ASUS RAMPAGE II GENE (Retail) : ROG. X58 m-ATX preview

[ChinStrap]

aln688, did you have to mod the mount for that Noctua U6? or did you just replace the stock pushpins w/ screws?

[aln688]

aln688, did you have to mod the mount for that Noctua U6? or did you just replace the stock pushpins w/ screws?

No modification required. Just take the U6 as-is, remove the white push-pins and use M3 x 10mm cheese-head screws. Be careful tightening them down, slowly turn the screws one at a time to make sure they are level, it's very easy to be quick and tighten them much too far. They only need a few turns to make sure the U6 won't move. Oh, and remember a nice thin layer of compound on the bottom of the U6 before you lower it in place.

[GameGuru]

What heat-sink are you going to use with this board?

Sorry, just got back in town. Thanks aln688 for all the info, it's much appreciated. I'll be running this board in a Lian Li V351 and was thinking of running a Corsair H50. I've been following a thread over at HardForum where guys have had luck fitting one inside the case. Obviously the H50 is not as sufficient as a flow blow watercooling build but I have no room for that in my case. I'm wanting to push the 920 to the typical 4.0, what do you think?

[aln688]

Sorry, just got back in town. Thanks aln688 for all the info, it's much appreciated. I'll be running this board in a Lian Li V351 and was thinking of running a Corsair H50. I've been following a thread over at HardForum where guys have had luck fitting one inside the case. Obviously the H50 is not as sufficient as a flow blow watercooling build but I have no room for that in my case. I'm wanting to push the 920 to the typical 4.0, what do you think?

Sounds good, although will your video card heat up everything in a case that small? Either way, 4.0 GHz on the 920 with this board is quite easy. Right now I'm playing with the different paths to 4.0 GHz, 20 x 200, 19 x 211, 21 x 190, etc. It's amazing the effect they have on stability.

[punkrockpolak]

Nice build SystemViper. The black and red execution turned out great.

[Taylor01]

Sorry, just got back in town. Thanks aln688 for all the info, it's much appreciated. I'll be running this board in a Lian Li V351 and was thinking of running a Corsair H50. I've been following a thread over at HardForum where guys have had luck fitting one inside the case. Obviously the H50 is not as sufficient as a flow blow watercooling build but I have no room for that in my case. I'm wanting to push the 920 to the typical 4.0, what do you think?

I assume your going to mount the rad externally. I have this same case for the kids PC, it's a great case! As for the H50? I think you would be better of with Swiftech H20. A much better performer and about the same size.

[Taylor01]

Heres a few pics. sorry im not a very good photographer

[GameGuru]

Sounds good, although will your video card heat up everything in a case that small? Either way, 4.0 GHz on the 920 with this board is quite easy. Right now I'm playing with the different paths to 4.0 GHz, 20 x 200, 19 x 211, 21 x 190, etc. It's amazing the effect they have on stability.

Actually I've modded the case, I'll have to post pics later as I'm at work right now . I cut out a good portion of the side panel and have replaced it with modders mesh so the video card exhausts strait out the side. I have a HD4870X2 in there right now and have no problems with heat

I'm assuming that when you find the most stable overclock you'll post you're findings?

I assume your going to mount the rad externally. I have this same case for the kids PC, it's a great case! As for the H50? I think you would be better of with Swiftech H20. A much better performer and about the same size.

I looked into the the H20 but it just wont fit the way I'd like it to, but your right this would be a way better setup. Here over at Hard Forum they have managed to fit the H50 in the front of the case and I was wanting to do the same thing. I just hope that the H50 cools the I7 920 adequately. If so I'm in great shape

[Taylor01]

I looked into the the H20 but it just wont fit the way I'd like it to, but your right this would be a way better setup. Here over at Hard Forum they have managed to fit the H50 in the front of the case and I was wanting to do the same thing. I just hope that the H50 cools the I7 920 adequately. If so I'm in great shape [/QUOTE]


I just feel your going to be disapointed with only one 120mm rad. on a 720 @4ghz. as you can see with my 360rad. I'm hitting 80c on my 730@ 4ghz. I just don't think the 120mm will be enough.

[aln688]

Actually I've modded the case, I'll have to post pics later as I'm at work right now . I cut out a good portion of the side panel and have replaced it with modders mesh so the video card exhausts strait out the side. I have a HD4870X2 in there right now and have no problems with heat

I'm assuming that when you find the most stable overclock you'll post you're findings?

...

I'll make a separate post with my overclock settings, should anyone find them useful. I've quite literally spent days on stability testing, I'm at the point where I need to reduce the memory controller/DRAM voltages now - not that those make a reduction in heat on the CPU, but I still don't want them over the top when they don't need to be.

[RejZoR]

I just got my RIIG back from RMA and i've noticed that it's slightly different than the old one (components placement on certain areas).
I've also noticed Rev 2.0 text on it. Does anyone know what are the differences between Rev 1.x and Rev 2.0 ?

Also, does anyone know if i'll have to re-activate Vista since this mobo is another revision? It's annoying because i have to call Microsoft for each activation for some reason

[Cralle!]

I just got my RIIG back from RMA and i've noticed that it's slightly different than the old one (components placement on certain areas).
I've also noticed Rev 2.0 text on it. Does anyone know what are the differences between Rev 1.x and Rev 2.0 ?

Also, does anyone know if i'll have to re-activate Vista since this mobo is another revision? It's annoying because i have to call Microsoft for each activation for some reason

Why cant you activate online?

[RejZoR]

Don't know. The first time i activated my Vista (DSP version btw), i was using emulated IDE for SATA drives. Then i changed it to AHCI SATA and disabled crappy JMicron SATA controller. After that i had to re-activate Vista and couldn't activate it anymore online. I have to call Microsoft, tell them the authorization code and they activate it for me.
It's no biggie as i've done it few times but still. Otherwise i use PING and disk image to restore already activated system. But if hardware change, i have to do it again and make a new image for this new hardware.

Thats why i'm wondering if just Revision difefrence will require re-activation. But it'll still be the exact same model (RIIG that is).

[GameGuru]

Don't know. The first time i activated my Vista (DSP version btw), i was using emulated IDE for SATA drives. Then i changed it to AHCI SATA and disabled crappy JMicron SATA controller. After that i had to re-activate Vista and couldn't activate it anymore online. I have to call Microsoft, tell them the authorization code and they activate it for me.
It's no biggie as i've done it few times but still. Otherwise i use PING and disk image to restore already activated system. But if hardware change, i have to do it again and make a new image for this new hardware.

Thats why i'm wondering if just Revision difefrence will require re-activation. But it'll still be the exact same model (RIIG that is).

That's Microsoft for you. Sucks when people like us change hardware quite often and then we get the dreaded "Your hardware has significantly changed and you must reactivate windows" bla bla bla. This happened to me all the time with XP. Thank God I'm using 7 now.

When I get home tonight I'll look at my board and see what version mine is, it just got delivered yesterday

[RejZoR]

Is there any info online, where i could check the differences between Rev 1.0 and Rev 2.0 ?

[GameGuru]

Is there any info online, where i could check the differences between Rev 1.0 and Rev 2.0 ?

I'm looking but don't see any. If I do I'll reply back. Maybe will have to send an email to Asus

[RejZoR]

First noticeable difference is that it comes with factory flashed 0904 BIOS. So, it's certanly newer than my last one Works great again, i'll just have to call MS tommorow to activate this thing (as i suspected).

[Leeghoofd]

I just hope that the H50 cools the I7 920 adequately. If so I'm in great shape

If it can cool my i950@3.8Ghz with HT on during 2 hours of prime and remaining sub 70°c it should be able to handle your i750 within nice temp limits... don't expect miracles ofcourse...

[GameGuru]

If it can cool my i950@3.8Ghz with HT on during 2 hours of prime and remaining sub 70°c it should be able to handle your i750 within nice temp limits... don't expect miracles ofcourse...

Thanks Leeghoofd, basically it's either this or an air cooler so I'm assuming this would be the way to go, especially in a little microATX case that has limited height for an air cooler anyway.

[RejZoR]

There is not much to choose from really. Either you go with Scythe Big Shuriken, which is very basic but silent cooler. Very low profile. Then there is Thermalright AXP-140.
Also very low profile and high performance. And there is Corsair Hydro H50. Biggest downside of this one is availablility. Months after release and i still cannot buy it in my country. It's just not available.

[GameGuru]

Hey aln688, can you elaborate a little bit on how you mounted the Xigmatek Porter to the stock NB please? Is it as easy as just bolting it through the stock mounting holes?

[RejZoR]

How come there are so few BIOS updates for such "hardcore" mobo? With P5Q Deluxe i was used to get new BIOS updates almost monthly...

[GameGuru]

Hey RejZoR, did you ever figure out what the difference was with v2? I checked mine and it's v2 as well. I also used to have a P5Q Deluxe and I'll agree there were new bios's quite frequently.

[The Nemesis]

Perhaps there a fewer issues that require bios fixes

[aln688]

Hey aln688, can you elaborate a little bit on how you mounted the Xigmatek Porter to the stock NB please? Is it as easy as just bolting it through the stock mounting holes?

I'll post some pictures tonight, I re-mounted it due to changing the direction of my CPU heat-sink.