ASUS Rampage Extreme Motherboard
Introduction 
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ASUS has for some time now had a very successful run with their Republic Of Gamer (ROG) motherboards, which started with quite humble beginnings and the Commando. Since then, the ROG brand has grown from strength to strength in the endeavour of providing the best hardware engineering; the fastest performance and innovation for PC enthusiasts the world over. ASUS’ ROG motherboards could be considered the epitomy of a well rounded, high performing platform upon which to base your high-end system.
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Today we have been fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to review the X48-based ASUS Rampage Extreme, which is the latest offering from ASUS marketed towards the performance user or overclocking enthusiast. In fact, the ASUS Rampage Extreme is “Designed for overclockers” according to the manufacturer and if first impressions are anything to go by then I agree wholeheartedly.Â
Before we begin the review let’s take a moment to consider what kind of images that the name Rampage Extreme conjures up…
According to the Meriam Webster Online Dictionary it defines Rampage as: a course of violent, riotous, or reckless action or behavior. Woohoo I’m interested already 😀
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And Extreme is defined as: a very pronounced or excessive degree.
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Summing up the name ‘Rampage Extreme’ we can now settle with the knowledge that this motherboard should provide us with an overclocking experience to the ‘enth degree. And if that’s the case then sign me up and strap me in!
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Let’s begin the review by taking a look at the ASUS Rampage Extreme’s specifications.
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Specifications
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The ASUS Rampage Extreme’s specifications were taken directly from ASUS’ product page
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CPU
Intel Socket 775 for Intel® Core™2 Extreme/Core™2 Quad/ Core™2 Duo/Pentium® dual-core/Celeron® dual-core /Celeron® Processors
Support Intel® next generation 45nm Multi-Core CPU
Compatible with Intel® 06/05B/05A processors * Refer to www.asus.com for Intel CPU support list
Intel Socket 775 for Intel® Core™2 Extreme/Core™2 Quad/ Core™2 Duo/Pentium® dual-core/Celeron® dual-core /Celeron® Processors
Support Intel® next generation 45nm Multi-Core CPU
Compatible with Intel® 06/05B/05A processors * Refer to www.asus.com for Intel CPU support list
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Chipset
Intel X48 / ICH9R
Intel Fast Memory Access Technology
Front Side Bus 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz
Intel X48 / ICH9R
Intel Fast Memory Access Technology
Front Side Bus 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz
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Memory
4 x DIMM, Max. 8 GB, DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066/800 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel memory architecture
*Overclock speed
– Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
– For the X.M.P. support, CPUs with FSB 1333 or above are recommended.
4 x DIMM, Max. 8 GB, DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066/800 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel memory architecture
*Overclock speed
– Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
– For the X.M.P. support, CPUs with FSB 1333 or above are recommended.
Expansion Slots
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 , support at full x16, x16 speed
3 x PCIe x1 ( the PCIEx1_1 (black) is compatible with audio slot)
2 x PCI 2.2
Storage
Southbridge
6 xSATA 3 Gb/s ports
Intel Matrix Storage Technology Support RAID 0,1,5,10
Marvell® 88SE6121 controller:
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33 for up to 2 PATA devices
1 x External SATA 3.0 Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go)
Silicon Image Sil5723 controller:
2 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s port
Supports RAID 0, 1
Southbridge
6 xSATA 3 Gb/s ports
Intel Matrix Storage Technology Support RAID 0,1,5,10
Marvell® 88SE6121 controller:
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33 for up to 2 PATA devices
1 x External SATA 3.0 Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go)
Silicon Image Sil5723 controller:
2 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s port
Supports RAID 0, 1
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LAN
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers, both featuring AI NET2
Support Teaming Technology
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers, both featuring AI NET2
Support Teaming Technology
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Audio
SupremeFX X-Fi Audio Card
– ADI® AD2000B 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC
– EAX® Advancedâ„¢ HD 4.0
– X-Fi CMSS®-3D
– X-Fi Crystalizerâ„¢
– Creative ALchemy
– Supports 1 x S/PDIF out header
– Supports Coaxial/Optical S/PDIF out ports on rear
SupremeFX X-Fi Audio Card
– ADI® AD2000B 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC
– EAX® Advancedâ„¢ HD 4.0
– X-Fi CMSS®-3D
– X-Fi Crystalizerâ„¢
– Creative ALchemy
– Supports 1 x S/PDIF out header
– Supports Coaxial/Optical S/PDIF out ports on rear
Overclocking Features
Fusion Block System with optional thermal kit on MOS and NB
Extreme Tweaker
TweakIt
Extreme Engine
– 16-phase CPU power design
– 3-phase NB power design
– 2-phase DDR3 power design
– ML Caps on CPU, memory and NB respectively
Speeding HDD
iROG
BIOS Flashback
Loadline Calibration
Intelligent overclocking tools:
– CPU Level Up
– Memory Level Up
– AI Gear 3 + â„¢
– ASUS AI Booster Utility
– O.C Profile
Overclocking Protection:
– COP EX (Component Overheat Protection – EX)
– Voltiminder LED
– ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features
Back Panel I/O Ports
1 x PS/2 Keyboard port(purple)
1 x External SATA port
2 x LAN (RJ45) port
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x IEEE1394a port
1 x Clr CMOS switch
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Internal I/O Connectors
3 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector for two devices
6 x SATA connectors (Blue)
2 x Speeding HDD SATA connectors (Black)
8 x Fan connectors: 1 x CPU / 1 x PWR / 3 x Chassis / 3 x Optional
3 x thermal sensor connectors
1 x IEEE1394a connector
1 x LCD Poster connector
1 x EL I/O Shield connector
1 x Chassis Intrusion connector
24-pin ATX Power connector
8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
1 x En/Dis-able Clr CMOS slide switch
System panel connector
3 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector for two devices
6 x SATA connectors (Blue)
2 x Speeding HDD SATA connectors (Black)
8 x Fan connectors: 1 x CPU / 1 x PWR / 3 x Chassis / 3 x Optional
3 x thermal sensor connectors
1 x IEEE1394a connector
1 x LCD Poster connector
1 x EL I/O Shield connector
1 x Chassis Intrusion connector
24-pin ATX Power connector
8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
1 x En/Dis-able Clr CMOS slide switch
System panel connector
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BIOS
16 Mb Flash ROM
DMI 2.0
AMI BIOS
PnP
WfM 2.0
SM BIOS 2.4
ACPI 2.0a
Multi-language BIOS
16 Mb Flash ROM
DMI 2.0
AMI BIOS
PnP
WfM 2.0
SM BIOS 2.4
ACPI 2.0a
Multi-language BIOS
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Manageability
WOL by PME,WOR by PME,Chasis Intrusion,PXE
Form Factor
ATX Form Factor
12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x24.5 cm )
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The ASUS Rampage Extreme offers a plethora of features and overclocking options that should satisfy even the most seasoned overclocker. The ASUS Rampage Extreme supports Intel CPU’s to 45nm and will accommodate DDR3-2000 modules up to 8GB. We can also see that the Rampage Extreme comes with the increasingly popular X-Fi soundcard which certainly makes a nice addition over the more traditional Realtek offering.
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Let’s head over the page to look at the ASUS Rampage Extreme’s packaging and contents…
