ASRock is launching two new XE (Extreme Edition) X299 platform motherboards: the X299 Taichi XE and Fatal1ty X299 Professional Gaming i9 XE. The pair are virtually identical to their non-XE siblings, but include extended VRM heatsinks and increased voltage limits. Specifically, the two boards are aimed at supporting Intel’s Core i9-7980XE and i9-7960X HEDT CPUs. In addition both support NVIDIA 3-Way SLI and AMD 3-Way CrossFireX. No mention of AMD mGPU – effectively CrossFireX for Vega cards – support, though, which maxes out at 2-way.
ASRock X299 Taichi XE Features
- Supports Intel® Core™ X-Series Processor Family for the LGA 2066 Socket
- 13 Power Phase Design, Dr. MOS, Dual Power Connectors
- XXL Aluminum Alloy Heatsink & Heatpipe Design
- Supports DDR4 4400+(OC)
- 4 PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 PCIe 2.0 x1
- NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI™, AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™
- 7.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec), Supports Purity Sound™ 4 & DTS Connect
- 10 SATA3, 3 Ultra M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4 & SATA3)
- 2 USB 3.1 Gen2 10Gb/s (1 Type-A, 1 Type-C)
- 8 USB 3.1 Gen1 (4 Front, 4 Rear)
- Dual Intel® Gigabit LAN
- Intel® 802.11ac WiFi
- ASRock RGB LED
- BIOS Flashback
- Hyper BCLK Engine III
ASRock Fatal1ty X299 Professional Gaming i9 XE Features
- Gaming Armor: Power / Memory / VGA / Internet / Cooling / Audio
- Supports Intel® Core™ X-Series Processor Family for the LGA 2066 Socket
- 13 Power Phase Design, Dr. MOS
- XXL Aluminum Alloy Heatsink & Heatpipe Design
- Supports DDR4 4400+(OC)
- 4 PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 PCIe 2.0 x1
- NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI™, AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™
- 7.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec)
- Supports Creative Sound Blaster™ Cinema 3
- 10 SATA3, 3 Ultra M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4 & SATA3)
- 3 USB 3.1 Gen2 10Gb/s (1 Front Header, 1 Type-A + 1 Type-C), 8 USB 3.1 Gen1 (4 Front, 4 Rear)
- AQUANTIA® 10 Gigabit LAN, Dual Intel® Gigabit LAN
- Intel® 802.11ac WiFi
- ASRock RGB LED
- BIOS Flashback
- Hyper BCLK Engine III
ASRock Extreme Edition X299 Motherboards – Price and Availability
The ASRock X299 Taichi XE and Fatal1ty X299 Professional Gaming i9 XE are out now, priced $325 and $425, respectively.
