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[REVIEW] ASUS Rampage IV Extreme - OC with Ivy Bridge-E (i7 4930K)

21K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  CoolRonZ 
#1 ·
ASUS Rampage IV Extreme - Overclocking with Ivy Bridge-E (i7 4930K)

Introduction:

2013 is very important for PC market. There are more and more tech products coming this year. One of the most anticipated bits of silicon this year is the Intel's Ivy Bridge Extreme processors. In this review I will be taking a look at the ASUS Rampage IV Extreme (RIVE), to pair with the IB-E based processor, i7 4930K. The RIVE has been added some nice touches and BIOS refinements to support the latest Intel's processors. This board packs a lot of features that are aimed directly at the hardcore gamers and overclocking enthusiasts.

Specifications:

Specs-1.png


Full specifications of RIVE can be obtained HERE

Overview of RIVE:

r4e_overview.jpg


The Motherboard:

Now, meet the motherboard that is really EXTREME…
DSC_0246.jpg

The RIVE comes with a black and red theme. The LGA2011 CPU socket supports Intel Sandy Bridge Extreme (SB-E) and Ivy Bridge Extreme (IB-E) processors. The PCB form factor size is Extended-ATX (EATX) with a dimension of (30.5 x 27.2) cm.

DSC_0220.jpg

As you can see here, the RIVE is powered by intelligent Extreme Engine Digi+ II 8+3+2+2 Phase Power Design with premium components to handle extreme overclocking. There are eight memory slots that support up to 64GB of DDR3 memory. The quad-channel DDR3 architecture doubles the bandwidth of system memory to boost the overall system performance. Also spotted, onboard Power and Reset buttons, Slow Mode switch, LN2 mode jumper, ASUS ProbeIt measuring points, VGA Hotwire connectors, GO button, PCIe Lane switch and debug LED.

DSC_0223.jpg

There are whopping five PCIe 3.0 16x slots supporting up to 4-way SLI/CF @ x16/x8/x8/x8, as well as:
3-way @ x16/x8/x16
2-way @ x16/x16
1-way @ x16
The RIVE also has a single PCIe 2.0 x1 slot.

DSC_0241.jpg

SATA ports are consisted of:
Intel X79 chipset controller: 2 x SATA3 + 4 x SATA2
ASMedia PCIe SATA controller: 2 x SATA3

DSC_0235.jpg

The rear I/O panel includes:
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
1 x Bluetooth module
2 x eSATA3
1 x LAN (RJ45) port
4 x USB 3.0
8 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to ROG Connect)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
5 x Audio jacks
1 x Clear CMOS button
1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch

DSC_0244.jpg

Back side of the motherboard is very simple. Backplate is used to provide retention to the VRM coolers on the top of the board. The CPU socket area is supported by LOTES bracket and backplate.

Test Setup:

DSC_0210.jpg


CPU: Intel Core i7 4930K
MB: ASUS Rampage IV Extreme
DRAM: G.Skill TridentX 2800 C11 2 X 4GB, Corsair Dominator Platinum 2800MHz C11 2 X 4GB, G.Skill TridentX 2666MHz C10 2 X 4GB, G.Skill TridentX 2600MHz C10 2 X 4GB, Corsair DominatorGT GTX4 2533MHz C9 2 X 2GB and G.Skill RipjawsX 2133MHz C8 4 X 2GB
GPU: Gigabyte HD7970, MSI's special BIOS, Driver Catalyst 13.8 beta
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB
ODD: LiteON DVD-RW
PSU: Corsair AX1200
Cooling: Custom watercooling - EK Supreme HF plate #6 CPU waterblock, 2x XSPC RX360 radiator, Swiftech MCP655 pump, EK FC7970 GPU waterblock, EK Multioption X2 Advanced reservoir, XSPC 1/2" ID 3/4" OD white tubing, 12x Scythe GT AP-15 1850rpm 120mm fan + Aerocool Shark 120mm fan, Coolaboratory Liquid Pro thermalpaste etc.
Casing: DimasTech Easy Dual V2.5 Test Bench
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
 
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9
#2 ·
The UEFI BIOS:

Main page with LN2 Mode jumper ON:
130909203906.png


RAM frequencies to choose:
130905063053.png


RAM timing settings: Mode 3 for Ivy Bridge-E
130905063129.png


Memory presets: Lots of memory IC supported
130905063138.png


DIGI + Power control:
130909204050.png


PCH Chipset Tweaker's Paradise:
130909204128.png


VGA Tweaker's Paradise:
130909204133.png


Memory Tweaker's Paradise:
130909204122.png


EZ-Mode: A more simplified UEFI interface
130909204351.png


Software & Tools:

pih3.png

1) AI Suite II - OC tweaking utility, is a tool for overclocking in the OS.
2) TurboV Core - a simplified version of TurboV application.
3) MemTweakIT - view and adjust the memory timings real-time in the OS.
 
#3 ·
Stability Tests:

LinX 0.6.5:

f4wc.png

The 4930K is overclocked to 4.593GHz @ 1.408v and passed the stress test without an error in 5 hours 45 minutes. One of the cores hit 92C during loading but it's still lower than TJmax of 95C.

Benchmark Tests:

The 4930K is overclocked to 4.675GHz (6 cores/12 threads) for 3D benchmarks and 5.0GHz (2 cores/2 threads) for 2D tests. At the same time, the HD7970 is overclocked to 1300MHz core/7000MHz mem @ 1.3v/1.7v.

3DMark13:
r47b.png


3DMark11:
4z1z.png


3DMark Vantage:
vom4.png


3DMark06:
r38v.png


3DMark05:
6yfy.png


3DMark03:
1tdj.png


PCMark7:
mqn5.png


Super Pi 32M/ wPrime/ MaxxMEM/ AIDA64 Cache and Memory Benchmark:
xvos.png


Super Pi 1M:
g6ar.png
 
#4 ·
HyperPi 32M/ 1M:
cxlo.png


Cinebench 11.5:
cpno.png


Unigine Heaven 4.0:
dsts.png


Fritz Chess/ wPrime 1.55:
sret.png


X264 FHD Benchmark:
mr3q.png


Super Pi 32M Benchmark with Hynix-CFR IC RAM:

G.Skill TridentX 2800C11 2 X 4GB + Corsair Dominator Platinum 2800C11 2 X 4GB @ 2965MHz 12-15-15-35-2T (Quad Channel)
lw96.png


G.Skill TridentX 2800C11 2 X 4GB @ 3000MHz 12-14-14-35-2T (Dual Channel)
ug5x.png


Super Pi 32M Benchmark with Samsung IC RAM:

G.Skill TridentX 2666C10 2 X 4GB + 2600C10 2 X 4GB @ 2700MHz 9-12-12-25-1T (Quad Channel)
nf83.png


Super Pi 32M Benchmark with PSC IC RAM:

Corsair DominatorGT GTX4 2533C9 2 X 2GB @ 2666MHz 8-12-8-28-1T (Dual Channel)
t5qv.png


Super Pi 32M Benchmark with BBSE IC RAM:

G.Skill RipjawsX 2133C8 4 X 2GB @ 2133MHz 8-9-8-24-2T (Quad Channel)
tz2g.png
 
#5 ·
Game Benchmarks:

Metro Last Light:
r0ak.png


Bioshock Infinite:
wmgc.png


Thoughts & Verdicts:

I've always been impressed with the ASUS "Republic of Gamers" (ROG) motherboards. With the RIVE, you get all the X79/Socket LGA2011 features, such as quad-channel memory, SATA3, and SLI and CrossFire (CF) support. ASUS gives the extreme overclockers the VGA Hotwire, GPU/DIMM POST, thermal sensors, LN2 mode, Mem TweakIt, Sub Zero Sense, OC Key, OSD TweakIt, 4-Way SLI/CF support, X-Socket, ROG Connect, ROG iDirect, and the Extreme Engine Digi+ II 8+3+2+2 phase power design using 10K black metallic caps.

Overall, this is the board to beat for serious overclockers who are going for the enthusiast class. Overclocking on the Ivy Bridge-E (i7 4930K) was very great. The UEFI BIOS works intelligently to provide a pleasant overclocking session.

Lastly, I would like to thank ASUS Malaysia especially Sanko for making this review possible.

Performance: 5/5
Materials: 5/5
Specifications: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Performance/Price Value: 5/5

Pros:
+ Excellent overclocking performance
+ Appealing red and black theme
+ Good motherboard layout with bunch of PCIe X16 slots
+ Intelligent UEFI BIOS and applications

Cons:
- Pricey (RM1499)
- No Wifi module
- No dual LAN ports
 
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Reactions: CoolRonZ
#6 ·
It's a very impressive. Even if no one has posted an answer. I would like to thank you for these tests.

I had a same systems and my cpu on 4930k@4.5GHz stable not further this point!! My cpu cooler H110 temp max.60-64C 1.45v. I do not know what to do.I've tried everything. Maybe my cpu is not very good, I do not know. Whatever I do, is not stable after 4.5Ghz is very interesting.
redface.gif
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by renat77 View Post

It's a very impressive. Even if no one has posted an answer. I would like to thank you for these tests.

I had a same systems and my cpu on 4930k@4.5GHz stable not further this point!! My cpu cooler H110 temp max.60-64C 1.45v. I do not know what to do.I've tried everything. Maybe my cpu is not very good, I do not know. Whatever I do, is not stable after 4.5Ghz is very interesting.
redface.gif
Sounds like you have a bad chip which loves voltage so much. Try to play around with the VRM frequency & load-line calibration in BIOS settings. Good luck!

Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolRonZ View Post

Thanks for the share Owikh84, very interesting read, was a little curious about doing 1.25 gear with my 4930K...
smile.gif
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolRonZ View Post

Thanks for the share Owikh84, very interesting read, was a little curious about doing 1.25 gear with my 4930K...
smile.gif
Thanks for liking my review. IB-E is different from SB-E in which you have to use CPU strap of 125 to allow memory to go more than 2133MHz. As for the memory strap, always stay at 2400 or below.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by mortyfromthed View Post

Hi im new to the fourms and have a question. I have my 4930 running 4.5 on my asus sabertooth x79 with 16 gigs of gskill trident 2400. The thing I dont get is im stable at only 1.27 volts does this not seem crazy as I see many not getting that at over 1.3 volts.
you are correct, but I can do 1.25v and do a 24 a 24hr prime 95, then they say add .02 to that.... so a 1.27v for 4.5ghz, but the real road block I had was getting my TEAM Extreem 2133 10-10-10-2T 1.5 volt to run at XMP, but I had to up the VCSSA to 1.05, auto was .95v which only let me do 1866... but seems to be the only voltages I have to touch with my 4930K, with my old 3820 had to change soo many voltages... sadly tho there is really no definitive OC'ing guide for the 4930k...
frown.gif
 
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