Product Showcase

This Z68 motherboard comes with just one video output, we see 1x HDMI 1.4a, that's a little scarce a DVI connector would have been nice. Then again, we doubt a little you'll NOT be using a dedicated card with a motherboard like this.

Rear IO connectivity then --  First thing we notice is a legacy PS/2 ports, definitely a great plus for hardcore gamers. We spot 2x eSATA, SPDIF optical audio out, ASUS has managed to keep 2x USB 3.0, 7x USB 2.0 (+1 for ROG connect) , a Gigabit LAN (Intel 82579). Audio then, ASUS is being tricky here. The motherboard manual and specs do not mention any Realtek audio and that's just not true.

The 7.1 audio is managed by a SupremeFX X-Fi 2 8-channel audio codec. It supports High Definition audio up-to 7.1 channels. But...

This is a software layer though, we are 100% confident that the chip driving this is a Realtek as well, you can't hide chips alright, the real chip in use is Realtek 889 HD Audio.

When we flip the board around we stumble into the processor area. Reasonably spacious, you should have no issues with decent sized heatpipe coolers. The board comes with a Extreme Engine Digi+ that upholds 8 -phase CPU power design + 4 -phase iGPU power design and a 2 -phase Memory power design.

We spot one 8-pin CPU power header; components wise we only see quality really, solid capacitors, ferrite core chokes, quality components and nothing else. This ensures stability -- but also reliability and extended lifespan. Also spot two CPU FAN headers on just this side next to another three chassis Fan connectors.

There is 4 x DIMM support with a maximum of 32 GB, DDR3 2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory. There is support straight from the BIOS and XMP profiles, and maybe even higher with overclocks. But let's zoom in a little to the lower left corner.