ASUS Maximus V Formula ThunderFX Review
Introduction and Technical Specifications
Published: 8th August 2012 | Source: ASUS | Price: £268 |
Introduction
Having looked at the fully-featured Maximus V Extreme, it's time to take a look at the model that is more likely to be finding a home in the average users rig, the ASUS Maximus V Formula.
But before we all leap up and throw our money at ASUS, it's worth noting that the Formula comes with a USB sound card which, along with the ROG branding, moves it firmly into the upper price bracket, and a lot more expensive than similar offerings from Gigabyte or, in the form of the Sabertooth, ASUS themselves.
So is the performance and ROG features enough to justify the price, or is this the middle child, destined to be ignored? Let's find out.
Technical Specifications
Surprisingly there has been very little removed from the Formula when compared to its big brother the Extreme. The main change is the removal of a single PCI Express socket, which won't be of much concern to many given how few people run a quad-GPU setup. Other losses are even less concerning. The OC Key included in the Extreme is missing, but such is the ease with which you can overclock with either the BIOS manually, the BIOS automatically, or the ASUS AI Suite it's not something that is likely to see much use anyway. The last main removal is the Intel Thunderbolt technology. This is potentially more of a drawback, but by the time the market fully adopts this technology we'll be on to the next round of chipsets anyway.
So in total you're missing a PCI Express slot, and nothing else of consequence. You still have Bluetooth, WiFi, ROG Connect, LN2 support and the excellent ASUS BIOS, along with the various ROG branding items.
| CPU | Intel® Socket 1155 for 3rd/2nd Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU Supports Intel® 32 nm CPU Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types. * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list |
| Chipset | Intel® Z77 |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2600(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) * Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. * Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists). |
| Graphic | Integrated Graphics Processor Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort ports - Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz - Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz Supports Intel® HD Graphics, InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™ |
| Multi-GPU Support | Supports NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology Supports AMD CrossFireX™ Technology Supports LucidLogix® Virtu™ MVP Technology *1 |
| Expansion Slots | 3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8/x4/x4) *2 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 3 x PCIe 2.0 x1 1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 *3 |
| Storage | Intel® Z77 chipset : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red 2 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), black 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), red 1 x mini-SATA 3Gb/s port(s) , black Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology *4 ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : *5 4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red |
| LAN | Intel®, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s) |
| Wireless Data Network | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth V4.0 Bluetooth V3.0+HS |
| Audio | SupremeFX IV built-in 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 110 dB - Output THD+N at 1kHz: 95 dB - TI 6120A2 high fidelity headphone amplifier - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking Audio Feature : - SupremeFX Shielding™ Technology - ELNA premium audio capacitors - 1500 uF Audio Power Capacitor - Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection - DTS Ultra PC II - DTS Connect - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel |
| USB Ports | Intel® Z77 chipset : 4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® Z77 chipset : 8 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black+white, 4 at mid-board) ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue) |
| Overclocking Features | mPCIe Combo™ (mPCIe/mSATA combo card) ROG Connect : - RC Diagram - RC Remote - RC Poster - GPU TweakIt Extreme Engine Digi+ II : - 8 -phase CPU power design + 4 -phase iGPU power design - 2 -phase Memory power design ROG Extreme OC kit : - Slow Mode - LN2 Mode - EZ Plug ProbeIt UEFI BIOS features : - ROG BIOS Print - GPU.DIMM Post GameFirst II iROG Extreme Tweaker Loadline Calibration USB BIOS Flashback Overclocking Protection : - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall) |
| Special Features | ASUS TurboV EVO : - CPU Level Up ASUS EPU : - EPU ASUS Wi-Fi GO! - Wi-Fi GO! Function: DLNA Media Hub, Smart Motion Control, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer, Capture & Send ASUS Exclusive Features : - AI Suite II - Ai Charger+ - USB Charger+ - USB 3.0 Boost - Disk Unlocker ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution : - ASUS Fan Xpert 2 ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS O.C. Profile - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Code - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Connector |
| Back I/O Ports | 1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 4 x USB 3.0 4 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 1 x Optical S/PDIF in 5 x Audio jack(s) 1 x Clear CMOS button(s) 1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch(es) |
| Internal I/O Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 2 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s) 2 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 3 x Optional Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 1 x S/PDIF out header(s) 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s) 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP) 1 x System panel(s) 1 x Slow Mode switch(es) 8 x ProbeIt Measurement Points 3 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 1 x LN2 Mode header(s) 1 x EZ Plug connector(s) (4-pin Molex power connector) 1 x Power-on button(s) 1 x Reset button(s) 1 x Go Button(s) 1 x mPCIe Combo header(s) |
| Accessories | User's manual I/O Shield 2 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 1 x ROG Connect cable(s) 1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s) 1 x mPCIe Combo card(s) with dual band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n module + Bluetooth v4.0/3.0+HS module 1 x 2-in-1 RF Cable(s) 2 x Wi-Fi Ring Moving Antenna(s) |
| BIOS | 64Mb UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI2.0a Multi-Language BIOS |
| Manageability | WfM2.0, DMI2.0, WOL by PME, PXE |
| Support Disc | Drivers Kaspersky® Anti-Virus DAEMON Tools Pro Standard GameFirst II ROG CPU-Z Mem TweakIt ASUS AI Suite II ASUS WebStorage ASUS Utilities |
| Form Factor | Extended ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 10.1 inch ( 30.5 cm x 25.7 cm ) |
| Note | *1: LucidLogix Virtu MVP supports Windows 7 operating systems. *2-1: PCIe 3.0 speed is supported by Intel® 3rd generation Ivy Bridge Core™ Processors. *2-2: x8/x4/x4 mode is supported by Intel® 3rd generation Ivy Bridge Core™ Processors. *3-1: The mPCIe 2.0 x1 slot is located on mPCIe Combo™ expansion card. *3-2: The mini-PCIe slot is pre-installed with an Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module. *4: Supports on Intel® Core™ processor family with Windows® 7 operating systems. *5: These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. |
Most Recent Comments
I don't really like the barbs and the heatsink design in general.
same here, the heatsinks have that rubbery look/texture but other than that great board 
Yea, why can't they just make some 1/4 threads, and close it with some plugs with the top in the same material as the heatsinks :/
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ciric
Yea, why can't they just make some 1/4 threads, and close it with some plugs with the top in the same material as the heatsinks :/
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I don't think it looks that bad at all. And maybe you could just get the dremel out and cut it off? That would ruin the watercooling possibilities on that heatsink though.
I've been considering this board for a future IB build. However, of all the reviews I've seen there's been no mention of the barb size on the built in water blocks. I agree that it would have been heaps easier to just have put 1/4" threads in instead of permanent barbs. However, my entire system uses 1/2" barbs with 7/16" tubing. It may technically work if I got a couple of 3/8" barbs/adapters, but it just wouldn't be right. If you get what I mean. I'm assuming since there's been no mention, and from the looks of it, that they are 3/8" barbs. So that will probably be a deal killer.
I have the same board, but on top of the board against the cooling block and a little bit right of the 2 fan connectors, are 3 pins, do you know what they are for, cause I can't find them in the user guide.
Thx
Thx
A very good review with an honest conclusion. Well done Mr Waters.
Judging on last few reviews of Z77 I think MSI G65 is the best deal and hopefully it will end up in my new build.
Kind regards to everyone btw from a new member
Judging on last few reviews of Z77 I think MSI G65 is the best deal and hopefully it will end up in my new build.
Kind regards to everyone btw from a new member
I'm most likely buying this motherboard but with out the thunderbolt thing.
The only reason I'm getting it is to use more tubing XD
The only reason I'm getting it is to use more tubing XD
Hi All,
I have this board and the barb size is 3/8, which can also be found in the PDF version on the motherboards manual
Cracking board btw
I have this board and the barb size is 3/8, which can also be found in the PDF version on the motherboards manual
Cracking board btw
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The second in our look at the Maximus V motherboards comes in the form of the Formula ThunderFX.
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