ThePCEnthusiast is supported by its readers. Our articles usually contain affiliate links.
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. See our site disclosure here.

Asus X99 Deluxe Motherboard Review – White Can be Sexy Too

The Asus X99 Deluxe Motherboard is one of the first high end desktop motherboard from the company released last year featuring the Intel X99 Express Chipset, supporting DDR4 memory and Intel Haswell-E processors. It also features a clean and sexy looking white shroud for the rear I/O panel and heat sink covers. Interestingly, Asus “improved” the LGA 2011-3 socket by adding more pins that would make contact with the processor. They call it the OC Socket and is said to “drive CPU and DDR4 performance beyond all expectations”. The list of cool features don’t end there. The Asus X99 Deluxe is still loaded with lots of features that will surely make system builders and enthusiasts, even gamers crave for one. Learn more about the Asus X99 Deluxe in our review below.

Asus X99 Deluxe Review

Asus X99 Deluxe Review

The Asus X99 Deluxe is one of the first motherboard from the company released to feature the new Intel X99 Express chipset supporting the latest Intel Haswell-E processors and DDR4 memory.  It features 5-way optimization by Dual Intelligent Processor 5 giving you full control of your system, not only in terms of performance but also cooling as well. It seems that Asus is not fond of releasing half-baked or partially-featured motherboards. Instead, what they have here is a fully featured X99 motherboard that is loaded with most (if not all) features that PC enthusiasts are looking for.

Asus also implemented their OC Socket, a modified or improved LGA 2011-3 socket, featuring more pins compared to the default socket LGA 2011-3. Asus has covered every aspect in this motherboard including input/output ports, multiple GPU support, expansion slots, and even a fast on-board wireless connectivity with Bluetooth 4.0. We won’t be seeing the latest USB 3.1 or Type C in this particular model, since it wasn’t ready or available yet when the X99 Deluxe was first released. The good news is Asus released an updated variant that comes with a USB 3.1 add in card.

The Asus X99 Deluxe motherboard was basically designed to be an all-around high end desktop platform that would cater gamers and professionals alike, and can be used as a powerful home server as well. I’ll discuss about its features as we take a closer look on the motherboard itself.

Asus X99 Deluxe Specifications

ProcessorIntel® Socket 2011-v3 Core™ i7 Processors
Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
ChipsetIntel® X99
Memory8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Quad Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
Multi-GPU SupportSupports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology
Supports NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
Expansion Slots40-Lane CPU-
5 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x16, x16/x16/x8, x8/x8/x16/x8, x8/x8/x8/x8/x8 mode) *1
1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 (max at x4 mode) *2
28-Lane CPU-
3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x8, x8/x8/x8)
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x1 mode)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 (max at x4 mode) *2
StorageNew Intel® Core™ i7 Processors :
1 x M.2 Socket 3, , with vertical M Key design, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only)
Intel® X99 chipset :
1 x SATA Express port, , compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
8 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), *3,
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Recovery Technology*4
ASMedia® SATA Express controller : *5
1 x SATA Express port, , compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
LANIntel® I218V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Intel® I211-AT, 1 x Gigabit LAN
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers- 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) appliance
Support Teaming Technology
ASUS Turbo LAN Utility
Wireless Data NetworkWi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
Support ASUS Wi-Fi Go! Utility
Up to 1300Mbps transfer speed
BluetoothBluetooth V4.0
AudioRealtek® ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 2
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- High quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR stereo playback input (Line-in)
- High-fidelity audio OP AMP(s)
Audio Feature :
- DTS Ultra PC II
- DTS Connect
- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
- BD Audio Layer Content Protection
- Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference
- Dedicated audio PCB layers: Separate layers for left and right channels to guard the quality of the sensitive audio signals
- Audio amplifier: Provides the highest-quality sound for headphone and speakers
- Premium Japanese-made audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
- Unique de-pop circuit: Reduces start-up popping noise to audio outputs
- Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio configuration
- EMI protection cover to prevent electrical noise to affect the amplifier quality
USB Ports
Intel® X99 chipset :
4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at mid-board)
Intel® X99 chipset :
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (2 at back panel, , 4 at mid-board)
ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller :
10 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (10 at back panel, blue)
Special Features5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5
- Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo App together, providing better CPU performance, efficient power saving, precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even tailor your own app usages.
ASUS 5X Protection :
- ASUS DIGI+ VRM - 8 Phase digital power design
- ASUS Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection - Short circuit damage prevention
- ASUS ESD Guards - Enhanced ESD protection
- ASUS High-Quality 5K-Hour Solid Capacitors - 2.5x long lifespan with excellent durability
- ASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O - 3x more durable corrosion-resistant coating
ASUS TPU :
- Auto Tuning
- GPU Boost
- TPU switch
ASUS EPU :
- EPU switch
ASUS Digital Power Design :
- Industry leading Digital 8 Phase Power Design
- Industry leading Digital 4 Phase DRAM Power Design
- CPU Power Utility
- DRAM Power Utility
ASUS Wi-Fi GO!
- Wi-Fi GO! Function: Cloud GO!, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer
- Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote app for portable smartphone/tablet, supporting iOS 7 & Android 4.0 systems
ASUS Exclusive Features :
- MemOK!
- AI Suite 3
- Ai Charger+
- USB Charger+
- M.2 & SATA Express
- Anti-Surge
- Onboard Button : Power/Reset
- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface
- USB 3.0 Boost
- Disk Unlocker
- Turbo LAN
- Crystal Sound 2
Interactive HomeCloud
- Media Streamer
ASUS EZ DIY :
- Precision Tweaker 2
- ASUS O.C. Tuner
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
- ASUS USB BIOS Flashback
- Push Notice
ASUS Q-Design :
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Q-Code
- ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-DIMM
- ASUS Q-Connector
Special Memory O.C. Design
Turbo App
Fan Xpert 3
Operating System SupportWindows® 8.1 , 32bit/64bit
Windows® 8 , 32bit/64bit
Windows® 7 , 32bit/64bit
Back I/O Ports2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
10 x USB 3.0 (blue)
2 x USB 2.0
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
5 x Audio jack(s)
1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth v4.0
Internal I/O Ports1 x AAFP connector
2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
2 x SATA Express connector: gray,
1 x M.2 Socket 3 with vertical M Key design, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only)
1 x TPM connector(s)
8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 x 4 -pin)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x EZ XMP switch
1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
1 x Chassis Intrusion connector(s)
1 x DRCT header(s)
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
1 x TPU switch(es)
1 x EPU switch(es)
1 x CPU/DRAM overvoltage jumper(s)
1 x Power-on button(s)
1 x Reset button(s)
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector
1 x SLI/CFX switch (2/3-WAY adjustments)
AccessoriesUser's manual
ASUS Q-Shield
8 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x ASUS 2-Way/3-Way SLI bridge
1 x M.2 X4 bracket
1 x ASUS 3T3R dual band Wi-Fi moving antennas (Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compliant)
1 x Fan Extension Card (3 x 4-pin fan out)
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
1 x 5-pin to 5-pin cable
- 1 x Thermistor cable(s)
BIOS128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS,
ASUS EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified log,
F12 PrintScreen, F3 Shortcut functions and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information.
ManageabilityWfM 2.0, DMI 2.7, WOL by PME, PXE
Support DiscDrivers、ASUS Utilities、EZ Update 、Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Operating SystemWindows® 8.1 32/64-bit
Windows® 8 32/64-bit
Windows® 7 32/64-bit
Form FactorATX Form Factor
12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
Note*1: The PCIe x16_5 shares bandwidth with M.2 x4. Triple PCIe 3.0/2.0 configuration is default set at x8/x8/x8. Adjust PCIEX16_5 Slot Bandwidth in BIOS.
*2: The PCIex4_1, USB3_E12 and SATAEXPRESS_E1 connectors share the same bandwidth. The SATAEXPRESS_E1 will be disabled when there is a device installed on PCIEX4_1 slot. Set this option to X2 Mode or X4 Mode when the installed PCIe device is higher than X4 interface.
*3: Due to chipset behavior, The SATA6G_78, SATA6G_910 ports (black) do not support IRST including RAID configuration.
*4: These functions will work depending on the CPU installed.
*5: These SATA ports are for data hard drivers only. ATAPI devices are not supported.
Photo of author
Author
Peter Paul
Peter is a PC enthusiast and avid gamer with several years of hands-on experience in testing and reviewing PC components, audio equipment, and various tech devices. He offers a genuine, no-nonsense perspective, helping consumers make informed choices in the ever-changing world of technology.

2 thoughts on “Asus X99 Deluxe Motherboard Review – White Can be Sexy Too”

  1. I have one, this board is still unstable, slow boot, unstable during overclocking, lot of issues during boot, ASUS support is use less, they do not accept their mistakes of producing unstable boards. I had to change 3 ASUS deluxe boards to get one stable one.

    my other pc H87 Asrock boards boots in 8-10 seconds, but this one takes a whole minute, even with Samsung pro 128gb SSD.

    very soon I will change this board and go for Gigabyte, MSI or ASrock

    Reply
  2. I just bought the 3.1 version of this board. See lots of praise, and lots of heartache. Hope I am the former? Decided to go with x99 and 5820K instead of Z170 and Skylake i7. Hope I dont have to return it and I can OC my CPU and Ram. Got a 980 TI to go along with it. Ive built many computers, but this is my first gaming centric build. Wish me luck!

    Reply

Leave a Comment