ASUS launched the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Crosshair IV Extreme motherboard in North America today.

Solid and efficient power management is something every overclocker knows is critical in board design. This includes enhanced trace layout ensuring optimal performance and efficiency under varying loads. The VRM and electrical components have been carefully chosen to provide levels of performance allowing AMD CPUs or high frequency DDR3 to reach new levels of performance. The use of high quality chokes, capacitors and effective heatsink assembly ensure leading performance in all aspects of usage.

The Crosshair IV Extreme is based on the AMD 890FX / SB850 chipsets and fully supports the six-core Phenom II X6 processors and up to 4-way video card configurations utilizing AMD CrossfireX technology. ASUS also implemented emerging technologies such as ASUS? CrossLinx 3 technology with the Lucid HYDRALOGIX engine.

With ASUS CrossLinx 3 technology, Crosshair IV Extreme users gain the ability to mix and match multiple graphics cards from both NVIDIA and AMD, including models of different GPU generations as well as offering 2-way and 3-way NVIDIA GeForce support. This technology uses the Lucid HYDRALOGIX engine, which bridges various graphics cards to enable their simultaneous usage.

The ROG Connect hardware / software implementation offers overclocking and monitoring tools that can be controlled with a smartphone or a separate computer via quick connects technology. With the Crosshair IV Extreme ASUS introduces remote overclocking support using the Apple iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone. In addition ROG Connect Bluetooth allows for normal Bluetooth functionality when not in ROG Connect mode.

ASUS also implemented the USB BIOS Flashback technology on the Crosshair IV Extreme. USB Bios Flashback offers low-level bios flashing without the need to mount or install a CPU, memory, or graphics card. This allows for the easiest and quickest way to ensure the newest bios is in place prior to setting up a system. All that is required is a flash drive, the BIOS ROM file and connection to the ROG Connect USB port with standby power.

With ASUS? dual BIOS technology, users can keep two unique BIOS versions for different purposes. The first BIOS can be used for the overclocking, while the second BIOS can used for gaming or applications. In addition if a BIOS becomes corrupted, users can still use the system with the secondary BIOS.

The Crosshair IV Extreme also incorporates the latest in I/O technologies with full support for true SATA 6G and USB 3. The Crosshair IV Extreme also features an Intel based Gigabit network controller.

The Crosshair IV Extreme will be available soon at ASUS retailers for an MSRP of $309.



Specifications

Model:ROG Crosshair IV Extreme
CPU:AMD socket AM3 Phenom II/Athlon II/ Sempron 100 Series Processors
Chipset: AMD 890FX / SB850
Memory: DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866 (O.C.)/ 1800 (O.C.)/ 1600(O.C.) / 1333 / 1066 MHz memory 4xDIMM, max. 16GB
Expansion Slots: 5x PCIe2.0 x16 slots (dual @ x16, triple @x16 , quad@x16 x16 x8 x8), 1 x PCI 2.2
Multi-GPU Support: HYDRALOGIX / ATI CrossFireX Technology

Storage:
- 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 (Red)
- 2 x SATA 3Gb/s ports (Gray)
- 2 x External SATA 3Gb/s ports at rear (SATA On-the-Go)

Bluetooth:
Bluetooth V2.0/V2.1+EDR accessories card
RC Bluetooth ON/OFF switch

LAN: Intel Gigabit LAN
Audio: 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC
IEEE1394a: 2 x 1394a ports (1 port at back I/O, 1 port onboard)
USB: NEC USB 3.0 controller - 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear AMD SB850 chipset - 13 x USB 2.0 ports

Form Factor: Extended ATX , 12"x 10.6" (30.5cm x 26.9cm)