{- ASUS Rampage VS Maximus II -}

[ford505]

Hi setting up my final build and I need help picking between these 2 boards.The Maximus II has http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131319 SupremeFX X-FX:
- Listen with absolute HD; play in extreme fidelity!
CPU Level Up:
- A simple click for instant upgrade!
Pin Fin Thermal Module:
- New Generation Heat-dissipating Design: Time to Cool Down
Speeding HDD:
- Less wait, more game!
iROG:
- Intelligent multiple control at hand!
The Rampage has http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131284
Pin Fin Thermal Module: Perfect Heat-exchange Surface
CPU Level Up: A simple click for instant upgrade!
SupremeFX II: Listen with Absolute HD
ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit)
Extreme Tweaker
ASUS AI Gear 3
AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)
COP EX (Component Overheat Protection - EX)
Voltiminder LED
ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)

Need to know which is better for a single R700 graphics card.The X48 is better for crossfire but I dont need the dual X16 lanes.And I am kinda interested to see what that speeding HDD feature does.And the maximus has better heatsinks. Also I tried looking what these boards release date was but couldnt find it. Anyone know which one is newer,rather have the most current one 😀 .Any info you guys have is much appreciated.Thanks

 

[Proximon]

The Maximus II is a P45 board, very very new. ASUS and the memory manufacturers are still geeting the compatibility straight, not all bugs are worked out.
Still, it's looking to be a good chipset.

The Speeding HDD thing, pretty sure is just a raid 0 thing.
The little sound gizmo is gimmicky, if you really want good sound get a high end X-fi or this ASUS product (for vista):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132005

 

[ford505]

so the hdd speeding isnt for a single hd?

 

[ausch30]

I have a Rampage Formula and it's a great board. The real difference between the two is the Rampage has 2x 16x PCI-E 2.0 slots for full speed Crossfire while the Maximus runs 2 cards @ 8x each. The Maximus is less expensive and has e-sata which is something I wish my Rampage had so I would say if you have any thoughts of Crossfire go with the Rampage but if not get the Maximus.

 

[russki]

I think the sound board coming with Maximus is an X-Fi derivative...

 

[modtech]

It's not. It's just a new codec (actually an older one hidden under a new name) that emulates a few X-Fi features. It's not that good. If you're serious about sound you won't use it.

 

[emp]

DFI LANPARTY DK X38-T2R LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136045

Get that board and if you're serious about a sound card get an Asus Xonar, Creative X-Fi, or Auzentech Prelude. Onboard sound isn't good enough at this point to be considered a plus in a motherboard purchase.

And russki, Creative has only licensed their X-Fi technology to Auzentech I believe, and I don't think ASUS would even bother licensing it if they are releasing their very own sound card lineup.