Asus TUF Sabertooth X99 Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. Asus TUF Sabertooth X99: Packaging and Bundle3. Asus TUF Sabertooth X99: Board Layout and Features4. Asus TUF X99 UEFI5. Asus TUF X99 Software6. Testing Methodology7. Tests: System-related8. Tests: Processor-related9. Tests: Gaming-related10. Tests: Motherboard-related11. Overclocking: Frequencies12. Overclocking: General Performance13. Overclocking: 3GHz Memory Performance14. Technical: Power Consumption15. Closing Thoughts16. View All Pages

The Asus TUF Sabertooth X99 motherboard is a masterpiece in more ways than one. The innovative Thermal Armor design creates a unique appearance, but the motherboard also shows levels of performance that prove it doesn't only have a distinctive look going for it.

Overall performance of the Sabertooth X99 was consistently positive throughout our test suite. Test results generally put the reliability-orientated motherboard teetering towards the top of our charts.

CPU overclocking performance was as strong as we would expect, provided you don't mind exerting a little more effort than some competing vendors' boards may require. We took our 5960X to its limit, and 3GHz memory simply operated from its XMP configuration without complaint. There's also the potential for increased tuning flexibility thanks to OC Socket.

Transfer rates of the storage interfaces were what we would expect from X99, although Asus' OS-based software boosts USB 3.0 speeds for Windows 7 users. Asus also outfits the Sabertooth X99 with a pair of ASMedia-fed USB 3.1 Type-A ports, which is positive, and there's NVMe support through the M.2 connector and a supported mini-SAS HD adapter (feeding SFF-8639).

Clearly Thermal Armor is one of the defining factors for this motherboard. While measuring its exact thermal effects is incredibly difficult (outside of a controlled lab), I can say that active cooling of the MOSFET heatsink is something that I welcome. Asus' fan is inaudible while spinning slowly, but feeding cooling air to X99's highly-stressed MOSFETs is a good idea for longevity.

And on the topic of electrical components, certified reliability for the MOSFETs, chokes, and capacitors can give peace of mind to users who simply do not want any system downtime. The five-year warranty is especially useful on an X99 motherboard as the platform tends to float around for significantly longer than Intel's mainstream alternatives.

As we have come to expect from TUF motherboards, control and measurement of voltage-, temperature-, and fan-related parameters is simply unparalleled. The Sabertooth X99 features enough user-controllable 4-pin fan headers to power a high-end water-cooling build, while temperatures as diverse as the USB 3.0 chipset can be read. The TUF Detective app simply extends the excellent monitoring capabilities in an effective manner.

While I have just praised the certification for MOSFETs, I feel that Asus' decision to use ON Semiconductor 4C85N units may raise questions. Some overclocking enthusiasts may be disappointed to see those MOSFETs used rather than the well-respected IR3550 alternatives found on Asus' other high-end motherboards (X99-Deluxe and Rampage V Extreme).

And while Asus' UEFI is an undeniably good offering, some of the Auto settings could be more accommodating for quick-and-easy overclocks. Advanced overclockers, however, will be extremely pleased by the sheer level of control that the Sabertooth X99's UEFI provides them with.

Perhaps the only other sticking point to users will be what I consider ‘partial' support for 3-way SLI/CrossFire. While the market for a trio of graphics cards is small, Asus could have at least included the extra SLI bridge to make it feasible out-of-the-box. The sacrifice for 3-way setups is disappointing though – even with a 40-lane CPU, you either get 2-cards plus an M.2 SSD, or 3-cards with no M.2 SSD.

OverclockersUK have the Sabertooth X99 motherboard available to pre-order for £299, with Asus suggesting availability ‘from April'.  By our calculations, the USB 3.1 chipset alone adds around £45 to the motherboard's retail pricing, so I feel that £299 is a far price point.

While there is certainly plenty of hefty opposition around the £300 mark, I feel that the Asus TUF Sabertooth X99 takes a unique approach to the high-end motherboard. There are plenty of ‘gaming' branded solutions at this price point, but sometimes enthusiasts would prefer something that flaunts a unique appearance, has plenty of performance-driven features, and gives them unparalleled system control. Those three key areas are exactly where Asus' TUF Sabertooth X99 shines.

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Pros:

• Good overall performance with strong overclocking potential.
• Unparalleled control and monitoring capabilities for fans, temperatures, and voltages.
• Plenty of worthwhile features, especially USB 3.1 Type-A ports and multiple NVMe storage options.
• In-depth, well-presented, stable UEFI implementation.
• Active VRM cooling makes sense on X99.
• Unique styling from the colour scheme and Thermal Armor.
• 5-year warranty and certified power delivery components.

Cons:

• Overclocking can be a little less straightforward than with competing vendors.
• 3-card SLI/CrossFire will force sacrifices, mainly in the form of an M.2 SSD.
• VRM fan is loud above 4000rpm, but can be speed-controlled.

KitGuru says: Asus' TUF Sabertooth X99 is a unique approach to the high-end motherboard that places critical importance upon reliability and user-led system control, and it works superbly.

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