With the release of Intel’s X79
chipset, the usual suspects have showed off what’s new in this version. Enter
the ASUS ROG challenger, the Rampage IV Extreme. The Rampage Extreme series has
always demonstrated phenomenal overclocking prowess and this fourth edition is
no different. Dare say, it could be one of the best motherboard for PC
enthusiasts – ever made.
X-Socket
Loaded with new tech, the Rampage IV
Extreme debuts overclocking tools that will no doubt make overclockers
everywhere happy. To start off, the new X-Socket feature is a swappable bracket
that lets you keep on using a LGA1366 based heatsink/cooler. For those that
have already propped a pretty penny on a high end cooling solution, you can definitely
get some extra mileage from your older heatsink with the X-Socket. It’s little
feature and a tiny detail that definitely makes people appreciate ROG more and
sets their boards apart from the competition.
VGA Hotwire
For those that know their way around a
soldering iron and want to kick it up a notch, the VGA Hotwire gives users a
chance to boost their graphics cards performance. In order to overvolt graphics
cards in the past, one needed to have a steady hand to solder, but amidst the
numerous tiny resistors in LN2 smoke, that can be a bit difficult. Using the
VGA hotwire feature, simply solder two pin wires on to a graphics card and
connect them to a dedicated header connection on the motherboard and you’ll be
overvolting your graphics card in no time. It’s easily accessible and
adjustable from the UEFI BIOS, OSD TweakIt/Monitor or TurboV EVO screens.
Subzero Sense
Moving along is the Subzero Sense feature,
which is something ROG engineers designed with hardcore overclockers in mind
who play with liquid nitrogen. Unless you already have a digital thermometer,
determining just how cold system components get when overclocking with LN2 can
be a bit tricky. With Subzero Sense, simply connect a K-type thermocouple
header to the indicated ports on the motherboard and get an accurate read of
not just your CPU and GPU, but wherever you point the probes to. This can save
you some serious cash, as a 2 port digital thermometer can run upwards of £460,
so this is a boon for overclockers who can save that money towards other items,
like a ROG Matrix GTX 580.
OC Key
Next up are the new overclocking feature
that come sprinkled throughout the board. The first feature isn’t technically
ON the OC Key. When plugged in, OSD TweakIt and OSD Monitor allow users to
tweak and monitor the entire system in real-time via an innovative on-screen
graphical overlay displayed on your screen, all from your keyboard and without
the need to install any software. This way, voltages and frequency settings can
be adjust ted on the fly, all with a stroke of the keyboard. It has four levels
of opacity, so you can bring information to the forefront of background,
allowing you to continue to see what’s on screen.
The
first feature isn’t technically ON the OC Key
If you think that’s all there is with the
Rampage IV Extreme, think again. The Rampage IV Extreme can also benefit you
through full control of your system with the Extreme Engine Digi+ II, providing
precise and stable power control over the CPU and Memory digitally. Dotting the
landscape are 10K Black Metallic Caps that ensures only clean, stable power
reaches all components, giving users a more reliable computing experience.
If you’re in the market for an upgrade to
an X79 based system that’ll last you a loooooooong time, do yourself a favor
and pick up the Rampage IV Extreme. Its performance and reliability (not to
mention its overclocking features) will have plenty of juice to power the next
generation of games and then some.
