ASUS is set to release an enthusiast class motherboard based on an m-ATX design. Despite the small micro-ATX form factor, it is still more than worthy of bearing the ROG (Republic of Gamers) logo. This is possible because the Rampage III Gene, as it is called, boasts the full set of features that currently define an enthusiast platform.
Being based on the X58 chipset, the board supports Intel LGA 1366 CPUs. The Gene uses an eight-phase power design, has six DDR3 memory slots, two SATA 6.0Gbps connectors and six SATA 3.0Gbps ports.
There are two USB 3.0 ports and just as many PCI Express x16 slots, fully prepared for SLI or CrossFireX multi-GPU setups. As for connectivity and I/O, ASUS' product provides FireWire, 7.1 channel audio and Gigabit Ethernet, among other things.
Obviously, being a ROG device, this mainboard has its own overclocking-friendly features, such as on-board Power, Reset and Clear CMOS buttons. Unfortunately, the folks at Trusted Reviews were not able to get any sort of info on when and where this small beast will show up for order, or how much it will drain from one's finances. It is possible that shipments will start sometime in June, like for so many other recent arrivals, at around $250, but is just a rumor.
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