Asus Maximus Formula Special Edition X38 S775 Motherboard
Board Layout & Features
Published: 6th November 2007 | Source: Asus | Price: £170 - £180 |
Board Layout & Features
Asus certainly know when they are on to a good thing and this is undoubtedly reflected in the layout of their "Republic of Gamers" boards, which all share much the same overall layout. Therefore it's no surprise to see the Maximus following suit, with a strong resemblance to the recently reviewed Blitz Extreme board.
Thankfully Asus have also kept the inoffensive blue, black and white colour scheme found on the rest of the ROG series. This not only looks much more professional than multi-coloured combinations used by some other manufacturers, but also ensures that the Maximus doesn't stand out in modified cases with windows.
In terms of general layout, the 8-Pin EPS-12v connector has been placed at the very top left of the board, keeping any cables trainling across the board to a minimum. Over on the right side of the board, the ATX connector sits just above the floppy disk connector and allows for easy routing of the PSU's ATX cable around the top of the motherboard without interfering with the CPU socket area.
While the measurable clearance around the CPU socket on the Maximus is identical to Blitz, The extra heatsinks and heatpipses on the Maximus certainly make the area feel much more claustrophobic. In addition to this Asus has switched back from the low-profile digital PWM found on the Blitz to a more traditional array of mosfets and capacitors. This certainly doesn't pose any problems for people wanting to watercool the board - as we successfully installed both Swiftech Apogee and D-Tek Fuzion waterblocks, but will certainly make things more tricky for those of us wanting to use any kind of sub-zero cooling.
The Maximus Fusion keeps thing fairly modern on the I/O panel, providing only one legacy port for a PS2 keyboard. This is a great idea considering I've often experience problems with my USB keyboard not working correctly when trying to enter the BIOS or after swapping a motherboard over. Unfortunately, due to the additional space taken up by the heatsink attached to the Fusion cooling system, Asus have been forced to remove the eSATA connectors.
Asus have also answered the prayers of many overclockers by providing a CMOS clear button on the I/O panel. I personally can't count the number of times I've been forced to pull the side off my PC case and fumble around for the CMOS jumper after a bad overclock. This little button will undoubtedly prove to be a life (and time) saver for many enthusiasts!
Asus have also answered the prayers of many overclockers by providing a CMOS clear button on the I/O panel. I personally can't count the number of times I've been forced to pull the side off my PC case and fumble around for the CMOS jumper after a bad overclock. This little button will undoubtedly prove to be a life (and time) saver for many enthusiasts!
Various improvements have been made to the Fusion cooling system since we visited it last on the Blitz review. While the Fusion Northbridge block essentially remains the same, much needed improvements have been made to its mounting design, which now consists of four screws fixed to a retention plate on the back of the board.
In addition to this, Asus have installed a large heatsink to the left of the Fusion Northbridge block. This should not only help reduce temperatures when using the Maximus with watercooling, but also provide some level of passive cooling for the Northbridge when watercooling is not available.
With three x1 and two x16 PCIe slots, the Maximus certainly seems to be putting its faith in manufacturers releasing their existing PCI cards in PCIe format. This is even more apparent when you consider that one of only two available PCI slots on the board will more than likely be blocked by a GPU cooler when two graphics cards are installed for Crossfire.
As with the rest of the "Republic of Gamers" series, the Maximus Formula features right-angled SATA and IDE connectors. These not only help to keep things looking a bit more tidy inside your PC case, but are also significantly more robust than the standard SATA connectors found on most other motherboards.
At the very bottom of the motherboard we can see where the Asus 3-in-1 Q-Connectors come in to play. Colour coded in red, blue and white for the IEEE1394, USB and Switch/LED headers respectively, these connectors are a boon for those of us who regulary install and remove our motherboards.
Last but not least is the illuminated Power and Reset switches. These make it extremely easy to use the motherboard outside of your PC case when benching (on a bench!) or testing other components.
Last but not least is the illuminated Power and Reset switches. These make it extremely easy to use the motherboard outside of your PC case when benching (on a bench!) or testing other components.
Most Recent Comments
God that took some reading!
It doesn't perform much better than the P35 dfi and is almost identicle to the blitz, bar a few extra insane/unusable voltage options so I feel no inclination to buy this.
Nice to see the score being penalised for the pretty outragous price!
Overall, ROG ftw!
It doesn't perform much better than the P35 dfi and is almost identicle to the blitz, bar a few extra insane/unusable voltage options so I feel no inclination to buy this.
Nice to see the score being penalised for the pretty outragous price!
Overall, ROG ftw!
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Originally Posted by name='Mr. Smith'
God that took some reading!
It doesn't perform much better than the P35 dfi and is almost identicle to the blitz, bar a few extra insane/unusable voltage options so I feel no inclination to buy this. Nice to see the score being penalised for the pretty outragous price! Overall, ROG ftw! |
But as a purchase for a new rig it's one hell of a beastly board - and I'm real glad that watercooling isn't a requirement anymore. That was a pretty big downer on the Blitz.
I guess it's lucky I had w/c for the blitz! That is a marked improvement, did you actually state that in the review? That water was no longer required? Must have missed that.
The only additional thing I would have liked to have seen is the removal of the nb waterblock just so you could further comment on its construction...
Re. cards worth CF'ing, I hope there are some I have this desire to CF or SLI even though I know its not really worth it!
The only additional thing I would have liked to have seen is the removal of the nb waterblock just so you could further comment on its construction...
Re. cards worth CF'ing, I hope there are some I have this desire to CF or SLI even though I know its not really worth it!
Bah ive just had to fork out for one of these to pop my QX9650 in 
But the board looks good to me
But the board looks good to me
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Originally Posted by name='Mr. Smith'
I guess it's lucky I had w/c for the blitz! That is a marked improvement, did you actually state that in the review? That water was no longer required? Must have missed that.
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Originally Posted by name='Mr. Smith'
The only additional thing I would have liked to have seen is the removal of the nb waterblock just so you could further comment on its construction... Re. cards worth CF'ing, I hope there are some I have this desire to CF or SLI even though I know its not really worth it! |
As for the construction, the heatpipe side of things is the same as the blitz, but the finned heatsinks around the block and on the 'fets feel much thicker aluminium.
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Originally Posted by name='Aqua-Pc's'
Bah ive just had to fork out for one of these to pop my QX9650 in
But the board looks good to me |
Jim - just stick a credit card under and prize it apart, whats the worst that can happen? coughcorsaircough
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Originally Posted by name='Mr. Smith'
Jim - just stick a credit card under and prize it apart, whats the worst that can happen? coughcorsaircough |
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Originally Posted by name='XMS'
Haha I wondered when that come back to haunt me. Its not my fault you Karate chopped it!
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Originally Posted by name='Mr. Smith'
Lol, I know, I know. Hey, we better get back on topic before a mod/admin tells us off!
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Originally Posted by name='Mr. Smith'
Niiiice, do you already have the proccy? ES?
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Originally Posted by name='llwyd'
:whack:
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Id love one of these motherboards along with a good Core 2 Quad and watercool the lot LOL. It would cost too much though.
Wish I can afford that 
Love the 'Crazy' upgrade setting on the bios
Love the 'Crazy' upgrade setting on the bios Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Brooksie'
Wish I can afford that
Love the 'Crazy' upgrade setting on the bios |
Im sure if the WTF setting showed up after you reboot a screen with big red writing would come up saying
DIE NOOB DIE
And then reset to default after a second reboot
DIE NOOB DIE
And then reset to default after a second reboot
Quality review.. Great read... Did take forever though
Great review.
I canny wait to get mine to replace my P5K Premium.
I canny wait to get mine to replace my P5K Premium.
OK this is my story.
I bought this Asus Formula maximus.. Paid quit a few bucks for it.. But hey i am a fanatic gamer..
So i bought two MSI 3870 cards to place them in CF...
Build the system..... everything was ready to go.. expect for.. uhm must pair those card together with a cf bridge.. WTF? where is the bridge? WTF?
I checked ASUS motherboard box... cables, http://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gif, fans, cdroms, manuals.. where the http://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gif is that brigde? Checked out the outside of the box.. gaming series motherboard... euh yeah well where is the freaking CF bridge then??
Ok well i ve got two cards, maybe they shipped with the cards... checked out the accessoires of the vga box.. oh man you got to be kidding me!!! NO CROSSFIRE BRIDGE!!!
I paid over 600 EURO's only for 2 cards and one motherboard and there is NO http://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifING CF BRIDGE!!!!!!!
On the outside of the MSI 3870 box it says the bridge is optional.. pfff
but everybody says the motherboard supplier must supply the bridge! I cannot image you didn't notice this in your review! Execellent features you mentioned.. Cannot think of anything negative... WELL I CAN! there is no brigde. How can they forget the most important item on a gaming board like this.
Who will spend that much money on board just to play with one card?? Hell no, buyers will definitly play in crossfire...
I am totally http://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifed of about this. I email Asus about this.. know what they say" Go back to your shop and ask for one...........
The shop didn't have it in stock, and they have no idea where they can buy one. They say it should come with either the vga card or the motherboard...
Last time i spend my money on ASUS stuff
I bought this Asus Formula maximus.. Paid quit a few bucks for it.. But hey i am a fanatic gamer..
So i bought two MSI 3870 cards to place them in CF...
Build the system..... everything was ready to go.. expect for.. uhm must pair those card together with a cf bridge.. WTF? where is the bridge? WTF?
I checked ASUS motherboard box... cables, http://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gif, fans, cdroms, manuals.. where the http://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gif is that brigde? Checked out the outside of the box.. gaming series motherboard... euh yeah well where is the freaking CF bridge then??
Ok well i ve got two cards, maybe they shipped with the cards... checked out the accessoires of the vga box.. oh man you got to be kidding me!!! NO CROSSFIRE BRIDGE!!!
I paid over 600 EURO's only for 2 cards and one motherboard and there is NO http://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifING CF BRIDGE!!!!!!!
On the outside of the MSI 3870 box it says the bridge is optional.. pfff
but everybody says the motherboard supplier must supply the bridge! I cannot image you didn't notice this in your review! Execellent features you mentioned.. Cannot think of anything negative... WELL I CAN! there is no brigde. How can they forget the most important item on a gaming board like this.
Who will spend that much money on board just to play with one card?? Hell no, buyers will definitly play in crossfire...
I am totally http://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifhttp://forum.overclock3d.net/oc3d_gf...es/cussing.gifed of about this. I email Asus about this.. know what they say" Go back to your shop and ask for one...........
The shop didn't have it in stock, and they have no idea where they can buy one. They say it should come with either the vga card or the motherboard...
Last time i spend my money on ASUS stuff
Could try ebay.
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Originally Posted by name='Hatman'
Could try ebay.
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The point is, you are paying a hell of money and you cannot play because ASUS just simply forget to put in a crossfire bridge.
I think that's pretty stupid wouldnt you say?
besides when i buy one on ebay (around 10 till 15 euro's + shipping) i will pay an additional 20 euro's orso.. For what? for this little stupid thing which should have come with the motherboard or videocard..
When you buy a porsche you expect that there are wheels and rubber under the damn car...
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Originally Posted by name='psies'
Offcourse i can get a crossfire bridge somewhere. But that's not the point.
The point is, you are paying a hell of lot of money and you cannot play because ASUS just simply forget to put in a crossfire bridge. I think that's pretty stupid wouldnt you say? |
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Originally Posted by name='psies'
Offcourse i can get a crossfire bridge somewhere. But that's not the point.
The point is, you are paying a hell of lot of money and you cannot play because ASUS just simply forget to put in a crossfire bridge. I think that's pretty stupid wouldnt you say? |
Wonder if there are other ones they forgot to put it in or this is a one off..
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Originally Posted by name='Hatman'
Yep
Wonder if there are other ones they forgot to put it in or this is a one off.. |
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Originally Posted by name='steve30x'
In my previous experience the bridge never came with ATI crossfire motherboards and when that special lead was needed for crossfire I had to search for one.
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Is asus trying to safe some money here?
The Abit IP35 pro doesnt have one in the box
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Originally Posted by name='psies'
MSI ships their mobo's with one. Sapphire vga cards also comes with one bridge.
Is asus trying to safe some money here? |
If you check the contents of packaging, everywhere it says that it does not come with a crossfire bridge.
I would also personally know that this board does not come with a bridge as I have the motherboard myself and I RMA'd it 3 times meaning I DEFINITELY know it doesn't come with it.
Please note that the chipset on the motherboard is an INTEL chipset rather than one that was made directly from ATi/AMD, meaning that okay sure it supports CrossFire but it wasn't made by the blokes at ATi/AMD, so therefore they don't share the responsibility to give out CrossFire bridges.
However, the products that should ship with this particular component are the graphics cards themselves. An example of this would be my HIS iTurbo version of the x3870, not only did that come with an Analogue to DVI converter it also came with a CrossFire bridge.
I suggest in the most modest & sincerest way that you do your research next time.
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Asus Maximus Formula Review