Friday, April 4th 2008

ASUS Crosshair II Formula Hits Retail

For users who require extreme graphical support and robust performance, ASUS is launching the new ASUS Crosshair II Formula Motherboard. This powerful motherboard includes innovative technologies like CPU Level Up, Hybrid SLI and 3-Way SLI for the best performance and graphical support. It is also ready for AMD Socket AM2+ Phenom FX / Phenom X4 / Phenom X2 / Athlon X2 / Sempron and legacy AM2 processors; and features up to 5200 MT/s via HyperTransport 3.0-based system bus speeds for AM2+ CPUs.

A Simple Click for Instant Upgrades
ASUS' exclusive CPU Level Up technology makes it easy to upgrade the CPU performance without additional costs. This innovation allows users to easily obtain enhanced performances in just three easy steps. Firstly, users need to enter the BIOS. Next, they simply need to choose the processor they wish to overclock to. Finally, all they need to do is reboot. With ASUS' innovative technology, the motherboard will now do the rest, and users can instantly start enjoying higher performances and better frame rates. Overclocking has never been this easy! This innovative technology has also been listed on the Ten Best Technologies and Trends of 2007 at the reviewing site Extremetech.

Innovative Graphics Technology with Hybrid SLI-HybridPower and GeForce Boost
Users who feel that their discrete graphics cards are not up to par can now make use of the Crosshair II Formula's support for Hybrid SLI with HybridPower and GeForce Boost features. The Hybrid SLI is a dual-graphic solution that utilizes the integrated graphics processor to assist discrete graphics cards for boosted performances. It can even save power by switching off discrete graphics while running lower requirement games.

Another graphical advantage of the Crosshair II Formula is its support for NVIDIA's 3-way SLI in PCI-E 2.0 mode. With a triple SLI setup, three high-end video cards will work efficiently together to deliver smoother, scalable 3D performances - providing high-end gamers higher frame rates per second and better antialiasing.

Listen with Absolute HD
SupremeFX II delivers an excellent high definition audio experience to the gamers of ROG. The SupremeFX II features unique virtual surround audio innovations for gamers' headphones - allowing them to easily to spot enemies in 3D environments during game play.

Pin-Fin Thermal Module for Efficient, Quieter Cooling
The exclusive Pin-Fin design helps lower system temperatures; and reduces noises arising from the fan during game play - providing the most efficient thermal system found on motherboards today.

Source: ASUS
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21 Comments on ASUS Crosshair II Formula Hits Retail

#1
AnnCore
Staff
This looks pretty sweet, but I got a few questions that I can't seem to find the answers for.
Does Hybrid SLI work with only 1 discrete graphic card or will it work with 2 or even 3 cards in either a SLI or Tri-SLI set up? I also noticed that AMD-ATI hybrid solutions is limited to the 3450 card (if I'm not mistaken). Will this Hybrid-SLI work with any beast of a card (ie 9800X2)?
I can really see the use of turning off a 9800X2 when typing messages on TPU, don't you?
Posted on Reply
#2
Silverel
The integrated should kick in when there are no 3d apps being used, afaik. Tis the only real point of doing it with a decent card. Not sure if it shuts down entirely though, which would be a big plus as the GX2 is still a watt-sucker on idle settings.
Posted on Reply
#3
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
problem is when the card goes into that state of non use, it could actually get stuck that way, so In my opinion its not a good idea to shut a card down for normal use, since software can be buggy, look at fan controlling.
Posted on Reply
#4
ShinyG
Cool, nVidia didn't give up on AMD processors yet!
Hopefully we'll see nVidia's 780a SLI going against AMD's 790FX in a review soon!
A comparison between Hybrid-SLI and HybridCrossfire would also be quite cool!
Posted on Reply
#5
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
well buddy its like this, better off having Crossfire and SLI for AMD and Intel wether it be home chips or 3rd party, only reason I think Nvidia Released SLI again for AMD was the fact of SkullTrail=Crossfire and SLI.
Posted on Reply
#6
Silverel
nVidia's probably getting nervous over all the talk of Intel getting into the graphics market again. If shit hits the fan, they need to be in good with the chipset business with both CPU companies, or start making their own processors. I hear AMD has a fab plant available for hire...
Posted on Reply
#7
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
NVidia targets that part of the market that would pick up a Phenom X4 9850 Black Edition and the likes. The 9850 BE already looks very promising and users would want PCI-E 2.0 and SLI.

I was waiting for this to roll out. NForce 780a.
Posted on Reply
#8
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
Are those 9850s out yet? That is something I am eagerly salivating over. It probably wont happen until I get back from Orlando in May, but hey, Ill just jizz thinking about it :roll:
Posted on Reply
#9
Solaris17
Super Dainty Moderator
"phenom x2" care to elaborate i didnt know ther were making x2 procs did i miss an article?
Posted on Reply
#10
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
AnnCoreThis looks pretty sweet, but I got a few questions that I can't seem to find the answers for.
Does Hybrid SLI work with only 1 discrete graphic card or will it work with 2 or even 3 cards in either a SLI or Tri-SLI set up? I also noticed that AMD-ATI hybrid solutions is limited to the 3450 card (if I'm not mistaken). Will this Hybrid-SLI work with any beast of a card (ie 9800X2)?
I can really see the use of turning off a 9800X2 when typing messages on TPU, don't you?
it is currently limited to the 2400XT and 3450 but they are adding support for higher end cards
Posted on Reply
#11
jkatt12
any word on the release date of this asus mb?
Posted on Reply
#12
shadowwarrior
Asus Crosshair 2 Formula

I have read that this new board from ASUS has been released as of April 4th. But none of the vendors that I checked with has the board yet. Has there been a delay in the release or is ASUS just slow in getting the product to the vendors?
Posted on Reply
#13
shawn_bowen
shadowwarriorI have read that this new board from ASUS has been released as of April 4th. But none of the vendors that I checked with has the board yet. Has there been a delay in the release or is ASUS just slow in getting the product to the vendors?
My understanding is that Asus jumped the gun on this press release and it has since been removed.

I expect Availability to be May 1st 2008 :nutkick: The Green Smiley is NVIDIA's Delay ~ The Yellow Smiley is US.

If nvidia intends to delay any longer than that we all might as well go with an intel chipset with an intel chip. :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#14
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
shadowwarriorI have read that this new board from ASUS has been released as of April 4th. But none of the vendors that I checked with has the board yet. Has there been a delay in the release or is ASUS just slow in getting the product to the vendors?
Apparently, it's taken off the ASUS website too, in its place, the M3N-HT Deluxe is placed.
Posted on Reply
#15
jkatt12
asus m3n-ht nforce 780a

found 2 sites, 1 was out of stock, other had one!

i just ordered it!!!!

Asus M3N-HT Deluxe/Mempipe Socket AM2+/ nForce 780a SLI/ DDR2-1066/ 3-Way SLI/ HDMI/ ATX Motherboard MB-M3NHTDX $242.75 $242.75
Sub Total $242.75
Tax $0.00


Shipment method: UPS 2nd Day Air Shipping & Handling $37.12

Rush Fee $5.99
Total $285.86
Posted on Reply
#16
shawn_bowen
www.zipzoomfly.com Has it.
www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008344&prodlist=celebros
Bought it Yesterday.

10008344 ASUS M3N-HT Deluxe/Mempipe nVidia nForce 780a SLI AM2+ Phenom FX /
Phenom X4 / Phenom X2 / Athlon X2 /AM2 Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 / Sempron Socket AM2+ 5200 MHz PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066) ATX Motherboard Retail $249.99 1 $249.99

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Total: $249.99
Discount: $0.00
Sales Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $9.93 Fed Ex 2 Day

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORDER TOTAL: $259.92

www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008344&prodlist=celebros
Posted on Reply
#17
spearman914
malware

Source: ASUS
OMG!! "3" PCI X16 2.0.. But is there any drivers that support 6 GPUs yet. Still pointless.
Posted on Reply
#18
paybackdaman
Still waiting for it on the egg. I want to see their price before I buy. Then again not sure whether or not I want to go SLI with my Phenom. but i would need a better AM2+ with an AMD northbridge. Haven't seen any "good" looking boards with those chips on them, anyway. And the Crosshair looks great. Features to boot for the price is pretty good. Then again there is the one that looks almost exactly like this by ASUS and it is $30 cheaper.
Posted on Reply
#19
Athlonman
It may have been removed from ASUS's main site because it is an ROG board (Republic of Gamers). Check rog.asus.com, it's in the product list there.
Posted on Reply
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