Asus Rampage IV Black Edition (X79) Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. Asus Rampage IV Black Edition: Packaging and Bundle3. Asus Rampage IV Black Edition: Board Layout and Features4. Asus Rampage IV Black Edition: BIOS5. Testing Methodology6. System: PCMark 87. System: 3DMark 118. System: 3DMark9. Processor: SiSoft Sandra10. Processor: Cinebench R11.5 64 bit11. Processor: Super Pi 12. Processor: WinRAR13. Processor: HandBrake14. Motherboard: SATA Performance15. Motherboard: USB 3.0 Performance16. Motherboard: Audio Performance17. Gaming: Bioshock Infinite18. Gaming: Metro 203319. Gaming: Metro: Last Light20. Overclocking: Frequencies21. Overclocking: Performance22. Technical: Power Consumption23. Closing Thoughts24. View All Pages

To test the Asus Rampage IV Black Edition, we paired it with an Intel Core i7 4960X processor and 16GB of 2133MHz CL9 memory from G.Skill. We will be outlining the Asus Rampage IV Black Edition motherboard's performance with the Core i7 4960X CPU at its stock frequency of 3.6GHz (4.0GHz due to forced turbo). Overclocked performance will be outlined later in the review.

We will be comparing the Asus Rampage IV Black Edition motherboard's performance to that of MSI's X79A-GD45 Plus. All motherboards are partnered with identical hardware and software, so the results are directly comparable.

By default, the Asus Rampage IV Black Edition motherboard forces the 4960X to a constant 4.0GHz when XMP is enabled. This will be displayed as the ‘stock’ setting (and outlined in the charts' brackets after the non-turbo stock speed is displayed).

X79 Motherboard Test System:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 4960X 3.60GHz (4.00GHz forced turbo).
• Memory: 16GB (4x 4GB) G.Skill RipjawsX (F3-2133C9Q-16GXL) 2133MHz 9-11-11-31.
• Graphics Card: Asus R9 280X Matrix Platinum 3GB.
• System Drive: 256GB SanDisk Ultra Plus.
• CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i.
• Case: NZXT Phantom 630.
• Power Supply: Seasonic Platinum 1000W.
• Operating System: Windows 7 Professional with SP1 64-bit.

Compared X79 Motherboard(s):

• MSI X79A-GD45 Plus (BIOS 7760 V15).

Settings:

• Asus Rampage IV Black Edition BIOS v0403 (newest available).
• Catalyst 13.11 Beta6 VGA drivers.
• Intel 9.3.2.1015 chipset drivers.

Software Suite:

• 3DMark
• 3DMark 11
• PCMark 8
• SiSoft Sandra 2013 SP4
• Cinebench R11.5 64 bit
• Super Pi
• HandBrake 0.9.9
• ATTO
• Right Mark Audio Analyzer.
• Bioshock Infinite
• Metro 2033
• Metro: Last Light

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