ASUS Z97-DELUXE

ASUS is the leading motherboard manufacturer on the planet. Its product portfolio is rich with solutions covering all manner of computing related products and price points. Motherboards are what ASUS is best known for and once you work with a few of its motherboards it’s easy to understand why. ASUS is known for making quality, innovative motherboard designs which often set the standard by which others are judged. The Z97 Deluxe motherboard we are reviewing today builds on this tradition and attempts to set the bar even higher than before.

As you can see from the block diagram SATA Express it has 10Gb/s bandwidth compared to 6Gb/s of bandwidth now. This was accomplished by using additional PCI-Express lanes increasing the count from 1 to 2 lanes. As storage systems get faster and faster this extra bandwidth will be needed. M.2 also known as NGFF support is also included on Z97. This replaces the older mSATA ports onboard and naturally increases bandwidth. 

ASUS’s Z97-Deluxe equipped with a large heatpipe heatsink design, the motherboard features a 12 Phase DIGI+ VRM and powered through a single 8-Pin connector. The CPU socket is powered by a 12 Phase DIGI+ VRM which features both TPU and EPU technology support. Storage options include 6 SATA 6 GB/s and a single SATA Express port which will enable faster transfer speeds for next generation SSDs.

Expansion slots include three PCI-e 3.0 x16, four PCI-e 3.0 x1 and a M.2 interface slot. ASUS has featured their Crystal Sound 2 chip on the board which enables high quality sound and audio output. Several connectors and switches can be found on the entire motherboard layout and the I/O panel. ASUS has featured a totally new heatsink design on their Z97 motherboards which include heatpipe cooling and a large aluminum heatsink for cooling.

CPU	Intel® Socket 1150 for 4th Generation and New 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7, Core™ i5, Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® Processors Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
Chipset	Intel® Z97 Express Chipset
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 3300(O.C.) / 3200(O.C) / 3100(O.C) / 3000(O.C.) / 2933(O.C.) / 2800(O.C.) / 2666(O.C.) / 2600(O.C.) / 2500(O.C.) / 2400(O.C.) / 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 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. Please refer to Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) for details.
Expansion Slots	2 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8/x8) 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot * (max. at x4 mode, compatible with PCIe x1 and x4 devices) 4 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 * PCIe x16_3, USB3_E56 and SATA Express_E1 connectors share the same bandwidth. The PCIe x16_3's default setting is in Auto mode that automatically optimizes the system bandwidth. f you use two of thse connectors, the system automatically disables the unused connector.
VGA	Integrated Graphics Processor - Intel® HD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support: DisplayPort/Mini DisplayPort/HDMI port Supports DisplayPort 1.2* with max. resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz (for DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort) Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Intel® Quick Sync Video, Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, and Intel® Insider™ Supports up to three displays simultaneously Maximum shared memory 512MB * DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport compliant; supports DisplayPort 1.2 monitor daisy-chain up to 3 displays.
Multi-GPU Support	Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology (with 2 PCIe x16 graphics card) Supports AMD 3-Way/Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Storage	Intel® Z97 Express Chipset with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and Intel® Rapid Storage Technology 13 support - 1 x SATA Express port (black at bottom, compatible with 2 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports) - 1 x M.2 socket 3* - 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (gray) - Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology** ASMedia® SATA Express controller*** - 1 x SATA Express port (black at top, compatible with 2 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports) ASMedia® SATA 6Gb/s controller*** 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (black) * M.2 Socket 3 shares bandwidth with SATAExpress_1, and supports M Key and type 2260/2280 storage devices. ** These functions work depending on the CPU Installed. *** These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. ATAPI devices are not supported.
LAN	Dual Gigabit LAN controllers-802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) appliance - Intel® I218-V Gigabit LAN - Dual Interconnect between the integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) - Intel® I211-AT Gigabit LAN controller
Wireless Data Network	Speedy Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac support dual frequency band 2.4/5 GHz ASUS Wi-Fi GO! Utility
Bluetooth	Bluetooth V4.0
Audio	Realtek® ALC1150 8-channel high definition audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 2 - Separate layer for left and right track, ensuring both sounds deliver equal quality - Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio configuration - Audio shielding ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference - EMI protection cover to prevent electrical noise to affect the amplifier quality - Audio Amplifier to enhance the highest quality sound for headphone and speakers - Premium Japan-made audio capacitors provide warm, natural, and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity - High Quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR recording (Line-in) support - Absolute pitch 192 KHz/24-bit True BD Lossless Sound - BS audio layer content protection - DTS UltraPC II - DTS Connect - Supports jsck-detection, multi-streaming and front panel jack-retasking (MIC) - Optical S/PDIF out ports at rear I/O
USB Ports	Intel® Z97 Express Chipset - supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost - 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear panel (blue) - 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at mid-board, 4 ports at back panel) ASMedia® USB 3.0 controllers - supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost - 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at mide-board for front panel support - 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear panel (blue)
ASUS Exclusive Features	5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5 - Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo APP together, providing better CPU performance, efficient power saving, precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even tailor your own app usages. DIGI+ Power Control CPU Power - Industry leading digital 16-phase power design - ASUS CPU power utility DRAM Power - Industry leading digital 2-phase DRAM power design - ASUS DRAM power utility TPU - Auto Tuning, TPU, GPU Boost, 2-level TPU switch EPU - EPU, EPU switch ASUS Fan Xpert3 - Featuring Fan Auto Tuning function and multiple thermistors selection for optimized system cooling control Turbo App - Featuring automatic system performance tuning, network priority, and audio scene configuration for selected applications. UEFI BIOS - Most advanced options with fast response time M.2 and SATA Express onboard - The latest transfer technologies with up to 10 Gb/s data transfer speeds Special Memory O.C. Design - Superb memory O.C. capability under full load by minimizing the coupling noise and signal reflection effect Thunderbolt Ready (Optional - Blistering-fast 20 Gb/s data transfer upgrades with ThunderboltEX II series Interaction Home Cloud Wi-Fi GO! - Wi-Fi GO! Function: Cloud GO!, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer - Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote for portable smartphone/tablet, supporting iOS7 & Android 4.0 systems Media Streamer - Pipe music or movies from your PC to a smart TV - Media Streamer app for portable smartphone/tablet, supporting iOS7 & Android 4.0 systems NFC Express 2 support (Optional) - NFC receiver and 2-port USB 3.0 hubs - NFC one-touch features: Video-to-go, Photo Express, Remote Desktop, Quick Launch, Windows® 8 Login and Bluetooth pairing Gaming Scenario Turbo APP - Featuring tuning system performance customization, network priority, and automatic audio scene configurations for selected applications Turbo LAN - Experience smooth online gaming with lower pings and less lags Crystal Sound 2 - Feel the sound power with different usage scenarios Steam Support - Compatible with most fun gaming platform under Windows® system ASUS EZ DIY Push Notice - Monitor your PC status with smart devices in real time USB BIOS Flashback - with USB BIOS Flashback Wizard for EZ BIOS download scheduling UEFI BIOS EZ Mode - featuring friendly graphics user interface - ASUS O.C. Tuner - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 Q-Design - ASUS Q-Code - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Connector
Special Features	5X Protection featuring all-round protection provides the best quality, reliability, and durability USB 3.0 Boost USB Charger+ Ai Charger+ Disk Unlocker Ai Suite 3 MemOK! EZ XMP
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution	Quiet Thermal Design - ASUS Fan Xpert 3 - ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-pipe solution<
ASUS Exclusive Overclocking Features	Precision Tweaker 2 - vCore: Adjustable CPU Core voltage at 0.001 V increment - iGPU: Adjustable CPU Graphics voltage at 0.001 V increment - vCCIO: Adjustable Analog and Digital I/O voltage at 0.001 V increment - vCCIN: Adjustable CPU Input voltage at 0.01 V increment - vCCSA: Adjustable CPU System Agent voltage at 0.001 V increment - vDRAM Bus: 144-step Memory voltage control - vPCH: 88-step Chipset voltage control SFS(Stepless Frequecy Selection) - BCLK/PCIE frequency tuning from 80 MHz to 300 MHz at 0.1 MHz increment Overclocking Protection - ASS .P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
Rear Panel I/O Ports	1 x DisplayPort 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth v 4.0) 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 2 x LAN (RJ45) ports (2 x Intel® LAN) 6 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, bottom port of USB3_34 supports USB BIOS Flashback) 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 8-channel Autio I/O ports
Internal I/O Ports	2 x 19-pin USB 3.0/2.0 connectors support addition 4 USB ports 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports 1 x M.2 Socket 3 2 x SATA Express connectors (black) 6 x SATA 6 Gb/s connectors (4 x gray, 2 x black) 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan connectors for both 3-pin (DC Mode) and 4-pin (PWM Mode) CPU coolers control* 1 x 4-pin CPU Optional Fan connector (CPU_OPT) 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan connectors for 3-pin (DC Mode) and 4-pin (PWM Mode) coolers control 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP) 1 x S/PDIF out header 1 x 5-pin Thunderbolt header for Thunderbolt add-on card support 1 x TPM connector 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector 1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector 1 x Clear CMOS button 1 x USB BIOS Flashback button 1 x MemOK! button 1 x EPU switch 1 x TPU switch (with advanced two-stage ajustments) 1 x Power-on switch 1 x Reset switch 1 x EZ XMP switch System Panel (Q-Connector) * The CPU Q-Fan control setting is set as default in Auto Mode for detecting the type of CPU fan installed and switches to the control mode automatically.
BIOS features	64Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0, Multi-Language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified Log, F12 PrintScreen function, F3 Shortcut function, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
Manageability	WfM 2.0, DMI 2.7, WOL by PME, PXE
Support DVD Content	Drivers ASUS Utilities EZ Update Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Operating System Support	Windows® 8.1 Windows® 8 Windows® 7
Form Factor	ATX Form Factor: 12 inch x 9.6 inch (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)