When Intel launched their z77 based IvyBridge Processor lineup, Every motherboard brand jump into the battle of best z77 motherboards and they come with technology as thunderbolt, higher Ram frequency support etc to get more attention of the customers. Today we take a look at Extreme motherboard from ASUS, ASUS Maximus V Formula.Having gone through the ASUS Maximus V Gene and looking at what ASUS brought to the table, it should prove interesting to see how the ASUS Maximus V Formula compares. For the $279 price tag, or $90 price premium over the Maximus V Gene, you get improved multi-GPU options, an updated VRM cooling solution called Fusion Thermo, a hybrid liquid/air cooled solution, an upgraded Supreme FX IV sound solution, an improved mPCIe riser card, and more.ASUS Maximus V Formula is but a step away from the top of the product stack. Let's see how it performs when pitted against some of the top line boards from both ASUS and others. If past performance is any indication, the ROG Maximus V Formula should overclock well and provide a significant upside in features to go with the performance expectations.ASUS Previously offered the APS service on ROG boards, but starting with the X79 series they have extended the service to cover much more of their X79 models in the standard channel line. This is nice to see as the APS service allows an advanced replacement or a board to be shipped to the user which in turn means less down time for the end user.ASUS has been hard at work prepping for Windows 8, the new revolutionary OS from Microsoft. With this comes a new BIOS CAP file which is said to improve features and fucntionality integration for better compatibility with the new OS. Other cool features include faster boot up times and optimized settings for a smooother Windows 8 working environment.
The mainboard inside sits inside an individual cardboard box with a clear plastic cover, because there is a large window in the packaging front under the flip cover attached with Velcro pads, which allows to see the entire mainboard through the clear plastic panel. The inside of the flip cover contains a brief description of Asus Maximus V Formula peculiarities. The top box with the mainboard is complimented with a second box for all the bundled accessories:
Six Serial ATA cables with metal L-shaped connector locks. Two pairs are specifically designed for SATA 6 Gbps devices (with white inserts in the connectors);
“12-in-1 ROG Cable Lable” – a sheet with twelve paper tags that can be used to label SATA cables;
A flexible bridge for two-way Nvidia SLI graphics configurations;
Mini-PCIe Combo card with a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4/5 GHz) and Bluetooth 4.0 module;
Two Wi-Fi ring antennas and two cables for them;
I/O Shield for the back panel;
“Asus Q-Connector” kit including adapters for easy connection of the system case front panel buttons and indicators and a USB 2.0 port;
“ROG Connect Cable” – a cable with two USBs to connect to other PCs;
User manual;
“I’m gaming, do not disturb” door tag;
Accessory Guide describing proper use of additional accessories;
DVD disk with software and drivers;
“Powered by Republic of Gamers” sticker for the system case.
Tech Spec:
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
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)
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.
- Nice BIOS.
- Nice Design and build Quality.
- Attractive ROG style.
- Best Performance.
- Utilities.
- Great Overclockability.
- Builtin Wifi + mSATA Support.
- Nice SupremeFX IV.
- High Price.
- Onboard Audio lacks some times.
