ASUS X299 SAGE

Scannerman · Feb 11, 2025

The system board came in today. I'll be giving it a thorough inspection before putting it on the test bench. I purchased it second hand as there are likely not many brand new boards like this available and the ones that are would likely cost a fortune. One more system board spared from a dumpster. Asus says it's Windows 11 ready. I know it will be years before I get it set up to the way I like it. My first OS in this will not be Windows. I'll begin with Linux. Asus' site featuring this board is pretty hyped up and glitzy, but the specs link is tolerable. WS X299 SAGE - Tech Specs｜Motherboards｜ASUS Canada

I plan on using an Intel i9 7960X CPU. This should provide me with enough bandwidth and PCIe lanes to do all things I plan for it. I hope to include pictures and screen shots of this project in progress. It will be a while before I will be able to transfer all the drives from my current X99 work station over to it. Comments and insights are welcome.

Scannerman · Feb 13, 2025

On the test bench with fully populated DIMMS and the latest version of Linux Mint (Cinnamon)

Ghot · Feb 13, 2025

Now ya just need a cardboard box to put it in.

Scannerman · Feb 13, 2025

lol I have one but it's occupied. That's my custom Thermal Take test bench. Beats any standard high end test bench @ half the cost.

Ghot · Feb 13, 2025

One day soon... Caselabs might start up again.

CaseLabs

CaseLabs design and manufacture premium computer cases and accessories for enthusiasts with high demands.

caselabs.se

They made some awesome modular cases (and test benches), etc.

Scannerman · Feb 13, 2025

← I'll be eventually moving it into this case.

Scannerman · Feb 14, 2025

Pulled the trigger on one of these today for my Linux backup drive.

Amazon.ca

Plus I've been removing hard drives from the Work Station in a very slow and controlled cannibalization mission.

Only 27 physical drives left to deal with!

XxXxX · Feb 14, 2025

how did you get on with the ram ?
best of luck, Steve ..

Scannerman · Feb 15, 2025

All the DIMM slots work (a bit of an abomination marriage between Micron and Team Group). I'm hanging onto the factory matched Dominator Platinum until I'm ready to do the transfer from the test bench to the case, but that likely won't be until summer at the earliest. I take my time with systems this comprehensive. I like to make sure everything works before it goes into the case and by the time I'm done with it there won't be a whole lot left to plug into. I might transfer my TB card sometime this week as I won't be using it on the X99 much anymore.

I can't believe how old fashioned I am. I didn't even know what a USB 3.1 Gen 2 cable looked like. (At least not the one that plugs into the header on the board.) No one has ever asked me to build them a PC with this much less USB4.

Amazon.ca

XxXxX · Feb 15, 2025

you could always boot a live Linux distro via USB and check the hardware that way before you bolt it all down.
at least it will give you a heads up if there are are glaring problems.

best of luck, Steve ..

Scannerman · Feb 15, 2025

I installed the latest version of Mint. Couldn't find reliability history in this XIA version but it looks alright. Alas, Intel won't give me the program I need to run on Linux before I flash the X-TREEMLY dated BIOS on the board. Right now the BIOS is 6 updates behind so, unfortunately, I have to burn a fresh ISO of Windows first to run Intel's latest app to prepare the system for the BIOS flash. A real PITA.

You can find the manual here: WS X299 SAGE｜Motherboards｜ASUS Canada

Scannerman · Feb 15, 2025

Good news! It looks like the BIOS FLASH won't be essential after all!

Core i9-7960X on SAGE WS-X299

Further digging revealed that with my particular CPU I can stay running with what I currently have. I wonder though . . .
Will Win 11 legitimately install on this age old Sage without a bios update? I suppose there is only one way to tell for certain.

Just an observation: In all my daze of PC building I don't recall ever seeing a system board this recent requiring such an insane plethora of BIOS flashes. It would seem to me that they have a special flash for every model of CPU available for this board. Depending on how well things run I may or may not flash to the latest BIOS. Only time will tell.

WS X299 SAGE｜Motherboards｜ASUS Canada

ASUS Pro Workstation motherboards are designed for professionals in AI training, deep learning, animation, or 3D rendering. Featuring expandable graphics, storage, impressive connectivity and reliability, an ASUS Pro Workstation motherboard is the ideal solution for creative professionals and IT...

www.asus.com

Scannerman · Feb 15, 2025

Well, maybe not-so-good news. Check this out:

WS X299 SAGE｜Motherboards｜ASUS Canada

ASUS Pro Workstation motherboards are designed for professionals in AI training, deep learning, animation, or 3D rendering. Featuring expandable graphics, storage, impressive connectivity and reliability, an ASUS Pro Workstation motherboard is the ideal solution for creative professionals and IT...

www.asus.com

ASUS states on their main page (for this board) that this system board is Windows 11 ready. Guess what sort of message I get when I attempt to install Win 11 on this system? Yep. "Does not meet Windows 11 requirements". I have a feeling it's gonna be a busy day.

Scannerman · Feb 16, 2025

Found the culprit. Took me most of the day and duh-uh. . . I totally forgot PTT is Intel's version of TPM. My bad.

Yes, I forgot to activate it in the BIOS because I was on a smaller monitor and this is found directly under Thunderbolt settings, which I'm not ready to deal with just yet. (The Thunderbolt card is still on the X99) I had to scroll down past the TB settings to find it but the small monitor made it look like I was already on the bottom of that page. I was beside myself looking for the ruddy thing.

So now I have a totally legitimate (well sort of) installation of Windows 11 on my PC at the expense of taking out my freshly installed Linux Mint (it ALWAYS does this) and I'm trying to get it to recognize the activation key in my tweaked version that doesn't need TPM (to kinda sorta function) but uses a legit key that I purchased from the Windows store with my now defunct Windows 8.1.

:::sigh::: tomorrow's another day :woozy:

Scannerman · Feb 16, 2025

Today, I broke down and got a digital license (coz I remember someone here told me not to be such a penny pincher). No worries. Now I have a real OS on a real PC. And guess what gang... This is the very first web site I went to and logged into. The unit is still on the test bench! lol but I couldn't wait to share the news!

Sadly, I'm going to have to reinstall my Linux Mint. The saga never ends. Microsoft always finds a way to kill Linux. Screen shots forthcoming.

My very first screen shot on this build.

Scannerman · Feb 16, 2025

So binding is not possible. No worries, I do have a physical TPM key to put in this unit if need be. The main thing is that I am finally using 24H2 on a work station. I gave my only 24H2 device to my daughter who was only too happy to snap it up as she has a thing for touch screen lap tops. Not me. I can't navigate on the things worth a plug nickel. You can only teach an old dawg new tricks now and then and only if they want to learn them.

XxXxX · Feb 16, 2025

good news, i am glad after all the hard work and running around that it is now working
only 27 drives to go.

best of luck, Steve ..

Scannerman · Feb 16, 2025

I'm very pleased to learn that ASUS also provides drivers for Windows 7 on the Sage X299

WS X299 SAGE｜Motherboards｜ASUS Canada

ASUS Pro Workstation motherboards are designed for professionals in AI training, deep learning, animation, or 3D rendering. Featuring expandable graphics, storage, impressive connectivity and reliability, an ASUS Pro Workstation motherboard is the ideal solution for creative professionals and IT...

www.asus.com

But, to be fair, this 24H2 is starting to look like a pretty snappy OS. I can only imagine what it will be like after I dispose of Co-Pilot and One Drive. I might even be impressed.

Scannerman · Feb 17, 2025

How sad. ASUS deleted the old stuff. They don't even provide the drivers for the IRST anymore. Where's MoKiChU when you need him? lol

Man, that just..

XxXxX · Feb 17, 2025

found these if they are of any use.

Asus WS X299 SAGE-10G Motherboards > Downloads Drivers, Utilities, Manual and BIOS

Downloads 16 Drivers, Utilities, Manual and BIOS for Asus WS X299 SAGE-10G Motherboards. Here's where you can download the newest software for your WS X299 SAGE-10G.

www.helpdrivers.com

https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/MOTHERBOARD/Asus/ASUS-WS-X299-SAGE-Intel-RST-Driver-17-5-0-1017-for-Windows-10-64-bit.shtml

Asus WS X299 SAGE Motherboards > Downloads Drivers, Utilities, Manual and BIOS

Downloads 21 Drivers, Utilities, Manual and BIOS for Asus WS X299 SAGE Motherboards. Here's where you can download the newest software for your WS X299 SAGE.

www.helpdrivers.com

[DRIVERS] Intel Chipset/MEI/SATA/VROC (X299)

Hi everyone, - Intel Chipset Drivers (HEDT) : Package : 10.1.19975.8620 WHQL [09/09/2024] Download : Link Install/Update Process : Launch "CHIPSET_Intel_vxx.x.xxxxx.xxxx.exe" - Intel MEI Drivers (Drivers Only) : Drivers : 2452.7.1.0 WHQL [22/12/2024] DAL SoftwareComponent Driver ...

rog-forum.asus.com

WS X299 SAGE - Support

www.asus.com

and finally Intel RST

Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver Installation Software with Intel® Optane™ Memory (10th and 11th Gen Platforms)

The Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) Driver (18.7.6.1010.3) supports the configuration and enabling of multiple features.

www.intel.com

this lot should keep you occupied
best of luck, Steve ..

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