For tomorrow's storage
Asus this week unveiled its TUF Sabertooth X99 motherboard. According to Asus, it's the world's first consumer desktop mobo to support all NVM Express storage devices, including the latest mini-SAS HD (SF-8639) 2.5-inch solid state drives, PCI Express, and M.2 PCI Express drives. The timing of the this board's release comes just days after Intel announced its 750 Series SSDs, which are available in both half-height half-length (HHHL) and 2.5-inch NVMe form factors.
The board also boasts built-in USB 3.1 ports (two on the rear panel) courtesy of an ASMedia chip, though they're not the Type-C variety, plus eight USB 3.0 ports (four at back panel, four at mid-board) and eight USB 2.0 ports.
This is also the first board to include TUF Detective, a free companion app that provides detailed system information. You can install the app on a smartphone or tablet and use it to monitor key vitals, as well as detect and diagnose and errors and control the PC's power status. You can even use the app when the PC is turned off.
You'll find lots of amenities here, like Dust Defender guards for exposed ports, high-end components for "server-grade reliability," a reinforced backplate with a thermal pad to strengthen the mobo and pull heat away from the back of the 8+2 phase Digi+ voltage regulator module (VRM), and more.
The new board will be available soon for $350 MSRP. In the meantime, you can check out its product page here.
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