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Today we are checking out the compact yet very powerful Asus Rampage III GENE motherboard, which is based on the MicroATX form factor. This motherboard boasts the Intel X58 chipset providing support for the latest Intel Core i7 processors and triple-channel DDR3 memory. However Asus has also included a number of modern features, such as USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s support...
Just 4 months after the release of the Intel Core i7 platform ASUS released one of the first micro-ATX motherboards to use the Intel X58 chipset. The Asus Rampage II GENE was a significant product in our eyes, as it enabled users to take advantage of the world’s most powerful desktop processors using compact and light weight computer cases.
Although microATX motherboards often lack the support and features of a standard ATX board, Asus worked against that establishment, making sure that the Rampage II GENE included everything the modern gamer might need, which also included extensive overclocking support. For some time now Asus has been pushing their "Republic of Gamers" motherboard series, which has grown considerably over the past few years. During which time we have reviewed some of their ROG products belonging to the Formula and Extreme series. The "GENE" series is aimed at the casual gaming crowd, overclockers, LAN party goers and case modders. So basically they are trying to cater for just about everyone. Some 18 months have now passed since I built my first high-end mATX gaming system which was based on the Rampage II GENE. For this build everything was installed into the little Lian-Li PC-A06B case, which made for a compact and lightweight gaming system. Also included was a Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme cooler and a GeForce GTX 295 graphics card. With limited case cooling this system ran remarkably cool, particularly considering that the Core i7 920 processor was overclocked. However since then microATX computer cases have become even better, while graphics cards have become more powerful and more compact. What has remained largely the same is the Core i7 platform, which is still the most powerful desktop platform 2 years after being released. Given that the Core i7 platform is still going strong, Asus has updated their GENE series with a new X58 motherboard known as the Rampage III GENE. This new version brings support for more updated features such as SATA 6Gb/s and USB 3.0, while ASUS has also changed the network and audio controllers. Priced at around $220 US the Rampage III GENE is more expensive than many standard ATX motherboards sporting the Intel X58 chipset. Furthermore it is the most expensive microATX motherboard we have ever reviewed and is the most expensive X58 mATX board available. Still having said that, the original Rampage II GENE did begin life with a more extreme price tag of $260 US, so in that respect the newer Rampage III GENE is better value. In terms of competition EVGA has an X58 mATX motherboard that goes by the model name 121-BL-E756-TR which is slightly more affordable at $200 US. There is also the MSI X58M which is even cheaper again at $170 US. That said, neither board supports SATA 6Gb/s or USB 3.0, while they also feature cheaper audio and network controllers... |
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FanBoy |
Posted on: 11/03/2010 09:32 PM
This is a sweeet little motherboard. I would love to build a matx system with this and a pair of GTX 460 cards  |
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haxs0r |
Posted on: 11/04/2010 06:14 AM
Cool board bro it looks hot. If I were upgrading to a Core i7 processor now and not 6 months ago this would be at the top of my list. Thanks for the review. |
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Initial D |
Posted on: 11/04/2010 10:28 AM
Great looking board from the photos. I also agree although it seems expensive at $240 for an X58 board thats pretty good. |
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poldo |
Posted on: 11/04/2010 11:05 AM
Yeah this looks heaps better than the first version. |
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Boscoe |
Posted on: 11/04/2010 11:28 AM
Man I would love this in my new NZXT Vulcan! |
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archange Posts: 9 Joined: 2010-07-22 |
Posted on: 11/09/2010 07:20 AM
Hard to believe that true performance is actually available in a small form factor. Really-really neat. |
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ProX |
Posted on: 11/10/2010 12:43 PM
I know what you mean archange it is pretty amazing. Would love to have one of these in a mATX case! Nice review as always... |