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- Date:
- Saturday , September 24, 2011
- Author:
- Morry Teitelman
- Google +1
ASUS Maximus IV GENE-Z
The Maximus IV GENE-Z is ASUS' micro-ATX answer for the gaming crowd. As part of their Republic of Gamers (ROG) line, the board offers top of the line component architecture to drive the performance that one expects from a ROG board.
Introduction
ASUS is a computer component manufacturer in a class of its own, bringing to the table a long history of high quality and high performance engineering practices. Over the years, ASUS has consistently delivered top rated components leading to its place in the hearts and minds of the enthusiast community. A few years back, it took this to a whole new level with the introduction of the Republic of Gamers (ROG) branding. A product is this particular line is built to withstand the abuse the we enthusiasts inflict on our hardware while performing better than most other products in their class. The latest micro-ATX based motherboard is more than worthy of this praise.
The ASUS Maximus IV GENE-Z motherboard uses the latest Intel chipset technology to deliver unrivaled performance in its small footprint. The Intel Z68 chipset integrates support for the following technologies: the Intel LGA1155 Core i3, i5, and i7 processor lines; DDR3 memory operating in Dual Channel memory mode up to 1333MHz officially; and either NVIDIA SLI or ATI CrossFireX graphics mode using matched video cards. ASUS chose to integrate the following devices in to the Maximums IV GENE-Z: 4 SATA II 3Gb/s ports and 2 SATA III 6Gb/s ports (RAID 0, 1, 0+1 and 5 capable) on the Intel Z68 controller; 2 eSATA 3Gb/s ports (RAID 0 and 1 capable) on the JMicron controller; 12 USB 2.0 capable ports (8 in rear panel, and 2 onboard header supporting 2 ports each); 4 USB 3.0 capable ports (2 in rear panel, and 1 onboard header supporting 2 ports each); 1 Intel GigE Ethernet port in the rear panel; SupremeFX X-Fi 2 8-channel HD audio codec with integrated S/PDIF optical output port; Integrated chipset graphics support with HDMI output port in the rear panel; CMOS reset button in the rear panel; onboard Power, Reset, and GO/MemOK buttons; onboard 2-digit LED diagnostic display; and a PS/2 keyboard / mouse port in the rear panel.
Main Specifications Overview:
Detailed Mainboard Specification List:
Packaging
ASUS adorned the Maximus IV GENE-Z's box with the ROG emblem and art design, with the board name and support technologies clearly shown across the box front. ASUS kept the bundled accessory list simple for this board: locking connector SATA drive cables; a 2-way NVIDIA SLI connector; the Q-Connector modules; the ROG connect cable; the rear panel shield; ROG case sticker and drive cable labels; and the normal complement of manuals and drivers discs. The Q-Connector modules allow for an easy interface for connecting in to the motherboard headers. You simply plug in your front panel jumpers in to the white connector and the USB 2.0 jumpers in to the blue connector block, and then plug both blocks in to the motherboard headers. It makes for a much easier install for those typically hard to reach header areas. The ROG connect cable is used to configure motherboard settings via a different connected computer.
Board Layout
Similar to the previous micro-ATX boards ASUS has designed, the Maximus IV GENE-Z is packed to the gills with plenty of space around the critical components. They accomplish this feat via careful component and heat sink placement. While the serial number is not present on the board itself, the board revision is silkscreened to the surface in between the CPU socket and primary PCI-Express x16 slot. The revision used in testing was a 1.01 board. The board serial and revision are also located on a white sticker along the front edge of the board's box. ASUS used top-notch power circuitry in designing the board, using a mix of high quality polymer solid-electrolyte capacitors and Ferrite core chokes for power regulation.
The CPU socket has more than adequate room around it and is free of obstructions on all sides. To hold the cooler to the CPU, the board uses the Intel standard LGA1155 style hold-down mechanism. The CMOS battery and CHA_FAN3 header are located to the upper left of the socket, while the ROG connect toggle switch and ATX-12V power connectors are to the socket's upper right. The ROG connect switch is used to enable the ROG connect functionality through the white colored USB 2.0 port in the rear panel. ROG connect allows for board control from a remote system attached to the board through this port. The CPU temperature probe (CPU_OPT) and CPU_FAN headers are located to the right of the CPU socket along the board's edge.
The integrated memory slots are directly below the CPU socket area, in a 4-by-1 bi-colored block. Dual Channel memory mode becomes active for the DDR3 modules when matching sticks are placed in like colored slots. Directly below the memory slots are the 24-pin ATX power connector, USB 3.0 header, GO / MemOK! button, and the ProbeIt power measurement points. The GO / MemOK! serves dual purposes. If pressed during a system initialization, the board BIOS settings are reset to a default state so that the board can boot. If the button is pressed after successful system startup, the BIOS institutes the GO overclocking profile as defined in the BIOS Tools menu. The ProbeIt measurement points allows for easy access for measuring board voltages using a multi-meter type device.
The Intel Z68 Express chipset lies directly below the secondary PCI-Express x16 slot underneath a large low profile cooler. The chipset's SATA ports are located directly below it along the board's edge. The grey colored slots are SATA II 3 Gb/s ports, while the red colored slots are the SATA III 6 Gb/s ports. The front panel header, CHA_FAN1 header, and USB 2.0 headers are located to the lower left of the chipset.
ASUS packed the Maximus IV GENE-Z with a total of 3 onboard devices slots: 2 PCI-Express x16 slots and 1 PCI-Express x4 slot. The onboard Power and Reset buttons, the 2-digit diagnostic LED display, and the front panel audio header are located along the outer edge of the PCI-Express x4 slot. The diagnostic display can be used to troubleshoot system initialization problems by cross-referencing the code shown with the table in the motherboard manual.
The Maximus IV GENE-Z's rear panel contains the following ports and features: a PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo-port; 8 USB 2.0 ports (white or black colored USB style ports); 2 USB 3.0 ports (blue colored USB style ports); 1 Intel GigE Ethernet port; 2 e-SATA 3Gb/s ports; CMOS reset button; 1 HDMI video output port; and 6 analogue and S/PDIF optical audio output ports. Note that the white USB 2.0 port is dedicated to the ROG connect function only with the ROG connect switch activated.