ASUS X99-A Motherboard

Description

The X99-A Motherboard from Asus is designed to fit into standard size ATX cases. Compatible with 64-bit versions of Windows 8.1, 8, and 7, the 12 x 9.6" X99-A supports Intel Core i7 processors and delivers power and speed to Internet browsing, extreme gaming, CAD software, and home servers. Power is critical for performance so the X99-A employs a Digital 8 Phase Power Design as well as OC Socket that uses extra pins to connect a proprietary circuit to contacts found on Haswell-E's land grid array (LGA). Combined with Asus UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), this feature enables DDR4 memory frequencies and helps lower latencies and enhance stability while overclocking. The motherboard also features 5-Way Optimisation, which includes better CPU performance, power saving and digital power control, fan control, and system cooling.

The ATX form factor of the X99-A comes with eight DIMM slots that can each hold 8GB DDR4 RAM modules for quad channel memory architecture. The X99-A also has eight SATA III 6 Gb/s connectors, one SATA Express connector, and one M.2 Socket for internal hard drives and solid state drives. To provide data redundancy, RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 modes are supported. For PCIe expansion, there are three PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slots (40-Lane CPU), three PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slots (28-Lane CPU), one PCIe 2.0 x16 slot (x4 mode), and two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots.

The rear panel of the X99-A also offers a variety of ports. There are six USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, one PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port, five audio jacks, one Optical S/PDIF digital audio out port, and one USB BIOS Flashback button. There is also a Gigabit Ethernet port for Internet access when connected to a network switch, router, or modem.

Key Features

Intel Core i7 Processor LGA2011-v3 Ready

• This motherboard supports Intel Core i7 processors in the LGA2011-v3 package with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. Memory and PCI Express controllers are integrated to support 4-channel (8 DIMM) DDR4 memory and 40/28 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 lanes

Intel X99 Express Chipset

• The Intel X99 Express Chipset is a single-chipset design that supports socket LGA2011-v3 Intel Core i7 processors. It provides improved performance by utilising serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. Additionally, the X99 provides a maximum of 6 USB 3.0 ports and 10 SATA 6 Gb/s ports for faster data retrieval

Intel Turbo Boost 2.0

• The Intel X99-A Chipset enables overclocking features of unlocked 4th and 5th generation Intel Core processors

Intel Rapid Storage Technology

• By adding additional hard drives, faster access is provided to digital photo, video, and data files. There is greater data protection against a hard disk drive failure with RAID 0, 5, and 10

Intel Rapid Recover Technology

• Intel's data protection technology provides a recovery point that can be used to quickly recover a system should a hard drive fail or if there is data corruption. The clone can also be mounted as a read-only volume to allow a user to recover individual files

Intel High Definition Audio

• Integrated audio support enables digital surround sound and delivers features such as multiple audio streams and jack retasking

Intel Smart Response Technology

• Uses an installed fast SSD as a cache for frequently accessed data. Key benefits include reduced load and wait times, and lower power consumption through the elimination of unnecessary hard drive spin. This technology combines SSD performance with hard drive capacity, operating faster than a hard drive-only system

Drive CPU and DDR4

• ASUS OC Socket utilises extra pins to connect a proprietary circuit to contacts found on Haswell-E's land grid array (LGA). Combined with Asus customised UEFI, this feature enables higher DDR4 memory frequencies, lower latencies, and enhanced stability while overclocking. This extends all the way to extreme overclocking conditions such as Liquid Nitrogen (LN2). OC Socket is 100% compatible with Haswell-E LGA 2011-v3 CPUs. Under 100% load with CPU voltage set to an extreme 1.825V, the OC socket shows almost no drop in voltage.

This platform also supports DDR4 memory which is able to drive memory frequencies to up to 3200 MHz. Asus T-Topology circuit design plus OC Socket provides memory-overclocking capability to unleash the full power of DDR4 by minimising coupling noise and signal reflection. With equidistant memory channels, it delivers balanced control and powerful overclocking compatibility. ASUS works with almost every DDR4 memory vendor to help ensure the smooth compatibility

5-Way Optimisation

• Based on how you use your system, 5-Way Optimisation optimises CPU performance, energy savings, digital power stability, fan operation, as well as networking and audio settings

Fan Xpert 3

• Fan Xpert 3 puts 4-pin/3-pin CPU and case fan controls in one place. It scans each fan's characteristics and delivers custom settings for each fan based on the dedicated area temperatures detected by hardware thermal sensors. Make sure every fan achieves a balance of cooling performance and low noise. Fan Xpert 3 supports hardware-level PWM/DC combo mode for both the CPU and case fans. It can also reduce the CPU fan speed to below the default minimum, for extra-quiet and power saving operation during light loads.

Fan Xpert 3 provides three user-preset modes:

RPM Fixed Mode - designed for users who wish to reduce noise levels to near 0 dB with specific fan speed control

Auto Tuning Mode - scans fan parameters through automatic speed detection to provide custom settings for each fan

Informative Fan Controls - delivers complete information that allows you to take advanced control of each fan

UEFI BIOS

• Select your hardware and use scenarios to tune system performance or streamline your RAID configuration for fast data retrieval and backups. You may also adjust individual fans, improve DRAM performance, among other functions by using EZ or Advanced mode

SATA Express

• SATA Express provides up to 10 Gb/s data-transfer speeds from two PCIe 2.0 lanes and is backwards compatible with up to two SATA 6 Gb/s drives

M.2

• With a 4x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 bandwidth, M.2 supports up to 32 Gb/s data transfer speeds. Its speed makes it a suitable choice for an operating system drive or application drive and allows your system to run faster

Turbo App

• Gamers and professionals can benefit from app specific optimisations using Asus Turbo App. Its tuning panel boosts a range of hardware; overclock your CPU, tune your fans, prioritise network data, and optimise audio settings automatically

Crystal Sound 2

• Crystal Sound 2 simplifies the work of optimising audio settings for the way you want to listen, be it gaming, chatting, watching movies, or relaxing to your favourite music. Onboard physical shielding, professionally engineered designs, and premium components, including Japanese-made audio capacitors and operational amplifiers (op-amps) result in sound output that has strong clarity and fidelity

Turbo LAN

• Turbo LAN with cFosSpeed traffic-shaping technology adds even lag-reducing support. It allows you to lower lag with no expert knowledge. You also have the option of using an advanced mode for more specific control

Gigabit Ethernet

• Gigabit Ethernet has advantage of communicating directly with CPUs and offering high TCP and UDP throughput. This reduces the processor's workload, so there's more power available

Multi-GPU Support

• With support for both NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX 2/3-WAY configurations, the X99 motherboard enables multi-GPU setups so you can take advantage of the full power of graphical technologies to drive games at 4K and beyond

Asus Home Cloud

• Asus HomeCloud lets you access your computer remotely, stream multimedia content to wherever you want, and manage all your stuff from anywhere - no matter where it's stored. It even turns your hard drive into private cloud storage, removing worries about storage limits. With HomeCloud, your computer becomes the gateway to your world

Remote GO!

• Remote GO! gives you control of your computer, even when you're away from home. Access your forgotten files at home and work while you are in traffic or outside. Remote GO! lets you manage all your public clouds or sync files among your PC and devices in a click

Digital Hub

• Enjoy your PC's multimedia content from anywhere. Play music from your computer while sipping coffee in a cafe or sit back with friends and stream a favourite movie to a smart TV. With Asus Media Streamer, your entertainment goes wherever you go

Specifications