Our readers could already be convinced by the example of the Gigabyte G1.Sniper M3 motherboard that the functionality does not depend much on the dimensions. On the contrary, it becomes possible to assemble a system of more compact dimensions, while not limiting yourself in anything. This means that the myth that mATX boards are always budget solutions for office typewriters is a thing of the past. Now almost every manufacturer has one or several small models in their lineup, which are in no way inferior to full-format ATX solutions.

Until recently, large boards had the advantage of supporting multi-graphics technologies such as SLI and CrossFire. The first to blur the line between the two standards (mATX and ATX) in terms of functionality ASUS started by releasing several gaming-oriented models in a special ROG (Republic Of Gamers) line with the GENE prefix.

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Time does not stand still and technologies are constantly being improved, getting cheaper and moving into mass production. This trend is noticeable in all industries, and ASUS has not escaped it. First, some innovative solution is used in the high-budget segment, and then it becomes available in mass products. This material will consider the ASUS P8Z77M-PRO motherboard, which is an ordinary model of the mATX format, but with support for all the most modern technologies, including multi-graphics such as SLI, 3-WAY CrossFire and Lucid Virtu MVP.

ASUS P8Z77-M Pro– motherboard for LGA1155 platform based on chipset Intel Z77 and made in the form factor mATX. Compact, functional and relatively inexpensive device with the ability to fine-tune the parameters. These are the criteria that users are paying more and more attention to when choosing a basis for new system. Let's see if the results of testing will be able to emphasize all of the above points, and not just some of them.

The mATX form-factor board is made in typical colors for ASUS P8 devices, while the device turned out to be rather motley. It would seem that the already familiar combination of black, blue and white colors is used, but on a small piece of textolite the color palette of elements changes quite actively, and you notice this already at the first glance at the device.

The power subsystem has eight phases (6+2). The DIGI+VRM controller (ASP1105) is used to adjust the power stabilizer parameters. In this case, to speed up heat dissipation, the VRM elements are equipped with heatsinks. The low-profile coolers are painted blue, with one segment in the center section in a natural aluminum color for visual contrast. The chipset chip is also covered by a compact blue heatsink.

To supply additional power, an 8-pin EATX12V connector is used, traditionally located at the top edge closer to the interface panel.

ASUS P8Z77-M Pro is equipped with four slots for memory modules, the total amount of which can be increased up to 32 GB. The speed indicators of the used DDR3 largely depend on the capabilities of the processor used. In the case of the mATX form factor, memory module connectors with one-way latches come in handy. According to the layout, the graphics card in the top PCI-E x16 slot will not interfere with the installation of RAM strips.

In general, the layout of ASUS P8Z77-M Pro is very successful. Questions may arise only when installing large processor coolers. After installing Thermalright Archon Rev.A, the first PCI slot-E x16 turns out to be unavailable - the dimensions of the radiator block do not allow installing a video card in the top slot. However, specified model cooler is one of the largest in its class, the span of its radiator "wings" reaches 155 mm. Its trouble-free installation is not possible on every full-size model, what can we say when it comes to compact mATX, where the first slot is reserved for PCI-E x16, and not PCI-E x1. One way or another, this nuance is worth paying attention to.

The set of expansion slots cannot be called academic. The manufacturer abandoned obsolete PCI in favor of faster PCI Express. There are four slots on the PCB: three full-format PCI-E x16 and one miniature PCI-E x1. The top slot, colored blue, is preferred when using a single graphics card. In this case, it receives all 16 bus lines and operates at maximum speed. If there are a pair of graphics adapters, the second slot (white) is also used, and the link configuration looks like x8 + x8. When using an Ivy Bridge family processor, both slots can operate in PCI Express 3.0 mode. The last "long-length" black in any case complies with the PCI Express 2.0 specification and receives 4 dedicated bus lines.

The manufacturer focuses on the board's ability to work in multi-adapter configurations. This is opaquely hinted at even by the presence of an SLI bridge in the kit, which is not supplied with all models that support bundles with two video cards based on NVIDIA chips. CrossFireX configurations are also allowed, but the adapters required for such systems are usually supplied with the graphics adapters.

The location of the slots also suggests that the developers wanted to make life easier for those brave and enthusiastic people who will use a pair of video cards. They are arranged in such a sequence that two adapters with dual-slot coolers will be installed without problems. Of course, in this case it will not be possible to install additional expansion cards, but access to the elements at the lower edge of the PCB will remain open.

The main controls and functional connectors are concentrated on the bottom edge of the board. There is a connector for outputting audio connectors to the front wall of the case, toggle switches for activating proprietary TPU and EPU technologies. There is also a large LED-indicator, the “warm lamp light” of which can be observed on ASUS boards for many years when the standby voltage is supplied from the PSU. Also nearby are three internal connectors for six USB 2.0 ports, a system panel for connecting control keys and indicators, as well as a jumper for resetting CMOS memory settings. There is also an activation button at the bottom edge. USB BIOS FlashBack- technology for flashing a flash microcircuit from a USB drive, which is implemented at the hardware level. Another additional level of protection is the use of a removable panel for the flash chip, which allows you to replace it if necessary.

Of the curious nuances of the layout, we note the placement of the COM port connector in the corner printed circuit board, next to the memory slots. At the right edge, not far from the main power connector, there is a connector for connecting a TPM module. Pro-shnye roots are felt, it is necessary to correspond.

We did not expect to see any abundance of specialized overclocking tools on the board, and in this respect ASUS P8Z77-M Pro was not a revelation. With some stretch, these include the key MemoOK!, which can be useful if there are difficulties with the initial start after installing a new memory kit. The function allows you to go through a rough “lapping” using timings with which the bars will work.

The technological feature of the device is four independent channels for adjusting the fan speed. One for the processor and three more case. All connectors are four-pin, allowing you to change the speed using PWM, in addition, all have support Q Fan Control with given profiles and the possibility of quite fine tuning of the algorithm.

The disk subsystem is implemented by Intel chipset Z77 - a pair of channels SATA 6 Gb / s and four SATA 3 Gb / s. The interface connectors are oriented parallel to the plane of the printed circuit board, so a long video card, although it will cause some difficulties when connecting cables in a compact case, will still make such a configuration quite possible.

Expands drive connectivity options optional controller ASMedia ASM1061, thanks to which a pair of eSATA connectors with a bandwidth of 6 Gb / s is implemented on the back panel of the board. For a number of tasks, this interface is indispensable, despite the fact that after the widespread use of USB 3.0, the range of drives with eSATA has become rather scarce.

As for USB 3.0 directly, on ASUS P8Z77-M Pro, the controller adds a couple more to the four ports provided by Intel Z77 ASMedia ASM1042. Note that the chipset ports are located in pairs on the interface panel and on the PCB (one internal connector for two ports). Two additional ones are located on the interface panel.

The audio subsystem is based on the Realtek ALC892 HDA codec. Proven eight-channel solution with the sound quality you expect. The network controller also uses a common solution - Realtek 8111F.

The interface panel is equipped very well. Universal PS/2, a pair of USB 2.0, four USB 3.0 ports and an Ethernet socket. The interface kit is complemented by a pair of eSATA, which can come in handy if you have a fast external storage. To connect display devices, analog VGA is provided, as well as a pair of digital video outputs - DVI-D and HDMI.

Connections speaker system any configuration simplifies the panel with six audio connectors. In addition, to connect acoustics digitally, an optical S/PDIF output is provided.

Contents of delivery

The package includes a user manual, several brochures describing the nuances of a number of proprietary technologies, 4 SATA cables, a flexible SLI bridge and a plug on the back of the case. The Q-Connector sockets make it easy to connect the power buttons, speaker, and status indicators.


UEFI

We have already talked about UEFI from ASUS several times. The shell is easy to use, logically structured, has useful hints for setting various parameters. ASUS P8Z77-M Pro fully inherits the advantages of the proprietary shell.














The processor voltage can be increased "only" to 1.92 V (strongly not recommended without a glass of liquid nitrogen). The voltage on the memory modules is also limited by the same limit. The proposed features are unlikely to push for overclocking records, but the available funds are more than enough to boost the system well.








To configure a number of parameters, ASUS offers to use the software kit AI Suite II, which includes several useful applications.

Overclocking

Following the path of least resistance, we started accelerating the system with the TurboV EVO feature. In the basic version ("Fast overclocking" mode), after rebooting the PC, the test core processor i7-3770K accelerated to 4223 MHz (41x103 MHz). A 20% increase in frequency is a good start.

Having started to go into the lead, it is sometimes difficult to stop, especially when the button labeled "Extreme overclocking" is located a few tens of pixels on the desktop from the base acceleration key. Yielding to temptation, we got 4635 MHz (45 × 103 MHz).

Note that the auto-overclocking function actively uses the advantage of a chip with an unlocked multiplier. Such a spurt would not have been possible without an increase in the processor voltage, which was automatically increased to 1.245 V. In such a mode, an effective air cooler is definitely not enough.



In mode manual control, after increasing the CPU supply voltage to 1.25 V, the processor clock frequency was increased to 4.8 GHz. If we talk about overclocking the system bus, the board made it possible to increase it to 108.5 MHz. The test set of DDR3-2133 memory modules worked at 2200 MHz without much difficulty.

In the conditions of an open bench and a tower-type processor cooler, the radiators mounted on MOSFET elements warmed up to 52-54 degrees under load. The temperature of the chipset cooler increased to 46–48 C after prolonged operation.

Results

ASUS P8Z77-M Pro interesting for those who are not ready to be content with the budget "subcompact". The board is made soundly, has a good power reserve and a decent technological arsenal. This is exactly what you expect from a device with a price tag of $145.

The manufacturer tried not to compromise in favor of different categories of users, but rather intended to maintain a certain balance so that the model came to the attention of buyers who make a rational choice. In such a case, the experience of developers is very important, otherwise the product may very simply turn out to be “neither fish nor meat”. ASUS P8Z77-M Pro managed to avoid this fate. The board has its own personality and is an attractive option for those who assemble a productive system in an mATX case, but the capabilities of the iconic ASUS Maximus V GENE in this form factor seem clearly excessive, and there is no great desire to overpay for unused functions.

Liked

Good equipment and functionality

High-quality power subsystem

Ample opportunities for the organization of the cooling system

Support for SLI and CrossFireX modes

Did not like

- Hardly ever

Testing device provided by MTI, www.distri.mti.ua

Test bench configuration

CPUIntel Core [email protected].5 GHzIntel, www.intel.ua
CoolerThermalright Archon Rev.A"1-Incom", www.1-incom.com.ua
RAMTeam Xtreem TXD38192M2133HC9KDC-L (2x4GB DDR3-2133)DC Link, www.dclink.com.ua
Storage deviceIntel SSD 520 (SSDSC2CW240A3, 240 GB)Intel, www.intel.ua
Power SupplyThermaltake Toughpower Grand TPG-1200M (1200W)Thermaltake www.thermaltakeusa.com
Chipset coolingRadiator
VRM CoolingRadiator
Embedded videointegrated into the Intel processor
PCI
PCI Express x4
PCI Express x11
Graphic interface2xPCI-E x16 3.0(x16, x8+x8) + 1xPCI-E x16 2.0(x4)
DIMM4xDDR3
IDE (Parallel ATA) (chipset/additional controller)
Serial ATA (chipset/additional controller)4/-
SATA Revision 3.0 (chipset/additional controller)2/-
Main power connectors24+8
Extra food
FAN4
S/PDIF+(output)
Audio codecRealtek ALC892 (7.1)
ethernetRealtek 8111F (GBE)
SATA
SATA Revision 3.0ASMedia ASM1061
PATA
IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
USB 3.0AS Media 1042
LAN1
eSATA Rev. 2.0
eSATA Rev. 3.02
Audio6
S/PDIF Out (Coaxial/Optical)-/+
Thunderbolt
Monitor outputs1xD-Sub, 1xDVI-D and 1xHDMI
USB 1.1/2.02/3(6 ports)/-
USB 3.04/1(2 ports)/-
IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
COM-/1/-
Game/MIDI
LPT
IDE
SATA interface/power, devices4/-
Form FactormicroATX, 244x244 mm
Support for two or more video cardsLucidLogix Virtu MVP, AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX/3-Way CrossFireX and nVidia Quad-GPU SLI
RAID Support0, 1, 5, 10, Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, and Intel Smart Connect Technology
WiFi adapter
UEFI Support+
MiscellaneousSecond-generation smart chips with DIGI+(6-phase for CPU, 2-phase for iGPU) power supply system; one PS/2 port for keyboard or mouse; TPM module connector; SLI bridge included

The times when microATX motherboards were an attribute of budget or office system units are gone forever. To date, almost all vendors have compact products in their assortment, the functionality and safety margin of which are in no way inferior to full-size models of medium and high levels. These motherboards use older chipset modifications, enhanced power supply units and powerful cooling systems. On the other hand, manufacturers continue to saturate their product lines with inexpensive microATX motherboards that combine basic features expansion and overclocking at a relatively low cost. ASUS P8Z77-M belongs to such models intended for economical and not too exacting users.


The motherboard is based on the older Intel Z77 Express chipset, which makes ASUS P8Z77-M interesting for overclockers, and also provides decent functionality for a budget product. FROM technical specifications You can find new items in the following table:

Model
Chipset Intel Z77 Express
Processor socket Socket LGA1155
Processors Core i7, Core i5, Pentium, Celeron (Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge)
Memory 4 DIMM DDR3 SDRAM 1066/1333/1600/1866*/2000*/2133*/2200*/2400* (*—OC), 32 GB maximum
PCI slots 1 PCI Express 3.0 x16
1 PCI Express 2.0 [email protected]
1 PCI Express 2.0x1
PCI slots 1 (ASMedia ASM1083)
Integrated video core Intel HD Graphics
Video connectors HDMI, DVI-D and D-Sub
Number of connected fans 4x4pin
PS/2 ports 1 (combined)
USB ports 4 x 3.0 (2 connectors on the rear panel, Intel Z77)
10 x 2.0 (4 x rear, Intel Z77)
ATA-133 -
Serial ATA 2 lanes SATA 6 Gb/s (Intel Z77)
4 lanes SATA 3Gb/s (Intel Z77)
eSATA -
RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 (Intel Z77)
Built-in sound Realtek ALC887 (7.1, HDA)
S/PDIF Optic
Built-in network Realtek RTL8111F (Gigabit Ethernet)
firewire -
Thunderbolt -
COM + (on board)
LPT -
BIOS/UEFI AMI UEFI
Form Factor microATX
Dimensions, mm 244x244
Additional features MemOK!, USB BIOS Flashback

Contents of delivery

As befits an inexpensive model, the P8Z77-M comes in a small cardboard box designed in the style of the latest ASUS products. The front side, in addition to the name of the modification, bears many logos of proprietary technologies, among which the central place is occupied by DIGI + Power Control, which means the use of a digital power subsystem that provides stability and high energy efficiency in any mode of operation.


The back side lists the main specifications of ASUS P8Z77-M, as well as extended information about the key features of the motherboard. Among them is the LucidLogix Virtu MVP technology, which allows you to combine the resources of an integrated and discrete video card.


The set of accessories of the heroine of today's testing consists of:
  • plugs for the back panel of the I/O Shield;
  • two SATA 6 Gb/s cables;
  • a set of connectors Q-Connectors;
  • user manuals;
  • quick assembly instructions;
  • manuals for working with ASUS proprietary technologies;
  • DVD with drivers and software.


Given the low cost of new items, we can forgive her meager delivery and let's hope that the engineers wisely disposed of the allocated budget and put the maximum margin of safety into the design system board.

Design

Design features of ASUS P8Z77-M are dictated by the compact dimensions (244x244 mm) of the printed circuit board. At the same time, the engineers managed to arrange all the main components in the usual places. Eight mounting holes are used for mounting, but the lower left edge of the PCB is unsupported, so care must be taken when connecting front panel connectors and SATA cables.


Thanks to the use of the Intel Z77 Express chipset, the novelty supports any Intel LGA1155 processors, including models with a free multiplier. For installation random access memory DDR3 is served by four DIMM slots, the total amount of RAM is 32 GB with a frequency of up to 2400 MHz inclusive.

The P8Z77-M power subsystem is made according to a six-channel scheme, of which four phases feed the computing cores, and two separate channels are responsible for the formation of voltages on the integrated video card and the “system agent”. The VRM module is controlled by a digital PWM controller labeled ASP1102. It is known that this chip supports dynamic shutdown of unused phases, protection against overheating and overcurrent, as well as control of the frequency of PWM modulation. Traditional MOSFETs are used as power elements.


The power elements are protected from overheating by a modest-sized radiator, which is in contact with field effect transistors through a rubber-like gasket, and not very reliable spring-loaded plastic caps are used for its fastening.


An eight-pin EPS12V connector is used to supply voltage to the ASUS P8Z77-M power subsystem, but the VRM unit does not have a significant margin of safety, since the radiator cools only three of the six channels of the voltage converter. It is already obvious that the novelty is hardly suitable for serious overclocking experiments.

A small light alloy radiator is responsible for cooling the system logic chip, the efficiency of which does not cause concern, regardless of the operating mode. There are four connectors for connecting fans - all four-pin and with PWM support.


Despite a modest margin of safety, the design of the P8Z77-M has a number of solutions that will come in handy during overclocking. First of all, this concerns the MemOK! function, which makes it possible to boot the system after setting inoperable RAM parameters. The button that launches the function of the same name is located next to the RAM slots.


In the event of a failure of the control microcode, the USB BIOS Flashback function will help, allowing you to restore and update the firmware from a removable USB drive even when the board does not have a processor and RAM.


For installation ASUS graphics cards The P8Z77-M has a PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot. The second slot connected to the chipset always works in PCI Express 2.0 mode [email protected], but this does not interfere with organizing the AMD CrossFireX configuration.


The motherboard has one PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot and one PCI slot, which works through the ASMedia ASM1083 adapter bridge. For connecting disk devices, the novelty has two ports SATA 6 Gb / s and four SATA 3 Gb / s. Drives can be combined into RAID arrays, and if the system has an SSD, use of the Intel SRT caching feature is available. The layout of the SATA ports is such that even large video cards will not interfere with connecting interface cables.


On the back of the P8Z77-M there was a place for:
  • PS/2 combo port;
  • four USB 2.0 connectors and two chipset USB 3.0;
  • optical S/PDIF;
  • video outputs HDMI, D-Sub and DVI-D;
  • RJ-45 network port;
  • three analog audio jacks.


The layout can be considered successful, with the exception of a small number of analog audio outputs. But, there is a full set of video connectors, thanks to which Ivy Bridge owners can connect three monitors at the same time. In general, the expansion capabilities of the novelty are mainly based on the characteristics of the chipset, so what about support wireless networks or the Thunderbolt interface is a dream. Of the additional controllers, there are only a couple of Realtek chips: the ALC887 HD audio codec and the RTL8111F gigabit network interface. UEFI Setup

The ASUS P8Z77-M firmware is based on the UEFI control microcode developed by AMI, and the setup menu of ASUS motherboards is very familiar to us from numerous previous reviews. In the case of the heroine of today's testing, after entering UEFI Setup, the user is prompted to work in EZ Mode, which displays current date and time, firmware version, as well as information about the operating mode CPU and RAM modules. The readings of hardware monitoring sensors are also displayed here.


For ease of navigation through the setup menus in EZ Mode, shortcuts are provided to navigate to desired section firmware, as well as a menu for selecting boot devices.



Thus, EZ Mode is good for visual control of operation and system monitoring readings, but it is not suitable for fine-tuning the motherboard. There is an advanced mode for this.

On the Main tab, date and time are set, extended information about the version of the control microcode is displayed, and there is an option to select the language.


The Ai Tweaker section contains settings that are responsible for overclocking and performance, including controlling the BCLK frequency and processor core multipliers, Intel Turbo Boost mode and the Internal PLL Overvoltage function, as well as adjusting the clock frequency of RAM modules. It also includes a proprietary option ASUS MultiCore Enhanced, which improves performance in multi-threaded applications. Activating the EPU Power Saving Mode starts the power saving mode, and OC Tuner enables automatic overclocking.


The ASUS P8Z77-M firmware capabilities for voltage regulation are not as rich as in older models.


Users can control five main voltages, the range and adjustment step of which are shown in the following table.
Parameter Voltage range, V Step, B
CPU Manual Voltage 0,8-1,99 0,005
CPU Offset Voltage -0,685…+0,685 0,005
DRAM Voltage 1,2-2,135 0,005
PCH Voltage 0,8-1,685 0,005
VCCSA Voltage 0,925-1,0255 0,1
CPU PLL Voltage 1,8-1,9 0,1

Two adjustment modes are available for CPU Voltage: Manual and Offset. The first method is more convenient, since the desired value is set explicitly, but in the second, which indicates the increase to the standard value, the work of energy saving technologies is preserved. To overclock the RAM, the firmware provides modes up to 3200 MHz inclusive.


In the DRAM Timing Control tab, you can find the control of the timings of the RAM subsystem.




Fine-tuning the Intel Turbo Boost mode is located in the CPU Power Management submenu, and in the DIGI + VRM section, control of the digital power subsystem is concentrated. It is possible to adjust the CPU Load-line Calibration option, the frequency of switching power elements and overload protection, as well as turn off unused VRM channels during idle periods.



The Advanced firmware section contains controls for the processor, chipset, and additional controllers.


The CPU Configuration menu is responsible for configuring specific processor technologies, such as hardware virtualization or virus protection, and in the CPU Power Management Configuration tab, you can manage the power saving functions of the central processor.



In the System Agent Configuration subsection, in addition to the function of redistributing the RAM address space, there are options for the built-in video card.



The USB Configuration menu is responsible for the peripheral connection subsystem, while on the USB Single Port Control tab, you can selectively disable USB ports.



To configure the LAN controller, audio codec and serial port, you will have to go to the Onboard Devices Configuration firmware section.


System monitoring readings are displayed in the Monitor menu, which displays two temperatures, four fan speeds, and four main voltages on the processor and power rails.


As for the possibilities of adjusting the speed of the impellers, the firmware of the budget ASUS P8Z77-M will give odds to the flagship models of competitors. Each of the four Carlsons has an individual control channel that offers one of three basic profiles, as well as the ability to manual setting depending on the readings of the system temperature sensors.


Also, in the UEFI Setup of the novelty, a utility is built in to update the EZ Flash 2 control microcode.


O.C function available. Profile to save up to eight profiles with firmware settings, and the SPD Information option, which displays detailed information about the parameters of the RAM modules.


Complete software

The software designed to manage and control the monitoring parameters of the mainboard is combined into the AI ​​Suite II software package, which consists of many independent modules. We have repeatedly described the capabilities of this software product in previous reviews of ASUS motherboards, so today we will only recall its main features. So, software module TurboV EVO is responsible for managing performance parameters such as BCLK frequency, supply voltages, and core multipliers.


The automatic overclocking function is also turned on here, the effectiveness of which we will definitely check a little later.


To control the parameters of the digital power subsystem, the DIGI + VRM program is used, and the EPU module is responsible for setting up energy-saving technologies.



The rotation speed settings of each of the four fans are entrusted to the Fan Expert+ program, designed to achieve best ratio cooling efficiency and minimum noise level.


The Probe II module is used to display the hardware monitoring parameter, set alarm thresholds and record critical events in the log, while the Sensor Recorder program performs the function of recording the history of sensor readings.



In addition to the above, AI Suite II contains USB3.0 Boost routines, which speed up the work removable drives, and Network iControl, responsible for managing network connection priorities and bandwidth.



As always, we have the same questions about the functionality of AI Suite II related to the inability to control the frequency and timings of the RAM subsystem. Overclocking potential

The design of the ASUS P8Z77-M power subsystem does not have a significant margin of safety, so you should be careful during overclocking experiments. However, our test Core i5-3570K ran at 4500 MHz with a core voltage of 1.275 V. Alas, to reach best result we did not succeed, because with an increase in Vcore, the protection system worked, and the "motherboard" turned off. The final result can be considered quite good for a budget-class model; also, the preservation of the efficiency of energy-saving technologies should be attributed to the positive aspects.


During overclocking, the G.Skill TridentX F3-2400C10D-8GTX RAM modules operated at a frequency of 2400 MHz with timings of 10-12-12-31-2T at a voltage of 1.65 V, and to ensure stability, the voltage on the “system agent” was increased by 0, 1 V relative to the nominal value.

I was very pleased with the margin of safety of increasing the base frequency, which amounted to exactly 109 MHz, which will certainly be appreciated by owners of inexpensive Intel processors with a locked multiplier.


Finally, we decided to test the automatic overclocking capabilities of ASUS P8Z77-M, for which the OC Tuner option was activated in the firmware. The result of her work was to increase the processor frequency to 4220 MHz at a voltage of 1.184 V, and the RAM modules worked in 1922 MHz mode with delays of 10-12-12-31-2T.

test stand

To test the performance and overclocking potential of ASUS P8Z77-M, we used a test stand with the following configuration:

  • processor: Intel Core i5-3570K (3.4 GHz, 6 MB L3 cache);
  • cooler: Thermalright Silver Arrow (fan 140 mm, 1300 rpm);
  • Memory: G.Skill TridentX F3-2400C10D-8GTX (2x4 GB, DDR3-2400, CL10-12-12-31);
  • video card: ASUS HD7950-DC2T-3GD5 (Radeon HD 7950);
  • hard drive: Intel SSD 320 Series (300 GB, SATA 3Gb/s);
  • power supply: Seasonic X-650 (650 W).
The performance of the heroine of today's review was compared with those for motherboards ASRock Z77 Extreme6 , Gigabyte GA-Z77P-D3 , MSI Z77IA-E53 and MSI Z77A-GD65 Gaming . When testing, we used next versions control microcodes:
  • ASUS P8Z77-M UEFI Setup 1908 from 03/14/2013;
  • ASRock Z77 Extreme6 UEFI Setup 2.60 from 01/23/2013;
  • Gigabyte GA-Z77P-D3 UEFI Setup F7 from 08/24/2012;
  • MSI Z77A-GD65 Gaming UEFI Setup V25.29B2 from 03.29.2013;
  • MSI Z77IA-E53 UEFI Setup V10.3B1 from 02/07/2013.
During tests, the CPU power-saving features were enabled, Intel technology Turbo Boost is activated, and for the system Gigabyte boards The GA-Z77P-D3 had to manually adjust the core multipliers. The RAM modules operated at a frequency of 1866 MHz with delays of 8-10-10-28-1T. The test bench operated under the control operating system MS Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bit SP1 (90-day trial). The paging file and UAC were disabled, no other optimizations were made. For the chipset and processor have been installed intel drivers INF Update Utility 9.3.0.1019 from 05/03/2012 and Intel Management Engine 8.0.10.1464 from 05/21/2012, and for the video card - AMD Catalyst 13.1 from 01/17/2013.

The measurement technique remained the same: each test was repeated at least three times, after which the arithmetic mean was calculated. In the event that the result of some iteration differs significantly from the other two, testing continued until a normal value was obtained. Performance evaluation was carried out using the following software:

  • AIDA64 2.80.2300 (Cache & Memory benchmark);
  • Futuremark PCMark 7 (v1.4.0);
  • Futuremark 3DMark 11 (v1.0.3);
  • Batman: Archam City
  • F1 2012;
  • Sleeping Dogs.
Test results

ASUS P8Z77-M Pro– motherboard for LGA1155 platform based on chipset Intel Z77 and made in the form factor mATX. Compact, functional and relatively inexpensive device with the ability to fine-tune the parameters. These are exactly the criteria that users are paying more and more attention to when choosing the basis for a new system. Let's see if the results of testing will be able to emphasize all of the above points, and not just some of them.

When working with ASUS Maximus VI Hero, we had no questions - everything went so well that at times we even doubted whether this could be on a PC based on a 230 board. Functional differences compared to the top-end Maximus VI Extreme are insignificant and uncritical for the overwhelming majority of users.

Design and layout

The mATX form-factor board is made in typical colors for ASUS P8 devices, while the device turned out to be rather motley. It would seem that the already familiar combination of black, blue and white colors is used, but on a small piece of textolite the color palette of elements changes quite actively, and you notice this already at the first glance at the device.

The power subsystem has eight phases (6+2). The DIGI+VRM controller (ASP1105) is used to adjust the power stabilizer parameters. In this case, to speed up heat dissipation, the VRM elements are equipped with heatsinks. The low-profile coolers are painted blue, with one segment in the center section in a natural aluminum color for visual contrast. The chipset chip is also covered by a compact blue heatsink.

To supply additional power, an 8-pin EATX12V connector is used, traditionally located at the top edge closer to the interface panel.

ASUS P8Z77-M Pro is equipped with four slots for memory modules, the total amount of which can be increased up to 32 GB. The speed indicators of the used DDR3 largely depend on the capabilities of the processor used. In the case of the mATX form factor, memory module connectors with one-way latches come in handy. According to the layout, the graphics card in the top PCI-E x16 slot will not interfere with the installation of RAM strips.

In general, the layout of ASUS P8Z77-M Pro is very successful. Questions may arise only when installing large processor coolers. After installing Thermalright Archon Rev.A, the first PCI-E x16 slot is unavailable - the dimensions of the radiator block do not allow installing a video card in the top slot. However, this model of the cooler is one of the largest in its class, the span of its radiator “wings” reaches 155 mm. Its trouble-free installation is not possible on every full-size model, what can we say when it comes to compact mATX, where the first slot is reserved for PCI-E x16, and not PCI-E x1. One way or another, this nuance is worth paying attention to.

The set of expansion slots cannot be called academic. The manufacturer abandoned obsolete PCI in favor of faster PCI Express. There are four slots on the PCB: three full-format PCI-E x16 and one miniature PCI-E x1. The top slot, colored blue, is preferred when using a single graphics card. In this case, it receives all 16 bus lines and operates at maximum speed. If there are a pair of graphics adapters, the second slot (white) is also used, and the link configuration looks like x8 + x8. When using an Ivy Bridge family processor, both slots can operate in PCI Express 3.0 mode. The last "long-length" black in any case complies with the PCI Express 2.0 specification and receives 4 dedicated bus lines.

The manufacturer focuses on the board's ability to work in multi-adapter configurations. This is opaquely hinted at even by the presence of an SLI bridge in the kit, which is not supplied with all models that support bundles with two video cards based on NVIDIA chips. CrossFireX configurations are also allowed, but the adapters required for such systems are usually supplied with the graphics adapters.

The location of the slots also suggests that the developers wanted to make life easier for those brave and enthusiastic people who will use a pair of video cards. They are arranged in such a sequence that two adapters with dual-slot coolers will be installed without problems. Of course, in this case it will not be possible to install additional expansion cards, but access to the elements at the lower edge of the PCB will remain open.

The main controls and functional connectors are concentrated on the bottom edge of the board. There is a connector for outputting audio connectors to the front wall of the case, toggle switches for activating proprietary TPU and EPU technologies. There is also a large LED-indicator, the “warm lamp light” of which can be observed on ASUS boards for many years when the standby voltage is supplied from the PSU. Also nearby are three internal connectors for six USB 2.0 ports, a system panel for connecting control keys and indicators, as well as a jumper for resetting CMOS memory settings. There is also an activation button at the bottom edge. USB BIOS FlashBack- technology for flashing a flash microcircuit from a USB drive, which is implemented at the hardware level. Another additional level of protection is the use of a removable panel for the flash chip, which allows you to replace it if necessary.

Of the curious layout nuances, we note the placement of the COM port connector in the corner of the printed circuit board, next to the memory slots. At the right edge, not far from the main power connector, there is a connector for connecting a TPM module. Pro-shnye roots are felt, it is necessary to correspond.

We did not expect to see any abundance of specialized overclocking tools on the board, and in this respect ASUS P8Z77-M Pro was not a revelation. With some stretch, these include the key MemoOK!, which can be useful if there are difficulties with the initial start after installing a new memory kit. The function allows you to go through a rough “lapping” using timings with which the bars will work.

The technological feature of the device is four independent channels for adjusting the fan speed. One for the processor and three more case. All connectors are four-pin, allowing you to change the speed using PWM, in addition, all have support Q Fan Control with given profiles and the possibility of quite fine tuning of the algorithm.

The disk subsystem is implemented by the Intel Z77 chipset - a pair of SATA 6 Gb / s channels and four SATA 3 Gb / s. The interface connectors are oriented parallel to the plane of the printed circuit board, so a long video card, although it will cause some difficulties when connecting cables in a compact case, will still make such a configuration quite possible.

Expands drive connectivity options optional controller ASMedia ASM1061, thanks to which a pair of eSATA connectors with a bandwidth of 6 Gb / s is implemented on the back panel of the board. For a number of tasks, this interface is indispensable, despite the fact that after the widespread use of USB 3.0, the range of drives with eSATA has become rather scarce.

As for USB 3.0 directly, on ASUS P8Z77-M Pro, the controller adds a couple more to the four ports provided by Intel Z77 ASMedia ASM1042. Note that the chipset ports are located in pairs on the interface panel and on the PCB (one internal connector for two ports). Two additional ones are located on the interface panel.

The audio subsystem is based on the Realtek ALC892 HDA codec. Proven eight-channel solution with the sound quality you expect. The network controller also uses a common solution - Realtek 8111F.

The interface panel is equipped very well. Universal PS/2, a pair of USB 2.0, four USB 3.0 ports and an Ethernet socket. The interface set is complemented by a pair of eSATA, which can come in handy if you have fast external storage. To connect display devices, analog VGA is provided, as well as a pair of digital video outputs - DVI-D and HDMI.

Connecting a speaker system of any configuration is simplified by a panel with six audio connectors. In addition, to connect acoustics digitally, an optical S/PDIF output is provided.

Contents of delivery

The package includes a user manual, several brochures describing the nuances of a number of proprietary technologies, 4 SATA cables, a flexible SLI bridge and a plug on the back of the case. The Q-Connector sockets make it easy to connect the power buttons, speaker, and status indicators.

UEFI

We have already talked about UEFI from ASUS several times. The shell is easy to use, logically structured, has useful hints for setting various parameters. ASUS P8Z77-M Pro fully inherits the advantages of the proprietary shell.

The processor voltage can be increased "only" to 1.92 V (strongly not recommended without a glass of liquid nitrogen). The voltage on the memory modules is also limited by the same limit. The proposed features are unlikely to push for overclocking records, but the available funds are more than enough to boost the system well.

To configure a number of parameters, ASUS offers to use the software kit AI Suite II, which includes several useful applications.

Overclocking

Following the path of least resistance, we started accelerating the system with the TurboV EVO feature. In the basic version ("Fast overclocking" mode), after rebooting the PC, the test Core i7-3770K processor accelerated to 4223 MHz (41 × 103 MHz). A 20% increase in frequency is a good start.

Having started to go into the lead, it is sometimes difficult to stop, especially when the button labeled "Extreme overclocking" is located a few tens of pixels on the desktop from the base acceleration key. Yielding to temptation, we got 4635 MHz (45 × 103 MHz).

Note that the auto-overclocking function actively uses the advantage of a chip with an unlocked multiplier. Such a spurt would not have been possible without an increase in the processor voltage, which was automatically increased to 1.245 V. In such a mode, an effective air cooler is definitely not enough.

In manual control mode, after increasing the CPU supply voltage to 1.25 V, the processor clock frequency was increased to 4.8 GHz. If we talk about overclocking the system bus, the board made it possible to increase it to 108.5 MHz. The test set of DDR3-2133 memory modules worked at 2200 MHz without much difficulty.

In the conditions of an open bench and a tower-type processor cooler, the radiators mounted on MOSFET elements warmed up to 52-54 degrees under load. The temperature of the chipset cooler increased to 46–48 C after prolonged operation.

Results

ASUS P8Z77-M Pro interesting for those who are not ready to be content with the budget "subcompact". The board is made soundly, has a good power reserve and a decent technological arsenal. This is exactly what you expect from a device with a price tag of $145.

The manufacturer tried not to compromise in favor of different categories of users, but rather intended to maintain a certain balance so that the model came to the attention of buyers who make a rational choice. In such a case, the experience of developers is very important, otherwise the product may very simply turn out to be “neither fish nor meat”. ASUS P8Z77-M Pro managed to avoid this fate. The board has its own personality and is an attractive option for those who assemble a productive system in an mATX case, but the capabilities of the iconic ASUS Maximus V GENE in this form factor seem clearly excessive, and there is no great desire to overpay for unused functions.

Liked

Good equipment and functionality

High-quality power subsystem

Ample opportunities for the organization of the cooling system

Support for SLI and CrossFireX modes

Did not like

Hardly ever

Testing device provided by MTI, www.distri.mti.ua

Test bench configuration

­ Motherboard
CPU socketsocket 1155
ChipsetIntel Z77
Chipset coolingRadiator
VRM CoolingRadiator
Embedded videointegrated into the Intel processor
PCI-
PCI Express x4-
PCI Express x11
Graphic interface2xPCI-E x16 3.0(x16, x8+x8) + 1xPCI-E x16 2.0(x4)
DIMM4xDDR3
IDE (Parallel ATA) (chipset/additional controller)-
Serial ATA (chipset/additional controller)4/-
SATA Revision 3.0 (chipset/additional controller)2/-
Main power connectors24+8
Extra food-
FAN4
S/PDIF+(output)
Audio codecRealtek ALC892 (7.1)
ethernetRealtek 8111F (GBE)
SATA-
SATA Revision 3.0ASMedia ASM1061
PATA-
IEEE 1394 (FireWire)-
USB 3.0AS Media 1042
LAN1
eSATA Rev. 2.0-
eSATA Rev. 3.02
Audio6
S/PDIF Out (Coaxial/Optical)-/+
Thunderbolt-
Monitor outputs1xD-Sub, 1xDVI-D and 1xHDMI
USB 1.1/2.02/3(6 ports)/-
USB 3.04/1(2 ports)/-
IEEE 1394 (FireWire)-
COM-/1/-
Game/MIDI-
LPT-
IDE-
SATA interface/power, devices4/-
Form FactormicroATX, 244x244 mm
Support for two or more video cardsLucidLogix Virtu MVP, AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX/3-Way CrossFireX and nVidia Quad-GPU SLI
RAID Support0, 1, 5, 10, Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, and Intel Smart Connect Technology
WiFi adapter-
UEFI Support+
MiscellaneousSecond-generation smart chips with DIGI+(6-phase for CPU, 2-phase for iGPU) power supply system; one PS/2 port for keyboard or mouse; TPM module connector; SLI bridge included

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When working with ASUS Maximus VI Hero, we had no questions - everything went so well that at times we even doubted whether this could be on a PC based on a $230 board. Functional differences compared to the top-end Maximus VI Extreme are minor and non-critical for the vast majority of users.

Apple iPhone 5S motherboard photos leak online

Japanese component maker Moumantai has released 3 photos of the alleged iPhone 5S motherboard, according to Macrumors. Not surprisingly, the shape and size of the motherboard of the new generation iPhone is almost identical to that of its predecessor. The only difference is the shape of the bottom of the motherboard where the speaker will be. At first glance, it may seem that the space for the processor has been increased, but in fact the board itself has become a little narrower, thereby creating an optical illusion. On the left is the iPhone 5S, on the right is the iPhone 5

The motherboard considered in this review is a representative of the middle price range and is designed to build productive and reliable work or home PCs with a wide range of tasks. The motherboard is made in the mATX form factor and is based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, thanks to the latter, it provides the ability to overclock the processor with an unlocked multiplier. Let's go directly to the motherboard review and take a closer look at its features.

ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard specification:

Manufacturer

Intel Z77 Express

Processor socket

Supported processors

Intel Core i7/ Core i5 / Core i3 2nd and 3rd generation

Used memory

DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066MHz

Memory support

4 x DDR3 DIMM dual-channel architecture up to 32 GB
Support for non-ECC unbuffered and Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory

Expansion slots

1 x PCI Express x16 3.0/2.0
1 x PCI Express x16 2.0 (x4)
1 x PCI Express x1

Disk subsystem

The Intel H77 chipset supports:
2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s
4 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s
with the possibility of organizing SATA RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10
with support for Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect Technology.

Sound subsystem

Realtek ALC887, 8-channel High-Definition Audio codec with optical S/PDIF output

LAN support

Realtek 8111F Gigabit Network Controller

24-pin ATX power connector
8-pin ATX12V power connector

Fan Connectors

1 x for CPU cooler
3 x for case fans

External I/O ports

1 x PS/2
1 x HDMI port
1 x DVI port
1 x VGA port
1 x LAN (RJ45)
2 x USB 3.0
4 x USB 2.0
1 x optical S/PDIF
3 audio jacks

Internal I/O ports

2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s
4 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s
1 x S/PDIF output
3 x USB 2.0 (optional 6)
1 x USB 3.0 (optional 2)
1 x TPM

1 x COM
Front panel audio connectors
System panel connector
1xMemOK! button

64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM 2.0, ACPI v2.0a, SM BIOS 2.5,
EZ Flash 2 support, Crash Free BIOS 3

Proprietary technologies

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

Equipment

Instruction and manual
DVD with drivers and software
Interface panel blank

SATA 6 Gb/s cable

SATA 3 Gb/s cable

Form Factor

Dimensions, mm

mATX
244x244

Products webpage

The latest BIOS and drivers can be downloaded from the support page

The packaging of the ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard has a familiar design in dark colors. The name of the motherboard is given on the front of the package, and the lower part is occupied by pictograms indicating the technologies used.

The reverse side of the box is more informative. Here you can see a photo of the motherboard and its specification, as well as a description of the most interesting technologies from the point of view of the marketing department.

The complete set of the ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard is sufficient to assemble the system. In the box with the motherboard you can find:

    DVD with software and drivers;

    user manual in English and brief installation instructions;

    two Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s cables;

    ASUS Q-Connector set;

    plug on the back of the case.

Motherboard ASUS P8Z77-M is made in the form factor mATX, and has dimensions of 244 x 244 mm. The layout is done quite well, all connectors are in accessible places. The only exception is some crowding of USB 3.0, ATX and SATA connectors. But if you follow a certain connection sequence, then such an arrangement of connections will not cause any particular inconvenience. On the positive side, the RAM slots are devoid of latches on the underside, which will make it much easier to replace or add RAM modules with a video adapter installed. The board has 8 mounting holes, while the lower right corner was left without a hole, which is the reason for its "sagging", so you need to connect to the ports located here more carefully.

The cooling system is passive and includes two stylized radiators: one removes heat from the heating elements of the processor power converter, and the second cools the Intel Z77 Express PCH. During testing, a temperature of 42.2°C was recorded on the heatsink, which is a typical indicator among similar boards.

The disk subsystem of the ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard is implemented exclusively by the Intel Z77 Express chipset. The board has four SATA 3 Gb/s ports and two SATA 6 Gb/s ports. There is support for RAID levels 0, 1, 5 and 10.

In addition to the ports displayed on the interface panel, the following connection blocks are present on the motherboard:

    3 x USB 2.0 (up to 6 additional ports);

    1 x USB 3.0 (up to 2 additional ports);

In total, the ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard has ten USB 2.0 ports and four USB 3.0 ports, which is enough to connect various devices.

There are four slots for installing expansion cards on the motherboard:

  • 1 x PCI Express x16 3.0/2.0;

    1 x PCI Express x16 2.0 (x4);

    1 x PCI Express x1;

It is allowed to install two video adapters in AMD CrossFireX mode, but due to the low bandwidth of the second PEG connector, this will not be the most rational solution. Note the presence of a PCI slot, which can still be useful for installing outdated expansion cards.

The motherboard in question has four 240-pin dual-channel architecture DIMM sockets for working with DDR3 memory. The maximum total memory can be up to 32 GB when four 8 GB modules are installed. The maximum frequency of RAM is 2400 MHz in overclocking mode. To organize memory operation in dual-channel mode, it is necessary to fill the connectors of the same color.

As with most ASUS motherboards, there is a MemOK! button next to the memory slots, which will be useful if there are errors in the system memory.

The processor supply voltage converter is made according to the 4+1+1 phase scheme. One phase is used to power the "system agent" and the video core, and the remaining four are used to power the processor cores. The ASP1102 chip manufactured by CHiL Semiconductor Corp is traditionally used as a PWM controller. Cooling of the power unit has been improved through the use of a stylized heatsink with sufficiently large fins. Power is supplied to the processor through an 8-pin EPS12V connector, which is designed to handle more current than a regular 4-pin ATX12V connector.

The ASMedia ASM1442 chip is responsible for switching the HDMI and DVI video outputs.

The audio subsystem of the motherboard is based on the Realtek ALC887 HDA 8-channel audio codec, and a Realtek 8111F gigabit network controller is used to connect to the local network. Such controllers are installed by most motherboard manufacturers, which guarantees that there are no problems with drivers.

Since the Intel Z77 Express chipset does not support PCI bus, then the manufacturer added a PCI Express to PCI bridge to implement it. The ASMedia ASM1083 chip acts as such a bridge.

The Nuvoton NCT67790 chip controls the PS/2 and COM ports, system fans and provides temperature monitoring.

The following ports are displayed on the interface panel of the ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard:

  • 1 x PS/2 for mouse or keyboard;

  • optical S/PDIF;

    RJ45 connector for network connections;

    three 3.5mm audio jacks.

Noteworthy is the presence of the most common monitor connectors, there are both analog D-Sub and two types of digital video outputs. But the presence of only three audio connectors can cause some inconvenience when connecting multi-channel acoustics.

The ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard has four fan headers. One four-pin connector is for connecting a processor fan, and the rest are for connecting case fans.

UEFI BIOS

The ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard, like many other solutions based on the Intel 7x Express system logic, uses UEFI with a graphical interface as a preloader.

Going into the “AI Tweaker” section with settings for overclocking and optimizing the system, one can note a rather long list of options that are responsible for the frequency, supply voltage, and even the operating mode of the processor power converter, and this despite the fact that ASUS P8Z77-M is not positioned as overclocking solution.

The settings required for overclocking are summarized in the table:

Parameter

Menu name

Range

Processor technologies

C1E, Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor, Virtualization Technology,
Execute Disable Bit, Hardware Prefetcher, Cache Line Prefetcher

System bus frequency

BLCK/PCIE Frequency

80 - 300 MHz

RAM frequency

800, 1067, 1334, 1601, 1868, 2135, 2402

RAM delays

DRAM Timing Control

CAS Latency, RAS to CAS, RAS PRE, RAS ACT, COMMAND Mode, RAS to RAS, REF, Cycle, DRAM Refresh, WRITE Recovery, READ to PRE, FOUR ACT WIN, WRITE to READ, CKE Minimum, CAS Write, RTL ( CHA), RTL (CHB), tWRDR, tRWDR, tRWSR, tRR, tRRSR, tWW(DD), tWW(DR), tWWSR

Power limitation during continuous acceleration

Long Duration Power Limit

Duration of long acceleration

Long Duration Maintained

Power limitation during short-term acceleration

Short Duration Power Limit

Basic current limit

Primary Plane Current Limit

0.125 - 1023.875 V

Secondary current limit

Secondary Plane Current Limit

0.125 - 1023.875 V

Fixed Frequency Power Circuit

CPU Fixed Frequency

200 - 350 kHz

CPU supply voltage

CPU Manual Voltage

Voltage on memory modules, V

1.185 - 2.135 V

0.61 - 1.560 V

Northbridge voltage

0.8 - 1.685 V

The memory frequency multiplier allows you to set the frequency from 800 MHz to 2400 MHz.

You can also set the timings (latencies) and sub-timings (secondary delays) of the RAM manually in the "DRAM TimingControl" section.

There is also a separate monitoring section where you can monitor:

    temperature of the motherboard and processor;

    the speed of rotation of the processor and case fans;

    voltage on the processor core;

    voltage on the power lines + 12V, + 5V and + 3.3V.

The section is very informative, the only thing missing is the readings of the RAM supply voltage.

In addition, in this section, you can enable the function automatic control processor cooler CPU Q-Fan Control and case fans that have different intensity modes.

Separately, we note the ability to select the Russian language in the language settings.

Utilities

Overclocking the system and changing the supply voltage of various components can be done using the ASUS TurboV EVO utility.

An interesting feature, which is typical mainly for ASUS motherboards, is the ability to adjust the operating mode of the processor power stabilizer.

Overclocking options

Overclocking capabilities were tested using Intel processor Core i5-2500K with unlocked multiplier.

When using the automatic overclocking function, a fairly good result was achieved - 4.3 GHz.

AT manual mode the result was slightly higher, and amounted to 4.4 GHz.

As you can see, despite its modest dimensions, the ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard is quite capable of unleashing the potential of an unlocked CPU.

Testing

To test the capabilities of motherboards, the following equipment was used:

CPU

Intel Core i5-2500K (LGA1155, 3.3GHz, L3 6MB)
Turbo Boost: enable
C1E: enable

Scythe Kama Angle Rev.B

RAM

2x DDR3-2000 1024MB Kingston HyperX KHX16000D3T1K3/3GX

video card

MSI R4850-2D1G-OC (Radeon HD 4850, 1 GB GDDR3, PCIe 2.0)

HDD

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS, 500 GB, SATA-300, NCQ

optical drive

ASUS DRW-1814BLT SATA

Power Supply

Seasonic SS-650JT Active PFC (650W, 120mm fan)

CODEGEN M603 MidiTower (2x 120mm fans for intake / exhaust)

Test results:

The performance level of the ASUS P8Z77-M motherboard is the same as that of other solutions, which indicates a high level of board performance and good BIOS optimization.

Testing the audio path based on the Realtek ALC892 codec

Overall Results (RightMark Audio Analyzer)

16-bit, 44.1 kHz

The audio subsystem received an average rating of "Very Good". This means that it will allow you to get a fairly good sound quality without purchasing a discrete sound card.

conclusions

The motherboard is a balanced solution made in mATX format, which is distinguished by a competent layout of elements and high workmanship. This board can be recommended to users who want to get an up-to-date motherboard based on the older set of system logic and equipped with all the connectors a modern user needs, which will work for a long time and stably. At the same time, there is a desire to minimize the space occupied system unit and experiment with overclocking. As for the cost of the product, at the time of writing the review, it was about 100 USD, which is fully justified, and the motherboard deserves a medal for its excellent price/features ratio.

Alexander Kornienko

We are grateful to the companyMTI , the official distributor of productsASUS , for the motherboard provided for testing.

We are grateful to companies Intel , Kingston , MSI and SeaSonic for the equipment provided for the test bench.

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