfaces. Called the X99S Gaming 9 AC, as its name suggests, the board is based on Intel X99 Express chipset. It appears to feature eight DDR4 DIMM slots, supporting quad-channel DDR4 memory; five PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, with the ability to drive 4-way SLI and CrossFireX; storage connectivity that includes one or more M.2 slots, and SATA-Express, apart form eight SATA 6Gb/s ports. Networking includes 802.11 ac WLAN, Killer E2200 gigabit Ethernet, eight (or more) USB 3.0 ports, and a boat-load of overclocker-friendly features.

Even though nothing much about ASRock's next generation Intel X99 series motherboards can be revealed yet, we simply can't restrain ourselves from spilling out the good news that ASRock's X99 Extreme4 is the world's first Intel X99 chipset based motherboard to pass Windows 8.1 hardware certification. So, yeah, users may be ensured that ASRock's X99 Extreme4 will support the latest operating system from Microsoft without any problems, and bear in mind that it's coming to you real soon! Kudos to ASRock again!

Not only focusing on developing the most advanced hardware technology, ASRock also keen on bringing the latest software applications to PC users. ASRock pioneers in Windows 8.1 logo submission, and the company's offerings are the best in the overall market. So, why settle for second best? Be the first to lay your hands on the X99 Series computers with ASRock!

Intel Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT (high-end desktop) processors, along with compatible motherboards based on the Intel X99 Express chipset, are expected to launch on September 14, 2014, according to a leaked Intel supply chain document scored by VR-Zone. The Core i7 "Haswell-E" series succeeds current Core i7 "Ivy Bridge-E," and its compatible X79 Express chipset. The new chips will be built in the new LGA2011-3 package (incompatible with current LGA2011), and will be the first client desktop platform to support the new DDR4 system memory standard. The series will include three parts, the six-core Core i7-5820K and i7-4930K; and the eight-core i7-5960X. The three are detailed in our older article, here.

Intel's presentation for Italian technology conference 3D Revolution 2014 was leaked to the web, revealing the company's most up-to-date desktop CPU roadmap, which looks deep into 2015. It reveals a wealth of new information. To begin with the HEDT (high-end desktop) segment, Intel plans to drag Core i7 "Ivy Bridge-E" through Q3-2014, and launch its succeeding Core i7 "Haswell-E" processor close to Q4-2014, or late into Q3, which would pin its launch some time in September 2014. "Haswell-E" is built in the new socket LGA2011-3 package, and is supported exclusively by Intel X99 Express chipset. It also heralds DDR4 memory to the consumer space. "Haswell-E" will have its reign till late-Q3 2015, when Intel plans to launch Core i7 "Broadwell-E," which is built in the same package, and supported by the same X99 platform, but based on a swanky new 14 nm silicon.

Things get interesting with the company's mainline desktop processors. Intel recently launched its "Haswell" Refresh silicon, and is bound to launch their unlocked variants, codenamed "Devil's Canyon," on the 25th of June. Built in the LGA1150 package, "Haswell" Refresh runs on both 8-series and 9-series chipset. Intel's 9-series chipset was originally designed to launch alongside the company's first processors built on the 14 nm silicon fab process, codenamed "Broadwell," which is an optical shrink of "Haswell," with a few minor tweaks and speed bumps, just as "Ivy Bridge" was to "Sandy Bridge." Intel's "Broadwell" chips are now expected to debut in Q1-2015, probably along the sidelines of the 2015 International CES. These chips will be supported by existing LGA1150 motherboards, some with BIOS updates.

EVGA showed us one of the more 'complete' socket LGA2011-2 motherboards, decked up with its heatsinks. The company will likely name it X99 FTW. Designed for enthusiast PCs with three or more graphics cards, and high-bandwidth PCIe SSDs, and built in the ATX form-factor, the X99 FTW draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, with optional stabilizing inputs from a 6-pin PCIe and a 4-pin Molex. Barring the EPS, all other connectors are angled away, to help reduce cable clutter. The CPU socket is powered by an 8-phase VRM, with 4-phase memory VRM. It's flanked by four DDR4 DIMM slots on either side, supporting up to 64 GB of quad-channel memory.

Expansion slots include five PCI-Express 3.0 x16 wired to the CPU (x16, x8, x8, x16, x8); and one PCI-Express 2.0 x4, wired to the X99 PCH. Storage connectivity includes six SATA 6 Gb/s ports from the PCH, and four SATA 6 Gb/s from a third-party controller. 8-channel HD audio, and two gigabit Ethernet interfaces complete the connectivity. The board's real goods are its overclocker-friendly features, including PCIe slot disabling DIP switches, POST sequence LEDs and error code readouts, two clear CMOS buttons, and EVGA EVBot support. EVGA is expected to launch this board, alongside Intel's Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT processors, later this year.