Product Showcase

This Z68 motherboard comes with video output, we see 1x HDMI 1.4a, 1x VGA and 1x DVI more than enough for almost any monitor or HD telly.

Rear IO connectivity then --  First thing we notice, missing the legacy PS/2 ports, definitely a miss for hardcore gamers. We spot 1x eSATA, 1x Firewire and SPDIF audio out, ASUS has managed to keep 2x USB 3.0, 6x USB 2.0, Gigabit LAN (Intel 82579), a single eSATA, optical audio out as well as 7.1 audio which is managed by the Realtek ALC892 codec which supports High Definition audio up-to 7.1 channels.

An interesting fact, ASUS does not use the NEC USB 3.0 controller anymore as ASUS switched to ASMedia for its USB 3.0 needs (ASMedia is a subsidiary division of ASUS). The blue knob is a BlueTooth radio to be used with ASUS's BT GO!

ASUS BT GO! comes with 7 functions that offer Folder Sync, BT Transfer, BT Turbo Remote, BT-to-Net, Music Player, Shot and Send, and Personal Manager. All are accessible through an ASUS application.

When we flip the board around we stumble into the processor area. Reasonably spacious BUT the far left heatsink might block some lower positioned coolers. In fact our CoolIT unit could not be flipped with tubing to the left, that would not fit.

Other then that fairly clean looks surround the LGA 1366 socket alright. The board comes with 12+4-phase 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 the three FAN headers on just this side, great stuff.

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 right corner.