• ASUS ROG Maximus V Formula Motherboard Review and Technical Specifications

ASUS ROG Launches the Maximus V Formula Gaming Motherboard 

Intel® Z77-based gaming board arrives packed to the edges with advanced cooling, powerful audio, and intelligent bandwidth optimization

(2012/06/05)

The ASUS Republic of Gamers Maximus V Formula brings the ROG tradition of gaming excellence to the newest generation of PC hardware and gaming. With the Intel® Z77 chipset implemented, it supports both 2nd and 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors. For the complete thermal confidence gamers and modders demand, the board employs Fusion Thermo™, an exclusive dual configuration that enables both air and water cooling. SupremeFX IV™ audio upgrades sound output in games and all multimedia content, while GameFirst II™ ping time reduction and latency mitigation contributes to smoother and more responsive online gaming and VoIP. The bundled mPCIe Combo with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 offers added connectivity options for greater flexibility, and the Maximus V Formula/ThunderFX™ SKU further ships with a powerful multi-platform headphone amplifier.

Ready for both air and water cooling

The exclusive Fusion Thermo™ design makes the Maximus V Formula an ideal platform for DIY gamers, as it comes pre-installed with all the makings of advanced air and water thermal configurations, giving users the choice of which route to go. A custom air-cooled heatsink with anodized aluminum fins is included, keeping critical components well-chilled even during high-load usage. Should gamers opt for water cooling, ROG makes the choice easier to implement, with an all-cooper water channel that uses electroplated nickel barbs already inside the heatsink, with openings on both ends to make fitting hoses easier. These features render the Maximus V Formula a ready-made motherboard for high end gaming, competitive overclocking, and case modding. Fusion Thermo™ has been designed with feedback from the community, and reflects the close contact ROG maintains with gamers worldwide.

Premium capacitors drive crystal-clear in-game audio

Enhanced SupremeFX IV™ audio hardware comes standard on the Maximus V Formula, utilizing meticulously-selected premium Japan-made ELNA audio capacitors, plus an additional extra-large 1500uF main capacitor. These can handle far more impactful output than standard onboard audio hardware, generating superior effects and surround fields for enveloping sound in-game, driven by a powerful 300ohm headphone amplifier. ROG engineers have also created exclusive Red Line Shielding technology, which isolates SupremeFX IV™ hardware from the rest of the board to ensure precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced interference. To top these features off, an EMI protection cover has been placed on the SupremeFX IV™ audio chip to further protect it from unwanted interference.

Next generation multiplayer optimization

Exclusive GameFirst II™ technology offers an even more sophisticated network optimizer than the previous version of GameFirst. It actively oversees and shapes online traffic to reduce ping times and overall latency, allowing users to enjoy smoother online gaming and better VoIP call quality. Easier to use than before and now upgraded with cFosSpeed Traffic Shaping technology, GameFirst II™ carries out constant packet inspection routines to minimize transfer queuing, resulting in noticeable network performance gains. It features the exclusive EZ Mode, which uses an intuitive interface to make features accessible even to new users, plus Advanced Mode for more in-depth tuning. GameFirst II™ combines with an Intel® Ethernet chip to power faster and smoother online play.

Excellent multi-platform headphone performance

Available only on the Maximus V Formula/ThunderFX™ as of this writing, ThunderFX™ drives headphone sound with the finest capacitors and a 300ohm amplifier. It uses environmental noise cancelation (ENC) technology with a 120dB SNR digital-analog converter (DAC), and includes a dedicated relay for the purpose of de-popping sharp audible feedback during boot up and power down. ThunderFX™ supports desktops, notebooks, Xbox 360®, and PlayStation® 3, and offers GamEQ with three preset profiles for different game genres (first person shooter, racing, and real time strategy). GamEQ also gives users access to detailed tuning, bringing out greater sound effect clarity so that everything from engines to footsteps comes across loud and clear via headphones.

World records set yet again

The ROG Maximus V Formula has already asserted itself as a power player in the global overclocking and benchmarking scene. Over the last few weeks, the gaming motherboard clocked several major achievements.

Maximus V Formula/ThunderFX Overview and Specifications

Better gaming through great multi-platform audio

• LGA1155 socket for 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processor-based platform and 2nd Generation Core™ i7/ i5/ i3/ Pentium® / Celeron® Processors
• Intel® Z77 Express Chipset
• ThunderFX - Versatile Gaming Audio for PC&Consoles
• SupremeFX IV - AMPed For Perfect Audio
• GameFirst II / Intel Gb LAN – Put Your Frags First
• Fusion Thermo - Sharper Looks, Cooler Temps, Faster Clocks
• mPCIe Combo - Combo Power Up!

Technical Specifications

CPU	Intel® Socket 1155 for 3rd/2nd Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU 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® Z77
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2600(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) * Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. * Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
Graphic	Integrated Graphics Processor Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort ports - Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz - Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz Supports Intel® HD Graphics, InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™
Multi-GPU Support	Supports NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology Supports AMD CrossFireX™ Technology Supports LucidLogix® Virtu™ MVP Technology *1
Expansion Slots	3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8/x4/x4) *2 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 3 x PCIe 2.0 x1 1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 *3
Storage	Intel® Z77 chipset : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red 2 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), black 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), red 1 x mini-SATA 3Gb/s port(s) , black Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology *4 ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : *5 4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
LAN	Intel®, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Wireless Data Network	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
Bluetooth	Bluetooth V4.0 Bluetooth V3.0+HS
Audio	SupremeFX IV built-in 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 110 dB - Output THD+N at 1kHz: 95 dB - TI 6120A2 high fidelity headphone amplifier - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking Audio Feature : - SupremeFX Shielding™ Technology - ELNA premium audio capacitors - 1500 uF Audio Power Capacitor - Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection - DTS Ultra PC II - DTS Connect - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
ThunderFX	Performance and Chipset: Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 114dB Digital-to-Analog Converter: 120dB SNR, 107dB THD+N (Max. 192kHz/ 24-bit) C-Media 6631 audio processor (Max. 192kHz/ 24bit) Built-in high fidelity headphone amplifier Up to 300 ohms headphone impedance support Special Features: Multi-platform Support: PC, Xbox 360, PS3 Master/ voice/ game volume control independently (PS3, Xbox 360) Built-in ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) Technology GamEQ: 3 preset EQ profiles with graphical audio effect tuning hints Xear™ Surround Headphone Xear™ SingFX FlexBass™, Smart Volume Normalize™ DS3D GX 1.0, OpenAL I/O Ports: 2x RCA audio input 1x USB 2.0 connector 1x 3.5mm headphone jack 1x 3.5mm microphone jack 1x 2.5mm microphone jack for Xbox 360 voice input Dimensions: 191 x 137.5 x 37mm (LxWxH)
USB Ports	Intel® Z77 chipset : 4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® Z77 chipset : 8 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black+white, 4 at mid-board) ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue)
Overclocking Features	mPCIe Combo™ (mPCIe/mSATA combo card) ROG Connect : - RC Diagram - RC Remote - RC Poster - GPU TweakIt Extreme Engine Digi+ II : - 8 -phase CPU power design + 4 -phase iGPU power design - 2 -phase Memory power design ROG Extreme OC kit : - Slow Mode - LN2 Mode - EZ Plug ProbeIt UEFI BIOS features : - ROG BIOS Print - GPU.DIMM Post GameFirst II iROG Extreme Tweaker Loadline Calibration USB BIOS Flashback Overclocking Protection : - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features	ASUS TurboV EVO : - CPU Level Up ASUS EPU : - EPU ASUS Wi-Fi GO! - Wi-Fi GO! Function: DLNA Media Hub, Smart Motion Control, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer, Capture & Send ASUS Exclusive Features : - AI Suite II - Ai Charger+ - USB Charger+ - USB 3.0 Boost - Disk Unlocker ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution : - ASUS Fan Xpert 2 ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS O.C. Profile - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Code - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Connector
Back I/O Ports	1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 4 x USB 3.0 4 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 1 x Optical S/PDIF in 5 x Audio jack(s) 1 x Clear CMOS button(s) 1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch(es)
Internal I/O Ports	1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 2 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s) 2 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 3 x Optional Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 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 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP) 1 x System panel(s) 1 x Slow Mode switch(es) 8 x ProbeIt Measurement Points 3 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 1 x LN2 Mode header(s) 1 x EZ Plug connector(s) (4-pin Molex power connector) 1 x Power-on button(s) 1 x Reset button(s) 1 x Go Button(s) 1 x mPCIe Combo header(s)
Accessories	User's manual I/O Shield 2 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 1 x ROG Connect cable(s) 1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s) 1 x mPCIe Combo card(s) with dual band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n module + Bluetooth v4.0/3.0+HS module 1 x 2-in-1 RF Cable(s) 2 x Wi-Fi Ring Moving Antenna(s) 1 x Diablo III Mousepad(s) 1 x ROG Logo Sticker(s) 1 x 2.5mm Xbox 360 voice input cable(s) 1 x dual-head USB cable(s) 1 x ThunderFX Xbox 360 AV + 3.5 mm to RCA cable(s)
BIOS	64Mb UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI2.0a Multi-Language BIOS
Manageability	WfM2.0, DMI2.0, WOL by PME, PXE
Support Disc	Drivers Kaspersky® Anti-Virus DAEMON Tools Pro Standard GameFirst II ROG CPU-Z Mem TweakIt ASUS AI Suite II ASUS WebStorage ASUS Utilities
Form Factor	Extended ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 10.1 inch ( 30.5 cm x 25.7 cm )
Note	*1: LucidLogix Virtu MVP supports Windows 7 operating systems. *2-1: PCIe 3.0 speed is supported by Intel® 3rd generation Ivy Bridge Core™ Processors. *2-2: x8/x4/x4 mode is supported by Intel® 3rd generation Ivy Bridge Core™ Processors. *3-1: The mPCIe 2.0 x1 slot is located on mPCIe Combo™ expansion card. *3-2: The mini-PCIe slot is pre-installed with an Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module. *4: Supports on Intel® Core™ processor family with Windows® 7 operating systems. *5: These SATA ports are for data hard drives only.

Data taken from http://www.asus.com/News/2LkbiUGNlxvwgMHd/ and http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/Maximus_V_FormulaThunderFX/ (accessed on June 13 2012)

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