Review: asus maximus v gene

From Professional Review we continue to analyze the new motherboards with z77 chipset on the market. This time we have had in our test bench the Asus Maximus V Gene, with Micro ATX format and ROG series.

Product ceded by:

These new boards are characterized by having the new Intel Z77 chipset. They are compatible with all "Sandy Bridge" Core I3, Core i5 and Core i7 and all "Ivy Bridge". The new chipset offers few features that differ from the Z68 Chipset, such as;

• Ivy Bridge LGA1155 processors. Native USB 3.0 ports (4). OC capacity. Maximum 4 DIMM modules DDR3. PCI Express 3.0. Digital phases. Intel RST technology. Intel Smart Response Technology (Z77 & H77). Dual UEFI BIOS. (Depends on model and manufacturer) Wi-Fi + Bluetooth (Depends on model and manufacturer).

Here is a table to see the differences between the current chipsets of socket 1155:

In fact we must remind our readers that 90% of P67 and Z68 boards are "Ivy Bridge" compatible with a BIOS update.

We also don't want to bore you with a lot of information, but we find it necessary to highlight the new advantages of the Ivy Bridge processor:

• New manufacturing system at 22 nm. Increasing the Overclock capacity and decreasing the temperature. New random number generator that was left outside of "Sandy Bridge". Increases the maximum multiplier from 57 to 63. Increases the memory bandwidth from 2133 to 2800mhz (In step of 200 mhz).Your GPU includes DX11 instructions increasing ~ 55% performance.

Now we include a table with the new models of Ivy Bridge 22nm processors:

Model	Cores / Threads	Speed ​​/ Turbo Boost	L3 Cache	Graphics Processor	TDP
I7-3770	4/8	3.3 / 3.9	8MB	HD4000	77W
I7-3770	4/8	3.3 / 3.9	8MB	HD4000	77W
I7-3770S	4/8	3.1 / 3.9	8MB	HD4000	65W
I7-3770T	4/8	2.5 / 3.7	8MB	HD4000	45W
I5-3570	4/4	3.3 / 3.7	6MB	HD4000	77W
I5-3570K	4/4	3.3 / 3.7	6MB	HD4000	77W
I5-3570S	4/4	3.1 / 3.8	6MB	HD2500	65W
I5-3570T	4/4	2.3 / 3.3	6MB	HD2500	45W
I5-3550S	4/4	3.0 / 3.7	6MB	HD2500	65W
I5-3475S	4/4	2.9 / 3.6	6MB	HD4000	65W
I5-3470S	4/4	2.9 / 3.6	3MB	HD2500	65W
I5-3470T	2/4	2.9 / 3.6	3MB	HD2500	35W
I5-3450	4/4	2.9 / 3.6	3MB	HD2500	77W
I5-3450S	4/4	2.8 / 3.5	6MB	HD2500	65W
I5-3300	4/4	3 / 3.2º	6MB	HD2500	77W
I5-3300S	4/4	2.7 / 3.2	6MB	HD2500	65W

ASUS MAXIMUS V GENE FEATURES
CPU	Intel® Socket 1155 for 3rd / 2nd Generation Processors Supports Intel® 22nm CPU Supports Intel® 32nm CPU Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
Chipset	Intel Z77
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory DDR3 2800mhz (with OC) Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
MULTIGPU support	Supports NVIDIA® SLI ™ Technology Supports AMD CrossFireX ™ Technology Supports LucidLogix® Virtu ™ MVP Technology
PCI slots	2 x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8, network) * 2 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 (black) 1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1
Storage	Intel® Z77 chipset: * 4 2 x SATA 6Gb / s port (s), network 2 x SATA 3Gb / s port (s), black 1 x eSATA 3Gb / s port (s), network 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 * 5 ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller: * 6 2 x SATA 6Gb / s port (s), network
Audio	SupremeFX III built-in 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 110 dB - Output THD + N at 1kHz: 95 dB - Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking Audio Feature: - SupremeFX Shielding ™ Technology - 1500 uF Audio Power Capacitor - Gold-plated jacks - X-Fi® Xtreme Fidelity ™ - EAX® Advanced ™ HD 5.0 - THX® TruStudio PRO ™ - Creative ALchemy - Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection - Optical S / PDIF out port (s) at back panel
BIOS	64Mb UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI2.0a Multi-Language BIOS
Format	uATX Form Factor 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm)

This motherboard supports 3rd and 2nd Gen. Intel® i7 / i5 / i3 / Pentium® / Celeron® processors with integrated memory and PCI Express controllers to support DDR3 2-channel (4 DIMM) and 16 PCI Express memory modules 3.0 / 2.0, which ensures phenomenal graphics performance. The 3rd and 2nd generation Intel® Core ™ i7 / Core ™ i5 / Core ™ i3 processors are among the most energy efficient CPUs on the market.

The Intel® Z77 chipset is the new design compatible with the 3rd and 2nd generation Intel® Core ™ i7 / Core ™ i5 / Core ™ i3 Pentium® / Celeron® processors for socket 1155. Thanks to the point-to-point serial link design, improves performance, bandwidth and stability. In addition, it includes 2 SATA 6Gb / s ports and 4 SATA 3Gb / s for faster data recovery and twice the bandwidth than current bus systems. The Intel® Z77 chipset offers support for 4 USB 3.0 ports and iGPU function, allowing you to enjoy all of Intel's integrated graphics performance.

PCI Express® 3.0 (PCIe 3.0) is the new PCI Express bus standard with encryption schemes that provide twice the bandwidth of the previous PCIe 2.0 standard: (32GB / s in link x16 mode, for 16GB / s @ x16 PCIe 2.0). Therefore, PCIe 3.0 offers unprecedented transfer speed, full compatibility with previous versions of the standard, and is bound to be a must-have feature for users who want maximum graphics performance.

ROG CPU-Z is a custom ROG version licensed by CPUID. It has the same functionality and credibility as the original version, with a unique design. Use the new look of the ROG CPU-Z to truly inform your CPU information and its uniqueness.

LucidLogix® Virtu MVP with HyperFormance ™ technology improves the 3DMark Vantage result of your dedicated graphics by up to 60%. Compatible with Intel® Integrated Graphics and Windows® 7 PCs, it combines the power of dedicated graphics with the iGPU. The new Virtual Sync design removes the flag effect from the screen and offers a higher quality environment for games. LucidLogix Virtu MVP is able to assign tasks to the graph that is in the most suitable conditions, based on the power, resources and the load of each one of them, which allows enjoying video conversions 3 times faster with Intel® Quick Sync without 3D rendering or gaming performance being adversely affected. This technology also reduces the consumption of dedicated graphics to almost zero when its use is not necessary. In summary, LucidLogix Virtu MVP offers a graphical environment with flexibility and efficiency ideal for users in search of perfection.

And what is this MPCIe card for? The mSATA slot is capable of offering us the possibility of installing an mSATA SSD and using it as a cache. And also add WiFi, 3G or 4G connectivity, Bluetooth, GPS, etc.

SupremeFX Sound Cards is a classic from the Republic of Gamer series. This is the third revision, specifically the SupremeFX III, which provides us with great sound quality. Among its most important features we find: Analog sound isolation, PCB integration with red LEDs, we do not have the need to buy another sound card, 1500UF condensers, EMI aluminum encapsulation and gold plated audio jacks.

The Asus Maximus is protected like all ROG series motherboards: in a red box.

It is divided into two compartments. The first houses the motherboard.

And the second all accessories, wiring and merchandising.

The box includes:

• Asus Maximus V GENE motherboard SATA cables Gaming serial USB extension cable Multi GPU bridges Wiring accessories Instruction manual and stickers for SATA cables Back plate

It is a plate with Micro ATX format (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm). Red and black colors predominate (heatsinks and pcb).

The distribution of the PCI Express ports allows us to install multigpu systems. Although due to its small size per air system, it does not allow us to install more than 2 graphics. If we had liquid cooling we could take advantage of the 4x PCI Express port. It also includes the important START and Reset buttons for a quick connection?

WE RECOMMEND YOU First plate AM4 and APU Bristol Ridge A12-9800 in photo

View of the control panel and the LED reader that will tell us about a technical problem.

The board includes 6 SATAS ports. Reds are SATA 3.0. and blacks 2.0.

The board allows us to install up to 32GB of RAM and includes an internal connection for USB 3.0.

Dissipation compared to GENE-Z has been improved. The heatsinks are similar, but with greater efficiency.

More detailed view of the phases.

8-pin connector for the PSU.

Socket view.

And of the entry and exit ports.

It also includes a high-end Intel Gigabit card.

We found two important improvements. The first is the incorporation of an MPCIE insert.

And what is this MPCIe card for? The mSATA slot is capable of offering us the possibility of installing an mSATA SSD and using it as a cache. And also add WiFi, 3G or 4G connectivity, Bluetooth, GPS, etc.

SupremeFX Sound Cards is a classic from the Republic of Gamer series. This is the third revision, specifically the SupremeFX III, which provides us with great sound quality. Among its most important features we find: Analog sound isolation, PCB integration with red LEDs, we do not have the need to buy another sound card, 1500UF condensers, EMI aluminum encapsulation and gold plated audio jacks.

We leave you a video with a modest preview and the UEFI BIOS ROG?

Also a quick unboxing. In addition to looking at the software included by ASUS ROG and overclocking the processor at 4600mhz.

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel 2600k @ 4600MHZ
Base plate:	Asus Maximus V Gene
Memory:	2x4GB Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz
Heatsink:	Prolimatech Megahalems REV C.
Hard drives:	Kingston Hyperx 120gb
Graphics Cards:	GTX580
Source feed:	Antec TPQ 1200w OC
Box:	Benchtable Dimastech Easy V2.5

To check the stability of the processor and motherboard. We have made an OC of 4600 mhz with Prime 95 Custom and a GTX580 at 780mhz.

Performance has been quite satisfactory in 3d Mark Vantage. We have also performed the following tests:

TESTS
3dMark Vantage:	26820 PTS TOTAL.
3dMark11	P5702 PTS.
Heaven Unigine v2.1	45.2 FPS and 1167 PTS.
CineBench	OPENGPL: 63.55 AND CPU: 8.71

The Asus Maximus V Gene is a Micro ATX motherboard based on the latest Intel Z77 chipset. It supports the new LGA 1155 22nm (Ivy Bridge) and 32nm (Sandy Bridge) processors. Its compact format should not deceive you, because it is at the level and connectivity of large ATX motherboards: 12 power phases, two PCI Express 3.0. to x16, SATA 6.0 ports, six USB 3.0 ports and HDMI connection. Incredible true? ?

In our test benches it has made the cut with an overclocking the 4600mhz i7 2600k and a powerful GTX580. Having a great 3dMARK score: 26820 PTS. Regarding the overlock, we have hardly had VDROOP and we believe that the 5.2ghz would have made it easy.

We have to highlight three important improvements over the Gene-Z with Z68 chipset:

• Great improvement in the heatsinks, they hardly heat up with a high OC. SupremeFX III sound card: we can forget about the physical sound cards. MPCIE board: This mSATA slot offers us the possibility of installing an mSATA SSD and WiFi, 3G or 4G, Bluetooth, GPS, etc.

If you are looking for a Micro ATX motherboard, with great OC potential, with MultiGPU support, an excellent integrated sound card and ATX motherboard connections. The Asus Maximus Gene Z is its motherboard. Although an official price has not been published by ASUS, we have seen it listed online for € 195.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ DESIGN.	- NONE.
+ 12 FEEDING PHASES.
+ POWERFUL OVERCLOCK CAPACITY.
+ PCIE EXPRESS 3.0, SATA 6.0 AND USB 3.0.
+ BUTTONS TO TURN OFF AND RESET ON THE BASE PLATE.
+ SUPREME FX III AND MPCIE SOUND CARD.

The Professional Review team awards him the gold medal: