ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z Motherboard

Conclusions

The ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z is a true high-end motherboard. The number of additional features provided by this product is simply breathtaking.

The most important feature, in our opinion, is the high-end PCI Express configuration. By using an NVIDIA NF200 chip, this motherboard allows you to install three dual-slot video cards in SLI or CrossFireX modes running at x8/x16/x16 speeds, which is amazing, since most Z68-based motherboards will run three video cards at x8/x8/x4 speeds. And the presence of a PLX PEX8608 switch chip allows the motherboard to dynamically switch bandwidth to devices that need more performance. On motherboards without this chip, you have to manually disable features in order to get some devices to work at their full speed. The presence of on/off switches for each PCI Express x16 slot make it easy to discover which video card is not working correctly, rather than requiring you to remove and reinstall all the video cards in order to determine the problem.

This motherboard comes with 10 USB 3.0 ports, which is impressive, but remember that there are only four “real” ports. The additional ports are connected to the “real” ports, sharing bandwidth. It would be nice if ASUS had marked on the board which are the shared ports.

The voltage regulator is top-notch, using high-end transistors. In addition, this motherboard has three phases for its memory voltage regulator, while most motherboards use a two-phase design. The product also has easy-to-access voltage monitoring points.

Also worth mentioning is the presence of six four-pin connectors for auxiliary fans. Three of them are able to change the fan speed according to the temperature measured by a probe, and the motherboard comes with the necessary thermal sensors for you to use this feature.

Most of those features could be found on the Maximus IV Extreme, but thanks to the Z68 chipset, the Maximus IV Extreme-Z also brings the Intel Smart Response Technology (SRT) and the FDI (Flexible Display Interface), which allows this board to use the Virtu software.

If you are an extreme enthusiast looking for the best possible performance, this is the motherboard you should buy. It costs twice as much as a mainstream Z68 motherboard, but it is worth every penny. Of course, if you are a “normal” user or don’t have the money to buy it, there are several other more cost-effective motherboards around.