Introduction
Contents
The ASUS P8Z77-V PRO is a top mid-range socket LGA1155 motherboard targeted to the forthcoming “Ivy Bridge” processors (third-generation Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors) and also supporting the current “Sandy Bridge” models (second-generation Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors). Let’s see what the ASUS P8Z77-V PRO will have to offer.
The Intel Z77 will be an upgraded version of the Z68 chipset with the same basic features (Intel Smart Response Technology and Virtu video switching technology), plus native support to four USB 3.0 ports. It will also include the addition of two new technologies: Smart Connect (allowing the computer to receive emails and refresh webpages while it is in sleep mode) and Rapid Start (faster boot times).
In addition, the ASUS P8Z77-V PRO supports the Virtu Universal MVP, which allows you to combine the performance of the integrated graphics processor available in the CPU with the performance of any video card installed. This is similar to what occurs with the Hybrid SLI and ATI Hybrid Graphics technologies, with the notable difference of not being limited to GPUs from a specific manufacturer.
ASUS has launched 12 different motherboard models based on the Intel Z77 chipset. In the tables below, we compare their main specifications.
| Specification | P8Z77 WS | P8Z77-V DELUXE | SABERTOOTH Z77 | P8Z77-V PRO |
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX | ATX | ATX |
| Memory Sockets | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| PCI Express x16 | 4 (x16/x16/x0/x0 or x16/x8/x8/x0 or x8/x8/x8/x8) | 3 (x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4) | 3 (x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4) | 3 (x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4) |
| PCI Express x1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Standard PCI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| CrossFireX | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SLI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SATA-300 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| SATA-600 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| eSATA-300 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| eSATA-600 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| USB 2.0 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| USB 3.0 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| FireWire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 4.0 | No | No |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes (a, b, g, n) | No | Yes (b, g, n) |
| VGA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| DVI | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| HDMI | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| DisplayPort | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Audio | ALC898 | ALC898 | ALC892 | ALC892 |
| Voltage Regulator | 16+4 | 16+4 | 8+4+2 | 12+4 |
| Price | NA | USD 275 | USD 240 | USD 225 |
| Specification | P8Z77-V | P8Z77-V LE | P8Z77-V LK | P8Z77-V LX |
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX | ATX | ATX |
| Memory Sockets | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| PCI Express x16 | 3 (x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4) | 2 (x16/x4) | 3 (x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4) | 2 (x16/x4) |
| PCI Express x1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Standard PCI | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| CrossFireX | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SLI | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| SATA-300 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| SATA-600 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| eSATA-300 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| eSATA-600 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| USB 2.0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| USB 3.0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| FireWire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bluetooth | No | No | No | No |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (b, g, n) | No | No | No |
| VGA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| DVI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| DisplayPort | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Audio | ALC892 | ALC892 | ALC892 | ALC887 |
| Voltage Regulator | 8+4 | 6+2 | 4+1+1 | 4+1+1 |
| Price | USD 210 | USD 165 | USD 145 | USD 140 |
| Specification | Maximus V GENE | P8Z77-M PRO | P8Z77-M | P8Z77-I DELUXE |
| Form Factor | microATX | microATX | microATX | Mini-ITX |
| Memory Sockets | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| PCI Express x16 | 2 (x16/x0 or x8/x8) | 3 (x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4) | 2 (x16/x4) | 1 |
| PCI Express x4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PCI Express x1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Standard PCI | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Mini PCI Express | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CrossFireX | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| SLI | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| SATA-300 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| SATA-600 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| eSATA-300 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| eSATA-600 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| USB 2.0 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| USB 3.0 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| FireWire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bluetooth | No | No | No | Yes, 4.0 |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Wi-Fi | No | No | No | Yes (a,b,g,n) |
| VGA | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| DVI | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| DisplayPort | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Audio | SupremeFX III | ALC892 | ALC887 | ALC898 |
| Voltage Regulator | 8+4 | 6+2 | 4+1 | 8+2 |
| Price | USD 200 | USD 160 | USD 140 | NA |
Figure 1 shows you the ASUS P8Z77-V PRO motherboard.
Figure 1: ASUS P8Z77-V PRO motherboard