ASRock X99E-ITX/ac Motherboard Review

[Arabian Knight]

I dont get it ,

Did you use the Seidon 120V cooler to test this mobo or not ?

No, it was out of stock everywhere I shopped.

and haven't you noticed that that Seidon 120V bracket is actually the AMD bracket ?

No, it's Intel's narrrow ILM bracket. The holes are spaced differently.

which means that you can use ANY cooler that is AMD compatible here ? the same holes ?

No, most AMD coolers are not compatible. But a few that have legs hanging from a raised bracket, such as the Seidon 120V and certain Corsair models, might be flexible enough to squeeze into place.

the Seidon 120V specs does not say anything about narrow 2011-3 sockets , actually that special bracket is the AMD bracket.

No, it's an Intel Narrow ILM bracket. And those didn't change between 2011 and 2011-v3. Actually, neither did the square ILM bracket.

so TRY amd brackets on this motherboard PLEASE.

I did. They didn't fit.

here is a link for the Seidon 120V installation manual

What good will that do me if I don't have a Seidon 120V?

as you see that second bracket the AMD ONE is the same supplied with the Motherboard for the ILM, which means the screws places are compatable between AMD and ILM 2011-3

I just checked, the screws are different too.

PLEAAAASE try all the coolers you have and see if they fit on this mobo using the AMD brackets. use the AMD brackets that comes with the coolers. and try Noctua coolers too.

I did that before I wrote the article. Persistence only makes you right if you're a pandering politician.

and more over :

try to test please the Asrock itx mobo that comes with Quad channel SOdimms , you can Ask Asrock to supply the SODIMMS DDR4 for you.

and if you want to buy them , they are available in the market already ..

here is a direct link to Crucial USA

http://www.crucial.com/csrusa/en/ct8g4tfd8213

OK, I'll tell them you asked.

Thanks for looking into it.

try to look for

The seidon 120 V plus and the old one are available in newgg in stock as we speak

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103195

and in Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Seidon-120V-All-In-One/dp/B00FFCB0BG

the Plus ,

http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-liquid-cooler/seidon-120v-plus/

as for why the Manual , because if you read it in the sideon 120V you will see that other bracket is actually for AMD. look at it.

Hope you get the DDR4 Sodimm soon from Crucial , and test the Asrock EPC612D4I .

I want to know if the Asrock EPC612D4I can overclock well or not.

thanks in advance

 

[Arabian Knight]

This motherboard IMO killed all itx Motherboards around .
it is the only itx Motherboard that gives you :

1- 32G of Ram using just 2 slots 16Gx2 .. and possible but hard to test 64G of ram using 32Gx2 DDR4 ... in theory it is possible,

2- 4x PCIe 3.0 M2 slot ... without sacrificing the 16x Lanes in the GPU slot which is very important if you want to use dual GPU cards coming soon.

3- The only one with USB3.1 also without sacrificing any Lanes from the 16X slot.

so there is no point whatsoever to get a z97 itx motherboard today. this Motherboard killed all competition . I just wish they make another version of it using 4 SO DIMMS by placing the chipset in the I/O Area as they did in the server mobo. and use some kind of Micro Usb 3 to save space and notebook like slim LAN plugs .

 

[Crashman]

Thanks for looking into it.

try to look for

The seidon 120 V plus and the old one are available in newgg in stock as we speak

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103195

and in Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Seidon-120V-All-In-One/dp/B00FFCB0BG

the Plus ,

http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-liquid-cooler/seidon-120v-plus/

as for why the Manual , because if you read it in the sideon 120V you will see that other bracket is actually for AMD. look at it.

Hope you get the DDR4 Sodimm soon from Crucial , and test the Asrock EPC612D4I .

I want to know if the Asrock EPC612D4I can overclock well or not.

thanks in advance

Yes, the original Cooler Master bracket is designed for AMD. The ASRock supplied bracket is for Intel Narrow ILM. These look similar but the hole spacing is different. The AMD bracket might be made to fit by flexing the hanging parts, but I wouldn't need it since the ASRock-supplied bracket has the Narrow ILM spacing.

My other coolers wouldn't fit because they use flat mounting brackets without those flexible tabs. The only coolers I've seen where the tabs can be flexed like this are the 120V and a couple Corsair models.

I used a big air cooler though. Its bracket didn't fit. Gravity made the contact. And the cooler I used is actually a little more powerful than the 120V.

We have an article coming up on air-cooling this board, and a how-to for installing a different (better) liquid cooler. The first article is already in the system, just waiting for a publishing date.

 

[Arabian Knight]

Can you comment on whether the PCI-e slot supports bifurcation to utilize a passive PCI-e spliter? If so, that would allow SLI or Xfire by splitting the x 16 slot into two x 8 slots. That single feature would make it the most epic mITX board I can think of!

you can always use a PLX Active splitter card you know. what you want to do is already done 😉 .. there is no need to wait for a mobo with a Passive splitting... get that PLX card and start modding !!!!

 

[Eggz]

Can you comment on whether the PCI-e slot supports bifurcation to utilize a passive PCI-e spliter? If so, that would allow SLI or Xfire by splitting the x 16 slot into two x 8 slots. That single feature would make it the most epic mITX board I can think of!

you can always use a PLX Active splitter card you know. what you want to do is already done 😉 .. there is no need to wait for a mobo with a Passive splitting... get that PLX card and start modding !!!!

True, but ideally I'd use a direct CPU connection. PLX is my fallback, though definitely not a bad one

 

[Crashman]

If I wanted two cards I'd go to Micro ATX 😛

 

[Bossyfins]

Honestly, this board is really more of an enthusiast board. Its for those who love technologies and want to fiddle around with the most they can get. While this does have practical uses, I see it more of a enthusiast board.

 

[Eggz]

If I wanted two cards I'd go to Micro ATX 😛

Ha, I think I want the challenge more than the cards, and if it works, to have one of the only (if not the only) SLI mITX. A dual GPU card would also work, but it wouldn't provide as much of a puzzle - the fun part!

 

[Bossyfins]

I kind of want to try that. Is that even possible LOL

 

[Eggz]

I kind of want to try that. Is that even possible LOL

It is possible. The only three options I'm aware of, from easiest to most challenging, are using (1) a dual GPU card, (2) a PLX bridge acting as an active PCI-e splitter , or (3) a PCI-e bifurcation to support a passive PCI-e splitter.

The dual card is probably the cleanest solution with the least complications, but it's still one card. Getting an active splitter allows two cards, but it introduces latency. Passive splitters will work just like two native slots directly linked to the CPU (i.e. no lag) but only if the motherabord's BIOS will recognize PCI-e bifurcation, so the challenge there would be customizing the BIOS.

 

[Bossyfins]

Crashman, you should totally do this 😛 It would be fun to see 2 way SLI on an itx board.

 

[Brian McG]

Well, I for one get it. But I'm not into gaming.

I was thinking of it for a highly portable Workstation/Server with:
- an Intel Core i7 5820K Processor,
- a 128MB Samsung SM951 M.2 system drive,
- 3x3.5in 1TB HDD's in a RAID 5 array,
- a 120mm Cooler Master Seidon 120V Plus water cooler,
- a Gigabyte GeForce GT610 Graphics card, (no graphics on M/B),
This is short and leaves space to mount 3rd 3.5in HDD.
- all in an NCASE M1 Case.

I have however decided to defer my decision until I see what Skylake brings.

 

[Bossyfins]

The 5820k will still be relevant though, I don't think intel willl be releasing a new extreme series for skylake. Unless im gravely mistaken

 

[Arabian Knight]

Crashman, you should totally do this 😛 It would be fun to see 2 way SLI on an itx board.

Actually you can do 4 way SLI on itx board . the same PLX chip can switch 16 into 2x 16 or 4x8 lanes.

There is a PLX chip that can switch 16X into 4x16X but it is very expensive chip.

 

[Arabian Knight]

Well, I for one get it. But I'm not into gaming.

I was thinking of it for a highly portable Workstation/Server with:
- an Intel Core i7 5820K Processor,
- a 128MB Samsung SM951 M.2 system drive,
- 3x3.5in 1TB HDD's in a RAID 5 array,
- a 120mm Cooler Master Seidon 120V Plus water cooler,
- a Gigabyte GeForce GT610 Graphics card, (no graphics on M/B),
This is short and leaves space to mount 3rd 3.5in HDD.
- all in an NCASE M1 Case.

I have however decided to defer my decision until I see what Skylake brings.

if you are not into gaming then use a Xeon chip better. and add a Raid card , and use USB VGA card.

 

[John Philips]

Could have 2 or 3 m.2 slots pci gen3 x4...

 

[Crashman]

Could have 2 or 3 m.2 slots pci gen3 x4...

I agree. They should put like four of them on the back of the board. But, the last time they tried that, everyone ignored the feature.

What they really need is DTX, but it's OUR FAULT AS ENTHUSIASTS that the DTX form factor failed.

 

[Crashman]

as for why the Manual , because if you read it in the sideon 120V you will see that other bracket is actually for AMD. look at it.

Great idea. Loook at it, especially near the corners of the top part. The 120V's AMD bracket has narrower spacing, so it's offset at the corners. I could make it work, but why would I, when the ASRock-supplied bracket already has the correct spacing?

As for the Corsair H60 I decided to try because it's in-stock, it uses a shorter bracket. So there's a gap.The ASRock bracket will fit the Corsair pump if you use straight screws rather than standoffs, I think M4x12mm will fit nicely.

 

[Arabian Knight]

Could have 2 or 3 m.2 slots pci gen3 x4...

I agree. They should put like four of them on the back of the board. But, the last time they tried that, everyone ignored the feature.

What they really need is DTX, but it's OUR FAULT AS ENTHUSIASTS that the DTX form factor failed.

we do have DTX ready cases , most itx cases have 2 slots now , and the depth of Any case is at least 270 mm to take GPU cards ... and the dimensions of the DTX is (203 × 170) so here you go , it will fit in ANY 2 slots itx case we have today.

ALL what we need is some brave company to make longer motherboards and write on the box : IT FITS ...

and a little mod to the case will place those missing screws ... you just need a drill to drill new holes in the bottom of the case and then place the additional mother board risers screws ....

I hope some one BRAVE is reading this.

 

[Crashman]

Could have 2 or 3 m.2 slots pci gen3 x4...

I agree. They should put like four of them on the back of the board. But, the last time they tried that, everyone ignored the feature.

What they really need is DTX, but it's OUR FAULT AS ENTHUSIASTS that the DTX form factor failed.

we do have DTX ready cases , most itx cases have 2 slots now , and the depth of Any case is at least 270 mm to take GPU cards ... and the dimensions of the DTX is (203 × 170) so here you go , it will fit in ANY 2 slots itx case we have today.

ALL what we need is some brave company to make longer motherboards and write on the box : IT FITS ...

and a little mod to the case will place those missing screws ... you just need a drill to drill new holes in the bottom of the case and then place the additional mother board risers screws ....

I hope some one BRAVE is reading this.

The original 2-slot cases were DTX. Buyers didn't know what DTX was so when asked by motherboard companies they said WTF? Just give me ITX...

Talk to EVGA, its probably the only company with low-enough production volume to bring DTX to market.

 

[John Philips]

I think maybe 3 m.2 gen3 in the back of the board, one for the system and the others for data. That would use 12 pcie lanes, together with 16 from the graphics, that would be exactly those 28 lanes possible from the lowest i7 5830k. Maybe the space used for m.2 could be used for other 2 ram slots And why not some Sound core 3d audio? At last, maybe a special version using a 16x pcie slot horizontally, for a nice htpc without a riser...

Could have 2 or 3 m.2 slots pci gen3 x4...

I agree. They should put like four of them on the back of the board. But, the last time they tried that, everyone ignored the feature.

What they really need is DTX, but it's OUR FAULT AS ENTHUSIASTS that the DTX form factor failed.

we do have DTX ready cases , most itx cases have 2 slots now , and the depth of Any case is at least 270 mm to take GPU cards ... and the dimensions of the DTX is (203 × 170) so here you go , it will fit in ANY 2 slots itx case we have today.

ALL what we need is some brave company to make longer motherboards and write on the box : IT FITS ...

and a little mod to the case will place those missing screws ... you just need a drill to drill new holes in the bottom of the case and then place the additional mother board risers screws ....

I hope some one BRAVE is reading this.

The original 2-slot cases were DTX. Buyers didn't know what DTX was so when asked by motherboard companies they said WTF? Just give me ITX...

Talk to EVGA, its probably the only company with low-enough production volume to bring DTX to market.

 

[Arabian Knight]

I think maybe 3 m.2 gen3 in the back of the board, one for the system and the others for data. That would use 12 pcie lanes, together with 16 from the graphics, that would be exactly those 28 lanes possible from the lowest i7 5830k. Maybe the space used for m.2 could be used for other 2 ram slots And why not some Sound core 3d audio? At last, maybe a special version using a 16x pcie slot horizontally, for a nice htpc without a riser...

Could have 2 or 3 m.2 slots pci gen3 x4...

I agree. They should put like four of them on the back of the board. But, the last time they tried that, everyone ignored the feature.

What they really need is DTX, but it's OUR FAULT AS ENTHUSIASTS that the DTX form factor failed.

we do have DTX ready cases , most itx cases have 2 slots now , and the depth of Any case is at least 270 mm to take GPU cards ... and the dimensions of the DTX is (203 × 170) so here you go , it will fit in ANY 2 slots itx case we have today.

ALL what we need is some brave company to make longer motherboards and write on the box : IT FITS ...

and a little mod to the case will place those missing screws ... you just need a drill to drill new holes in the bottom of the case and then place the additional mother board risers screws ....

I hope some one BRAVE is reading this.

The original 2-slot cases were DTX. Buyers didn't know what DTX was so when asked by motherboard companies they said WTF? Just give me ITX...

Talk to EVGA, its probably the only company with low-enough production volume to bring DTX to market.

M2 for Data is an Overkill . we have already 10 Sata 3 ports for data .. besides DATA should be HIGE drives , and for this you will need a cheap storage solution.

a 1 TB M2 card would be 4 times the price of 1TB Sata3 SSD ... and I dont think you need more than Sata3 bandwidth for Data.

also you cant put connectors behind the motherboard where ever you want. there are restricted places depending on whats on the other side. for example , forget the Area behind the CPU and memory lanes ... those cant be used from the other side.

they can however add a single M2 and a sound chip there is a place for those two behind the motherboard.

 

[boxfetish]

Does anybody know if this is usable in any of the streacom fanless chassis (i.e. FC5, FC9, FC10)? On inspection it doesn't appear that their heatpipe cooler is compatible with this narrow socket 2011, but I can't get any info from the manufacturer?

 

[boxfetish]

Does anybody know if this is usable in any of the Streacom fanless chassis (i.e. FC5, FC9, FC10)? On inspection it doesn't appear that their heatpipe cooler is compatible with this narrow socket 2011, but I can't get any info from the manufacturer

 

[Crashman]

Does anybody know if this is usable in any of the Streacom fanless chassis (i.e. FC5, FC9, FC10)? On inspection it doesn't appear that their heatpipe cooler is compatible with this narrow socket 2011, but I can't get any info from the manufacturer

Streacom probably knows