Looking for the cost of X-99 models? The Asus X99 Deluxe is listed at $1,600.
Looking for the cost of X-99 models? The Asus X99 Deluxe is listed at $1,600.
I assembled my machine roughly six or seven years back. It features a 5960x processor, 1080 Ti speed, X99 Deluxe MB, 32GB DDR4 RAM, an AX1200 PSU, and a custom rigid water cooling loop. About a week ago it started having serious problems—after booting once or twice it won’t even try to start. I reset the PSU switch, turned it on, and still nothing. I’ve tried some troubleshooting and think the issue lies with the motherboard. After about 24 hours of attempts, it finally started working. Right now I’m typing this, but I’m worried it will fail again soon. I haven’t checked current component prices since then. Around three days ago the system also struggled to boot. I suspect the motherboard might be the problem. I’ve looked up replacement prices: a new X99 Deluxe by Asus is around $1,600 on Newegg, while used options range from $450 to $650. Amazon lists the X99 Deluxe II for $775. I recall paying about $250 for this build six years ago. My concern is whether the water cooling loop is still compatible; otherwise, I’d have to replace everything again. I’m also unsure if the motherboard itself is faulty or just a temporary glitch. The chip prices have gone up due to COVID, and it seems like demand for certain parts is high, but the availability of new X99 boards from major brands is limited. What could explain this situation?
As Skiwee29 notes, top brands no longer produce boards with x99 chipset. What you find is usually third-party products sold on sites like Newegg or Amazon at higher prices. For this specific model, the price hikes are likely due to the recent chiacoin mining boom, which has lessened in importance now. You’ll typically need many SATA ports for mining, so a board with eight SATA slots and six PCI-E slots is common. Adding extra SATA controllers can boost port count, and processors are generally affordable. This setup works well for NAS use or dedicated Chia mining rigs.
Thanks for your responses. It's disappointing that this occurs just before Christmas. I'm left with only a couple of choices since the price for a used x99 MB seems too high. I might have to buy an inexpensive Chinese board that supports x99 or partially upgrade my setup by swapping out the chipset and CPU. I probably won't move my water cooling components and would prefer air cooling or an all-in-one unit. If I decide to rebuild, what CPU and chipset recommendations do you have? I need something that matches or exceeds my previous system with the 5960x. It's been a while since I've looked at PC components, and I need this resolved quickly because Christmas is approaching. I don't want to overspend but also avoid downgrading my main system.
Removing the mb and performing a complete clean should resolve the issue. Soak the socket, slots, connectors, and all components in 99% isopropyl alcohol, then allow it to dry overnight (about four hours). A full day ensures everything is thoroughly dried.
What workload are we considering? The setup has 5960X, which is essentially an 8-core processor with older performance per core but supports four memory channels. It would fit well with a modern 6-core CPU if the task emphasizes memory bandwidth over raw IPC.
Earlier that day we experienced a power interruption. My UPS failed to start promptly, causing the PC to lose power instantly. Booting issues appeared the following day. After a brief stabilization, the system would restart for a few days before failing again. Recently, I attempted intermittent startup over roughly 36 hours by toggling the PSU switch and pressing power. It briefly powered on, paused briefly, then restarted multiple times (1-3 attempts). Eventually, it remained unresponsive until I reset the back panel. Today I spent nearly an hour cleaning the unit—used compressed air, vacuumed, and cleaned with an anti-static brush. I disconnected everything except the CPU due to its rigid water cooling setup. Despite thorough cleaning, the machine still loops. I’m uncertain if dust caused a short, but will likely follow your advice: drain the loop, unplug the CPU, and clean again with ISO. I also cleared CMOS and replaced the battery. I’ll probably try reflashing the BIOS next. The MB is showing code “AA,” which suggests everything appears normal even though it’s unlikely. I plan to update drivers, run benchmarks, and test while it functions.
The biggest challenges on my PC are video editing with Adobe Premiere (often 4k) and then playing games. I use two monitors that run at high framerate 1080p and sometimes a 60fps 4k display. I’m not budget constrained but want to stay under $800–$1,000 for everything (preferably under that). If the total exceeds that amount, I’d have to sell something, which would take a week or longer to arrange. Every expense here feels like less money for Christmas gifts.
Consider testing with another power source first, as the issue might stem from a power supply problem. Possible causes include an unstable 5V standby circuit or leaking electrolytic capacitors inside the unit. The failure of the UPS could have further disrupted the power supply.