Intel X299 chipset: 'VRM disaster' says pro overclocker

Pro overclocker 'der8auer' says Intel's new X299 platform is a 'VRM disaster'

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UPDATE: The video points fingers at not just Intel and GIGABYTE, but also ASUS and MSI X299 motherboards. The video stated that the X299 Aorus Gaming 3, Prime X299-A, and MSI's X299 Gaming Pro Carbon VRMs throttled when all cores were overclocked to 4.6GHz on a test bench. It was also pointed out that with proper airflow, the VRMs do much better and shouldn't throttle. These motherboards are at the entry-level to mid-range side of each brands' X299 line up.

Intel's new X299 platform is now out, with various issues towed behind it, professional overclocker 'der8auer' says the platform is a complete "VRM disaster".

It's not just Intel that get the blame, but motherboard makers as well with der8auer saying that the blame is "50/50" on both Intel and motherboard companies. Intel's problems lie in the new X299 platform launching two months early, as it was meant to be released in August and came out in June. This forced motherboard makers into overdrive, with der8auer adding the companies had "almost zero time for developing proper products".

The total lack of consistency with the VRMs and their heat sinks is a major disappointment to der8auer in his chat, where he blames GIGABYTE's mediocre heat sinks on the VRMs that act as more of a "heat insulation" device instead of a cooler. This saw a GIGABYTE AORUS motherboard not capable of hitting 5GHz on a CPU that hits 5GHz on other motherboards, with the AORUS board hitting 4.6GHz with 'dangerously high VRM temperatures'.

Intel X299 chipset: 'VRM disaster' says pro overclocker | TweakTown.com

A small fan over the VRM array was cooling it far more efficiently than the stock VRM cooler, and then der8auer tested a MSI motherboard that had similar issues with its VRM cooling and performance. It was also the lack of voltage input on most motherboards only being provided through a single 8-pin connector, which der8auer says isn't enough.

This is sure to set tongues wagging, as Intel just continues to stumble over itself trying to compete with AMD and its new Ryzen and upcoming Ryzen ThreadRipper CPUs, which at this rate are going to start making serious dents into Intel's image.

Anthony joined the TweakTown team in 2010 and has since reviewed 100s of graphics cards. Anthony is a long time PC enthusiast with a passion of hate for games built around consoles. FPS gaming since the pre-Quake days, where you were insulted if you used a mouse to aim, he has been addicted to gaming and hardware ever since. Working in IT retail for 10 years gave him great experience with custom-built PCs. His addiction to GPU tech is unwavering and has recently taken a keen interest in artificial intelligence (AI) hardware.

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