EVGA have released a new X299 board, called simply DARK, which offers a vast array of useful features while remaining light on the fluff. It fully supports Intel Optane as well as sporting two M.2 Key-M slots, a single M.2 Key-E, a pair of U.2, USB 3.1 in both Type-A and Type-C as well as eight SATA ports for even more storage support; you will need a Skylake X to pull that off all at once however.
The 16 phase voltage regulator modules are actively cooled at the top of the board, useful for those who watercool and install a minimum of case fans, the fan toward the bottom ensures your M.2 drives also stay cooled. The quad channel memory can support up to 64GB of DDR4-3600 with a Skylake X processor, or 32GB of DDR4-4133 with a Kaby Lake X chip.
In order to fit everything on this board EVGA opted for an E-ATX design, It may not have RGBitis, but as they say “you can’t see pretty in the Dark.” You can see the full PR below the handy lane chart.
EVGA introduces you to the ultimate in raw performance for the next-gen Intel® Extreme lineup, the EVGA X299 Dark. The Dark is crafted from the ground up to be the performance apex with everything you need to make a record-breaking benching run or a 24/7 number cruncher, and nothing you don’t – a board that is as reliable as it is fast. The EVGA X299 Dark has all of the current gen top-tier component support, including:
- 2x M.2 Key-M slots / 1x M.2 Key-E slot
- Intel Optane Memory Ready
- 2x U.2 Ports
- USB 3.1 Type-A / Type-C
- Up to 64GB of 4000MHz+ (OC) Quad-Channel RAM on Skylake-X CPUs
- Up to 32GB of 4133MHz+ (OC) Dual-Channel RAM on Kaby Lake-X CPUs
- 2x Intel GbE LAN with teaming support
- EVGA’s Full Featured GUI UEFI/ BIOS
- Legacy LGA20XX Socket Backplate for custom CPU cooling solutions (optional)
There is much to be said about a beautifully-engineered motherboard designed to handle the highest loads or the most extreme conditions, let alone the rigors and abuse constantly demanded by the best overclockers in the world and still look good doing it. This was achieved, in part, by using:
- 12-Layer PCB
- Highly-Efficient 16-Phase PWM
- 100% Solid State Capacitors
- 300% Higher Gold Content in CPU Socket
- External BCLK / Clock Generators
- 8 SATA Ports – 6 from Intel PCH / 2 from ASMedia ASM1061
- Triple BIOS Select Switch
- PCIe Disable Switches
- ProbeIT Connector
- PS/2 Port
- Creative Core3D Audio
- Intel VROC Header
Although the X299 Dark does not feature RGB LED support, it politely reminds you that you can’t see pretty in the Dark. This board is engineered for the ultra-enthusiast, including these features:
- Active PCH & M.2 cooling
- 4-Way SLI Support
- Multi-Function POST Indicator
- Visual Guide / Bench table
- PCIe / DIMM Status LEDs
- Right Angle Power / Fan / and USB3.0 Headers
