Shootouts

Intel X99 flagship motherboard shootout: When the sky's the limit

By Koh Wanzi - 1 Feb 2017

Test Setup & Motherboard Features Comparison Table

Test Setup

This is the test configuration for our Intel X99 motherboard shootout:

  • Intel Core i7-6950X (3.0GHz, 25MB cache)
  • 2 x 4GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-2133 (Auto timings: CAS 15-15-15-36)
  • ASUS ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1080 (GeForce Driver Version 355.82)
  • Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB SATA 6Gbps solid state drive (one single NTFS partition)
  • Windows 10 Home (64-bit)

Here’s also a list of our tested boards for easier reference:

  • ASRock X99 Taichi
  • ASUS ROG Rampage V Edition 10
  • Gigabyte X99 Designare EX
  • MSI X99A Godlike Gaming Carbon

As we mentioned earlier, these are all the top-end models from their respective brands, and offer among the richest selection of features you’ll find on just about any motherboard today. The ASRock, ASUS, and Gigabyte models are part of a refreshed range of Intel X99 boards to capitalize on Broadwell-E’s launch, and while the MSI motherboard is a slightly older model released in early 2016, it still represents the pinnacle of the company’s X99 line-up.

 

Benchmarks
 

  • BAPCo SYSmark 2014 (ver 1.5.1.47)
  • SPECviewperf 12.1
  • Cinebench R15
  • Futuremark 3DMark (2013)
  • Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

 

Motherboard features comparison table

Before we move on to look at the performance figures for each board, you can refer to the below table for an overview of each model’s specifications.

The ASRock X99 Taichi is the company’s flagship X99 refresh board, and it stands out because of its affordable price and choice selection of features. Unlike some of its counterparts here, extravagance has no place on this board and it goes after customers with a judicious selection of features that will satisfy the majority of users. On the other hand, the ASUS Rampage V Edition 10 swings the other way with a no holds barred approach to design and price. It packs a ton of features like customizable RGB lighting, a dedicated OC Zone, and a bunch of other bits and bobs that make installation and overclocking the board that much easier.

The Gigabyte X99 Designare EX boasts a striking blue-and-white design, and offers a decent mix of enthusiast-oriented features like a PLX PEX8747 switch (the only board here to do so), two U.2 ports, and an Intel Alpine Ridge controller for Thunderbolt 3 support. Finally, the MSI X99A Godlike Gaming is the closest rival to the ASUS board in terms of price and features, boasting fancy Mystic Light RGB LEDs, a hefty 12-phase VRM, and similar onboard buttons and switches to make life easier for overclockers.  

Test motherboards compared
  ASRock X99 Taichi ASUS ROG Rampage V Edition 10 Gigabyte X99 Designare EX MSI X99A Godlike Gaming Carbon
  ASRock X99 Taichi ASUS ROG Rampage V Edition 10 Gigabyte X99 Designare EX MSI X99A Godlike Gaming Carbon
Launch SRP
  • From S$420
  • From S$949
  • From S$680
  • From S$839
Processor Support and Chipset Type
  • Supports Intel Core i7 Processors in the LGA2011-3 package
  • Intel X99 Chipset
  • Supports Intel Core i7 Processors in the LGA2011-3 package
  • Intel X99 Chipset
  • Supports Intel Core i7 Processors in the LGA2011-3 package
  • Intel X99 Chipset
  • Supports Intel Core i7 Processors in the LGA2011-3 package
  • Intel X99 Chipset
Memory
  • Quad Channel DDR4 memory technology
  • 8 x DIMM slots
  • Supports DDR4 3300+(OC)/2933(OC)/2800(OC)/2400(OC)/2133MHz non-ECC, un-buffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 128GB
  • Quad Channel DDR4 memory technology
  • 8 x DIMM slots
  • Supports DDR4 3333(O.C.)/3300(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)MHz non-ECC, unbuffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 128GB
  • Quad Channel DDR4 memory technology
  • 8 x DIMM slots
  • Supports DDR4 3600(OC) / 3400(OC) / 3333(O.C.) / 3200(O.C.) / 3000(O.C.) / 2800(O.C.) / 2666(O.C.) / 2400(O.C.) / 2133 non-ECC, unbuffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 128GB
  • Quad Channel DDR4 memory technology
  • 8 x DIMM slots
  • Supports DDR4 3400(O.C.)/3333(O.C.)/3110(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2750(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133MHz non-ECC, unbuffered memory
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
  • Max. capacity of system memory: 128GB
Storage
  • 1x SATA Express port
  • 10x SATA 6Gb/s ports
  • 1x M.2 socket 3, support type 2230/2242/2260/2280/22110
  • 1x M.2 socket 3, support type 2230/2242/2260/2280
  • Supports Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  • New Intel® Core™ i7 X-Series Processors :
  • 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2260/2280/22110 storage devices support ( Supports PCIE SSDs only)*4
  • 1 x U.2 port, support PCIe 3.0 x4 NVM Express storage*4
  • Intel® X99 chipset :
  • 10 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s),
  • Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology
  • Intel X99 chipset:
  • 1x SATA Express connector
  • 6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (SATA3 0~5), supporting RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
  • 4x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (sSATA3 0~3), supporting IDE and AHCI modes only
  • 1x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 PCIe x4/x2 SSD support)
  • 2x U.2 connectors
  • Intel X99 chipset:
  • 10x SATA 6Gb/s ports (2 x ports compatible with 1 x SATA Express port)*
  • - SATA1~6 support RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10
  • - SATA7~10 ports only support IDE mode and AHCI mode
  • - Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology (Windows 7/ 8/ 8.1)
  • • 1x SATA Express port
  • 1x M.2 port, supports M.2 SATA 6Gb/s module* or M.2 PCIe module up to 32Gb/s speed
  • - M.2 port supports 4.2cm/ 6cm/ 8cm length module
  • - M.2 PCIe module does not support RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 5 and RAID 10
Audio
  • 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1150 Audio Codec)
  • Premium Blu-ray Audio support
  • Supports Surge Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)
  • Supports Purity Sound™ 3
  • Nichicon Fine Gold Series Audio Caps
  • 115dB SNR DAC with differential amplifier
  • TI® NE5532 Premium Headset Amplifier (Supports up to 600 ohm headsets)
  • Pure Power-In
  • Direct Drive Technology
  • PCB isolate shielding
  • Supports DTS Connect
  • ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  • - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  • Audio Feature :
  • - SupremeFX Shielding™ Technology
  • - DTS Connect
  • - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
  • - Audio amplifier: Provides the highest-quality sound for headphone and speakers
  • - Premium Japanese-made audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
  • - Sonic Studio II
  • - Sonic Radar II
  • Realtek® ALC1150 codec
  • High Definition Audio
  • 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
  • Support for S/PDIF Out
  • Realtek® ALC1150 Codec
  • - 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
  • - Supports S/PDIF output
Video
  • Supports NVIDIA 3-way/Quad-GPU SLI Technology
  • Supports AMD 3-way/Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
  • Supports NVIDIA 4-way/Quad-GPU SLI Technology
  • Supports AMD 4-way/Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
  • Supports NVIDIA 3-way/Quad-GPU SLI Technology
  • Supports AMD 3-way/Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
  • Supports NVIDIA 4-way/Quad-GPU SLI Technology
  • Supports AMD 4-way/Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
Networking
  • Intel I218-V Gigabit LAN Controller
  • Intel I211-AT Gigabit LAN Controller
  • 1x1 Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160
  • Intel I218-V Gigabit LAN Controller
  • Intel I211-AT Gigabit LAN Controller
  • 3x3 Broadcom BCM94360
  • Intel I218-V Gigabit LAN Controller
  • Intel I211-AT Gigabit LAN Controller
  • 1x1 Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160
  • 2x Killer E2400 Gigabit LAN controller
  • 2x2 Killer Wireless 1535 module
FireWire (IEEE 1394)
  • N.A.
  • N.A.
  • N.A.
  • N.A.
Rear I/O
  • 1x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port
  • 1x Optical SPDIF Out Port
  • 3x USB 2.0 Ports (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
  • 1x USB 3.1 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s) (ASMedia ASM1142) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
  • 1x USB 3.1 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s) (ASMedia ASM1142) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
  • 3x USB 3.0 Ports (Intel® X99) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
  • 2x RJ-45 LAN Ports with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED)
  • 1x Clear CMOS Switch
  • HD Audio Jacks: Rear Speaker / Central / Bass / Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
  • 1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
  • 2x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  • 2x USB 3.1 (black)Type-C
  • 2x USB 3.1 (red)Type-A
  • 4x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 2x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to USB BIOS Flashback)
  • 1x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 5x Audio jack(s)
  • 1x Clear CMOS button(s)
  • 3x Wi-Fi antenna port(s)
  • 1x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
  • 1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
  • 1x DisplayPort In port
  • 2x SMA antenna connectors (2T2R)
  • 1x USB Type-C™ port, with USB 3.1 support
  • 1x USB 3.1 Type-A port (red)
  • 5x USB 3.0/2.0 ports
  • 2x RJ-45 ports
  • 1x optical S/PDIF Out connector
  • 5x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out, Rear Speaker Out, Line In, Line Out, Mic In)
  • 1x PS/2 port
  • 2x USB 2.0 ports
  • 1x Clear CMOS button
  • 1x USB 3.1 Gen2 port
  • 1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
  • 4x USB 3.1 Gen1 ports
  • 2x LAN (RJ45) ports
  • 1x 6.3mm Gold-plated stereo headphone jack
  • 1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
  • 5x OFC audio jacks
Internal Connectors
  • 1x COM Port Header
  • 1x TPM Header
  • 1x Power LED and Speaker Header
  • 1x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin)* (Smart Fan Speed Control)
  • 1x CPU Optional/Water Pump Fan Connector (4-pin)*
  • 3x Chassis Fan Connectors (4-pin)***
  • 1x 24 pin ATX Power Connector
  • 1x 8 pin 12V Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
  • 1x Front Panel Audio Connector
  • 2x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
  • 1x USB 3.0 Headers (Supports 2 USB 3.0 ports) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection))
  • 1x Dr. Debug with LED
  • 1x BIOS Selection Switch
  • 1x Aura RGB Strip Header
  • 2x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s)
  • 2x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
  • 1x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280/22110 storage devices support ( Support PCIE SSD only)
  • 1x TPM header
  • 10x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  • 1x CPU Fan connector(s)
  • 1x CPU OPT Fan connector(s)
  • 3x Chassis Fan connector(s)
  • 1x Power Fan connector(s)
  • 1x Thunderbolt header(s)
  • 1x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
  • 1x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
  • 1x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
  • 1x SLI/CFX switch (2/3-WAY adjustments)
  • 1x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
  • 1x MemOK! button(s)
  • 1x Slow Mode switch(es)
  • 9x ProbeIt Measurement Points
  • 1x Thermal sensor connector(s)
  • 1x EZ Plug connector(s) (4-pin Molex power connector)
  • 1x Power-on button(s)
  • 1x Reset button(s)
  • 1x BIOS Switch button(s)
  • 1x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector
  • 1x Water Pump header (4-pin)
  • 1x LN2 Mode jumper(s)
  • 1x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header(s)
  • 1x Safe Boot button
  • 1x ReTry button
  • 1x U.2 connector
  • 1x System panel connector
  • 1x DRAM channel switch
  • 1x PCIe x16 lane switch
  • 1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
  • 1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
  • 1x M.2 Socket 3 connector
  • 2x U.2 connectors
  • 1x SATA Express connector
  • 10x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
  • 1x CPU fan header
  • 1x water cooling fan/water cooling pump header (CPU_OPT_PUMP)
  • 2x system fan headers
  • 1x system fan/water cooling pump header (SYS_FAN3_PUMP)
  • 1x front panel header
  • 1x front panel audio header
  • 1x S/PDIF Out header
  • 2x USB 3.0/2.0 headers
  • 2x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
  • 1x Thunderbolt™ add-in card connector
  • 1x Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header
  • 1x RGB LED strip extension cable header
  • 1x Clear CMOS jumper
  • 1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
  • 1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
  • 1x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
  • 10x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
  • 1x M.2 connector
  • 1x SATA Express connector
  • 2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports)
  • 2x USB 3.1 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 3.1 Gen1 ports)
  • 2x 4-pin CPU fan connectors
  • 3x 4-pin system fan connectors
  • 1x Front panel audio connector
  • 2x System panel connectors
  • 1x TPM module connector
  • 1x Chassis Intrusion connector
  • 9x V-Check connectors
  • 1x Clear CMOS jumper
  • 1x Power button
  • 1x Reset button
  • 1x OC Genie button
  • 1x Multi-BIOS switch
  • 1x OC Genie mode switch
  • 1x Audio selection switch
  • 1x Slow mode switch
  • 1x 2-Digit Debug Code LED
  • 1x Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module connector
Expansion Slots
  • 3x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (PCIE2 @ x16 mode; PCIE4 @ x16 mode; PCIE5 @ x0 mode) (PCIE2 @ x16 mode; PCIE4 @ x8 mode; PCIE5 @ x8 mode)
  • 2x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots
  • 1x Vertical M.2 socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT module
  • 15μ Gold Contact in VGA PCIe slot
  • 4x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x16, x16/x8/x8, x16/x8/x8/x8 or x8/x8/x8/x8 mode with 40-LANE CPU; x16, x16/x8 or x8/x8/x8 mode with 28-LANE CPU)
  • 1x PCIe 2.0 x4
  • 1x PCIe 2.0 x1
  • 3x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, running at x16
  • 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, running at x8
  • 1x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot, running at x4
  • 1x PCIe 2.0 x1 slot
  • 1x M.2 Socket 1 connector for the wireless communication module
  • 5x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
  • - 1-way mode: x16/ x0/ x0/ x0/ x0
  • - 2-way mode: x16/ x0/ x0/ x16/ x0*, x16/ x0/ x0/ x8/ x0
  • - 3-way mode: x16/ x0/ x0/ x16/ x8*, x8/ x8/ x0/ x8/ x0
  • - 4-way mode: x8/ x8/ x0/ x16/ x8*, x8/ x8/ x0/ x8/ x4
Other Features
  • ASRock X Series OC Socket
  • ASRock Super Alloy
  • - XXL Aluminum Alloy Heatsink
  • - Premium 60A Power Choke
  • - Ultra Dual-N MOSFET (UDM)
  • - Nichicon 12K Platinum Caps (100% Japan made high quality conductive polymer capacitors)
  • - I/O Armor
  • - Sapphire Black PCB
  • - High Density Glass Fabric PCB
  • ASRock Steel Slots
  • ASRock 802.11ac WiFi
  • ASRock Ultra M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4 & SATA3)
  • ASRock Full Spike Protection
  • ASRock Live Update & APP Shop
  • 1 x DRAM channel switch
  • ROG RAMCache
  • ROG Aura
  • - Aura Lighting Control
  • - Aura RGB Strip Headers
  • Extreme Engine Digi+ :
  • - IR3555 PoweIRstage®
  • - MicroFine Alloy Chokes
  • - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
  • ROG Extreme OC kit :
  • - ReTry button
  • - Safe Boot button
  • - Start button
  • - Reset button
  • - Slow Mode
  • - LN2 Mode
  • - PCIe x16 Lane Switch
  • ProbeIt
  • KeyBot II
  • - One-click Overclocking
  • - X.M.P.
  • - DirectKey
  • - ClrCMOS
  • - Power On
  • UEFI BIOS features :
  • - O.C. Profile
  • - GPU.DIMM Post
  • - Tweakers' Paradise
  • - ROG SSD Secure Erase
  • - Graphic Card Information Preview
  • ROG RAMDisk
  • Extreme Tweaker
  • Support for APP Center
  • 3D OSD
  • @BIOS
  • Ambient LED
  • AutoGreen
  • BIOS Setup
  • Color Temperature
  • Cloud Station
  • EasyTune
  • Easy RAID
  • Fast Boot
  • ON/OFF Charge
  • Platform Power Management
  • Smart TimeLock
  • Smart Keyboard
  • Smart Backup
  • System Information Viewer
  • USB Blocker
  • V-Tuner
  • Steel Armor
  • Purity Sound 3 Pro
  • Mystic Light RGB lighting
  • Killer DoubleShot-X3 Pro
Form Factor
  • ATX Form Factor, 30.5 x 24.4cm
  • E-ATX form factor, 30.5 x 27.2cm
  • ATX Form Factor, 30.5 x 24.4cm
  • E-ATX form factor, 30.5 x 27.2cm

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