Zaključak

Asus Rampage III Black Edition predstavlja unaprijeđenu verziju Rampage III Extreme. Sa sobom donosi podršku za SATA/USB3.0 standarde, podršku za 3-Way SLI i CrossfireX. Uz nju dobivate bogat bundle, koji uključuje Thunderbolt karticu. Ona pak donosi BigFoot E2100 NIC i naprednu zvučnu karticu sa DAC i ADC čipovima. Sa svojim E-ATX formatom će stati u većinu kućišta, a sa svojim odličnim layoutom neće predstavljati problem prilikom cable-managementa. Svaki overclocker će znati cijeniti sitnice kao što je OC Zone dio na ploči. Za razliku od stare, nova verzija donosi i PLX čip. Overclocking mogućnosti ploče su velike, a ponašanje prilikom overclockinga je bilo bez greške. BIOS je također bogato opremljen. Kao minus bi naveli bugovito ponašanje softvera koji dolazi s pločom, te nešto veće zagrijavanje unatoč priloženom zujavom ventilatoru. Unatoč tome ploči dajemo bezrezervnu preporuku, ukoliko si ju možete priuštiti, pošto je cijena od 590 USD, sve samo ne mala.

Asus Sabertooth X58 je predstavnica TUF serije ploča koja za sobom nosi izdržljivije komponente koje bi sa svojim petogodišnjim jamstvom trebalo jamčiti dug i siguran rad ploče. Sabertooth dolazi sa podrškom za SLI i Crossfire. S pločom dolazi solidan bundle koji uključuje i SLI bridge. Layout ploče je odličan, a ubacivanje PCI slota je bonus. Overclocking potencijal je vrlo dobar, a BIOS je solidno opremljen. Jedini minus koji bismo naveli bilo bi nešto veće zagrijavanje unatoč CeraM!X tehnologiji. Cijena ploče od 200 USD je sasvim prihvatljiva uzevši u obzir što sve ima za ponuditi.

Gigabyte G1.Assassin je predstavnica G1.Killer serije ploča koje su posebno dizajnirane za gamere. Assassin dolazi u XL-ATX formatu, tako da ćete za nju morati kupiti i veće kućište, pošto ne stane u kućišta standardne veličine. Tu je podrška za 3-Way SLI, i CrossfireX. Bundle koji dolazi s pločom je solidan, pozdravljamo ubacivanje 5.25“ panela u paket. Overclocking potencijal ploče je odličan, a BIOS je vrlo dobro opremljen. Hlađenje ploče je također odlično riješeno, a svidjela nam se i izvedba USB3.0 podrške i ukupno osam USB3.0 konektora koje ploča može ponuditi. Od pluseva svakako trebamo istaknuti kvalitetni Creativeov zvučni podsustav te ubacivanje DAC i ADC čipova. Baš kao i konkurencija, i Assassin dolazi sa BigFootovim Killer NIC-om. Prava je šteta što ne dolazi s tipkama za paljenje i reset računala i debug displayom. U svakom slučaju, radi se o vrhunskoj ploči koja zaslužuje svaku preporuku, naravno, ako si je možete priuštiti po cijeni od 510 USD, što je na kraju ipak manje od konkurencije sa ~600 USD.

Conclusion

Asus Rampage III Black Edition is the updated version of the Rampage III Extreme. It brings support for SATA/USB3.0 standards, support for 3-Way SLI and CrossfireX. In addition to the rich bundle, there is a daughter card with the board – Thunderbolt. It features BigFoot Killer NIC (E2100) and advanced sound card with DAC and ADC chips. Black Edition will fit in most cases due its E-ATX format. Excellent layout will not pose a problem during cable-management. Any overclocker will appreciate little things like OC zone of the board (e.g. ProbeIT points, and PCI-E switches). Unlike the old one, the new version brings the PLX chip with additional PCI-E lanes. Overclocking potential of this board is excellent, and it behaves great during extensive overclocking. The BIOS is also very well equipped. The negative points of the board are bugged software that comes with it. Cooling is not that great because the board runs rather warm despite the attached fan. Given everything into account, we’d give this board our unreserved recommendation, of course if you can afford it, since it’s rather pricey – 590 USD (VAT included). It is not available in Croatia, yet.

 

Asus Sabertooth X58 is a representative model of Asus’ TUF motherboards series. It comes with ultra-durable components, and five-year warranty that guarantee long and safe motherboard operation. Sabertooth X58 supports SLI and Crossfire. Bundle is solid, and includes SLI Bridge in addition. Board layout is great and number of overclocking options in BIOS is very good. Only downside of would be somewhat greater warming despite Asus’ CeraM!X technology. Price of 200 USD (VAT included) is very acceptable taking into account what it has to offer. It is available in Croatian shops.

 

Gigabyte G1.Assassin is a representative model of Gigabyte’s G1.Killer series that is specially designed for gamers. Assassin comes in XL-ATX format, so you’ll have to buy case that supports it, since it doesn’t fit in the standard sized cases. There is support for 3-Way SLI and CrossfireX. The bundle is solid, we welcome the additional 5.25“ panel. Overclocking potential of the board is excellent, and the board BIOS is also well equipped. Cooling performance are also great, it runs cool even during the overclocking. We liked the way that USB3.0 was implemented and adding eight USB3.0 connectors on the board. One of the great things about this board is Creative 20K2 sound subsystem and insertion of the additional DAC and ADC chips onboard. Just like the competition, Assassin comes with BigFoot Killer NIC. It’s a shame that the board doesn’t come with power and reset buttons as well as without debug display. In any case, this is a top notch motherboard which deserves our recommendation, but with a hefty price of 510 USD (VAT included), that’s still cheaper than the competition’s ~600 USD. The board is available in Croatian shops.