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- Date:
- Sunday , March 07, 2010
- Author:
- Morry Teitelman
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Share:
ASUS Maximus III Extreme Motherboard Review
The Maximus III Extreme is the newest member of ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) product line, with the board squarely aimed at the high end enthusiast market. With the stiff competition in the Intel arena currently, this board definitely has its work cut out for it. We take a good look at what the MIIIE can do for the air and water cooling overclockers.
Introduction
ASUS is one of the most popular brand names in computer products throughout the world. It is a much revered company for its consistent track record of quality design, rock-solid stability, and high performance products.
ASUS uses a combination of cutting edge cooling technology and proprietary features in order to keep their products on the forefront. The latest motherboard to join the Republic of Gamers (ROG) enthusiast line of products is a testament to their superior practices.
The ASUS Maximus III Extreme motherboard is designed using a combination of the Intel P55 and NVIDIA NF200 chipsets. This chipset combination integrates the following technology support in to the board: Intel LGA 1156 Core i7 and Core i5 processors, DDR3 memory operating in Dual Channel mode up to 1333MHz officially, and either NVIDIA SLI or ATI CrossFireX graphics mode using matching video cards. ASUS designed the following devices in to the Maximus III Extreme: 6 SATA II ports (RAID 0, 1, 0+1 and 5 capable) on the Intel P55 controller; 1 SATA II port and 1 e-SATA port on the JMicron JMB363 controller; 2 SATA III ports on the Marvell 9123 controller; 11 USB 2.0 capable ports (7 in rear panel, and 2 onboard headers supporting 2 ports each); 2 USB 3.0 capable ports in rear panel; 2 IEEE 1394 capable ports (1 in rear panel, and 1 onboard header supporting 1 port each); 1 Realtek GigE Ethernet port in the rear panel; VIA 8-channel HD audio codec with integrated S/PDIF optical output port; integrated power, system reset, CMOS reset, and GO overclocking buttons; integrated RC Bluetooth device in rear panel; and a PS/2 keyboard port in the rear panel.
Main Specifications Overview:
Detailed Mainboard Specification List:
Packaging
ASUS used the standard ROG box art design for the Maximus III Extreme, with the board name, ROG symbol, and supported technologies clearly shown on the box front. The following accessories are bundled with the board: locking SATA drive cables, the rear panel shield; 2-way and 3-way SLI connectors; ROG connect cable; a USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 port rear panel bracket; 1 clip-on cooling fan for the integrated heat pipe cooling solution; the Q-Connector modules; the RC Bluetooth device; and the normal complement of manuals and drivers discs. The Q-Connector modules allow for an easy interface for connecting in to the motherboard headers. You simply plug in your front panel jumpers in to the white connector and the USB 2.0 jumpers in to the blue connector block, and then plug both blocks in to the motherboard headers. It makes for a much easier install for those typically hard to reach header areas. The ROG connect cable is used to configure motherboard settings via a different connected computer. The RC Bluetooth device integrates in to the rear panel of the board, and allows for Bluetooth device syncing. With supported smart phones, you also have the option of configuring board settings using the ASUS applet from your phone.
Board Layout
ASUS did a fine job with the Maximus III Extreme's layout and design, with adequate space in between all critical components on the board. While the heat pipe solution cooling the board's power and chipset components is passively cooled by default, ASUS did include a fan that easily clips on to the heat sink just above the CPU socket. The board's revision is silk screened to the surface in between PCI-Express x16 slots 3 and 4, with the board revision under test being 1.01G. To regulate and deliver power to the board's components, ASUS chose to use high quality polymer solid-electrolyte capacitors.
The CPU socket area is clear of obstructions and all power components around the socket are a low profile type, allowing you to use just about any CPU cooler wit this board. The CPU cooler is held to the CPU via the standard 4-hole LGA1156 style design. To the left of the socket, and covered by a heat sink with integrated ROG logo is the NVIDIA NF200 chipset, with the EZ_PLUG1 power connector, and the OPT_FAN3, OPT_TEMP3, and RC Bluetooth headers directly above it. The EZ_PLUG1 power connector allows for direct plug-in of a male MOLEX power connector from the PSU, in order to ensure proper power is supplied to the PCI-Express X16 slots when using 2 or more video cards. The Q Reset button, 8-pin ATX12V power connector and the PWR_FAN header are located to the upper right of the CPU socket. The Q Reset button cuts off power to the CPU socket, to be used in the case where the system will not start due to the CPU being too cold when using an LN2 based cooling device.
The four DDR3 memory slots are located below the CPU socket and NVIDIA NF200 chipset, with a bi-colored design to designate the memory channels. Dual Channel memory mode is active with modules placed in like-colored slots, with the red colored slots being reserved for the primary memory modules. Below the DIMM slots are the OPT_FAN1 and OPT_TEMP1 headers, the GO button, the 24-pin ATX power connector, and the ProbeIt power measurement points. The GO button immediately activates the overclocking profile tied to itself as setup in the BIOS. The ProbeIt measurement points allows for easy access for measuring board voltages using a multi-meter type device.
The onboard Intel P55 chipset is covered by a massive low profile heat sink, also acting as a termination point for the chipset's heat pipe cooling solution. The 7 onboard SATA II ports and 2 onboard SATA III ports are located just below the chipset cooler, with the Intel controlled ports colored grey, the JMicron controlled port colored black, and the Marvell controlled ports colored red. The CHA_FAN1 and CHA_FAN2 headers, the BIOS button, and the front panel header are located to the lower left of the chipset cooler. The BIOS button allows you to switch between the onboard primary and secondary BIOS chips. Directly above the front panel header are the USB 2.0 and OC Station headers, as well as the CMOS reset button jumper. This jumper controls the operational state of the rear panel CMOS reset button. The OC Station header allows for board connection to the OC Station device, from which you can configure board related settings.
ASUS integrated a total of 6 card slots in to the Maximum III Extreme: 5 PCI-Express x16 slots, and 1 PCI slot. The onboard reset and power buttons, the OPT_FAN2, OPT_TEMP2, IEEE 1394, S/PDIF, CD_IN, and front panel audio headers, and the EZ_PLUG2 power connector are location along the outer edge of PCI-Express x16 slot 5. The EZ_PLUG2 power connector allows for direct plug-in of a male MOLEX power connector from the PSU, in order to ensure proper power is supplied to the PCI-Express X16 slots when using more than 2 video cards in the system. The CHA_FAN3 header is located just above the secondary PCI-Express x16 slot.
ASUS included the following ports in the Maximus III Extreme's rear panel assembly: PS/2 keyboard port; a CMOS reset button; 7 USB 2.0 ports; 2 USB 3.0 ports; 1 IEEE 1394 port; 1 e-SATA port; 1 Realtek GigE Ethernet port; RC Bluetooth device and status LED; ROG connect status LED; and 6 analogue and S/PDIF optical audio output ports. The integrated mini-USB port is used in conjunction with the included BIOSecure interface cable for flashing the BIOS to or from a connected remote device or board.