ASUS Announces Prime X299 Edition 30

Taipei, Taiwan, May 27, 2019 — This year marks the 30th anniversary of ASUS. The company was founded way back in 1989 and today ASUS is the biggest motherboard maker in the world and produces a diverse collection of products that covers every corner of the PC industry, from hardcore gaming gear to ultraportable laptops to massive monitors. With thousands of employees and billions in yearly revenue, ASUS has come a long way since those humble beginnings.

Created to celebrate three decades of making incredible motherboards, Prime X299 Edition 30 is an exquisite high-end desktop board with the cutting-edge performance and signature features that have come to be expected from ASUS, including a powerful VRM tailored for overclocking, next-gen connectivity, and extensive customization. It also includes unexpected innovations, like an all-new Smart Control Console that adds an external OLED with gesture tracking and voice input.

Setting the stage for serious overclocking

The LGA2066 socket is compatible with Intel® Core™ X-Series processors with up to 18 cores, 44 PCI Express lanes, and a 165W TDP. Those specs require serious power, especially if overclocking, so Prime X299 Edition 30 is equipped with a premium power solution. The top edge of the PCB is lined neatly with 16 power stages that are cooled well enough to sustain a staggering 544W output, which is more than enough to overclock multi-core CPUs into truly extreme territory. Managing VRM thermals is crucial to maintaining top performance, and it's not just a question of having enough surface area. Mass and airflow are critically important, so the cooler stretching across the power circuitry balances thin fins with chunky heatsinks and a hidden 40-mm fan that only turns on when necessary.

Stay connected to the latest standards

A premium design through and through, Prime X299 Edition 30 features upgraded networking for both wired and wireless networks. Its reliable Intel Gigabit Ethernet controller is paired with a faster Aquantia 5G chip capable of much higher throughput on compatible networks. The onboard Wi-Fi module is also the latest Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 for peak theoretical bandwidth to an incredible 2.4Gbps.

Dual Thunderbolt™ 3 ports and accompanying DisplayPort inputs give content creators an easy way to connect chains of external storage and displays. There are plenty of USB ports for high-end rigs loaded with peripherals, including a front-panel header with faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity for compatible cases. DTS: X® Ultra ups the ante by bringing spatial audio designed for gaming and XR/VR, supporting static, multi-channel and object-based audio.

Little things make a big difference

The audio ports poke through a pre-mounted I/O shield that looks sleeker than traditional designs while also making installation much easier. Careful attention is paid to all the little details that improve the overall experience, from using hybrid fan headers that automatically adjust to the presence of 3- or 4-pin fans, to the integration of a flashing utility directly into the UEFI to simplify firmware updates.

The Prime X299 Edition 30 doesn't need an external OLED because it has one of its own. Just below the socket sits a 2" LiveDash display capable of showing system stats, custom messages, static images, and even animated GIFs.

Smile and wave at the Smart Control Console

Another LiveDash display can be found in the new Smart Control Console. This external module connects via USB and comes with a stand that sits neatly on top of typical monitors and its integrated OLED can be controlled separately from the onboard LiveDash.