ASUS Maximus VI Impact Mini-ITX gaming motherboard

ASUS just released their Maximus VI Impact which is a Mini-ITX gaming motherboard based on the Intel Z87 chipset. The Socket LGA1150 based mobo supports Intel's latest Haswell processors and comes with two DDR3 memory slots, one PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot, ASUS ROG SupremeFX Impact 7.1 audio with 115dB SNR output, dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, and a DisplayPort.

Maximus VI Impact is the first ROG mini-ITX motherboard to be fully loaded with exclusive gamer-pleasing innovations and proves size is no longer an indicator of performance. It features the SupremeFX Impact discrete sound card for best-in-class 115dB SNR audio and Impact Power digital power-management technology for the same renowned overclocking control as ROG full-size ATX motherboards. Maximus VI Impact also takes connectivity to the next level with onboard 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

Maximus VI Impact has undergone hundreds of rigorous tests to ensure compatibility with popular mini-ITX cases and processor coolers. So if something’s made for mini-ITX, it’s made for Maximus VI Impact.

Maximum sound from mini-ITX
ROG Maximus VI Impact features the SupremeFX Impact discrete sound card with a custom design that keeps the PCI Express x16 slot free. The exclusive dual-differential circuit design splits the audio chip’s analog signal into opposing phases that are combined by four operational amplifiers (op-amps) to produce a single, stronger and cleaner output, while premium ELNA® audio capacitors smooth high and low-frequency signals to deliver warmer sounds.

Maximus VI Impact also features Perfect Voice technology that uses active noise cancellation on the microphone input to keep VoIP chat clear in noisy environments, and Music PnP technology that allows external sound sources to play through PC speakers when the PC is shut down. Together with exclusive SupremeFX Shielding that reduces audio distortion from electromagnetic interference, lossless 115dB output and the ability to drive high-impedance headphones (up to 600ohms), Maximus VI Impact takes mini-ITX audio to new heights.

Ultra-stable overclocking and fantastic connectivity
ROG engineers designed Maximus VI Impact for demanding gamers who want the convenience of mini-ITX size without sacrificing overclocking and compatibility features. Based on ROG Extreme Engine DIGI+ III technology, Impact Power is compact voltage-regulator module (VRM) with 60A BlackWing chokes and 10K black metallic capacitors that gives precise digital power management for complete overclocking control that’s on a par with ROG full-size ATX motherboards.

Maximus VI Impact takes connectivity to the next level, too. The compact mPCIe Combo II + Wi-Fi 802.11ac/Bluetooth 4.0 add-on card delivers Wi-Fi speeds up to three times faster than 802.11n, while an M.2 slot supports the latest high-performance SSDs.

Geared for gamers
ROG Maximus VI Impact is also packed with exclusive features to help gamers dominate the battlefield. Sonic Radar detects source of in-game sounds and plots them on an on-screen overlay for a unique method of pinpointing the enemy, while Intel Gigabit Ethernet with ROG GameFirst II technology eliminates online game lag by prioritizing traffic for optimum ping rates.

Other bundled tools include ROG RAMDisk that allows up to 80% of a computer’s available RAM to act as a high-speed virtual drive for accelerated game-loading times, while SSD Secure Erase built in to Maximus VI Impact’s UEFI BIOS lets users quickly restore drives to a factory-fresh condition for the best possible performance.

User-friendly diagnostic features
Built-in diagnostic and troubleshooting features on the I/O backplate make it easier for PC enthusiasts to test different overclocking configurations with ROG Maximus VI Impact. The Q-Code display shows two-digit codes for rapid identification of POST errors, while pressing the DirectKey button enters the UEFI button immediately. Maximus VI Impact also features a MemOK! button on the motherboard that automatically loads failsafe memory settings when overly aggressing timing prevents the PC from booting.