EVGA Intros X58 SLI Micro Motherboard

[malware]

EVGA today introduced the compact X58 SLI Micro motherboard (model number: 121-BL-E756-TR), supporting the Micro-ATX form factor. Don't be fooled by the small size, in performance figures this motherboard is a match for all standard ATX Intel X58 equipped motherboards, it supports all LGA1366 Core i7 processors to date, has six DDR3-1600+ memory slots, two PCI-Express x16 slots, a single PCI slot and one PCI-E x1 slot. In addition EVGA gives you full range of overclocking features including: EVGA VDroop Control, EVGA E-LEET support, enthusiast BIOS options and of course the chance to put a SLI or CrossFireX setup of video cards in a micro-ATX system. The board's build quality is also off the hook, 100% solid capacitors are used, and passive heatsink design is incorporated so the board is 100% silent. The EVGA X58 SLI Micro will be available very soon for around $200.



Source: EVGA

[DanishDevil]

FINALLY. Now let me buy it!

[Wile E]

Now, I'm not one to care at all the way a component looks, but I gotta say, that's probably the best looking board I've ever seen. I'm actually impressed by that aspect of it.

Now, on to the biggest flaw I see in it. They should've used triple spacing for the 16x slots. That way you would get the use of one other expansion slot if using 2 dual slot cards.

[DanishDevil]

But in a mATX case, you wouldn't be able to use two dual-slot cards, hence defeating the purpose of it being a mATX motherboard.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by DanishDevil

But in a mATX case, you wouldn't be able to use two dual-slot cards, hence defeating the purpose of it being a mATX motherboard.

In most situations, you are correct, but most cases have enough free space under the mobo to accommodate the card physically, so if you had a non-reference, non-exhausting cooler, or modded the case, it would work. I was thinking of it from the perspective of people like me, who aren't afraid to cut stuff up. lol.

Would also work with an ATX case, but that defeats the purpose of mATX I suppose. lol.

[Kenshai]

I'm going to agree that this is a great looking board. Curious at what price point this will be put at.

[DanishDevil]

Originally Posted by Wile E

In most situations, you are correct, but most cases have enough free space under the mobo to accommodate the card physically, so if you had a non-reference, non-exhausting cooler, or modded the case, it would work. I was thinking of it from the perspective of people like me, who aren't afraid to cut stuff up. lol.

Would also work with an ATX case, but that defeats the purpose of mATX I suppose. lol.

True, true. But I would be very sad if I couldn't fit two dual-slot video cards in my Antec Mini P180. And it doesn't make sense for the average consumer either, but I definitely see your point. I wish these had better onboard audio; I would love to run dual video cards and an Auzentech X-Fi in there.

Originally Posted by Kenshai

I'm going to agree that this is a great looking board. Curious at what price point this will be put at.

Should be just around $200. The standard ATX version has been out for a while now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188049

[R_1]

Finally, X58 silicon is relatively simple and it is perfectly designed to fit mATX boards. The price depends on how ignorant and greedy Intel can be.

[HammerON]

I wish I was rich ~ that is one sweet looking board

[wolf]

EVGA E-LEET support !?!

I don't even know what it is, yet I've never wanted anything so bad in my life.

[uber_cookie]

I am looking forward to buy one of these

[Wagoo]

Only two disappointments:

- PCIe x1 instead of PCIe x4 as the 3rd slot (like all its competitors have..)
- Sigh, lack of PS/2 mouse for KVM users. Another USB adapter to buy.

I have to say it's the best looking board out of all of them. Will wait to see if it can beat the MSI X58M in overclocking though.

Originally Posted by Wile E

Now, on to the biggest flaw I see in it. They should've used triple spacing for the 16x slots. That way you would get the use of one other expansion slot if using 2 dual slot cards.

I don't see much choice in the slot configuration for a MicroATX board that can support 2x dual slot GPUs.. if you're the type of person who can cut stuff up why not use PCI/PCIe extension cables to free up a slot for an X-FI. Or a reverse side cooler on one GPU. Or watercooling.

[Wile E]

Water cooling doesn't free up the slot unless you use a full coverage block, PCI/PCIe extension cables are stupidly expensive, and reverse coolers would work if you only put it on the top card, as they all take up 3 slots when you add a fan.

[Weer]

Impressive. But, it leaves no PCI/PCIe slots.

[Wagoo]

Originally Posted by Wile E

Water cooling doesn't free up the slot unless you use a full coverage block, PCI/PCIe extension cables are stupidly expensive, and reverse coolers would work if you only put it on the top card, as they all take up 3 slots when you add a fan.

Yeah it would have to be on the top GPU, but it's always an option. This PCIe x1 extension doesn't look too pricey (£13/$22).

Looking forward to the first reviews of this board.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by Wagoo

Yeah it would have to be on the top GPU, but it's always an option. This PCIe x1 extension doesn't look too pricey (£13/$22).

Looking forward to the first reviews of this board.

Ahhh, never found the risers that cheap before. I always find them for ridiculous amounts like $60 for some reason. That changes things a bit, tho you still need to mod to fit the PCIe card somewhere.

[werez]

Great looking board .

[OnBoard]

Originally Posted by Wile E

Now, I'm not one to care at all the way a component looks, but I gotta say, that's probably the best looking board I've ever seen. I'm actually impressed by that aspect of it.

Agreed, even the stock sinks look good in many angels. There's usually some part of the board that just doesn't fit and eyes get stuck to it, this just flows. It even looks better than the ATX version

[Salsoolo]

mATX cases sucks with cooling for high end hardware. i dont understand the mATX market.

[DanishDevil]

And I don't understand your comment.

There are mATX cases out there that provide great cooling. mATX can be a challenge because of its limitations (it's a freedom to work in a full tower case, believe me) and mATX rigs are smaller and lighter, and easier to take to LANs.

[h3llb3nd4]

hmmm, now is it this or the GENE?

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by Wagoo

Only two disappointments:

- PCIe x1 instead of PCIe x4 as the 3rd slot (like all its competitors have..)
- Sigh, lack of PS/2 mouse for KVM users. Another USB adapter to buy.

I have to say it's the best looking board out of all of them. Will wait to see if it can beat the MSI X58M in overclocking though.



I don't see much choice in the slot configuration for a MicroATX board that can support 2x dual slot GPUs.. if you're the type of person who can cut stuff up why not use PCI/PCIe extension cables to free up a slot for an X-FI. Or a reverse side cooler on one GPU. Or watercooling.

what cards do they even make for a 4x slot?

no one has PS/2 mice ports anymore the last 5 boards i have bought have left that out. buy a new KVM switch it will have USB.

you could run the top card with a reverse cooler toss the xfi in the 1x slot and be done with it

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

This layout still does not give you the option for a soundcard with a multi gpu card build though..

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by Bjorn_Of_Iceland

This layout still does not give you the option for a soundcard with a multi gpu card build though..

it does if your running a pair of single 4850's

[DanishDevil]

Originally Posted by Bjorn_Of_Iceland

This layout still does not give you the option for a soundcard with a multi gpu card build though..

Originally Posted by cdawall

you could run the top card with a reverse cooler toss the xfi in the 1x slot and be done with it