ASUS has now launched the first micro-ATX motherboard of the Republic of Gamers family. ASUS Rampage II GENE is the name of the card that is said to be the optimal choice for all gamers and overclockers looking to build a smaller than usual computer. The motherboard supports all Intel Core i7 processors through the X58 chipset can be equipped with dual PCIe x16 graphics cards, up to 24GB DDR3-RAM and it sports an integrated X-Fi sound chip and tons of connectivity with among others 12 USB ports and two FireWire ports. The price of the delight is expected to be around $290.
Press release after the break;
GENEtically Superior: mATX ROG Rampage II GENE Motherboard Delivers Max Performance in Mini Form Factor
Taipei, Taiwan, February 24, 2009 – ASUS, the world’s leading producer of motherboards, today released the new X58-based ROG (Republic of Gamers) Rampage II GENE in response to overwhelming demand for a mATX gaming and enthusiast motherboard. Hailing from ASUS’ world record-breaking Rampage II lineage, the Rampage II GENE boasts premium features such as MemOK! for worry-free memory upgrades, CPU Level Up for easy system performance boosts, and onboard SupremeFX X-Fi for true-to-life surround sound.
Atomic in Size, Atomic in Power
With the Rampage II GENE, ASUS has masterfully filled the mATX gap in its lauded ROG product line. For the first time, users will be able to harness the full power of the Intel® Core™ i7 processor in a chassis the fraction of the size and weight of an ATX desktop PC. The Rampage II GENE’s awesome combination of overclockability, tweakability and stability enable it to easily outgun other full-sized ATX motherboards.
MemOK! Any Memory is A-Okay!
MemOK! was developed to provide users with a worry-free memory upgrade experience. In the event of a boot failure after installing new RAM, all the user has to do is press an easily accessible button on the motherboard and MemOK! will automatically load the failsafe settings needed to ensure a successful system boot. MemOK! is able to rapidly detect and resolve memory issues—even if bad or unstable memory is used!
Supreme In-game Audio with SupremeFX X-Fi
An onboard SupremeFX X-Fi solution delivers crisp audio and incredibly realistic in-game sound effects. Official EAX sound effects from EAX 1.0 to EAX HD4.0 allow gamers to enjoy total immersion in supported games. X-Fi CMSS3D’s groundbreaking positional audio gives gamers a distinct in-game advantage, while Crystalizer enhances overall audio quality dramatically.
Specifications
| Model | Rampage II GENE |
| CPU | LGA1366 socket for Intel® Core™ i7 |
| Chipset | Intel® X58/ICH10R |
| System Bus | Up to 6.4 GT/s with QuickPath Interconnection |
| Memory | 6 x DIMM, Triple Channel, up to 24GB |
| DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600(O.C)/1333/1066 MHz | |
| Expansion slot | 2 x PCIe2.0 x16 slot, supports dual x16 |
| 1 x PCIe2.0 x4 | |
| 1 x PCI 2.2 | |
| Multi-GPU | Support NVIDIA SLI™ / ATI CrossFireX™ |
| Storage | 7 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s |
| 1 x eSATA 3.0 Gb/s | |
| 1 x UltraDMA 133, support RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5, and JBOD | |
| LAN | Gigabit LAN |
| Audio | Onboard SupremeFX X-Fi 8-Ch. Audio with EAX4.0 support |
| Other I/O ports | 1*PS/2, 1*eSATA, 1*IEEE1394a, 1*Clr CMOS, 1*Optical S/PDIF |
| USB / IEEE1394a | 12 x USB2.0 (6+6) / 2 x 1394a ports (1 at back I/O, 1 onboard) |
| Fan connector | 5 (1 x CPU / 2 x Chassis / 2 x Optional) |
| Software (Full version) | Kaspersky anti-virus, Futuremark® 3DMark™06 Advanced Edition |
| Features | MemOK!, CPU Level Up, Keyboard-TweakIt, Extreme Tweaker, iROG, Loadline Calibration, LCD Poster, EPU-6 Engine, Q-Fan plus, Voltiminder LED |
| Form Factor | mATX Form Factor, 9.6”x 9.6” (24.4cm x 24.4cm) |
Note: Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Please visit www.asus.com for more details.
