Asus hero 7 motherboard. Review and testing of the ASUS Maximus VII Impact motherboard for compact Mini-ITX systems. Overclocking and testing

Continuing our acquaintance with the updated line of ASUS ROG motherboards, we will talk about another model created on the flagship Intel Z97 chipset. We'll talk about the version ASUSMAXIMUSVIIHERO, which is a neighbor to the ASUS Z97 MAXIMUS VII RANGER we recently reviewed. For a clearer comparison of the two models, we suggest taking a look at the following table:

	ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO	ASUS Z97 MAXIMUS VII RANGER
external/internal
external/internal
RAM
Video outputs
Audio outputs	6 Optical S/PDIF-out	6 Optical S/PDIF-out
SATA 6 Gb/s
Power phases

As you can see, both motherboards offer very similar capabilities. At first glance, the only thing we can note is that the ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO has a larger number of SATA 6 Gb/s ports. As for the cost, at the time of writing ASUS review MAXIMUS VII HERO can be purchased for an average of $280, while the previously reviewed model costs approximately $40 less.

However, first things first, let’s first look at the detailed technical specifications of the new product.

Specification of mother ASUS boards MAXIMUS VII HERO:

Manufacturer
	MAXIMUS VII HERO (rev 1.01)
CPU socket
Supported processors	Intel Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron fourth and fifth generations: Intel Haswell, Intel Haswell Refresh, Intel Devil`s Canyon, Intel Broadwell
Frequency of used memory	3200* / 3100* / 3000* / 2933* / 2800* / 2666* / 2600* / 2500* / 2400* / 2200* / 2133* / 2000* / 1866* / 1800* / 1600 / 1333 MHz
Memory support	4 x DDR3 DIMM slots supporting up to 32 GB memory
Expansion slots	2 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16
	3 x PCI Express 2.0 x1
Disk subsystem	Intel Z97 chipset supports: 1 x M.2 (M.2 2260, M.2 2280) 6 x SATA 6 Gb/s RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10 ASMedia ASM1061 controller supports: 2 x SATA 6 Gb/s
	1 x Intel WGI218V (10/100/1000 Mb/s)
Sound subsystem	ROG SupremeFX codec 8 channel audio
	1 x 24-pin ATX power connector 1 x 8-pin ATX12V power connector
Fans	2 x CPU fan headers (4-pin) 4 x system fan connectors (4-pin)
Cooling	Aluminum heatsink on chipset Aluminum radiators on elements of the power subsystem, connected by a heat pipe
External I/O ports	1 x Optical S/PDIF out 6 x audio ports 1 x PS/2 (for connecting a mouse or keyboard) 1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button
Internal I/O ports	1 x USB 3.0 with support for connecting two USB 3.0 (19-pin) 2 x USB 2.0, each supporting two USB 2.0 connections 1 x USB 2.0 combined with ROG_EXT connector 8 x SATA 6 Gb/s 1 x TPM connector 1 x front panel audio output connector 1 x front panel connector block 1 x button for reset CMOS 1 x MemOK! button 1 x power button 1 x reset button 1 x diagnostic LED indicator 1 x KeyBot button 1 x Sonic SoundStage Button
	64 MB Flash ROM UEFI AMI BIOS PnP, ACPI 5.0a, SM BIOS 2.7, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0
Equipment	user guide warranty brochure disk with drivers and utilities 1 x set of ASUS Q-Connectors 6 x SATA cables 1 x 2-Way NVIDIA SLI bridge 1 x interface panel blank
Form factor,
Products webpage

Packaging and equipment

The motherboard comes in a familiar cardboard box with a flip-up lid. The design of the new product is made in the corporate style of the ASUS ROG line. On the front side, in addition to the name of the manufacturer and device model, you can pay attention to a number of logos at the bottom, indicating support for Windows 8.1, NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX technologies, as well as image output to displays with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels ( 4K Ultra HD).

On the back of the flip-up lid, under which there is a viewing window, there is a description of the following advantages of ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO:

• SupremeFX - pre-installed audio codec offers support for eight-channel audio. To avoid interference caused by electromagnetic interference, a special Black chrome EMI cover technology is used, and special ELNA audio capacitors are used to ensure maximum sound quality. Last on the list, but far from least important, is support for DTS Connect, BD Audio Layer Content Protection and Music PnP technologies, as well as the presence of an S/PDIF out port on the interface panel of the motherboard itself.
• Sonic Studio is proprietary software that allows you to activate the virtual sound playback function in 7.1 format, and also offers a wide range of audio settings.
• Sonic SoundStage - provides hardware switching of audio profiles using a special button on the printed circuit board.
• Sonic SenseAmp is a software and hardware technology that allows you to adjust sound reproduction taking into account the impedance level of the user's headphones.
• Intel Ethernet - a pre-installed network controller from Intel has increased throughput and consumes less processor resources than competitive solutions.
• LANGuard - a special fuse is used as part of the LAN port, which will help prevent damage to the system due to static electricity or during a thunderstorm.
• GameFirst III is a technology designed to optimize Internet traffic in order to increase the priority of online games, which should reduce delays and, accordingly, make the gaming process more comfortable. You can also choose “media streaming”, VoIP or file sharing as a priority.
• KeyBot - using proprietary software, a special controller and a button on the surface printed circuit board You can record macros and create function buttons even for regular keyboards.
• 10K Black Metallic Capacitors - the motherboard uses exclusively black solid-state capacitors with an increased service life of up to 10,000 hours and 20% higher efficiency when operating at low temperatures.
• DRAM Over-current Protection - special fuses protect modules random access memory and DIMM slots from damage due to overvoltage or short circuit.
• ESD Guards - special fuses for increased protection against electrostatic discharges.
• Stainless Steel Back I/O - the interface panel is made of high quality stainless steel coated with chromium oxide. It has increased resistance to oxidation processes, which makes it three times more wear-resistant.
• Black Nickel-coated Q-shield - the interface panel plug has rounded edges, which will protect the user’s hands during its installation.
• Q-DIMM - for greater user convenience, the slots for installing RAM modules are equipped with a latch on only one side.

On the back of the package, in addition to a brief technical specification of the new product and a schematic representation of the interface panel, there is a repeated mention of support for SupremeFX, GameFirst III, KeyBot technologies, as well as the Extreme Engine DIGI+ III digital power system.

The ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO package is almost identical to that of the ASUS Z97 MAXIMUS VII RANGER, with the exception of the presence of two additional SATA cables.

As a result, in the box with the new product we found:

• six SATA cables;
• a set of ASUS Q-Connectors, which greatly simplifies the process of connecting the front panel of the PC case;
• ASUS ROG logo sticker;
• NVIDIA SLI bridge;
• door hanger.

Board design and features

The ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO printed circuit board is designed in a rather original way, where the designers decided to diversify the usual black color with splashes of red in the areas of the chipset, audio codec, and processor power subsystem, which looks fresh and generally attractive.

As for the layout of the onboard elements, everything is done at the highest level: all key ports and connectors are concentrated on the edges of the printed circuit board, and the DIMM slots, as we mentioned earlier, are equipped with latches on only one side. As a result, in terms of such parameters as design and layout, ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO deserves exclusively the highest ratings.

The reverse side of the motherboard greets us not only with the usual support plate of the processor socket and screws for securing the radiators, but also with two support plates located under the components of the processor power subsystem. They act as low-profile radiators.

At the bottom of the ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO circuit board there are the following connectors: a block for connecting the front panel audio connectors, buttons for resetting CMOS and switching Sonic SoundStage audio profiles, a TPM port, as well as a block for connecting the front panel. Additionally, we note three connectors for activating USB 2.0 ports, one of which is combined with the ROG_EXT connector. In total, the chipset supports seven USB 2.0 ports on the board: five internal and two on the interface panel.

The possibilities for organizing the disk subsystem are represented by an M.2 connector, which supports SSD drives of the M.2 2260 and M.2 2280 formats, and eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports. There is support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 arrays. Six SATA 6 Gb/s ports and an M.2 interface operate thanks to a set of system logic, while two additional SATA 6 Gb/s ports are implemented using the ASMedia ASM1061 controller.

The ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO motherboard is equipped with four DIMM slots for installing DDR3 RAM modules, which are equipped with latches on only one side for greater convenience. RAM can operate in dual-channel mode. To implement it, the strips must be installed either in the first and third, or in the second and fourth slots. Modules operating at frequencies from 1333 to 1600 MHz in nominal mode and up to 3200 MHz in overclocking mode are supported. The maximum memory capacity can reach 32 GB, which will be enough for almost any task.

Block for connecting an external panel with USB ports 3.0 is traditionally also located on right side printed circuit board. In total, the new chipset supports six USB 3.0 ports: two internal and four on the interface panel.

The upper right corner of the printed circuit board deserves special attention, since it contains: the MemOK! button, which allows you to automatically select the necessary RAM operating parameters for a successful system start; diagnostic LED indicator, as well as power, reboot and KeyBot function activation buttons.

The cooling system of the new product in question consists of three main aluminum radiators: one removes heat from Intel chipset Z97, while the other two, connected by a heat pipe, cover the elements of the processor power subsystem. During testing, the following temperature indicators were recorded:

• chipset cooling radiator - 37.2°C;
• radiators for cooling elements of the processor power subsystem - 35.1°C.

The results obtained can be safely described as excellent, which indicates that the components of the cooling system were effectively selected.

The processor is powered using an enhanced 8-phase circuit for computing cores and additional nodes. The converter itself is based on an ASP1257 digital PWM controller with a built-in Extreme Engine DIGI+ III power management subsystem. All components of the processor power supply are highly reliable: Black Metallic solid capacitors, NexFET MOSFETs and 60A Ferrite Chokes are used. The main 24-pin and additional 8-pin connectors are used to supply power supply.

To expand the functionality of the ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO motherboard, there are six slots:

1. PCI Express 2.0 x1;
2. PCI Express 3.0 x16 (in x16 or x8 mode);
3. PCI Express 2.0 x1;
4. PCI Express 3.0 x16 (in x8 mode);
5. PCI Express 2.0 x1;
6. PCI Express 2.0 x16 (in x4 mode).

Thanks to support for AMD CrossFireX technology, as well as three PCI Express x16 expansion slots, you can organize a graphics subsystem of three video cards. However, in this case, the distribution scheme of the x8+x8+x4 lines will not allow the potential of this combination to be properly revealed. Therefore, the most optimal would be to install one or two graphics accelerators using NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFireX technologies.

Also note that due to the lack of free chipset lines, the PCI Express 2.0 x16 connector shares bandwidth with the PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots and the M.2 interface. Enabled by default in BIOS auto mode line distribution, in which the system itself determines the current needs of the user depending on the installed devices in one of the connectors mentioned above and allocates the required number of lines for its full operation, thereby disabling unclaimed interfaces.

If you decide to take advantage of the capabilities of the graphics core integrated into the CPU, then you have three video outputs at your disposal: HDMI, DVI-D and D-Sub, switching between which is carried out by the ASMedia ASM1442K chip.

Multi I/O capabilities are assigned to the NUVOTON NCT6791D chip, which controls the operation of system fans, the PS/2 port, and also provides monitoring.

To support network connections, an Intel WGI218V gigabit LAN controller is used.

The audio subsystem of the motherboard in question is based on the 8-channel ROG SupremeFX HDA codec, which supports 2/4/5.1/7.1 audio systems and has a number of proprietary features that we mentioned at the beginning of the review.

The interface panel of the ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO model includes the following ports:

• 1 x HDMI;
• 1 x DVI-D;
• 1 x D-Sub;
• 1 x PS/2 for connecting a mouse or keyboard;
• 1 x LAN (RJ45);
• 4 x USB 3.0;
• 2 x USB 2.0;
• 1 x optical S/PDIF out;
• 1 x USB BIOS Flashback button;
• 6 x audio ports.

In our opinion, this layout is very successful because it has a sufficient number of USB ports, three video outputs (including HDMI with the ability to output images to displays with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K Ultra HD)), and also allows you to comfortably connect multi-channel acoustics. Additionally, we note the update function BIOS firmware from a flash drive using the appropriate button.

ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO has quite wide possibilities for organizing cooling inside the system case. There are six 4-pin fan connectors, two of which are used to cool the CPU, and the other four are for system fans.

UEFI BIOS

The new product being tested uses a modern preloader based on GUI UEFI, in which you can make settings using the mouse. It offers two main use cases.

EZ Mode, in which everything necessary settings are grouped on one screen, and overclocking is done using the EZ Tuning Wizard.

Or the usual Advanced Mode, where all settings must be made manually.

All settings related to system overclocking are located in the “Extreme Tweaker” tab.

The memory frequency multiplier allows you to set the speed of connected modules in the range from 800 to 3400 MHz.

You can also access memory delay adjustments if necessary.

To increase stability during overclocking, the DIGI+VRM digital power subsystem control settings can be used.

The settings required for overclocking and optimizing the system are summarized in the table:

Parameter	Menu name	Range
System bus frequency
		100, 125, 166, 250
RAM frequency	Memory Frequency	3400, 3200, 3000, 2933, 2800, 2666, 2600, 2400, 2200. 2133, 2000, 1866, 1800, 1600, 1400, 1333, 1066, 800
RAM timings		CAS Latency, RAS to CAS, RAS PRE Time, RAS ACT Time, DRAM COMMAND Mode, RAS to RAS Delay, REF Cycle Time, Write Recovery Time, READ to PRE Time, FOUR ACT WIN Time, WRITE to READ Delay, Write Latency
	Min. CPU Cache Ratio Limit
	Max CPU Cache Ratio Limit
Operating frequency of the PWM controller of the processor power converter	Fixed CPU VRM Switching Frequency(KHz)
	Long Duration Package Power Limit
	Package Power Time Window
	Short Duration Package Power Limit
	CPU Integrated VR Current Limit	0,125 - 1023,875
	Power Current Slope	Auto, Level -4 - Level 4
	Power Current Offset	Auto, -100% - 100%
	Power Fast Ramp Response
	Power Saving Level 1 Threshold
	Power Saving Level 2 Threshold
	Power Saving Level 3 Threshold
CPU voltage	CPU Core Voltage Override
	CPU Cache Voltage Override
System agent voltage	CPU System Agent Voltage Offset
	CPU Analog I/O Voltage Offset
	CPU Digital I/O Voltage Offset
CPU input voltage	CPU Input Voltage
Voltage on RAM modules		1,20000 - 2,40000
Chipset voltage	PCH Core Voltage	0,70000 - 1,80000
		0,80000 - 2,00000
		0,60000 - 1,40000
	DRAM CTRL REF Voltage	0,39500 - 0,63000
	DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA	0,39500 - 0,63000
	DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB	0,39500 - 0,63000
	Clock Crossing VBoot	0,10000 - 1,90000
	Clock Crossing Reset Voltage	0,10000 - 1,90000
	Clock Crossing Voltage	0,10000 - 1,90000
	VCCIN Shadow Voltage
	Initial PLL Termination Voltage	1,00000 - 3,00000
	PLL Termination Reset Voltage	1,00000 - 3,00000
	Eventual PLL Termination Voltage	1,000000 - 3,00000
		0,600000 - 2,20000	The “Monitor” section provides access to monitoring the temperature of the processor and chipset. Additionally in this section You can monitor the voltage on the processor cores, RAM and chipset. But you can monitor the voltages on the +12V, +5V and +3.3V power lines, as well as some other parameters, from any section, since this information is constantly displayed on the right side panel. Separately, it is worth noting the ability to take “screenshots” in the BIOS and support for the Russian language. Overclocking capabilities Based on the results of manual overclocking of the Intel Core i7-4770K processor, by increasing the multiplier to x46 and the voltage to 1,210 V, its stable operating frequency was 4600 MHz, which is a good result for a high-quality motherboard. Manually increasing the system bus frequency allowed us to reach a level of 159.97 MHz, which is a good result. As for automatic overclocking, we tested the functionality of this function in the bundled ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 5 software. Auto OC 4600 MHz As a result, the maximum result was a frequency of 4600 MHz at a voltage of 1.273 V, which is a good indicator for automatic overclocking, which is carried out by pressing just one button in the bundled software. At the same time, the RAM was accelerated by the system to a frequency of DDR3-2400 MHz. As for the automatic overclocking capabilities in the BIOS, to start the EZ Tuning Wizard, which we mentioned earlier, you need to select the scenario for using your computer: Daily Computing or Gaming/Video Editing. Next you should specify the type installed system cooling: complete box cooler, improved cooling tower, liquid cooling system, or an option with a question mark for those who are not sure about the type of cooling used. Depending on the combination of the points mentioned above, the optimal (according to the system) automatic overclocking profile will be selected. For example, after selecting the “Daily Computing” and “Box cooler” items, the system set the overclocking to 23% for the processor and 40% for the memory, which resulted in a processor frequency of 4300 MHz at a voltage of 1.224 V, while the RAM worked at a frequency DDR3-2400 MHz. Selecting the most extreme items (“Gaming/Video Editing” and “Water cooler”) offers an overclocking of 31% and 43% for the processor and memory, respectively. That is, the CPU frequency reached 4589 MHz at a voltage of 1.273 V, and the memory speed was set at DDR3-2446 MHz. Testing To test the capabilities of the ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO motherboard, the following equipment was used: CPU Intel Core i7-4770K (LGA1150, 3.5 GHz, L3 8 MB) Turbo Boost:enable C1E:enable Scythe Kama Angle Rev.B RAM 2 x 4 GB DDR3-2400 TwinMOS TwiSTER 9DHCGN4B-HAWP Video card AMD Radeon HD 6970 2 GB GDDR5 Video capture device AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable HDD Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS, 500 GB, SATA-300, NCQ Optical drive ASUS DRW-1814BLT SATA power unit Seasonic X-560 Gold (SS-560KM Active PFC) CODEGEN M603 MidiTower (2 x 120 mm in/out fans) Test results The ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO model demonstrates excellent performance indicators that are on par with its competitive counterparts. This allows us to talk about the high quality of its execution, the selection of a good element base and the successful optimization of BIOS settings. Testing the audio path based on the codecROGSupremeFX Test report in RightMark Audio Analyzer 16-bit, 44.1 kHz Noise level, dB (A) Very good Dynamic range, dB (A) Very good Harmonic distortion, % Very good Very good Intermodulation at 10 kHz, % Very good Overall rating Very good Operating mode 24-bit, 192 kHz Frequency response unevenness (in the range 40 Hz - 15 kHz), dB Noise level, dB (A) Dynamic range, dB (A) Harmonic distortion, % Very good Harmonic distortion + noise, dB(A) Intermodulation distortion + noise, % Interpenetration of channels, dB Intermodulation at 10 kHz, % Overall rating Very good Preset 8 channel sound codec ROG SupremeFX next to interesting features, which we talked about earlier, demonstrates excellent sound quality, which will be more than enough for everyday use. In addition, it supports several profiles optimized for different genres of games, which can be switched using the Sonic SoundStage button on the PCB. conclusions Based on the results of our acquaintance with the model ASUSMAXIMUSVIIHERO from the updated ASUS ROG series, created on the basis of the flagship Intel Z97 chipset, we can confidently say that it will definitely find its buyer thanks to a number of advantages. First of all, I would like to note nice design, excellent quality of the element base, competent layout of on-board elements, good capabilities for manual and automatic overclocking, the presence of a high-quality audio codec, as well as a number of interesting proprietary technologies that we introduced you to at the beginning of the review. Separately, we highlight the good layout of the interface panel, as well as ample opportunities for organizing the disk subsystem, which consist of eight SATA 6 Gbit/s ports and an M.2 (NGFF) interface for connecting high-speed drives with a throughput of up to 10 Gbit/s. As for the features, due to the lack of free PCI Express 2.0 chipset lanes, the PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slot shares bandwidth with PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots and the M.2 (NGFF) interface, respectively, their simultaneous use is impossible. As a result, ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO is a slightly improved version of the ASUS MAXIMUS VII RANGER we recently reviewed. It is perfect for building a high-end gaming PC with one or two video cards. Advantages: reliable 8-phase digital power subsystem Extreme Engine DIGI+ III; improved element base for more reliable and stable operation of the motherboard; interesting and stylish design; support for a large number of USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s ports; the presence of an M.2 connector (NGFF) with a bandwidth of 10 Gbit/s; good delivery set; high-quality sound subsystem; support for DDR3-3400 MHz RAM modules; for provided for test bench equipment. All prices for Asus+Maximus+VII+Hero Article read 5726 times Subscribe to our channels

ASUS motherboards belonging to the Republic Of Gamers family are extraordinary devices with a set of interesting options that are appreciated by budget gamers and enthusiasts who prefer to use best-in-class devices. The ROG line of boards for the popular LGA1150 platform from Intel includes diverse models, which, despite the formats and purpose, are subject to general principles. Today a model came into our field of vision ASUS Maximus VII Hero. Let's try to figure out what merits this Intel Z97 board received the title of hero for.

Design and Layout

The design of the board uses original techniques that have not previously been used by manufacturers of such devices. In particular, ASUS Maximus VII Hero is the first model with a two-color printed circuit board design. The main array has a black matte finish, while in the area of ​​the power elements and the area where the chipset is located there are bright red inserts. Yes, in a closed case it is difficult to evaluate such a design message from the developers, but techno-perfectionists are not indifferent to the interior decoration of the system unit.

At the first glance at the board, there is a feeling of external similarity of this model with the Maximus VII Ranger, which we reviewed earlier. It may even appear that both models use an identical platform. However, this is not quite true.

First of all, we note that the Maximus VII HERO uses a more powerful power unit, which is made according to an 8-phase circuit, while the “Ranger” has 4 dual phases. The VRM block circuit uses higher power chokes and a larger number of solid-state capacitors. NexFet assemblies from Texas Instruments are used as power switches.

To cool the MOSFET, two fairly large radiator blocks are used. To make more efficient use of the capabilities of this design, the aluminum blocks are interconnected by a heat pipe.

To control the parameters of the stabilizer, a discrete controller DIGI+ ASP1257 is provided. In general, the potential of the power unit here is higher than that of the more affordable model.

An 8-pin ATX12V connector is provided to connect additional power.

Four Q-DIMM slots make it possible to increase the amount of RAM up to 32 GB. The one-sided method of fixing modules has already become common for boards of this level. A separate two-phase stabilizer with an additional control controller is provided for the RAM strips.

ASUS Maximus VII Hero offers six expansion slots. For an ATX format device, the standard set is 7 connectors for additional cards expansion, but the manufacturer rightly assumed that next to the slot in which it will probably be installed discrete video card, there is no particular point in placing another connector - it will be inaccessible. As a result, we have three full-length PCI Express x16 slots and the same number of compact PCI-Express x1 slots.

The board allows the use of two video cards, ensuring operation SLI modes and CrossFire. When installing a pair graphics adapters The 16 PCI Express processor lanes are split equally between two full-length slots, highlighted in red.

The lower full-length slot is allocated 4 PCI Express lanes. Moreover, depending on the system configuration, it can operate in several modes configured in the BIOS. The connector can have x1 bandwidth, while three PCI-E x1 slots also remain available. In M.2 Mode, the PCI-E x4_3 slot operates in x2 mode, while two more PCI-E 2.0 lanes are dedicated to the needs of the M.2 format drive. In this case, all three PCI-E x1 slots remain inactive. It is also possible to allocate all 4 bus lines to PCI-E x4_3, but, obviously, in such a situation both PCI-E x1 and the M.2 port will be deactivated. The presence of a limited amount of PCI Express, which chipsets for LGA1150 have, requires that these resources be used sparingly, but the capabilities flexible settings allow you to adapt to almost any realistic system configuration.

As befits a device from the ROG family, ASUS Maximus VII Hero received a whole set of additional controls. In the upper right corner there are illuminated power and reboot keys.

Nearby there is a segment LED indicator that allows you to determine by code possible malfunction. Using the MemOK key you can activate the appropriate technology to cope with initial setup memory timings. The KeyBot button allows you to use an additional controller to expand the capabilities of your USB keyboard.

There is a ruler under the ATX power connector Q-LEDs, which allows you to quickly evaluate the results of express testing of the main functional units at the system boot stage.

Some of the controls are located on the bottom edge of the board. There is a key to clear the CMOS memory, as well as a Sound Stage key for switching hardware sound profiles optimized for various gaming genres.

There are six 4-pin connectors for connecting fans.

ASUS is increasingly using BIOS for chips additional panels, allowing you to remove and replace the chip if necessary. This may be needed in some emergency situation, but if it arises, such a device will significantly simplify the task.

To connect SATA drives, the board offers 8 corresponding ports with a bandwidth of 6 Gb/s. The chipset serves six of them, and an additional controller from ASMedia is responsible for a couple more. All connectors are deployed parallel to the plane of the board, so the cooling systems of video cards will not interfere with connecting devices.

In the central part of the board there is an M.2 port, allowing you to connect drives of the appropriate format with a length of 42, 60 or 80 mm. The connector can be used for c drives SATA interface and PCI Express. Two PCI-E 2.0 lanes are allocated for the needs of the port, therefore throughput connector is 10 Gb/s. This allows you to go beyond the speed limits set for SATA drives (6 Gb/s), however, SSDs are appearing on the market that are capable of more. For such devices, four PCI-E lanes would not hurt, but, alas, such M.2 ports are still found only on some boards for the LGA2011-v3 platform.

ASUS Maximus VII Hero does not have a SATA Express port. If at the time of the announcement of boards based on the Intel 9th ​​series we perceived this fact with some regret, then, almost a year later, it became obvious that there was no reason for concern. In fact, drives with such an interface have not gone beyond trial concepts and there are no prerequisites that the situation will change in the near future. For this reason, we will not classify the lack of a SATA Express port as a disadvantage of motherboards.

The chipset chip is covered with a large heatsink, on which is attached a plastic panel with the series logo, effectively illuminated by several red LEDs. Little things like this create the mood.

To manage the connection via a wired network, the board has a gigabit Intel i218V controller. For its gaming models, ASUS gives preference to solutions from Intel, so there are no exceptions for the Hero. The case when objections are unnecessary.

You can distribute the available bandwidth between different applications using the proprietary GameFirst III application.

The audio subsystem of SupremeFX 2014 uses the Realtek ALC1150 HDA codec. The microcircuit is usually hidden behind a metal casing, and the entire area of ​​the audio path is allocated to a separate segment on the PCB.

The border track is illuminated by a line of red LEDs.

As for the general layout, an additional operational amplifier is provided to drive high-impedance headphones, and Japanese ELNA capacitors are also used in the circuit. Sonic SenseAmp technology automatically detects the impedance of the connected device and sets the appropriate gain. The already mentioned Sonic Sound Stage function allows you to choose from several presets the most suitable for a specific game genre.

Let us remind you that Sonic SenseAmp and Sonic SoundStage are relevant only for devices connected to audio ports located on the front panel of the case. Actually, headsets and headphones, as a rule, are connected to them.

Sonic Studio technology is also available to customize the audio landscape to suit your needs. DTS functions are available for multi-channel audio. In general, we note enough good quality sound subsystem as an integrated solution.

When connecting external DACs, TrueVolt technology can be useful, providing a stable 5V to all USB ports. A pair of additional stabilizers eliminate voltage sags when connecting even several devices.

At the bottom edge of the board there is a connector for external audio ports, Sound Stage and Clear CMOS keys. Nearby is the ROG_EXT panel, which is available on all Maximus VII series boards based on the Intel Z97 chipset.

It allows you to connect additional accessories such as OC Panel and Front Base for system tuning and monitoring various parameters.

If such devices are not used, part of the ROG_EXT connector can be used for additional USB 2.0. A pair of internal connectors allows for 4 more USB port 2.0.

At the bottom edge there is also one of the fan connectors and a connector for the TPM module. Nearby is a two-pin connector T_Sensor1 for connecting an external temperature sensor (thermocouple). In the lower right corner there is a panel for control keys and indicators, which are more convenient to connect using the included Q-Panel.

If we talk about support for high-speed interface ports, then ASUS Maximus VII Hero generally has everything as standard. There are four USB 3.0 ports on the rear panel, and the internal connector allows for two more ports. All USB 3.0 are provided by Intel Z97.

There are not many elements on the back side of the board, but they are there. In particular, the KeyBot controller chip and minimal additional wiring are included here. Two aluminum plates are placed in the VRM area. These are additional heatsinks for driver chips.

Eight corresponding microcircuits are another indirect sign that the board has an 8-channel power stabilizer circuit.

The composition of the interface panel ports is rather common for boards of this level. PS/2 combo, a pair of USB 2.0, four USB 3.0 and an Ethernet socket. For connecting acoustics, there are six 3.5 mm audio jacks and optical S/PDIF. Display devices can be connected using DVI-D, HDMI or D-Sub video outputs. Moreover, you can use all three at the same time. The panel also has one key that allows you to use USB BIOS Flashback technology to update the firmware, during which you only need to connect to the power supply.

Contents of delivery

Included with the board is detailed guide, disk with accompanying drivers and software, six SATA cables, plug for back panel cases, Q-Connector adapters for convenient connection of control keys and indicators, and an SLI bridge for combining a pair of video cards with NVIDIA chips.

A set of stickers will help you quickly and easily identify interface cables in a spacious case, and a sign on the door will warn an avid gamer entering the monastery that the latter is now solving problems of a planetary scale and should not be distracted by trifles.

The device comes in a medium-sized box with a bright corporate color. By opening the front cover, you can view the device through the window.

UEFI and software

The ROG series board uses the usual convenient UEFI shell with a characteristic external design made in aggressive red colors.

The supply voltage for processor cores can be increased to 1.92 V, while the voltage on memory modules can be increased up to 2.4 V.

The basic list of available RAM operating parameters includes modes up to DDR3-3400. Frequency characteristics here they are rather limited by the capabilities of the modules themselves.

The DRAM Timing Control section offers about 40 different parameters for fine tuning RAM. Those who are used to getting the most out of their hardware will get a good set for experimentation.

Excellent options are also provided for configuring the power stabilizer operating parameters. Options responsible for VRM operating modes are grouped in the External DIGI+ Power Control section.

Experienced optimizers, for whom obtaining maximum system performance is more than just a hobby, have access to the Tweaker’s Paradise section.

A good rule of thumb is the ability to adjust additional illumination. Bright lighting may be appropriate and effective, but someone will probably want to turn it off, especially in the dark, so there should be such an option.

The dashboard is also quite rich. The board allows you to control 14 supply voltages of various system nodes.

The Temperature Monitor tab displays the current temperatures of the processor, motherboard, and VRM power regulator area. At the same time, it is also possible to monitor readings taken by an external temperature sensor.

The sections dedicated to the cooling system display the rotation speed of the six fans. When setting up control, you can use the DC and PWM methods, and for each fan you can specify a sensor, the rotation speed of which will be adjusted when the temperature changes.

Overclocking

For initial processor tuning, the manufacturer offers a simple CPU Level UP tool, and it must be said that as a starting point this is a completely suitable way to boost the chip. You can move further if you wish, but if the resulting performance gains are satisfactory, then there is no need to spend too much time searching for edge modes.

When selecting the “4.4 GHz” mode, the processor clock frequency increases to the specified value. At the same time, the CPU supply voltage increased to 1.24. The mode is quite comfortable. If you have a good air cooler, there should be no problems with stability. Core i7-4790K (4/4.4 GHz) initially has a high base frequency, so the relative increase is not so great, but an additional 10% is also something. In this mode, the processor under load increases the frequency of all computing cores to 4.4 GHz, and not just one or two, as is the case with Turbo Boost technology.

When using the “4.6 GHz” mode, the board increased the multiplier to 46, simultaneously increasing the supply voltage to 1.335 V. Under such conditions, our copy of the chip overheated quite quickly under load.

4.8 GHz and 1.388 V are good for taking a screenshot, but we are not talking about stable operation with air cooling in this mode.

Stable is when it is 4500 MHz at any load and 1.265 V. It is not difficult to obtain this mode yourself.

To configure parameters from the OS, the AI ​​Suite 3 application is offered with a whole set of sections for monitoring, optimization, switching and translations. In terms of software support, ASUS can be praised.

Let us remind you that software support is also important for the KeyBot function to work. Although this technology implemented at the hardware level, all macros, sequences and tasks for function keys are configured in an additional application.

If you have an excess amount of RAM and you need a high-speed drive, you can use unused gigabytes of RAM for this purpose by allocating part of the RAM for a RAM disk. ASUS suggests using a proprietary application for these purposes, the beauty of which is that here you can set up automatic recovery of the contents of the RAM disk from a permanent drive during boot operating system. (when you turn off the PC, it will take time to copy)

After half an hour of loading the overclocked system, the temperature of the radiator block of the VRM elements increased to only 41 degrees. It is obvious that the efficiency of the cooling system in this case is excessive; at the same time, it will not be forgotten that these experiments were carried out in an open bench.

The temperature of the radiator on the chipset after loading SATA drives increased only to 36C.

A few days before preparing the review, the manufacturer released firmware version 2601 for Maximus VII Hero, which added support Intel processors Core 5th generation (Broadwell), NVMe data transfer protocol for high-speed SSDs with PCI interface Express, and also guarantees trouble-free operation with external USB 3.1 controllers, which have recently been . Timely support is an important argument when choosing specific model fees.

Price

ASUS Maximus VII Hero costs about $260. Fans of the Assisn's Creed series of games should take a closer look at the special modification of ASUS Maximus VII Hero/ACU. For almost the same money, you can get Assassin’s Creed: Unity in addition to the board, the purchase of which separately will cost about $30. If you want to save money, we would advise you to pay attention to the ASUS Maximus VII Ranger (), which is offered for ~$210. In many ways, the board is similar to the heroine of today's review. The power unit is somewhat simpler, there are fewer SATA ports, there is no heat pipe between the CO radiators, and the external design is not so impressive. If you don’t want to give up the above, especially considering that the board is bought for more than one year, then ASUS Maximus VII Hero looks even more interesting.

Video review of ASUS Maximus VII HERO

Results

ASUS Maximus VII Hero– a functional full-size model belonging to the legendary gaming series Republic Of Gamers. The motherboard is made on the Intel Z97 chipset, has an excellent element base, and also received a good set additional options, which will make it easier to configure the system.

The manufacturer paid due attention not only to the equipment, but also to the external decoration of the device. The two-tone PCB paint and striking illumination of various components perfectly complement the image of an advanced enthusiast model that has everything it needs to become the basis for a productive gaming platform. Powerful power unit with 8-phase VRM and good cooling– an important argument in case you want to experiment with overclocking during breaks between gaming sessions. In this field, the considered model is also capable of demonstrating its heroic qualities.

Liked

Good element base with 8-phase VRM

Spectacular design

Good layout

Excellent equipment and functionality

Intel Network Controller

Improved audio subsystem SupremeFX 2014

SLI/CrossFire support

Availability of M.2 and 8 SATA Gb/s ports

Did not like

The technical characteristics of the ASUS Maximus VII Hero motherboard are shown in the table.

ASUS Maximus VII Hero
Supported processors	Processors Intel Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron in LGA1150 version (fourth, updated fourth and the fifth generation of Core microarchitecture)
Chipset	Intel Z97 Express
Memory subsystem	4 × DIMM DDR3 unbuffered (non-ECC) memory up to 32 GB; dual-channel memory mode; support modules with frequency 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; XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) 1.3/1.2 support
GUI	the integrated graphics core of the processor allows the use of HDMI (1.4a), DVI-D and D-Sub ports; Resolutions up to 4K are supported; maximum video memory 512 MB; support for Intel InTru 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider technologies; ability to simultaneously connect three displays
Connectors for expansion cards	2 PCI Express x16 slots, x16 and x8/x8 operating mode, Gen 3; 1 PCI Express x16 slot, x4 operating mode, Gen 2; 3 PCI Express x1, Gen 2 slots
Video subsystem scalability	NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI Technology; AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
Drive interfaces	Intel Z97 Express Chipset: 6 × SATA 3, bandwidth up to 6 Gbit/s; 1 × M.2 (PCI Express x1, Gen 2), bandwidth up to 10 Gbps (type 2260/2280); support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, Intel Rapid Storage, Intel Smart Connect Technology and Intel Smart Response, NCQ, AHCI and Hot Plug. ASMedia PCIe SATA controller: 2 × SATA 3, bandwidth up to 6 Gbps.
Network interface	Network controller Intel Gigabit LAN I218V (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Audio subsystem	7.1-channel HD codec SupremeFX 2014 (Realtek ALC1150); support 192 kHz/24-bit audio output; SupremeFX technology; ELNA premium audio capacitors; Sonic SenseAmp headphone amplifier automatically detects the impedance of the connected headphones (below 65 ohms, from 65 to 150 ohms, or above 150 ohms); hardware sound profile switch Sonic SoundStage; Perfect Voice noise reduction system; Sonic Radar II imaging technology; support for detecting the type of connected device, multi-stream playback, reassignment of front audio panel connectors
USB interface	Intel Z97 Express Chipset: 6 USB 3.0/2.0 ports (4 - on the rear panel, 2 - connected to the corresponding connectors on the motherboard); 7 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (2 on the rear panel, 5 connected to the corresponding connectors on the motherboard).
Connectors and buttons on the rear panel	2 USB 2.0 ports and combined PS/2; 1 HDMI port; 1 optical output S/P-DIF interface; 1 DVI-D output; 1 D-Sub output; 1 USB BIOS Flashback button; 4 USB 3.0/2.0 ports; 1 RJ-45 LAN socket (LANGuard); 6 audio jacks
Internal connectors on the system board	1 24-pin ATX power connector; 1 8-pin ATX 12V power connector; 8 SATA 3; 1 M.2; 1 front panel audio connector; 1 USB 3.0/2.0 connector; 3 USB 2.0/1.0 connectors; 1 TPM; 6 4-pin connectors for fans with PWM support; group of connectors for the front panel (Q-Connector); 1 Reset button; 1 MemOK! button; 1 Power-on connector with LED; 1 Clear CMOS button; 1 KeyBot button; 1 Sonic SoundStage button; 1 connector for external temperature sensor; 1 ROG Extension connector
BIOS	1 × 64 Mbit AMI UEFI BIOS with multilingual interface and graphical shell (SD/HD/Full HD); ACPI 5.0a compliant; SM BIOS 2.7 support; DMI 2.7 and WfM 2.0 support
Brand functions, technologies and features	Gamer's Guardian: - ESD Guards on LAN, Audio, KBMS and USB3.0/2.0 ports; - DRAM Overcurrent Protection; - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors; - Stainless Steel Back I/O. ASUS Exclusive Features: - MemOK!; - AI Suite 3; - AI Charger; - USB Charger+; - USB 3.0 Boost; - Disk Unlocker. ASUS EZ DIY: - ASUS O.C. Profile; - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3; - ASUS EZ Flash 2; - ASUS USB BIOS Flashback; - Push Notice. ASUS Q-Design: - ASUS Q-Shield; - ASUS Q-Code; - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED); - ASUS Q-Slot; - ASUS Q-DIMM; - ASUS Q-Connector. Overclocking Protection: - ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall). Media streamer
operating system	Microsoft Windows 8.1/8/7
Form factor, dimensions (mm)	ATX, 305×244
Manufacturer's warranty, years	3
Minimum retail price*, rub.	12 410

* According to Yandex.Market data as of July 19, 2015.

⇡ Packaging and accessories

The large cardboard box in which ASUS Maximus VII Hero is sealed is decorated in a style typical of the ROG series with a predominance of scarlet tones. The front side contains information only about the product model, and at the bottom, icons indicate the features of the board.

But the back of the box is as informative as possible. Here are the key advantages of the device, specifications and outputs are listed, as well as the addresses of ASUS headquarters.

The front panel of the box is folding and provides potential buyers with additional information about the technologies implemented in ASUS Maximus VII Hero and proprietary advantages in comparison with competitors' products.

Inside the box, the board is sealed in an additional tray with a transparent plastic cover, that is, it is protected quite reliably.

Among the accessories supplied with the board, you can find a plug for the rear panel, six SATA cables with latches, a connecting bridge for SLI and a pair of connectors for conveniently connecting case cables.

Among other accessories, we note the presence detailed instructions for setting up and operating the board, disk with software and drivers, stickers on cables hard drives, a sticker with the ROG logo and a label on the door handle asking not to disturb gamers when they are busy with daily matters.

Our copy of ASUS Maximus VII Hero is version 1.01 and was released in China. The board comes with a three-year warranty. In Russia, at the time of writing this article, this model can be purchased at a price slightly above 12,000 rubles.

⇡ Design features

The design of ASUS Maximus VII Hero is strict, but at the same time not boring, as, in general, with all products ASUS series ROG. The scarlet slots and connectors, as well as the inserts on the radiators, contrast wonderfully with the dark textolite of the printed circuit board. power circuits and chipset. From the always hidden reverse side, everything is much simpler - we note only the reinforcement plates of the processor socket and the same radiators on the VRM.

In terms of dimensions, the board belongs to the ATX standard, so its dimensions are quite familiar 305 × 244 mm.

The schematic arrangement of the key elements of ASUS Maximus VII Hero is as follows.

The ASUS Maximus VII Hero output panel has two USB 2.0/1.1 ports combined with a universal PS/2 connector, optical audio output, HDMI, D-Sub and DVI-D video outputs, BIOS reset button, four USB 3.0/2.0 ports, network LAN port (RJ-45 LANGuard), as well as a panel with six gold-plated audio outputs.

The top left USB port is connected to the KeyBot chip, thanks to which you can assign macros to the F1-F10 function keys on the keyboard, as well as configure hotkeys to launch any applications and control the playback of multimedia files.

The processor socket of the LGA1150 design is covered with a plastic cover that protects it from dust and accidental damage to the contacts. The contacts here, unlike flagship boards with LGA2011-v3, are very ordinary, no optimizations are announced.

The list of supported processors is provided on the official ASUS website.

The processor power supply system is eight-phase, with digital control Extreme Engine Digi+ III, using 60A Ferrite Choke and capacitors with increased stability and reliability (10K Black Metallic).

The capacitors have a 20% increased temperature resistance and a five times longer service life.

On the reverse side there are IR3535 microcircuits manufactured by International Rectifier, cooled by heat distribution plates through thermal pads.

The DIGI+ PWM controller labeled ASP1257 is responsible for managing the processor power.

The Intel Z97 Express chipset is covered with a flat aluminum heatsink, with which it is in contact through a thermal pad.

ASUS Maximus VII Hero is equipped with four DIMM slots for DDR3 RAM.

The total amount of supported memory does not exceed 32 GB, which will be enough for any gaming system for at least another two to three years. Note that overclocking modules with frequencies of 3200 / 3100 / 3000 / 2933 / 2800 / 2666 / 2600 / 2500 / 2400 / 2200 / 2133 / 2000 / 1866 / 1800 / 1600 / 1333 MHz and XMP profiles (Extreme Memory Profile) are officially supported. versions 1.3/1.2. Of course, there is no support for error correction modules (ECC). Note that the connectors have a lock on only one side, which simplifies the installation of memory modules in them. The list of modules officially compatible with the board can be downloaded from the board’s page.

The organization of memory power supply is entrusted to the DIGI+ PWM controller labeled ASP1103.

As for the board's power connectors, everything is quite familiar: it is provided through 24-pin and 8-pin headers, located in the most convenient areas of the board for connecting power cables.

The motherboard is equipped with six PCI Express slots. The two red connectors belong to the 3.0 x16 standard, and video cards can be installed in them to create SLI and CrossFireX configurations in x8/x8 mode.

If you use the third PCI Express x16 version 2.0, you can install three video cards, but they will work in x8/x4/x4 mode. The remaining three PCI Express x1 slots are intended for expansion cards, and the top one shares the number of lanes with the M.2 connector. PCIe/M.2 operating modes are switched on the board using ASM1440 and ASM1480 switches.

ASUS Maximus VII Hero has eight SATA III connectors with a bandwidth of up to 6 Gbps.

Six of them are implemented using the Intel Z97 Express chipset, and two more are implemented by the ASMedia ASM1061 controller.

Supports the creation of arrays of levels RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, as well as Intel technologies Rapid Storage, Intel Smart Connect, Intel Smart Response, NCQ, AHCI and Hot Plug.

In addition, the board has a high-speed M.2 connector with a throughput of up to 10 GB/s.

Drives of 2260 and 2280 form factors are supported.

The network controller on ASUS Maximus VII Hero is the widely used gigabit Intel WGI218V.

The RJ-45 network connector has additional proprietary LANGuard protection against power surges, lightning and static electricity.

USB on the board is implemented only using the Intel Z97 Express chipset. Four USB 3.0/2.0 ports are located on the rear panel, and two more can be taken from the block on the board. Two USB 2.0/1.1 ports are also located on the output panel, and five more can be connected to the board using expansion strips. Let us remind you that one USB 2.0 connector on the interface panel is connected to the KeyBot microprocessor, and the second can be used as an ROG Connect interface and BIOS Flashback. TrueVolt USB technology provides a stable 5V voltage across all ports without dropout.

The Nuvoton NCT6791D controller, which is well known to us, is responsible for the functions of monitoring, controlling fans and the combined PS/2 connector on the board.

ASUS Maximus VII Hero is equipped with a 7.1-channel HD audio codec SupremeFX 2014, which is based on the Realtek ALC1150 chip.

Traditionally, ASUS has optimized this audio codec and, in addition to the hardware separation of the digital and analog sections, the built-in Sonic SenseAmp headphone amplifier, the use of premium ELNA audio capacitors, as well as the routing of the left and right channels in different layers of PCB, endowed it with Sonic software “improvers” SoundStage, Perfect Voice noise reduction and Sonic Radar II imaging technology.

Support for the ROG Extension interface on the board is provided by the ROG chip labeled 035-A2.

The KeyBot chip already mentioned twice today is soldered on the reverse side of the PCB.

There is only one BIOS chip on the board; it is soldered next to the top PCI Express 3.0 connector.

BIOS recovery in case of damage is carried out via USB BIOS Flashback.

As usual, on the lower edge of the board's PCB there are audio connectors, SoundStage buttons, CLR_CMOS, the ROG Extension interface, additional USB connectors, a four-pin fan connector, a TPM connector and a contact area for cables to the front panel.

Note that to connect fans to ASUS Maximus VII Hero, there are six four-pin connectors with support for PWM control.

In the upper right corner of the board there is a POST code indicator, backlit start and reset buttons, as well as a MemOK! button. and KeyBot.

The cooling system on ASUS Maximus VII Hero is passive; it consists of two radiators connected by a heat pipe on VRM circuits, two plates on the back side of the PCB and a flat chipset radiator.

The latter is equipped with a very beautiful backlight, which can also be adjusted.

Let's supplement the review of the board with a link to the operating instructions and move on to getting acquainted with the features of the BIOS.

In addition to the pride of owning a Fatal1ty board, the user will have at his disposal three PCI Express x x16 slots, three PCI Express x1, six USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, six SATA 3.0, an M.2 interface, an eight-channel Purity Sound audio codec and network adapter Killer E2200.

conclusions

For us, MAXIMUS VII RANGER was the first board from the new family that we tested. Let us note that we were extremely pleased with our acquaintance. The manufacturer aims the motherboard at overclockers and enthusiasts, which means it places increased demands on functionality, reliability and component base.

There were no complaints here, since ASUS, based on past successful experience in producing extreme platforms, again sets the bar for quality. In addition to an interesting and recognizable design, the manufacturer offers a number of interesting innovations and the highest overclocking potential. Perhaps for some, MAXIMUS VII RANGER will become a serious reason for achieving future records.

Among the advantages, it is worth noting the presence of an M.2 interface with high throughput up to 10 Gbps, a reinforced 8-phase DIGI + VRM power system, a sophisticated and ergonomic UEFI BIOS system for calibrating parameters and overclocking, and an excellent audio subsystem.

Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the limited scope of delivery: within the series, the board acts as an inexpensive option, but many analogues can boast of a more interesting set of support.

ASUS MAXIMUS VII RANGER deserves the highest praise and is recommended for purchase.

The Republic of Gamers brand was introduced by ASUS back in 2006. Since then, many iconic products have been released, some of which have consistently appeared on the front pages of all computer-related publications. Motherboards with the word Maximus in their names did this especially often. Year after year they were subject to modifications, transferring the accumulated baggage of technology from platform to platform, allowing them to use their unique capabilities to achieve the peaks of overclocking.

ASUS Maximus VII Ranger motherboard

Recently, the line separating professional gamers and overclockers from their less affluent counterparts has begun to melt. It started timidly with Maximus Hero, which entered a new price niche for ROG products. Ranger continued on the path of the “Hero”, taking an even more decisive step into the budget sector.

Of course, to implement such a maneuver had to sacrifice a lot. How did this risky event end? Let's try to figure it out.

⇡ ASUS Maximus VII Ranger motherboard specifications

CPU	Processors Intel Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron performed by LGA1150 (fourth, updated fourth and fifth generations of Core microarchitecture).
Chipset	Intel Z97 Express.
Memory subsystem	4 x DIMM DDR3 (ECC and non-ECC) unbuffered memory up to 32 GB; dual-channel memory mode; support DDR3 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; XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) 1.3/1.2 support.
GUI	The integrated graphics core of the processor allows the use of HDMI (1.4a), DVI and VGA ports. Resolutions up to 4K are supported.
Audio subsystem	7.1-channel HD codec with data protection support (Realtek ALC1150 audio codec); support 192 KHz/24-bit audio output; SupremeFX technology; supports detection of the type of connected device, multi-stream playback, reassignment of front audio panel connectors.
Network interface	PCI-e Gigabit LAN network controller (Intel I218V, 10/100/1000 Mbit).
Connectors for expansion cards	1 x PCI Express x16 slot, Gen 3 (red); 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, x8 operating mode, Gen 3 (red); 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, x4 operating mode, Gen 2 (black); 3 x PCI Express x1, Gen 2 slots; 1 x M.2 slot, Gen 2
Video subsystem scalability	AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX; NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI.
Drive interfaces	Intel Z97 Express chipset: 6 x SATA 3, bandwidth up to 6 Gb/s; Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, Intel Rapid Storage and Intel Smart Response, NCQ, AHCI and Hot Plug.
USB interface	Intel Z97 Express Chipset: 6 x USB 3.0 (4 on the rear panel, 2 ports connect to the corresponding connector on the motherboard); 7 x USB 2.0 (2 on the rear panel, 5 ports connect to the corresponding connectors on the motherboard).
Internal connectors and buttons on the system board	1 x USB 3.0 connector; 2 x USB 2.0 connector; 1 x ROG extension/USB 2.0 connector; 6 x SATA 3; 1 x TPM connector; 1 x Front Panel Audio Jack; 1 x housing button/LED connector; 2 x 4-pin CPU fan headers; 3 x 4-pin connectors for case fan; 1 x 24-pin ATX connector; 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector; 1 x START button; 1 x Reset button 1 x MemOK! button; 1 x SOUNDSTAGE button; 1 x CLR_CMOS button; 1 x KEYBOT button; 1 x connector for external temperature sensor; 1 x CMOS reset jumper.
Connectors and buttons on the rear panel	1 x PS/2 port (combo); 2 x USB 2.0 port; 4 x USB 3.0 port; 1 x HDMI port; 1 x DVI port; 1 x VGA port; 1 x RJ-45 port; 6 x 3.5 mm audio jacks (minijack); 1 x optical output SPDIF interface; 1 x BIOS Flashback button.
Chip I/O controller	Nuvoton NCT6791D
BIOS	1 x 64 Mbit AMI UEFI BIOS with graphical shell
Proprietary features and technologies	AI Suite 3; AI Charger; USB Charger+; USB 3.0 Boost; Disk Unlocker; ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3; ASUS EZ Flash 2; ASUS USB BIOS Flashback; Push Notice; ASUS Q-Shield; ASUS Q-Code; ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED); ASUS Q-Slot; ASUS Q-DIMM; ASUS Q-Connector; ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall).
operating system	Microsoft Windows 8.1/8/7/Vista
Form factor, dimensions (mm)	ATX, 305x267

⇡ Packaging and accessories

The box for the ROG series board is, frankly, small. It was cut exactly to fit: the motherboard, a few accessories and paper instructions took up all the available space. On the front side of the package there is little information about the contents - only the necessary minimum, which makes it possible to distinguish the newcomer from the previous generation boards.

Having studied the information on the back of the box, the user can form a more complete picture of the model’s specifications, its positioning and several technologies that improve the gamer’s life...

...but still, ASUS marketers want the potential buyer to open the lid: here, finally, there is an opportunity to see the board (it doesn’t matter that it’s in the picture) and find out in all the details why it is so useful to fans of virtual battles.

Contents of delivery

Realizing that we have a false panel in front of us, we open another cover. We are very interested in what was included in the delivery package. And there:

• four SATA cables (two straight and two angled);
• plug for the rear panel of the case;
• SLI bridge;
• Q-connectors;
• stickers for SATA cables;
• ROG logo sticker;
• double-sided sign on the door handle “Do not disturb”/“Enter”;
• English instructions and software disc.

Here's the catch. The expectedly modest set of accessories underscores ASUS' intention to make the board as affordable as possible.

It's time to look at the motherboard, as they say, live. The impressions are twofold. On the one hand, we have before us an example of a slightly updated Republic of Gamers design - all the colors seem to be the same, but white is now used only for the inscriptions on the PCB. From now on, the latches of connectors and slots do not differ in color from their parent elements. The board's textolite has a really deep black color, moreover, not a frivolous glossy one, but a quite serious matte one. On the other hand, it is clear that a considerable part of the PCB is free of tracks and controllers - remember that this is the most accessible representative of the “republic”.

On the back of the motherboard you can see not only the metal plates that simultaneously serve to remove heat and secure the heatsinks of the processor power converter, but also the highlight of the program - the KeyBot chip, which received two mentions on the box. Details, as usual, a little later.

Memory slots

The four DDR3 slots are traditionally color-coded to help you correctly install memory modules for dual-channel operation. ASUS Maximus VII Ranger supports up to 32 GB of unbuffered memory without error correction with frequencies up to 3200 MHz inclusive. Naturally, marked O.C. JEDEC certified frequencies are half that, but when did anyone care? The latches secure the modules only on the top side: this is really convenient for frequent memory swaps. By analogy with the Q-connector technology, ASUS called this fixation Q-Dimm.

Next to the memory slots there are three buttons: START (that’s right, it’s big), Reset and MemOK! The first two greatly facilitate the use of the board as an open test bench, and the Q-code POST code indicator located directly above them (they couldn’t leave it without a name) will allow you to determine, down to the component, the reason why the system does not start.

For faster, but much rougher diagnostics, a line of Q LEDs is lined up next to the ATX power connector. On The Ultimate Force series, such indicators are located throughout the board, which makes the identification process more visual. Here, clarity is sacrificed for speed - everything is collected in one place.

Note that the START button serves as an indicator of connected power, hinting that the board should be de-energized before replacing components. Q-code when the system is running can show the current operating mode of the Sound Stage. Code 01, for example, indicates that the FPS genre is selected. This thing was not taught to display the temperature of the CPU or motherboard.

Main Super I/O chip

The NCT6791D chip from Nuvoton is located under the chipset heatsink - it is exactly the same as on many other ASUS motherboards. The asset of its technology is the ability to control the rotation speed of coolers both using PWM and by changing the voltage. It also monitors from two onboard thermal sensors (CPU and MB) and one additional one, which can be connected to the T_SENSOR1 connector at the bottom of the board. After more than a dozen controlled temperatures on any of the latest SABERTOOTH series boards, this is very sad. It becomes even sadder when you remember that the cheap thermocouple is not included in the kit.

The number of controllable fans is also significantly less than on The Ultimate Force boards: two connectors for CPU cooling and three for other fans. The bare minimum, so to speak.

A little below the processor socket is the newfangled M.2. Ranger supports the installation of expansion cards in two form factors: 2280 and 2260. Both imply a maximum width of 22 millimeters, and the length, respectively, can be 80 or 60 mm. Fixation is carried out using a thumbscrew and one of two holes. Two PCI Express lanes are connected to the port, so you don’t have to worry about the performance of the connected drive.

PCI Express slots

In the usual places you can see six PCI Express slots: three PCI-e x16 and three PCI-e x1. The upper full-size ones belong to the third generation of the interface and are ideal for implementing graphic tandems. The space between them turned out to be impressive due to the abandonment of one of the “small” slots directly under the upper PCI-e x16 - in a gaming or overclocking system, this place will in any case be blocked by the cooling system of the video adapter.

The second full-size slot has only eight connected PCI Express lanes, and the third is completely content with four slow lanes from the chipset. This was reflected in the color marking: it was painted black.

The ASM1480 and ASM1440 switches, which are located in the vicinity of the “red” slots, allow them to operate in x16/0 or x8/x8 modes and redistribute chipset lines between the remaining connectors. For example, if you use all four lanes in the bottom PCI-e x16 slot, the board will disable all PCI-e x1 except the top one. The M.2 will also remain as a decoration.

In general, due to the appearance of a new interface, engineers again had to get out of the way due to the lack of lines from the chipset. In fact, in any case, only the upper PCI-e x1 and lower PCI-e x4 slots remain accessible. The rest in some cases turn out to be inactive. The distribution of lines depending on the use of slots and switching the option in the BIOS is presented in table form for ease of perception.

Operating mode selected in BIOS
	Auto		PCI-e x1	M.2	PCI-e x4
M.2	-	-	-	x2	-
PCIEX1_1	x1	x1	x1	x1	x1
PCIEX1_2	x1	-	x1	-	-
PCIEX1_3	x1	-	x1	-	-
PCIEX4_3	x2	x4	x2	x2	x4

For complete immersion in games and movies, a high-quality Realtek ALC1150 codec is used, placed in greenhouse conditions.

ASUS did not shy away from means to improve performance: the audio subsystem is separated from the main board by a PCB track; the main microcircuit is covered with a shield that protects against interference; some tricky capacitors were used; a headphone amplifier has been added that can “drive” high-impedance models, and even the minijack connectors are gold-plated. They didn’t stop at using selected components in the design - software improvements were also made. For example, SoundStage allows you to transform the sound stage to better suit one of the genres computer games, and SonicRadar visually displays the sound sources in the game, although this is not always fair.

Also, in the dark the board is pleasing to the eye as long as you look at it from the right direction.

All six SATA 3 ports are provided by the chipset. Supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5 and 10, as well as proprietary Intel technologies. SATA connectors are directed parallel to the motherboard, which cannot be said about the comb for USB connections 3.0, located nearby.

Intel Z97 Express chipset and a line indicating the dimensions of the radiator

Four USB 3.0 ports out of six find their place on the rear panel of the interfaces, one of them can be used for BIOS recovery from a flash drive and for faster charging of devices. Two more ports are located on a block near the main power connector of the motherboard.

The situation with USB 2.0 ports is more interesting. Two of them are located on the very edge of the interface panel of the motherboard. The one next to the combined PS/2 port is supposed to be used to connect a keyboard so that its signals can be intercepted and modified by the KeyBot chip.

When this chip is activated (software or using a hardware KEYBOT button), the port will “listen” only to keyboard signals, even if a mouse is connected in addition to it (via a USB hub, for example). This can be a problem if you are using a wireless kit instead of individual devices.

An additional five ports can be “removed” from the pins on the motherboard. The odd number is due to the fact that one of them is part of the ROG_EXT composite connector, designed for connecting branded accessories.

It should be noted that two separate stabilized power supplies are used for USB connectors: one for “finished” ports, the other for comb “semi-finished products”. Not only smartphones, but also external DACs using a universal interface will be delighted with this implementation of power supply.

The presence of the ROG Extension interface on the most affordable motherboard in the Republic of Gamers series is certainly encouraging. But will potential owners use OC Panel, which will add an impressive amount to the cost of the board? In any case, the ASUS proprietary chip is just waiting to give you the opportunity to take advantage of this powerful tool for a professional overclocker.

The network is provided by the WGI218V controller from Intel. The solution, of course, is less popular than the Killer E2200, but also very fast. Moreover, it is protected from static and sudden, let’s not be afraid of this word, lightning. If your router suddenly does not have QoS technology or it is too inconvenient to configure, you can use the proprietary GameFirst III utility.

Internal connector strips

Optional interface pins, as usual, are grouped along the bottom edge of the motherboard. From left to right are presented: contacts for connecting the front audio panel; two-bar interface ROG_EXT; two USB 2.0 headers; TPM; contacts for thermocouple and connectors for connecting buttons/indicators of the housing. By the way, about buttons. There are no less of them here than next to the memory slots: SOUNDSTAGE, CLR_CMOS and KEYBOT.

Rear connector panel

The rear panel of ASUS Maximus VII Ranger contains: two USB 2.0 and a combined PS/2; HDMI and optical audio output; DVI and VGA; BIOS Flashback button; two USB 3.0; two more USB 3.0 and a network port; six gold-plated mini-jack connectors. On the interface panel cover this time, two USB ports are marked with a white frame. The one located next to the PS/2 is connected to the KEYBOT chip, and the one next to the BIOS Flashback button is used to connect the drive with the firmware image. I put the firmware in the root of the disk, renamed it M7R.CAP, connected it to the desired port and pressed the button - it’s easier to just click a switch, but there’s only one chip.

⇡ Power subsystem

CPU power converter with and without heatsink

The power system is built in such a way that it is clear at first glance that there are eight phases. And from the second too.

Only after completely dismantling the cooling system, you can see that on the back of the board there are only four driver chips with a very informative CEE marking. As a result, we have either four honest phases or eight virtual ones - without additional information can't figure it out. In any case, this is less than on other boards in the Republic of Gamers series, and if we were not talking about a board for LGA1150, this would be extremely little for successful overclocking. Nowadays, the processor itself is in charge of stabilizing the voltage on the core, so the requirements for VRM on motherboards have decreased significantly.

RAM power converter

The memory power subsystem consists of a (suddenly) non-relabeled single-phase PWM controller RT8120B manufactured by RICHTEK and a pair of NexFET CSD87588N - again from Texas Instruments.

Both converters use 10K Ti-TUF CAP capacitors and proprietary New Alloy Chokes.

Board heatsinks

The VRM is cooled this time by two separate radiators not connected by a heat pipe. The mass of the larger and smaller is 180 and 100 grams, respectively. Metal plates located on the back side of the board not only serve as a fastening element, but also remove heat from the drivers. Their mass is 10.8 and 8.6 grams. Heat removal is carried out through conventional thermal pads. Each radiator is secured with a pair of screws.

The chipset heatsink, spread over a huge area, weighs 90 grams and, despite the hard rubber-like thermal interface, easily removes heat from the Z97 Express chipset. Fastening is carried out with four spring-loaded screws.