Though most of our current articles contain updates to both hardware and software, a previous test configuration was required to make today’s benchmark results consistent with those of our other X58 motherboard comparisons.
| Test System Configuration | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7 920 (2.66 GHz, 8.0 MB Cache) |
| CPU Cooler | Swiftech Apogee GTZ Liquid Cooling |
| RAM | Kingston KHX16000D3ULT1K3/6GX (6.0 GB) |
| Graphics | XFX GeForce GTX 285 XXX Edition |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital WD5000AAKS, 500 GB |
| Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
| Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
| Power | Coolermaster RS850-EMBA |
Software | |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce 181.20 WHQL |
| Chipset | Intel INF 9.1.0.1007 |
While other reviewers have standardized their tests using DDR3-1600 CAS 8 memory, faster modules are required to assess the full overclocking capabilities of X58 motherboards. Kingston’s DDR3-2000 was chosen for its win in our 6 GB DDR3 overclocking shootout.
Zalman’s ZM-STF1 thermal grease was chosen for its quick set-in time, low thermal resistance, and mess-free application.
Excellent cooling is required to reach our Core i7 920’s overclocking limit. Swiftech’s Apogee GTZ moves heat quickly away from the CPU, via its MCP-655b high-volume pump and 3x120mm radiator.
Top benchmark performance in our previous X58 Motherboard Shootout has made the Asus P6T the reference platform for most of our tests. Today it represents the “Full ATX standard” by which we can judge the effectiveness of micro-ATX alternatives.
| Benchmark Configuration | |
|---|---|
3D Games | |
| Call of Duty: World at War | Patch 1.1, FRAPS/saved game |
| Crysis | Patch 1.2.1, DirectX 10, 64-bit executable, benchmark tool |
| Far Cry 2 | DirectX 10, Steam Version, in-game benchmark |
| World in Conflict | Patch 1009, DirectX 10, timedemo |
Audio/Video Encoding | |
| iTunes | Version: 7.7.0.43 |
| Lame MP3 | Version: 3.98 Beta 3 (05-22-2007) |
| TMPGEnc 4.5 | Version: 4.5.1.254 |
| DivX 6.8.3 | Encoding mode: Insane Quality |
| Xvid 1.1.3 | Display encoding status = off |
| MainConcept Reference 1.5.1 | MPEG2 to MPEG2 (H.264), MainConcept H.264/AVC Codec, 28 sec HDTV 1920x1080 (MPEG2), Audio: MPEG2 (44.1 kHz, 2 Channel, 16-Bit, 224 kbp/s), Mode: PAL (25 FPS) |
Productivity | |
| Autodesk 3ds Max 9 | Version: 9.0, Rendering Dragon Image at 1920x1080 (HDTV) |
| Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus 8 | Version: 8.0.134, Virus base: 270.4.5/1533, Benchmark: Scan 334 MB Folder of ZIP/RAR compressed files |
| WinRAR 3.80 | Version 3.70 BETA 8, WinZIP Commandline Version 2.3, Compression = Best, Dictionary = 4,096 KB, Benchmark: THG-Workload (334 MB) |
| WinZip 11 | Version 11.2, Compression = Best, Benchmark: THG-Workload (139 MB) |
Sythetic Benchmarks and Settings | |
| 3DMark Vantage | Version: 1.02, GPU and CPU scores |
| PCMark Vantage | Version: 1.00, System, Memory, Hard Disk Drive benchmarks, Windows Media Player 10.00.00.3646 |
| SiSoftware Sandra XII SP2 | Version 2008.5.14.24, CPU Test = CPU Arithmetic / MultiMedia, Memory Test = Bandwidth Benchmark |




Although this review let me have a little more respect for the board I'm still asus and gigabyte all the way.
Good point, and I agree, that the hardest thing for the market is for those who have idealisms that the atx board with the most slots are best, have to admit that this not the case, that they don’t need and wont likely use them. It’s about time technology moved on and we start shrinking the components. We've come a long way from house sized computers but seems to have got stuck with fridge-sized atx, time to change that and join the 21st century!
Really, the reason the Rampage II Gene wasn't considered for the $2500 PC is that it didn't show up under a Newegg category search (LGA-1366, Micro ATX) and Newegg didn't fix that until this week. It's a good board, and if you need a weird cooler style, supports the more popular LGA-775 coolers.
but im missing the MSI X58M (160€ best prive vs 198€ asus and 190 dfi) here, theres a great review at anandtech. the board really rocks and has only a few weak points (fan control and s3 wake up problem if overclocked). i think ppl would be glad if the msi could be added to this comparison.
best regards,
roman
P eople go for a full atx build simply because they can (
Personally, I'd probably give up a tiny bit of performance for the more noteworthy reduction in power used by DFI; I like the cooler flexibility of the Asus though. It would be a tough call.
The article was put together a month ago, written two weeks ago, and waited in queue while other articles that had time restrictions went up first. That unfortunately left MSI out of contention, since its Micro ATX motherboard was more recently released.
I don't know why anyone thinks Asus's Rampage II Gene is better than DFI Lanparty Jr.
A mATX shouldn't drain as much power as full ATX. Asus's draining more power on idle is a huge negative. I've also always assumed that mATX will not match full ATX in performance. DFI's 14.44% more overall efficiency with 2.26% less performance vs. Asus's 2% more overall efficiency with 0.46% better performance, DFI wins this hands down.
Sure, if you're out there to get a full ATX board, you might as well get the mATX Asus Rampage II Gene. But if you're out to get a mATX board, which is what this comparison is for, DFI Lanparty Jr is way better.
DFI is the clear winner in this category.
I'd like to see micro-ATX get more popular, and there's really no reason why it should not be. There's no reason at all for lower performance. None.
so true, but i havent seen any bad usb performances on x58 boards yet.
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3568
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3568
Read the 10th post in this thread.