Asus Finally Announces its X79 Deluxe LGA2011 Motherboard
Asus' X79-Deluxe has been spotted!
After a long wait, Asus has finally announced a new Deluxe version of an X79 motherboard -- plainly called the X79-Deluxe. The motherboard uses the LGA2011 socket and is built specifically for the Ivy Bridge-E CPUs. To be clear, this is not the older P9X79-Deluxe. The motherboard has been reviewed by TheTechReport, though we haven't seen an official press release yet.
The motherboard has a 10-phase VRM circuit, which is powered by a single 8-pin EPS connector. The motherboard draws its power from a 24-pin ATX connector. Regarding memory, users will find a total of eight memory slots (supporting up to 64 GB of DDR3 memory), as well as four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots and two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots.
Regarding its appearance, the motherboard has adopted the new gold-colored scheme that Asus has, so it is no longer blue. As such, the motherboard's PCB is black; the heatsinks are gold.
Connectivity is extensive, as we're accustomed to from Asus' Deluxe motherboards. The motherboard's rear I/O features four USB 2.0 ports, six USB 3.0 ports (an additional two can be found through an onboard header), two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two eSATA ports, connectors for the 802.11ac WiFi module, 7.1 channel HD audio, an optical TOSLINK output, and a CMOS reset switch. On the motherboard itself users will find eight SATA3 ports as well as another four SATA2 ports. A number of USB 2.0 headers are also present.
The motherboard is said to become available starting next week, and it should carry an MSRP of $349.99.
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however I honestly don't know anyone who cares about Ivy bridge-E... sad really
Im assuming most enthusiasts already bought their X79 systems, and I doubt averege consumers will go for that.
I would love to say good things about this board, but the customer service I have just had from Asus in Australia is the worst I have ever experienced from a computer company ever. They have no interest in getting me a replacement, have no idea or interest to tell me if more stock will arrive in the country if ever and will only let it come back within a week of purchase or might offer a refurb which they don't have anyway. No consideration that some of us buy their workstation boards to action do serious work on. Buyer beware, it is probably better service in the USA, but Asus has gone down the tube here and won't even offer support except by email to head office now.