ASUS P8Z68-V PRO Motherboard

Conclusions

The ASUS P8Z68-V PRO is an interesting mid-range motherboard based on the new Intel Z68 chipset for your socket LGA1155 processor. The highlights of this product include the presence of three PCI Express x16 slots, four USB 3.0 ports, four SATA-600 ports, a Bluetooth receiver, two FireWire ports, and support for Lucidlogix Virtu technology. It is clearly targeted to the average user who wants “something extra” from a mid-range product.

Compared to the Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3, the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO is better priced and supports Virtu, but this model from Gigabyte uses a better audio codec. The MSI Z68A-GD80 (B3) is also a little bit more expensive than the portrayed motherboard, and both come with similar features. The Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3, on the other hand, is cheaper and has a better audio codec, but comes with only two PCI Express x16 slots.

The main drawbacks of this motherboard are the fact that you will need to buy an adapter or a case with FireWire ports in order to be able to use the on-board FireWire ports, and that you need to disable two of the USB 3.0 ports, the two PCI Express x1 slots, and the eSATA-300 port in order to make the third PCI Express x16 slot work at x4 speed; otherwise it will work at x1 speed. The number of overclocking options is certainly limited when compared to high-end products, but they will satisfy the average user.