Company ASUS once again decided to please the real enthusiasts, adding to the line of devices Republic Of Gamers motherboard once. Even by its name is not difficult to assume that in this case it is a model that will interest primarily those who are hard to imagine, that your PC can run in normal mode. Let’s see what a new flagship series of boards for LGA1155 platforms – ASUS Maximus Extreme V.
Design and layout
The ASUS Maximus V Extreme motherboard is based on the most functional, platform LGA1155, chipset Intel Z77. The device is made in EATX form factor and of the equipment remotely resembles Rampage Extreme IV – cult fee for LGA2011. The manufacturer has decided to take all the best achievements of this model by adding several new features. By outward appearance ASUS Maximus V Extreme is hard to make a claim. Black is always good to combine with the red, because the overall range is quite pleasant. The board is solid, even a cursory glance is enough to understand what we are talking about top-end solution.
The power subsystem Extreme Engine Digi + II is designed as follows 8 4 phase, two more provide job memory. For the parameters corresponds to a separate digital power controller. For the cooling elements of the stabilizer used two radiators, frosted with a ceramic coating. Coolers are medium size, while due to the shape of the profile area of the dispersion is increased, and for more efficient distribution of heat radiators are combined with each heat pipe. Note that the on-board high-quality Japanese capacitors are used 10K Black Metallic, and such solid-state capacity not only used in the rectifier circuit, but also in other sites charge.
To connect an additional power supply ASUS Maximus V Extreme uses two connectors – is a traditional device that level EPS12V, as well as another four-connector.
The PCB is five full-length slots, PCI Express x16, and one PCI Express x4. The board allows you to combine multiple graphics cards on chips from AMD and NVIDIA. In this configuration are available up to 4-way SLI / CrossFireX. Depending on how many graphics cards, slots operate in modes of x16, x8/x8, x8/x16/x8 or x8/x16/x8/x8. Chipset Intel Z77 alone can serve a number of lines of PCI Express, because to increase their use of the additional speed controller PLX PEX 8747.
For ease of switching, the chip is located in the central part of the PCB. At the same time to remove heat from the chip using an additional heat sink heat pipe which is connected to the chipset cooler. Incidentally, the latter, although low, has a fairly large area. Given the modest TDP Intel Z77, let us assume that the increased size of the radiator in the first place for more effective cooling is a bridge PLX. The fact is that during testing overclocked gaming system under load, a heatsink on the chip PLX warmed to 52 degrees (outdoor stand, the ambient temperature – 25 C).
When using multiple graphics cards manufacturer recommends not forgetting the six-pole connector of the additional power EZ_Plug_1, which helps eliminate sagging voltage on the bus PCI Express, which can degrade the results of overclocking the graphics card. The involvement of another four-contact connector EZ_Plug_2 build any power ports located on the interface panel.
The functionality of the controller board further expands the Thunderbolt (Intel Z215T004B). This interface has a bandwidth of up to 10 GB / s in both directions, and allows you to connect a series of up to 6 drives, plus a display device. To date, the devices that use this bus is not too common view of the considerable cost, however, for those who need high-speed external storage, Thunderbolt could be useful now, and not only in the long term.
ASUS Maximus V Extreme allows you to use an optional external adapter mPCIe Combo. A small expansion board contains connectors for connecting mini SATA SSD, as well as connector mPCI-E, which was originally occupied by the controller Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
As for the disk subsystem, the board allows you to connect up to 8 internal drives – with the help of six SATA 6 Gb / s (2 – Intel Z77, 4 – ASM 1061), and a couple of SATA 3Gb / s. ESATA connector is put to the bar outside, while the internal connector is located in the central part at the lower edge of the PCB.
The ASUS Maximus V Extreme board also allows you to connect up to 8 devices via USB 3.0. Service unit four takes on the chipset. Another four are connected by a pair of additional controllers ASMedia ASM1042.
Most of the controls and monitoring systems are located in the upper right corner of the PCB. Here are the power button and reboot the system, as well as key Go_Button, allowing the use of a tool MemOK! and load pre-configured profiles. The line of contact pads ProbeIt allows to measure the voltage of main units. In addition to measuring the voltage of the main system parameters are provided the panel with the ability to connect adapters, clamps multimeter probes. A pair of connectors VGA Hotwire can connect a video card ASUS, supports this feature, then you can not only monitor but also to change the voltage for the GPU, memory and buses.
The presence of indicator POST- Q-Code helps diagnose possible problems during system boot. During the experiments with multiple graphics cards may want to perform them off without removing the adapters themselves. For this purpose a special unit with the switches.
Interest passionate enthusiasts for their experiments using liquid nitrogen, in the case of ASUS Maximus V Extreme not only addressed, but also at the heart. Jumper LN2 and the switch Slow Mode allow you to optimize system performance under conditions of low temperatures.
For enthusiasts who use liquid nitrogen, it is important to be able to monitor achieved a negative temperature. Thus, in this case we are talking about fairly low values (-150 – 170 Degree C). Not every meter is able to work in this band, let alone reflect the real performance. Avoid expensive measuring devices may be using the Subzero Sense. Next to the SATA connectors are appropriate connectors for connecting thermocouples, which, unfortunately, are not included in standard delivery fees.
Besides the fact that ASUS Maximus V Extreme supports proprietary hardware- USB BIOS Flashback , allowing them to upgrade sewing with USB-drive without booting the system, taking into account the possible scenarios under consideration board, ASUS hedge, setting the two chips BIOS. To switch between the chips is a separate button, located in the lower right corner of the PCB. On the current use of first or second signal integrated circuits mounted LEDs next to them.
ASUS sent the decent interface panel. At the corner of the PCB is the port Thunderbolt. Note that its capacity depends on which mode uses an internal slot PCI Express x4. Placed next to the button reset CMOS-RAM, as well as key ROG Connect, used as to enable the corresponding function, and activation of OC Key. Four USB 2.0 ports are arranged in one column, while the bottom is highlighted with white plastic insert. That it is engaged in the management of the system using a PC slave (ROG Connect). Note also the presence of four ports USB 3.0, the power outlet, as well as a combined PS / 2 connections for keyboard or mouse. Is proposed to connect a display device using the DisplayPort or HDMI (remember the possibility to connect and Thunderbolt), or both at once. Five audiod jacks designed for multichannel speakers, in addition, the panel has digital optical input and output (S / PDIF).
OC Key
In addition to these devices, ASUS Maximus V Extreme comes with a specialized device OC Key, which allows real-time tracking performance of various sensors, as well as change many settings. OC Key is an external module interface connectors DVI, which is included in the circuit between the graphics card and monitor. To communicate with the motherboard uses a special cable (on the PCB there is a corresponding connector, located behind the unit audio jacks). Available on the side of the USB-port is only used when updating the firmware device.
In order to activate the OC Key, press and within three seconds of holding the ROG Connect, located on the interface panel. After that, the screen will be displayed OSD Monitor, as well as the active unit to change settings. To move between the keyboard arrow keys are used, click Enter, F5, F10, and the “+ / -” to change the numeric values.
The functionality of such solutions is impressive. Key allows the operating system “on the fly” change the whole set of key parameters, including the FSB, CPU multiplier and voltage at different nodes of the system. Furthermore, this possibility does not depend on the software, operating system and the current mode of operation of the system. We only note that OC Key interface supports DVI-D Single Link, because the maximum resolution of the connected display in this case is 1920 × 1200.
Completion
The board has an extended delivery. Guide, CD with drivers and software, eight cables SATA, USB cable for connecting the host computer (ROG Connect), interface bracket, the panel on the rear wall of the housing with eSATA ports and a pair of USB 2.0.
Also included in the delivery of a combined board mPCIe Combo c controllers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, two external antennas and adapters for connection, the panels Q-Connector, adapter to connect a multimeter to voltage measuring points ProbeIt. A separate item is the controller OC Key, and a special cable to connect it to the motherboard.
For organizations with multiple configurations of graphics included in the supply of axles SLI and CrossFire, as well as adapters to bring together three or even four graphics cards with a chip from NVIDIA.
Inside
In this case of ASUS Maximus V Extreme, a graphical shell is black and red colors in general characteristic of the device family ROG. As part of the diversity of valid options, Maximus V Extreme has something to surprise even the seasoned enthusiast.
Exploring the possibility of payment with high FSB, we are easily able to repeat the result of ASUS Maximus V Extreme – 108 MHz. If we talk about the maximum overclocking, after increasing the supply voltage to 1.25 V, test sample Core i7-3770K steadily worked at 4.8 GHz.
A further increase in CPU clock requires a fundamentally different approach to cooling the chip. In this mode, the surface area of cores Ivy Bridge, the heat flux density is very high, and takes it with even a very good air cooler is problematic. The use of liquid nitrogen and related accessories can push the limits at 1.5 GHz. Only the brave submit to such frequencies, but if such desire is still there, ASUS Maximus V Extreme has all you need.
Results
ASUS Maximus Extreme V – a real gift to enthusiasts, for which the acceleration is an art – and not just to get a little more performance for your system. The board has a wide range of tools in order not to limit the habit of creative flight overclocker. In the framework of the model is LGA1155 platform may well claim to be the best motherboard for overclocking. Looking at the price tag of the device, it is difficult to contain the emotions, but when it comes to such high matters, money is often overshadowed.
Pros:
+ Expanding opportunities for overclocking
+ Well equipped
+ Device for monitoring and tuning system OC Key
+ The presence of the expander mPCIe Combo controller Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
+ Support for Thunderbolt
+ Ability to create configurations 3/4-way SLI and CrossFireX
Cons:
– Price
