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Asus Rampage II GENE Review
[Abstract]
Rise of the Micro X58sIt seems that being small is in vogue among motherboard vendors now. In this case, it means motherboards of the microATX form factor. While we can't pinpoint any seminal p...
[Content] PCDigitalMobileGame
Conclusion
Someone must have unleashed a whole new wave of high-end enthusiast oriented microATX boards onto the market. While we can't say for sure the origins of this trend (though we have our suspicions), it's obvious that vendors are treating this segment seriously.
ASUS for instance, has the Rampage II Gene available and its next such product, the similarly micro Maximus II Gene, is based on Intel's P45 chipset and is another ROG board. Meanwhile, MSI too has a X58 based motherboard ready to launch. Add in DFI's current microATX offerings and the next battleground appears to be in the microATX segment. Only Gigabyte appears to be silent in this segment.
You know it's never going to be cheap with a high-end microATX board but the ASUS Rampage II Gene is at least priced reasonably at US$250. While you can get a less expensive proper ATX motherboard from ASUS, one will not get the full range of overclocking features. |
Based on what we have seen of the ASUS Rampage II Gene, we are eagerly awaiting these upcoming microATX boards. Perhaps it's our shrinking wallets that are making us look at smaller motherboards. But the Gene has certainly showed us that small doesn't mean less. In its case, it's lean, without some of the motherboard bloat that the majority of users would not use.
After all, we are more than happy with just a pair of x16 graphics slots for CrossFire or SLI, a reasonable number of SATA ports with eSATA and FireWire as a nice bonus, a single Gigabit LAN port and a reduced footprint that means a smaller, more handy chassis. LAN gaming enthusiasts no doubt are a vocal minority that will greet this trend with much delight.
Even the typical non-overclocking enthusiast will find much to like about the lean and well-built Rampage II Gene. Obviously the automatic overclocking features are easy and convenient, though the extra utilities and tools are just gravy. The idle power draw is lower due to the fewer features and smaller board. Compared to the Extreme, the temperatures and peak power draw are improved too.
Best of all, the price has been reduced, with the Rampage II Gene going for US$250. It's still not cheap by any measure and one can get a less premium and less expensive X58 model from ASUS, not to mention other brands. Yet, for those who desire the overclocking of the Rampage II Extreme, here's a chance to get the smaller version at a US$100 discount. For the rest of us not into the extreme features, the Gene is still a trifle too much for less, even if we find its lean features refreshing.
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