ASUS Prime X299-A II Motherboard: LGA 2066, triple M.2 and what it offers

The ASUS Prime X299-A II is an ATX motherboard for Intel's X299 platform and the LGA 2066 socket. It is built for Intel Core X-Series processors, the high-core-count chips used in workstations and enthusiast desktops. ASUS pitches it at people who want to get more productive work from those processors, with a strong power design and plenty of storage connections.

The X299 platform

X299 is a high-end desktop platform, and LGA 2066 is a large socket designed for processors with many cores and a lot of memory bandwidth. A board like this is typically chosen for video editing, 3D rendering and other heavy multithreaded jobs. Because the platform is older, check which Core X-Series processors the board supports and whether a BIOS update is needed first.

Power design

ASUS lists 12 IR3555 power stages, ProCool II power connectors, alloy chokes and ultra-durable capacitors. Power stages convert the supply voltage into the lower, steady voltage the processor uses, and having more of them generally spreads the load, which helps with sustained or overclocked use. ASUS describes the VRM as tailored for overclocking.

Storage and connectivity

The board supports up to three M.2 drives, and the listing also mentions dual M.2 support. Other storage and I/O features include:

• Intel VROC support for NVMe RAID, which typically requires extra licence hardware from Intel
• Intel Optane Memory compatibility
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
• Intel LAN
• Multi-GPU support

Memory is DDR4, with speeds listed up to 4266 MHz. Reaching high memory speeds usually depends on the memory kit and the processor, so check the supported memory list.

Cooling

ASUS says an M.2 heatsink reduces SSD temperatures by up to 20°C, which helps drives avoid throttling their speeds under load. The board has an array of fan headers and options for a water pump or an all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler, and cooling control is handled through ASUS's software and firmware tools.

AI overclocking and lighting

AI overclocking looks at your processor and cooler and tunes the settings automatically. ASUS says the results come extremely close to manual tuning by experts. Overclocking increases heat and power use, so make sure your cooling and power supply are up to it. Aura Sync RGB lighting lets you control compatible lighting parts from one place.

Size

The board is a full ATX size and weighs about 4.5 lb (2 kg) in its packaging, so it needs a case that supports ATX.

What to check before you buy

• Confirm your Core X-Series processor is supported, and whether a BIOS update is required.
• Make sure your case is ATX-compatible and has room for a large cooler.
• Check the supported DDR4 memory speeds and slot count.
• Count how many M.2 drives you want to use, and check any lane sharing in the manual.
• Verify your power supply has the extra CPU power connectors the board needs.
• Check what is in the box, including cables and brackets.

The short version

• ATX motherboard for Intel Core X-Series processors on LGA 2066 and the X299 chipset.
• 12 IR3555 power stages and ProCool II connectors for stable power delivery.
• Triple M.2, Intel VROC and Optane support, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C.
• M.2 heatsink, plenty of fan headers, AI overclocking and Aura Sync lighting.

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