The choice of CPU poses a real problem: the most powerful processor for which the appropriate workstation boards were developed at the time had “only” 6 cores. However, the Xeon E5-1680 v2 I chose has eight, 25% more potential power consumption. Of course, this is also specified with 130 watts TDP, but the goal is, of course, to overclock it to the maximum, and then it will be significantly more—the motherboard must also be able to deliver this.
On the platform side, it must be X79 (Patsburg), otherwise overclocking would not be possible.
The search was brief
Given the processor’s assumed high power consumption when overclocked and the desire to be able to fully utilize graphics cards with PCI Express 3.0, it quickly became clear that in this case, an extreme motherboard for hardcore overclockers was needed. Since I have always been impressed by ASUS products and there weren’t really many alternatives at the top end, I opted for an ASUS Rampage IV Extreme in the standard version (there was also a Black Edition, which I found more visually appealing, but it is much rarer and more expensive).
The form factor is the maximum in the desktop sector, Extended ATX (or E-ATX for short). Despite this, the board is very well equipped:
⧉ ASUS
⧉ bit-tech
⧉ bit-tech
⧉ bit-tech
⧉ bit-tech
⧉ bit-techTechnical specifications
| CPU Support Socket | Intel Core i7 Extreme – 3. and 4. Generation plus platform-compatible Xeon CPUs LGA 2011 |
| Chipset (PCH) | Intel X79 8 PCIe 2.0 Lanes 40 PCIe 3.0 Lanes from the CPU |
| RAM Type Possible Clocks | 8 DIMMs, total max. 64 GB DDR3, Non-ECC, Unbuffered (UDIMM) 2400 (OC) / 2133 (OC) / 1866 (OC) / 1600, 1333, 1066 MHz |
| PCI-Express Slots | 4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or Dual x16 or x16/x8/x16 or x16/x8/x8/x8) 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x8 mode) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x1 |
| Multi-GPU | 4-Way Nvidia SLI, 4-Way AMD CrossfireX (Then with x16/x8/x8/x8 PCIe 3.0 Lanes per Slot) |
| Storage | 2 x SATA 6Gb/s Ports native 2 x SATA 6Gb/s Ports through Asmedia Controller 4 x SATA 3Gb/s Ports native 8 total |
| LAN & Bluetooth | Intel Gigabit LAN (Lewisville) Bluetooth v2.1 |
| USB | Intel X79 Chipset: 12 x USB 2.0, 4 from Header 8 x USB 3.0, 4 from Header |
| Miscellaneous | Fan connectors – all as 4-pin PWM: 2x CPU 3x chassis 3x optional Many extreme overclocking features such as OC Key, LN2 modes, or external measurement points for various voltages |
I was able to buy a used one on eBay for less than €100, with some accessories (but the rear panel was missing), which was a really good deal at the time of purchase.