During this years Computex, ASUS has shown their first batch of X299 motherboards for Intel's Basin Falls platform. So far ASUS has unveiled five ATX models which are all based on the same PCB. What differs is the color scheme, the audio solution and a few connectors. According to ASUS, the motherboards will soon be available in all major retail outlets and online stores.


As we mentioned in a previous news, the TUF X299 Mark 1 and the TUF X299 Mark 2 are based on a similar PCB. The main difference between the two models is the thermal armor and few other connectors that are missing on the TUF X299 Mark 2. Both boards come with eight DDR4 DIMM slots. There are three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, two PCIe x1 slots and one PCIe x4 slot. Storage wise there are two M.2 slots and six angled SATA 6 ports on both models. The layout has been slightly improved on the more expensive TUF X299 Mark 1, on this motherboard both M.2 slots are placed at the bottom part of the PCB and underneath the PCH heatsink. While on the TUF X299 Mark 2 both M.2 slots come without any M.2 heatsink.

Both motherboard feature the same audio chip from Realtek that you can find on several other models from ASUS. Another difference between these two motherboards is the LAN chip; while on the TUF X299 Mark 1 there are two Intel Gigabit controllers on the TUF X299 Mark 2 there is only one port that’s powered by an Intel chip. Like on the previous TUF models equipped with thermal armor, also this time ASUS placed a huge backplate behind the TUF X299 Mark 1 which covers almost the entire motherboard. Since both motherboard are made for modders and gamers we don't find any additional features like debug displays and onboard buttons.

According to Geizhals, TUF X299 Mark 1 is available at 291 Euro and the TUF X299 Mark 2 sells for 232 Euro.







Source: ASUS