ASUS Maximus IV Extreme Z review

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Maximus IV Extreme-Z Specifications

 

But now let's focus on the motherboard tested today based off that Z68 chipset, the Maximus IV Extreme-Z.

Maximus IV Extreme-Z Specifications

CPU Intel® Socket 1155 for 2nd Generation Core i7/Core i5/Core i3 Processors
Supports Intel® 32 nm CPU
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
* Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
Chipset Intel® Z68Memory 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2200(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333 Hz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* According to Intel® SPEC, the Max. 32GB memory capacity can be supported with DIMMs of 8GB (or above). ASUS will update QVL once the DIMMs are available on the market.
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
* Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.
Multi-GPU Support Supports NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI Technology
Supports AMD CrossFireX Technology
Supports LucidLogix® Virtu Technology
Expansion Slots 4 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8, x16, x16)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x4
1 x PCIe 2.0 x1
Storage Intel® Z68 chipset : *12 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), gray
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Support Intel® Smart Response Technology on 2nd generation Intel® Core processor family
Marvell® PCIe 9182 controller : *1
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
JMicron® JMB362 controller : *1
2 x eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), red
LAN Intel®, 2 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)Bluetooth Bluetooth V2.1+EDR
RC Bluetooth On/Off Switch
Audio Realtek® ALC 889 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
Audio Feature :
- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
USB Ports NEC® USB 3.0 controller : *2
8 x USB 3.0 port(s) (6 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
NEC® USB 3.0 controller :
2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue)
Intel® Z68 chipset :
9 x USB 2.0 port(s) (1 at back panel, black, 8 at mid-board)
Overclocking Features ROG Connect
RC Bluetooth :
- RC TweakIt
ROG iDirect
Extreme Engine Digi+ :
- 8 -phase CPU power design + 4 -phase iGPU power design
- 3 -phase Memory power design
- ML Caps on CPU respectively
Mem TweakIt
ROG Extreme OC kit :
- LN2 Mode
- PCIe x16 Lane Switch
- Debug LED
- Q Reset
ProbeIt
UEFI BIOS features :
- ROG BIOS Print
- GPU.DIMM Post
- CPU Socket Monitor
iROG
Extreme Tweaker
Loadline Calibration
BIOS Flashback
USB BIOS Flashback
Overclocking Protection :
- COP EX (Component Overheat Protection - EX)
- Voltiminder LED
- ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Back I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
2 x eSATA 3Gb/s
2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
8 x USB 3.0
1 x USB 2.0 (white port can be switched to ROG Connect)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
6 x Audio jack(s)
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch(es)
1 x RC Bluetooth switch(es)
Internal I/O Ports 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s)
4 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 8 USB 2.0 port(s)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s)
3 x Chassis Fan connector(s)
1 x Power Fan connector(s)
3 x Optional Fan connector(s)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
1 x System panel(s)
8 x ProbeIt Measurement Points
3 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
1 x RC Bluetooth header(s)
1 x LN2 Mode header(s)
1 x Q Reset switch(es)
2 x EZ Plug connector(s) (4-pin Molex power connector)
1 x Power-on button(s)
1 x Reset button(s)
1 x LN2 Mode switch(es)
1 x Go Button(s)
1 x BIOS Switch button(s)
1 x ROG light connector(s)
1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
Accessories User's manual
ROG Exclusive Feature Guide
I/O Shield
2 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s)
2 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s)
1 x SLI bridge(s)
1 x CrossFire cable(s)
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
1 x 2-port USB 2.0 module(s)
1 x ROG Connect cable(s)
1 x ProbeIt cable set(s)
1 x Thermal sensor cable pack(s)
1 x Cable ties pack(s)
1 x ROG theme label(s)
1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s)
1 x RC Bluetooth card(s)
Form Factor Extended ATX Form Factor
12 inch x 10.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 26.9 cm )

There we have the motherboard, which quite honestly resembles the X58 version as both share an identical color scheme, a nearly indistinguishable layout and a common feature set. That's a nice looking motherboard alright. The focus of this motherboard is that it has a dark looking design with the 'ROG' series theme.

We absolutely like the two tone (black/red) design a lot, dark colored PCBs are the trend these days. The board has lots of features which we'll discuss over the following pages.

For today's review we'll use a Core i7 2600K processor which we'll overclock to 5 GHz with fairly mild cooling.

ASYS Maximus IV Extreme

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