[CES 2013] EVGA's LGA 2011 Top-Tier X79 Dark Motherboard

Intel hasn't launched the Ivy Bridge-E super high-end central processing units yet, and the third quarter is still a bit far off, but that isn't stopping EVGA from releasing motherboards ready for them. Indeed, the company has prepared a platform featuring the LGA 2011 socket, one that will make its debut, in stores, this quarter (Q1 2013). 

The reason EVGA hasn't already started shipping the motherboard likely has to do with logistics and inventory levels. 

The motherboard itself has already been finalized. After all, EVGA has it on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (CES 2013). 

Called X79 Dark, the mainboard, obviously, uses the X79 chipset. 

A 12+1 phase PWM powers the CPU socket, though the energy from the PSU is provided through a 24-pin connector. 

No less than five PCI Express x16 slots are available, complete with individual switches to turn them on or off. 

The use of the E-ATX form factor is the only reason so many slots fit on the board. 

Speaking of slots, EVGA has also included eight DDR3 memory slots, for up to 64 GB of RAM. 

Add to that ten SATA ports (six SATA 6.0 Gbps), dual Gigabit Ethernet, four USB 3.0 ports, Bluetooth, eSATA (two ports) and 7.1-channel audio, and you have a mighty motherboard for the highest echelon of the gaming, enthusiast and overclocking communities. 

Other specs include a debug LED, Power, Reset and Clear CMOS buttons, and EVBot support. Sadly, or fortunately for those faint of heart, EVGA has not released the price of the X79 Dark. 

People looking for things less likely to cause deep holes in finances might be more interested in MSI's A85XMA-P33, which also got launched at CES 2013. Intel's motherboard with Lucid MVP technology might raise a few eyebrows too. Full PCs are ready to be examined too, like Lenovo's Erazer X700.