EVGA X99 Micro2 Motherboard Launched with USB 3.1 Type-C on mATX
by Ian Cutress on July 31, 2015 5:40 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- EVGA
- USB 3.1
- X99
- Type-C
We’ve covered a number of X99 motherboards since the launch of Haswell-E, as well as how USB 3.1 is entering the market through the ASMedia ASM1142 controller or with add-in cards. EVGA is the latest motherboard manufacturer to enter with their solution coming from the ASMedia direction and providing a single Type-C port on a micro-ATX product.
The EVGA X99 Micro2 is an updated version of the X99 Micro, combining that extra Type-C port with more SATA ports, a revised trace layout and a refreshed BIOS over the previous model. The PCIe layout gives x16/x16 or x16/x8/x8 for 40-lane CPUs, allowing another x4 to be used in the PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot between them. The full 10 SATA ports from the chipset are equipped despite the smaller size of the board, although we only get four DDR4 slots which is understandable. These slots are out-of-the-box defined as supporting 16GB modules.
Networking is provided by an Intel I217 network chip, while audio is from an enhanced Realtek ALC1150 codec solution. The two-digit debug display doubles up as a processor temperature display after the POST sequence, and EVGA is heavily promoting its newer BIOS interface as well as in-OS overclocking software.
Pricing has not been officially announced; however the X99 Micro is currently on sale for $226, down from $250. I would imagine that this is around the price point that the Micro2 will hit the market.
Edit: Pricing via the EVGA website is currently set to $229. Many thanks to @JordanMcAuley3 for pointing this out.
Source: EVGA
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lilmoe - Friday, July 31, 2015 - link
Why is it always only one port??close - Friday, July 31, 2015 - link
Chances are most people won't need more than one in the near future. And even less will actually buy particular motherboard. So an extra port (I have no idea how much the part would cost) would just be unwarranted costs.Mikemk - Friday, July 31, 2015 - link
They would have to create a custom part to have two USB C ports, whereas this way they can use the part most manufacturers are using.Of course, they could have simply wired one of the normal ports as U3.1.
DanNeely - Monday, August 3, 2015 - link
That's more of a punt than an answer IMO; USB controllers always offer ports in pairs, so WTF isn't anyone selling a 2xC port block.meacupla - Saturday, August 1, 2015 - link
usually some kind of chipset limitation and an unwillingness to add a new connector that requires its own chipset and has an unknown market uptake.FireWire, eSATA, CoaXPress and IR are a few examples of failed peripheral interfaces.
Thunderbolt remains to be seen, as it's mainly an apple connector.
And it's not like multiple USB3.0 ports came on early mobos and laptops either. We finally got four USB3.0 ports from intel's 7 series chipset, up from zero with 5 and 6 series, and then six ports in 8 and 9 series.
abrowne1993 - Friday, July 31, 2015 - link
Will Type-C eventually replace Type-A? How long until most motherboards ship with at least one Type-C port?leoblaze9 - Friday, July 31, 2015 - link
Eventually. It will take a few years for the market and the public to fully adopt the Type-C spec.As for motherboards, its slowly happening now. Starting 2016, consumers should start seeing a gradual increase in motherboards with Type-C.
Gigaplex - Friday, July 31, 2015 - link
Until we see it as the default smartphone connector, I'm not expecting it to see much adoption.DanNeely - Monday, August 3, 2015 - link
I'd expect most of next years flagship android phones to come with a C port and an A to C cable. Some rumors claim the Galaxy Note 5 (launching later this month) will have one.