Best Motherboards for i7 6950x – Intel has coined a new marketing term, “megatasking”, to describe situations that warrant having 10 cores and 20 threads. Not all software can take advantage of them, so Intel imagines users will do several things at once, such as playing a game, encoding video of it on the fly, and broadcasting live over the Internet. While users with such demands are exactly the kind to spend multiple lakhs on a gaming rig, the Core i7-6950X in particular serves a very, very tiny niche.
The other selling point, lots of PCIe lanes to host multiple graphics cards, is largely pointless now that Nvidia has killed off multi-way SLI. If you’re only after the best gaming performance and don’t need to “megatask”, you’re actually better off with Skylake.
ROUND UP
If you do decide to go for it, Asus’ X99 Deluxe II is a worthy match to such a high-end CPU. We loved its feature set, especially the connectivity options. An investment now will do you well over the next several years. The only real downside is that you can get X99 motherboards for a lot less if you don’t want all the bells and whistles that Asus jammed in here.
back to menu ↑1.ASUS ROG Strix X299-E
Features
- Intel x299 LGA 2066 socket: ready for the latest Intel Core X-Series processors to maximize connectivity and speed with up to three M. 2 drives, USB 3. 2 Gen 2, Intel VROC and Intel Optane Memory compatibility
- Optimal power & cooling solution: 12 power stages with ProCool II power connector, high-quality Chokes and durable capacitors to support multi-core processors, active cooling VRM heatsink, stacked-fin heat sink, with 8mm heat pipe, Dual on-board M. 2 heatsinks, a water pump + Header and multiple fun headers
OUR TAKE
The Strix X299-E Gaming has two antenna connections for Realtek’s 2T2R 802.11ac module and two ports (Type-C and Type A) for ASMedia’s PCIe 3.0 x2 USB 3.1 Gen2 controller on its I/O panel.
There’s also a USB BIOS Flashback button, which uses a special ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) to enable flashing firmware without the need for a compatible CPU or DRAM. Other I/O panel features include four USB 3.0 (aka USB 3.1 Gen1), two USB 2.0, digital optical audio output and five analog audio jacks.
Two open-ended PCIe x4 slots add to the three x16 slots to boost enablement of serious connectivity.
back to menu ↑2.Asus ROG Strix TRX40-E
Features
- Ready for the latest 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Threadripper Series processors to maximize connectivity and speed with up to three M.2 drives, USB 3.2 Gen 2.
- Unmatched Personalization: OLED and aura Sync RGB lighting, including RGB headers and addressable Gen 2 RGB headers
OUR TAKE
Today we have the opportunity of reviewing a ASUS TRX40 ATX motherboard which supports the new 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Threadripper series processors, the ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming Motherboard. The ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming motherboard is part of the ROG (Republic of Gamers) product segment from ASUS, which is the most anticipating class segment for enthusiasts, gamers and overclockers.
For this review we are pairing this motherboard with AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 32-Core, 64-Thread Unlocked Desktop CPU, which is a monster CPU in the HEDT market. And ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming Motherboard with 16 power stages, on-board Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 2.5 Gbps LAN, USB 3.2 Gen 2, SATA, three M.2, OLED and Aura Sync RGB lighting tries to offer best with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper CPUs.
back to menu ↑3.ASUS ROG Rampage V Extreme
Features
- USB 3.1 Add-On Card
- Intel Core i7 processors on LGA 2011-v3 socket
OUR TAKE
ASUS has been developing their Republic of Gamers brand for over eight years. What started off as a single motherboard is now a range of components including graphics cards, monitors, peripherals and even for storage. On the motherboard side of the equation for Intel platforms, there have been three stalwart models in the line: the micro-ATX Gene, the sound and gaming-focused Formula (ATX) and the gaming/overclocking Extreme (ATX or EATX).
This has been added to in recent quarters with the Impact (mini-ITX), the Hero (cheap ATX) and the Ranger (cheap ATX also). Depending on the focus of the platform, some, none or all of these focal points are used. Traditionally the Extreme line was on all the major Intel chipsets, but this changed last year.
When Intel released the Haswell line of processors, the new LGA1150 socket was paired with the Z87 chipset and ASUS went all in with every ROG model.
back to menu ↑4.Asus TUF X99 LGA2011-V3
Features
- Ultra-fast 10Gb/s USB 3.1 built in to the board
- Patent Pending OC Socket - Drive CPU and DDR4 performance beyond all expectations!
OUR TAKE
There’s plenty going on in the world of motherboards, although not in the areas we’re used to. Storage is the subject of the moment and pretty much every area is in a state of flux. Thankfully, if you already own a fast SATA 6Gbps SSD, then you probably won’t need to worry, but it’s definitely worth being aware of what’s changing. Asus’s latest X99 motherboard, the Sabertooth X99, though, is one of the first to support all the next gen storage options.
These include NVMe compatibility for mini-SAS and SFF-8639 devices courtesy of a Hyper Kit adaptor that converts the M.2 port into something the likes of Intel’s 2.5in SSD 750 can use, as well as 4x PCI-E 3.0 support too. In addition, there are also a pair of USB 3.1 ports on the rear I/O panel as well.
back to menu ↑5.ASUS TUF H470-PRO
Features
- Intel LGA 1200 socket: Ready for 10th Gen Intel Core processors
- Comprehensive cooling: VRM heatsink, M. 2 heatsink, PCH heatsink
OUR TAKE
The ASUS TUF GAMING H470-PRO Wi-Fi LGA 1200 ATX Motherboard is designed around the Intel H470 chipset, supporting 10th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors with an LGA 1200 socket. You can also connect to the internet wirelessly via Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).
Our category browser page lets you browse through recent ASUS TUF Gaming H470-Pro reviews, discover new ASUS TUF Gaming H470-Pro products and jump straight to their expert reviews.
back to menu ↑6.ASUS TUF Z390-Plus
Features
- Designed for 9th and 8th generation Intel Core processors to maximize connectivity and speed with dual M.2, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.1 Gen2
- Military-Grade TUF Components like TUF LANGuard, TUF Chokes, TUF Capacitors, and TUF MOSFETs maximize system durability
OUR TAKE
The TUF Z390-PLUS Gaming certainly looks like a board that’s been built for durability. The southbridge heatsink and pre-installed rear IO cover are made from dark grey metal and have yellow accents, and those yellow accents continue across the black PCB. It almost looks like the board is made from survival gear, or that it’s wearing hi-vis.
Get beyond the eye-catching looks and you do get several features that improve this affordable board’s durability.
back to menu ↑7.ASUS TUF X570-PRO
Features
- AMD AM4 Socket and PCIe 4. 0: The perfect pairing for Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPUs
- Robust Power Design: 12+2 DrMOS power stages with high-quality alloy chokes and durable capacitors to provide reliable power for the last AMD high-count-core CPUs
OUR TAKE
At the time of publishing, the matured Asus X570 lineup includes options from the TUF, Prime, Strix, WS (Workstation), and ROG lines, a total of 14 boards. Since we last checked, Asus added a Mini-ITX option, which was the only form-factor missing. Today, the product stack consists of a wide variety of motherboards in varying sizes, feature sets, and price points. There is likely something for everyone in the company’s X570 lineup.
Digging down into the performance results, we saw slightly below average scores/times in long-running CPU heavy multi-threaded tests such as Cinebench, Handbrake, POV-Ray and Corona
back to menu ↑8.Asus TUF B365M-PLUS
Features
- Asus Optic-MEM: careful routing of traces and vias to preserve signal integrity for improved Memory stability.
- Fan Xpert 2+: flexible controls for ultimate Cooling and quietness, Plus gpu-temperature sensing for cooler gaming.
OUR TAKE
TUF Gaming motherboards are specially designed and tested to survive and thrive in conditions where other boards would struggle. Engineered with highly durable components, these motherboards deliver unwavering stability for gaming sessions that last as long as you demand.
When you build with a TUF Gaming motherboard, you also benefit from the TUF Gaming Alliance — an ASUS collaboration with trusted industry partners that ensures easier building, the best compatibility, and complementary aesthetics from components to case.
back to menu ↑9.ASUS PRIME Z270-K LGA1151
Features
- Maximize your connectivity and speed with integrated Dual M.2, Intel Optane Memory compatibility and USB 3.1 Type A/C connections
- 5X Protection III Hardware-level safeguards provide component longevity and reliability
OUR TAKE
Great-value Z270 ATX motherboard with 5X Protection III for dependable stability, fantastic DDR4 performance, two M.2 slots and lightning-fast USB 3.1.
ASUS Prime is the next evolution of the ASUS motherboard, born of a pedigree that stretches back to 1989. ASUS’ team of world-class engineers are passionate about empowering everyone to enjoy the benefits of customisation and tuning, and the driving force behind the development of Prime is to make advanced enthusiast controls easily accessible — maximising performance, stability and compatibility for the very best DIY PC experiences.
back to menu ↑10.ASUS PRIME H270M-PLUS
Features
- Maximize your connectivity and speed with integrated Dual M.2 slots with Intel Optane Memory compatibility, front panel USB 3.0 and a rear USB 3.1 Type C connection
- 5X Protection III Hardware level safeguards provide component longevity and reliability
OUR TAKE
The latest Intel Kaby Lake motherboards have just hit the market, and along with them a new set of chipsets. Although there are five new chipsets on the market, there are only two targeted towards consumers. H270 and Z270 motherboards are both very similar in many respects, but also very different.
Z270 is geared towards consumers who want to push the limits of their hardware, and are willing to put in the work necessary to build a stable system. H270, on the other hand, is designed to provide consumers with highest level of stability. You don’t have to be incredibly technical if you want to use these boards, although there are a number of options available if you want them.
back to menu ↑Best Motherboards for i7 6950x – BUYER’S GUIDE
Audio is handled by a high-end Realtec AC1150 codec which supports 192KHz/24-bit audio. Audio circuitry is isolated from the rest of the motherboard to reduce interference, with a dedicated power regulator. The Ethernet controllers are both from Intel, and bundled software lets you set priorities for different applications. There’s also Bluetooth 4.0.
back to menu ↑i7-6950X Overclocked Performance
Overclocking a 10-core processor ends up being a rather difficult task, and understandably so. The i7-6950X has a 140W TDP, just like the other LGA2011-3 enthusiast parts, but it hits that TDP by managing clock speeds. The maximum official clock of the 6950X is 3.5GHz, though Turbo Boost Max could potentially take a single core higher. Compare that to the i7-6700K’s 4.2GHz peak clock, or the i7-6850K’s 3.8GHz peak clock, and Intel is obviously lowering clocks on the 10-core part to keep power use in check.
The primary beneficiaries are the people who would be looking at buying workstations and servers with Xeon processors. But if you don’t need some of the extra features (remote management, ECC, RAS, etc.) found in such systems, and if you’d benefit more from higher clock speeds rather than pure core counts, the i7-6950X might prove an interesting alternative. It can also save on costs, though that’s not the primary consideration for most workstations.
back to menu ↑Frequently Asked Questions
how much money is your time worth?
Those who are looking to build a PC around the Core i7-6950X for whatever reason will find that the absolute minimum outlay required is around Rs. 3,00,000. The CPU, motherboard and RAM alone are going to cost over half of that amount, plus you’ll need a discrete graphics card (and there’s no point skimping there), a high-end power supply, a dedicated CPU cooler, at least one big NVMe SSD, and a solid cabinet to hold it all.
back to menu ↑WRAP UP
Best Motherboards for i7 6950x – Performance results of Intel’s Core i7-6950X flagship processor have once again been revealed ahead of launch. XFastest is the source of the benchmarks this time who have tested the high-end desktop processor on the X99 platform which will be able to support the latest Broadwell-E family.
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