Along with the presentation of the fourth generation of processors: Intel Haswell. Asus has released its motherboards for gamers: ROG. In today's review we are going to test the Asus Maximus VI Gene with micro ATX format but with overclocking capabilities of the highest end of this series.

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Technical characteristics

ASUS MAXIMUS VI GENE FEATURES
Compatible processors	Intel® Socket 1150 for 4th Generation Core ™ i7 / Core ™ i5 / Core ™ i3 / Pentium® / Celeron® Processors Supports Intel® 22nm 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 Z87
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 3000 (OC) / 2933 (OC) / 2800 (OC) / 2666 (OC) / 2600 (OC) / 2500 (OC) / 2400 (OC) / 2200 (OC) / 2133 (OC) / 2000 (OC) / 1866 (OC) / 1800 (OC) / 1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Integrated Graphics Multi-GPU Compatible	Integrated Graphics Processor - Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI ™ Technology Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX ™ Technology 2 x PCIe 3.0 / 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 * 1
Audio	ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking - High quality 115 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR recording input (Line-in) Audio Feature: - SupremeFX Shielding ™ Technology - ELNA premium audio capacitors - Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection - Sonic Radar - DTS Connect - Optical S / PDIF out port (s) at back panel
LAN network card	Intel® I217V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller (s)
USB ports	Intel® Z87 chipset: * 5 4 x USB 3.0 port (s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® Z87 chipset: * 6 8 x USB 2.0 port (s) (4 at back panel, black, 4 at mid-board) ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller: 4 x USB 3.0 port (s) (4 at back panel, blue)
SATAS connections	Intel® Z87 chipset: * 2 6 x SATA 6Gb / s port (s), network Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Intel® Z87 chipset: 1 x M.2 (NGFF) Socket 2 on mPCIe Combo II expansion card (s), black Support M.2 (NGFF) Type 2242 SSD card (22mm x 42mm), Support PCI express 2.0 x1 and SATA 6Gb / s standards ASMedia® ASM1061 controller: * 4 2 x SATA 6Gb / s port (s), network
Rear panel I / O	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) 1 x TPM connector (s) 8 x SATA 6Gb / s connector (s) 1 x CPU Fan connector (s) 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector (s) 3 x Chassis Fan connector (s) 1 x S / PDIF out header (s) 1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector (s) 1 x Front panel audio connector (s) (AAFP) 1 x System panel (s) 1 x DirectKey Button (s) 1 x DRCT header (s) 1 x MemOK! button (s) 10 x ProbeIt Measurement Points 1 x LN2 Mode header (s) 1 x Power-on button (s) 1 x Reset button (s) 1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header (s) 1 x mPCIe Combo II connector (s)
BIOS	BIOSTAR Hi-Fi 3D Technology
Factory format	Micro ATX Form: (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm)
Warranty	2 years

Asus Maximus VI Gene in detail:

The Maximus VI Gene is marketed in a red box, the aggressive aesthetics of which explicitly evoke the distinctive colors of ROG products: red and black.

The ROG logo and model: Maximus Gene VI are screen printed on the front of the package, at the bottom are Asus, NVIDIA SLI and AMD Crossfire logos that attest that the motherboard supports these technologies.

By lifting the top of the box we will have a more complete explanation of the characteristics that the motherboard provides.

The Maximus VI Gene is protected by a transparent plastic cover, as in the entire R eplubic Of Gamer range, it allows us to see the plate itself and admire it….

The bundle is made up of:

• Asus Maximus VI Gene Biostar Motherboard Instruction Manual Installation CD 6 x SATA 6Gb / s cable (s) SLID Bridge Backplate Q-connector (s) (2 in 1) 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label (s) mPCIe expansion card Combo II (s) ROG door suspension (s)

The motherboard is in M-ATX format with dimensions (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm). The PCB is black and the heatsinks are matte black. The aesthetic is very good.

It features four memory banks that are compatible up to 32GB DDR3 at a speed of 2600 with overclock. Memory banks, as well as Pci / Pci-ex, exchange red and black colors.

For the resolution of any problem, you can go to the help of the debug screen (DEBUG LED) in the upper right, next to which are the voltage reading points. The MemOK! Button helps in solving incompatibility problems with RAM.

The power connectors, in black, are the well-known 24-pin and another 8 EPS support for 12V.

Detail of the heatsink of the famous Z87, of course with the Republic of Gamers logo

All SATA ports are 3.0, 6GB / s the first 6 are native from the Z87 chip. While the rest are controlled by the ASMedia controller.

As for the rear outputs / inputs are made up of an HDMI port, an RJ45 port, six USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, SPDIF audio output, six audio connectors, and the Clear CMOS button brings ROG Connect On / Off.

If the features described above represent an evolution, a feature that we are going to describe is completely new after being introduced by Asus on the motherboard for LGA 1150: mPCIe Combo II.

The mPCIe Combo II slot is located at the top left of the motherboard, you have to insert it in the card of the same name included.

This card, despite its small size, offers a substantial increase in capacity at the same time as it supports both the futuristic NGFF M.2 format and the more classic miniPCIe. The mPCIe slot is preparatory for the installation of a WiFi connection (similar to that installed on a laptop). The NGFF M.2 slot, which stands for Next Generation Form Factor, was recently introduced and is intended to replace the aging standard like the aforementioned mPCIe and mSATA, at the moment there are few SSD drives that adopt this standard, but they are rapidly growing companies that put them in their catalogs and, above all, can boast of dizzying performance despite their small size to a minimum!

The board design is very clean and well structured, it has been optimally studied to accommodate two graphics cards in SLI / Crossfire leaving them well spaced. It would have been nice to have one more expansion slot to further increase the possibilities of the card.

Test bench and tests

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel i7 4770k @ 4500 mhz.
Base plate:	Asus Maximus VI Gene
Memory:	G.Skills Trident X 2400mhz.
Heatsink	Liquid refrigeration.
HDD	Samsumg 840 250GB
Graphic card	Asus GTX780 Direct CU II
Power supply	Antec HCP 850

To check the stability of the processor and the motherboard, we have made an OC of up to 4500 mhz with Prime 95 Custom by water cooling.The graphic used is a GTX 780.

TESTS
3dMark Vantage:	P48030
3dMark11	P14750 PTS
Crysis 3	39.5 FPS
CineBench 11.5	9.71 pts.
Games: Resident Evil 6 Lost planet tomb Raider Meter	13601 PTS. 150.5 FPS. 55 FPS 45 FPS

Final words and conclusion

Asus proposals are divided into three families: ROG (Republic of Gamers), TUF (The Ultimate Force) and Z87-E / Pro / Plus / Deluxe / WS.

The one we have seen this time is the Asus ROG range: it is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding users and overclockers / gamers. The first card features a well-designed design that allows two dual-slot graphics cards to be installed in SLI / CrossFireX while keeping them well away from the others, and the third PCI Express x4 slot is ideal for sound cards, RAID SSD and PCI Express.

As for the features, these are very exciting and represent an important added value for the card: First of all we can mention the Mini PCIe Combo II that literally introduces a new space of time in the developing world, it also allows a better expansion card with the addition of a BT or WLAN module. The power supply section is extremely stable to provide the necessary current for the proper functioning of the CPU and RAM, overclocking is extremely simplified, also dissipating to play its job of maintaining the components within safe temperatures.

The utilities for overclockers are not lacking, Power and Reset on the PCB directly supports the voltage reading points for precise tracking during the most demanding sessions. Even the UEFI BIOS with the many tuning options, presets for LN2 RAM mode and it will surely get you amazing results!

We recommend the motherboard for all users planning to build high performance, while keeping it small, or simply don't need the classic 7 expansion slots on motherboards in the ATX form factor.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ AESTHETICS	- PRICE SOMETHING HIGHER THAN NORMAL M-ATX PLATES
+ SPECIAL DRIVERS.
+ USB 3.0 CONNECTIONS.
+ CONNECTION OF UP TO 2 GRAPHICS CARDS.
+ MINI PCI COMBO II CARD
+ CONTROL OF VARIOUS FANS

The Professional Review team awards you the Platinum medal: