I recently took a quick trip down to visit ASUS to see their new Z77 motherboards that support Intel’s upcoming 3rd Generation Core Series Processors. In my opinion, it really says something a company’s confidence in its products when they are able to show off their products well in advance of launch while answering all your most detailed questions. Naturally, the ASUS Z77 series motherboards support socket LGA 1155 processors, and is still backwards compatible with 2nd generation “Sandy Bridge” and upcoming 3rd Generation Intel Core Series processors. The entire line also received a face lift and quite a few new updates. Let’s have a quick look!
ASUS Channel P8Z77-V Motherboard Features List
Channel boards are the backbone of the ASUS line up and a lot of new features have been added to add even more value to this value packed series. New features include…
1. Fan Expert2 – Useful for customizing your system’s cooling matrix via the fan headers, there’s a nice little case visual built in to the software to help in assigning and renaming fan locations.
2. SSD Caching – Add a 20-64GB SSD to your existing platter based OS hard drive for very noticeable performance increase. ASMedia controllers . Why use ASMedia? It’s cost effective, offers full UASP and QDIP support and greater range of compatibility.
3. Smarter CPU thermal throttling has been added so you can get the optimal range of CPU performance whether stock or overclocking. Can’t pimp your CPU if throttling prematurely shuts you down.
ASUS P8Z77-V Motherboard
4. Intel LAN Pro is now standard across all the boards. You get network priority control which of course handy if you’re a gamer or file master. ILP controllers typically offer lower latency as well.
5. System memory gets a performance boost because of optimized PCB tracing. Instead of using daisy chained copper tracing, ASUS has designed individual traces to each DIMM slot which cuts down latency. It’s a design being looked at by others, so remember you saw from ASUS first.
6. Channel boards will support 2-way NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX natively. However, the P8Z77-WS will be using a PLX PCIE 3.0 controller for more cards as the NVIDIA NF200 bridge does not currently support the new standard.
ASUS P8Z77-V PRO Motherboard
7. USB 3.0 SpeedBoost returns for some extra transfer speeds for storage devices. Native USB 3.0 also assists in charging your portable devices ranging in power from 200mA up to 1.5 Amps. And, the ports stay live when something is plugged in to it.
9. ASUS DLNA hub allows users to connect remotely to the system using Android based devices to do things like stream media or audio to other systems. Media hounds will enjoy this little bonus.
7. Audio tracing gets some updates in an aggressive effort to improve audio quality and eliminate any noise or crosstalk. This should help improve the Realtek ALC898 audio codec performance as well.
ASUS P8Z77-M PRO Motherboard
8. BIOS updates will include cleaner arrangement, intuitive settings and better descriptions so you know what you’re doing when inside the UEFI BIOS. Automated overclocking gets some tuning to allow greater frequencies depending on your CPU cooling solution. The better your cooling, the higher the automated ceiling. The board promises to be smarter about controlling C-States, maintaining Turbo levels and other settings that may require manipulation.
Overall, very decent updates to the backbone of the ASUS line up and we will no doubt see a lot of users picking these up for a build of their own. Let’s keep stepping up the line up to see what else we’ll find!
P8Z77-WS Workstation Motherboard
The P8Z77-WS stands for “Workstation” and gets four PCIE 3.0 slots for use with nVIDIA TESLA processors or high bandwidth RAID adapters. While more suitable for heavy number crunching thanks to its additional validation for Enterprise level components, it could still work as a pimped out pro-gaming rig. Pro users will appreciate the onboard USB port for programs that require “dongle” keys like Maya. Locked inside your case, that should keep everyone’s grubby fingers off that very expensive activation dongle.
The board will support 2nd and 3rd generation Core Series processors as well as various compatible Xeon processor counterparts. Memory support includes both standard and ECC DDR3 memory. And, of course, charge your largest mobile devices via the native USB 3.0 charge ports on the back that get supplied with additional power for just that purpose.
Things continue to get interesting on the next page with a look at the new Sabertooth and ROG series boards!
ASUS Sabertooth Z77 Motherboard
Unique to the ASUS brand, the Sabertooth series returns with some new updates to the TUF jacket, or reactive armor, or whatever you choose to call it. There are vent channels cut in to the TUF layer to allow air to hit the PWM circuitry. Two small 30mm fans will now ship with the board to help keep air moving underneath. With this comes improved Thermal Radar software for full fan control, sensor and voltage reporting. Yes, Fan Expert2 is also part of the Sabertooth’s arsenal.
Matching DIMM and PCI covers also come with the board to keep your slots from getting covered in dust. They also give your board a more refined look when you don’t need them. It almost looks like the engine bay of a high end European vehicle. Last but not least, the included DIMM slot cover also doubles as a tool for releasing the PCIE 3.0 slot locking mechanism. This will save you time digging around for something to remove your cards with.
ASUS ROG Series
The enthusiast ROG series continues its reign of gaming and overclocking terror. Only PLX Gen 3 controllers are found here to ensure full PCIE 3.0 device compatibility. LN2 switching unlocks all the extra BIOS potential should you feel inclined to conduct some sub-zero overclocking. We have heard that Intel’s 3rd generation processors are able to hit 7GHz with the right board and ROG boards have always been a little more right than wrong.
Additional features that you’ll want to find out about include…
1. Users can utilize the IGPU to give their single graphics card a little boost in performance since we all can’t afford the best cards. Free up your graphics card if you’d like to use the IGPU through LucidLogix Virtu HDMI video out.
2. The ROG boards now come with a dual PCIE module that mounts near the IO ports. Users can add an mSATA SSD, Wi-Fi adapter or mini TV-Tuner. This is the current pinnacle of connectivity in features.
3. The full sized ROG Extreme comes with a VRM heat sink that can be cooled using liquid or regular air. It just adds another level of cooling options should you want to customize your system further.
4. The UEFI ROG BIOS gets some updates that improve CPU VTT, Bus Clock (BCLK) tuning and Memory/CPU voltage control. You can bet one of these boards will be at the next big event overclocking under LN2 under efforts to break some records.
5. Extreme Memory Tweak will automatically find your memory’s fastest, stable (safe) overclock. Rumors are already circulating that some G.Skill DDR3 has hit 3100MHz using this feature.
ASUS Maximus V GENE Motherboard
ROG boards appear to have dropped Creative Labs X-Fi audio for something new. The Maximus V GENE (m-ATX) uses the Supreme FX III audio codec which does quite well with proper implementation. Since ASUS has repeatedly reiterated that audio has been retraced using their new Audio MOAT technology, it should do well. It basically puts the whole audio section on another PCB layer to improve audio quality.
So what do you think ASUS replaced the Creative Labs X-Fi audio with? We’re completely guessing here, but we think the Formula or Extreme boards will offer an audio solution that finally uses ASUS Xonar technology. If so, that will make for one excellent audio experience. Our experience with ASUS Xonar has always been an extremely pleasant surprise!
P8Z77-I Deluxe (Mini-ITX) Motherboard
Don’t let the board’s size fool you! It offers many of the same features that full sized ATX channel boards have, but just a slightly shorter list of them. The demo system shown above actually had an mSATA SSD installed in the mini-PCIE slot. Again, this adds a noticeable performance boost over a standard platter based hard drive. When equipped with the right CPU and video card, there’s no game this little system can’t handle. But of course we don’t know that yet because official benchmarks have not surfaced.
That tall hard wired module to the side boasts a rather stout DIGI+VRM vertically integrated on to the top end of the board to feed the processor more reliable power. In fact, it’ll overclock any 2nd and 3rd Generation Core Series processor, likely slapping any current system on the market silly. It might just be too much board for us, making you want it even more.
Closing Thoughts on the NEW ASUS Z77 Series
It’s been argued that the Z68 was ASUS’ best mainstream motherboad series ever designed. While many of us at Futurelooks have our favorites in the ASUS line up, we are always curious as to what our readers think about these new Intel Z77 series motherboards. Are they exceeding your wildest dreams? Will you be hanging on to that Z68 or even P67 motherboard just a bit longer? Or is something still missing from ASUS and Intel’s latest and greatest? We’d like to hear from you and I’m sure ASUS would too!
Till we release our findings on the latest Z77 series, feel from to drop a comment or two below and let us know what you think. You never know who might be stopping by to listen and you don’t get if you don’t ask. Stay tuned for more previews as we prepare to welcome Intel’s latest and greatest!
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