Ultra PCs, slowly but will surely take away market share from the classic desktop solutions. This is achieved thanks to two aspects: the presence in the market ready All-in-one solutions that differs due to modest size, as well as the wide availability of components for the self-assembly of designer-type mini-ITX. Motherboards in this form factor, until recently, could only boast advanced functionality, while the possibility of creating a truly high-end PC is often artificially limited (for example, limits on power consumption of the CPU and “trimmed” slots PCI Express – x4 instead of the x16). ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard – one of those models, which may be destined to change the stereotypical attitude toward fees, made on the PCB size 17 × 17 cm.
Design and layout features
The first thing you notice when you look at ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard with extra-power components, installed perpendicular to the core.
This peculiarity is the name of the DIGI + VRM and a power subsystem processor. Due to the tiny size making mini-ITX format dilute to RSV full force, capable of withstanding the load in at least 100-150 watts, it was a real problem. In the Network enough examples where due to overclocking the CPU to the latest ultra compact mainboards broke down due to overheating of the power components, the breakdown of transistors VRM. It seems that the problem at ASUS have decided once and for all.
Daughter Board to the extent of compact and at the same time exhibits good loading capacity. In ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard solid capacitors design for effective noise filtering in sufficient quantities, and are wired to the DIGI + VRM, and the main PCB.
On the rear panel there was a place full range of advanced video outputs (DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI) connectors for connecting the wireless antenna, standard USB ports 2.0 and 3.0 (4 pcs.), Two eSATA, jack LAN. Three audio jack several complicating the wiring diagram of the multichannel acoustics 7.1 (need to use the connector on the chassis), still under a conditional place three outputs employing Clear CMOS button and the USB BIOS Flashback (reset the firmware and emergency recovery, respectively).
High-density mounting of components due to the lack of the same PCB area and the desire to realizes in ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard as many requested features. Note that for CPU power EPS 12V connector is used.
It is located near the edge of the board along with the main, which will greatly facilitate the assembly of ultra-compact solutions.
Despite its limited size, ASUS engineers have built a pair of two on-board USB 2.0-connectors and one – USB 3.0. Jack mini-PCI-Express is busy wireless module Bluetooth + Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n. ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard sheltered two fan connectors.
All the same packing density explains the migration of smd-components on the back of the PCB.
Four SATA-port (two 3Gb / c and 6 GB / s) are combined with the chipset heatsink and connector PCI Express. When you install a discrete graphics card in the last will be covered by a LED and turn on the system board for connection of external audio. By the way, the latch in the slot for the graphics card installation dimensional solutions will be locked tight case – keep this in mind when building a PC. Access connectors Power, Reset is difficult even for an open test bench.
Delivery
The bundled motherboard ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE addition to the standard set of must have-components (manuals, CD with software, SATA-cables and plugs on the rear panel) is the two antennas to ensure correct operation of the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Their design is familiar to us since the ASUS solutions based on chipset Intel P965 Express.
In
To check the opportunity of motherboard ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE conducted a series of tests to determine the possibility of system settings, temperature readings and nuances of the PC in real terms.
First of all acquainted with the possibilities of UEFI-shell, in the ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE model used by conventional flash, typical for mid-level solutions ASUS.
The first option provides sufficient information for ordinary users, and customizable PC. Those who want to fine-tune the system can press the F7 key and get into the classic menu, reminiscent of AMI-BIOS motherboards ASUS.
Note that the adjustment of the frequency ranges of the system bus and the supply voltage is not actually limited in comparison with full-sized motherboards. For example, set 2 for the processor or the same amount – for the memory modules will be afraid to even the most extreme overclockers.
Separately, we note section ASUS SPD Information, allowing beginners to navigate to manually configure memory sub-timings.
Given the strong power subsystem, we were interested primarily in the overclocking capabilities of ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard and it was tested with a given configuration and results which are discuss after that configuration specs:
• Processor Intel Core i7-2600K;
• Cooler Zalman VF7000-Cu;
• RAM Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey DDR3-2133 2 × 2 GB;
• Drive Kingston SSDNow! V + 64 GB;
• Power Supply Enermax Revolution 85 + 1250W
• The use of archaic CPU cooler driven by a desire to check the compatibility P8Z77-I DELUXE with respect to overall CO, more productive than the boxed cooler.
On a test of base frequency overclocking this board coped well – it was submitted to 105.5 MHz and more than 4.7 GHz clock frequency of the task, even difficult to call. Further overclocking potential constrained to use the cooler. Memory thus functioned at a frequency of 1970 MHz with timings of clamped moderately (9-11-9-24-1T). However, enthusiasts will have to overclock by changing the key configuration in firmware – available in the version of the utility TurboV EVO applies to ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard regulates the supply voltages, but not to control the base frequency.
Note that the power subsystem DIGI + VRM in the process is not heated above 47 C at the card in an open test bench, which inspires confidence in the correctness of its implementation. Measurements were carried out using non-contact infrared thermometer.
In addition, I would like to mention solid performance wireless module Wi-Fi: good reception and high speed data transfer (to the limit test router) were observed even outside the visible area.
Results
The market of computer accessories for today is well saturated with the components to build the ultra-PC, including – motherboard form factor mini-ITX. But the really powerful in the literal sense of the word decision until ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard were unusual. Now you can say with confidence that the model performed by mini-ITX caught up with the full-length counterparts in all respects. DIGI + VRM module is a unique and very correct decision in terms of load capacity. ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard is unlike many competing solutions provides a full range of options to fine-tune the system.
The present price of the motherboard ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE is marked at $ 200. High-level solutions mini-ITX form factor has never been cheaper, but it is implemented on a relatively expensive chipset Intel Z77 Express. In fact, ASUS gives the user complete freedom of choice, pushing the price criterion is the background: a powerful ultra-compact card in many respects is not inferior to full-length counter-parts average, and some even exceed them.
Pros
+ Extended functionality
+ A powerful power subsystem
+ Good overclocking and tweaking of the system
+ Results of forcing PC
+ Wi-Fi-module is included
Cons
– Difficulty in connecting multi-channel acoustic
– Quite a high price
This was all regarding the features, price, specs and review of ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard, stay tuned for more updates.
