Asus maximus viii ranger review

More than a year ago we tested the revolutionary and top-selling Asus Maximus VII Ranger that gave me so many surprises when I did the analysis for its excellent quality / price. I have had these days in our laboratory the Asus Maximus VIII Ranger with 10 power phases, SLI & CrossFireX support and the new Z170 chipset for Intel Skylake processor.

Do you want to know if I liked it as much as its predecessor? In this analysis you will see all its secrets and potential.

We thank Asus for trusting the product for its analysis:

Technical characteristics

ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER FEATURES
CPU	6th Generation Intel® Socket 1151 Core ™ i7 / i5 i3 Core ™ / Core ™ / Pentium® / Celeron® processors Supports Intel® 14nm CPU Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 * Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 depends on supporting CPU types.
Chipset	Intel® Z170 Express Chipset
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 3400 (OC) / 3333 (OC) / 3300 (OC) / 3200 (OC) / 3000 (OC) / 2800 (OC) / 2666 (OC) / 2400 (OC) / 2133 MHz for non-ECC, Un -buffered memory Dual Channel memory architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Multi-GPU Compatible	Support Integrated Graphics on Intel® HD Processors Multi-VGA output support: HDMI / DisplayPort 1.2 ports HDMI compatible with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz Compatible with DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2304 @ 60 Hz Maximum shared memory of 512 MB C supports Intel® InTru ™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider ™ Multi-GPU support NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI ™ Support Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX Technology ™ Expansion slots 2 x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8, gray) 1 x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x16 (max in x4 mode, black) 3 x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x1 (x1 mode, black)
Storage	Intel® Z170 chipset: 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, shape 2242/2260/2280/22110 supporting storage devices (both SATA and PCIE mode) * 1 6 x SATA 6Gb / s port (s), gray,, 4 x 2 SATA express ports 2 x SATA Express ports, gray RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology
USB and ports.	Intel® Z170 chipset: 6 x USB 3.0 port (s) (2 at back panel, blue, 4 half board) Intel® Z170 chipset: * 3 8 x USB 2.0 port (s) (4 at back panel, black, Type-A, 4 in the middle of the dash) ASMedia® USB 3.1 driver: 1 x 3.1 USB port (s) (1 at back panel, black, Type-C) ASMedia® USB 3.1 driver: 1 x USB 3.1 port (s) (1 on the rear panel, red, type A)
LAN	Intel® I219V, 1 x Gigabit LAN controller (s), GameFirst technology Intel® LAN-Dual Interconnect between Integrated LAN Controller and Physical Layer (PHY) anti-surge LANguard
Rear connections	1 x PS / 2 keyboard / mouse combo port (s) 1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 1 x LAN (RJ45) port (s) 1 x USB 3.1 (black) Type-C 1 x USB 3.1 (red) Type-A 2 x USB 3.0 (blue) 4 x USB 2.0 1 x S optical / PDIF 5 x audio jack (s) 1 x USB Flashback Button BIOS (s)
Audio	ROG SupremeFX 2015 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC Supports Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-remapping tasks SupremeFX Shielding Technology ESS® ES9023P DAC:. dB SNR, dB THD + N (Max kHz / -bit) RC4580 TI 2Vrms AMP OP Audio (s) Audio Function: - Gold plated connectors - DTS Connect - Optical S / PDIF (s) on back panel - Sonic SenseAmp - Sonic Study - Sonic Radar II
Additional features	Start Button Reset button LN2 mode Mem TweakIT KeyBot II One click Overclocking XMP DirectKey CLrCMOS
Format.	ATX format; 30.5 cm x 24.4cm
BIOS	x 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS AMI, PnP, DMI3.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 5.0, Multi-Language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan control, F3 My Favorites, F9 Quick Note, Last Record Modified, F12 PrintScreen, F3 shortcut functions and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information.

Asus Maximus VIII Ranger

The Asus Z170 Deluxe is presented with a red label and quite robust packaging. On the cover, it is quickly identified which model houses its interior and the certifications carousel, which among them we have that of the socket 1151 Z170 chipset. While on the back we have all the most important characteristics and technical specifications.

As usual in this range of motherboards, the box has two dependencies, the first is the one that stores the motherboard. While the second where it has all its accessories. The bundle is made up of:

Asus Maximus VIII Ranger motherboard, back plate, instruction manual and quick guide, CD with drivers, SATA cables, processor installation kit, merchandising.

It is a classic ATX motherboard with dimensions of 30.5cm x 24.4cm, so we do not have to worry about the box since it is compatible with the great repertoire that exists today in online stores. Its new design is almost a copy of the line of its older sister: Asus Maximus VIII Hero that we analyzed a few days ago.

The predominant color combination is metallic gray and a matte black PCB. The use of these colors are great when it comes to combining with RAM memory, graphics cards of all kinds of colors that in turn will give us a minimalist touch. The internal components have 10 power phases. The PWM used is Asus' custom Digi + and DRAM Overcurrent Protection, ESD Guards and high-quality 5K-Hour Solid trainers with a speed that is more than 250% longer.

Like the Asus Maximus VIII Hero and Gene, it has very effective, quality-packed cooling. Both the digital phases, chokes and southern chipset are at low temperatures. It also has several customizable LEDs on the south chipset, which is customizable via software.

We have a total of 4 sockets of DDR4 RAM that allow us to install up to 64GB with high frequencies of 3466 Mhz through, compatible with the XMP 1.3 profile and the possibility of overclocking.

The distribution of the PCI Express ports is very good and allows us to install up to 3 graphics cards with Nvidia SLI or AMD CrossfireX technology at x16 with PCI Express 3.0. It also has 3 PCI Express slots to x1.

You could not miss the custom M.2 connection with a bandwidth of 32Gb / s instead of the classic 10Gb / s improved by the Asus team. On the power supply we have a 24-pin ATX connection and an 8-pin EPS connection. In the lower area of the motherboard we have two internal USB 3.0 heads, control panel, USB 2.0 and fan heads.

I'd also like to point out that the sound card incorporates the Realtek chip with the SupremeFX customization built into the motherboard.

For lovers of overclocking and testing over the air we have a control panel for shutdown, restart, clear bios, BIOS FlashBack, a debug LED and TPM connection.

On the storage connections it incorporates 6 SATA connections at 6Gb / s shared, four of them with the SATA Express connection, which does not finish booting.

Finally, indicate on its rear panel is composed of:

PS / 2.4 connection x USB 2.0.BIOS FlashBack.HDMI.DisplayPort.USB 3.1 type A and C.2 x USB 3.0.1 x LAN.Digital audio output.

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Test bench and tests

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel i5-6600k.
Base plate:	Asus Maximus VIII Ranger
Memory:	4 × 4 16GB DDR4 @ 3200 MHZ Corsair LPX DDR4
Heatsink	Corsair H100i GTX.
HDD	Samsung 840 EVO 250GB.
Graphic card	Nvidia GTX 780.
Power supply	EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2

To check the stability of the processor and motherboard, we've overclocked up to 4500mhz with Prime 95 Custom and air cooling. The graphics that we have used is an Nvidia GTX780, without further distractions let's see the results obtained in our tests with a 1920 × 1080 monitor.

BIOS

Asus sets itself apart from the rest with its stable BIOS and continuous updates. I personally love them and I find it a true wonder. As always, it allows us to save settings, 3-pin fan controller, create profiles for the fans, overclock with the smallest detail and a very friendly interface.

In addition we must take into account an important fact, it is that the plates are already optimized to control the pumps of the customized liquid refrigerations, therefore it is an extra point, since we are not obliged to have a rehobus or an external controller.

software

Among its software we find Asus Boot Setting that allows us to go to the BIOS directly after a restart, configure a quick boot or customize the boot after a blackout in the computer.

The 5Way application is at the forefront of all motherboard applications where it allows us to overclock, monitor temperatures, adjust fans, customize the LEDs and activate TurboLAN.

Final words and conclusion

The Asus Maximus VIII Ranger is a high-end ATX format motherboard that allows us to install the new Intel Skylake i7-6700k and i5-6600k processors, compatible with up to 64GB of DDR4 memory and that also allows us to install up to 3 cards graphics with SLI or CrossFireX technology.

The cooling system is identical to that of the Asus Maximus VIII Hero and Gene, since they incorporate the same heatsinks. This means that it maintains very good temperatures for both the power supply phases, mosfets and the Z170 chipset. If we combine the cooling system and the 10 phases of built-in power, we find a great potential for overclocking. Our i5-6600k has reached the stable 4, 500 mhz bar and very good voltage. I have tried to take one more step and we have reached up to 4, 700 mhz, but I have not been able to fine-tune it completely to be stable 24/7 as in the Hero.

I would like to highlight some of its novelties such as the incorporation of its new SupremeFX 2015 sound card in the motherboard and the pump control for AiO cooling system that controls efficiently and without unnecessary noise.

After much thought, we can affirm that the Asus Maximus VIII Ranger is a great option both for its components, overclocking capacity and stability. Although there is not much difference in price with its older sister the Hero (About 20 euros), which would make me opt for the latter. I think that if Asus had opted for this plate with a price range of 170 euros… it would be a TOP sale and reference in all stores.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ AESTHETICS.	- DUE TO THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HERO AND THE RANGER, THE HERO MAKES MORE
+ GOOD COMPONENTS.
+ SUPREMEFX SOUND CARD 2015.
+ AIO PUMP CONTROLLER.
+ OVERCLOCK CAPACITY.
+ EXCELLENT BIOS.