Summary

So let’s run through the improvements since the excellent Rampage IV Extreme and we’ll ignore any X79/X99 differences:

DSC_1762

– VRM throttling fixed

– Improved integrated sound noise isolation

– Sexier aesthetics (covered IO, better looking heatsinks, PCI/DIMM clips now color matched)

– Included OC Panel (but no documentation)

– MemOK, Retry, Pause, Safe Boot buttons all help with benching

– Keybot

– SATA Express (but yet no provided  cables)

– PCH fan removed

– Included temperature probes

 

However not everything was perfect here are some downgrades:

– Additional PCIE power changed from 6 pin in a good location to a molex in a poor location

– No 2 pin voltage headers and cables for easy DMM use

– Price jump from $460 to $500

 

So generally the R5E has gone far more forwards than it has backwards.  Unlike many reviews our first impression was that the board was perfect, the BIOS is really detailed and the auto settings are better than ever.  You can really see the work Asus has put in to make it as awesome as possible – even going so far as redesign the socket for the CPU.  Our only real complaint was about the software – but typically I wouldn’t even bother to install that anyway.  Lastly the OC Panel is a bit controversial – it’s great for benchers, and it’s fun for mainstreamers.  But high end watercoolers like myself generally won’t use it in a high end build because drive bays are usually replaced with radiators and besides it will ruin a clean look.  While that’s fine – you don’t have to use it after all, the fact is that this $500 motherboard could be cheaper without it and it could be sold as an aftermarket tool for benching like the EVBOT.  But then of course we would have to dock points for functionality that other benching boards have and that the R5E wouldn’t have without it such as ability to change bclk/mult with buttons.

Overall Asus set’s the gold standard for X99 just like they did with X79.  Again they’ve left little room for improvement but there is some to be absolutely perfect – but then we have to leave a little something for a black edition to fix later on!

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10 COMMENTS

    • Agreed, I was referring to systems that could overclock 🙂 While “real” workstation users will use that workstation board happily my “idea” of ultra enthusiasts consist of people who won’t give up their overclocked performance but still want more cores and are willing to pay for 2P. Those same workstation users who prefer more cores might even be happy with a 4P after all. Since the SR2 there have been no real overclockable 2P chips.

  3. Nice Review! Helped me a lot!

    Can you tell me the name of the Waterblock in the top picture please? It looks so sick!

  5. I think this board is too much oriented to the LN2 and TEC peoples. Of course we live under their umbrella so if ASUS covers those peoples, we are covered too. But sadly, most of us mortals won’t even use these hardware level (and few software level) features for WC builds, so don’t you think there should be lower-dog of ROG (probably R5 Formula) for X99? Or does Deluxe suffices?

    • I have to admit I’d rather see a Gene matx version before a formula. Yes for some the deluxe suffices for that role though 🙂

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