ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces Maximus VII Formula Z97 Motherboard

ROGs Z97 ATX gaming motherboard is engineered with exclusive CrossChill Copper hybrid cooling, flawless SupremeFX Formula 2014 audio, double-sided ROG Armor covers and Watch Dogs game bundle

Taipei, Taiwan (17th July, 2014) ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced Maximus VII Formula and Maximus VII Formula/Watch Dogs, Z97 chipset-based ATX gaming motherboards ready for the latest 4th-, new 4th- and 5th-generation Intel Core processors codenamed Haswell, Haswell Refresh, Haswell Refresh K-Series (Devils Canyon) and Broadwell and engineered with many new and exclusive ROG game-boosting features.

The Maximus VII Formula series supports dual-channel up to DDR 3300+ (OC) memory, and quad-GPU SLI and 3-way CrossFireX for gaming rigs with multiple graphics-processing units (multi-GPU). The new motherboard series also includes two SATA Express and ten SATA 3.0 connectors, as well as eight USB 3.0 and six USB 2.0 ports.

Maximus VII Formula delivers the best gaming hybrid-cooling solution with CrossChill Copper, the best gaming audio with SupremeFX Formula 2014 and the best gaming networking with Intel Gigabit Ethernet, GameFirst III and LANGuard. The new motherboard also has the best gaming power solution with Extreme Engine DIGI+ III and TrueVolt 5V, and the best gaming protection with ROG Armor, premium components, ESD Guards and a multitude of DIY-friendly design innovations.

Maximus VII Formula is pre-fitted with mPCIe Combo III + 802.11ac / Bluetooth 4.0, a compact connectivity module that delivers the latest wireless technologies along with mini PCI Express (mPCIe) and M.2 (10Gbit/s PCIe x2 and 6Gbit/s SATA) slots.

Two packages will be available Maximus VII Formula and Maximus VII Formula/Watch Dogs. The latter includes the full version of Watch Dogs, so customers are able to experience 2014s most exciting game action on 2014s finest gaming motherboard.

Best hybrid cooling

The best gaming performance means keeping cool, so ROG has equipped Maximus VII Formula with the all-new and exclusive CrossChill Copper hybrid-cooling solution. CrossChill Copper is engineered around a highly-conductive, corrosion-resistant copper cooling channel thats incredibly effective at removing heat.

Whether using air or liquid, CrossChill Coppers broad array of internal fins maximize the cooling channels heat-dissipation surface area for extreme thermal efficiency. With liquid, MOSFET temperatures are lowered by up to 23C and the G1/4-inch threaded fittings mean that Maximus VII Formula offers maximum compatibility for existing cooling setups just fit the barbs, attach the pipes and its good to go.

Best gaming audio

Maximus VII Formula introduces SupremeFX Formula 2014, the integrated-audio solution thats as great as a dedicated sound card. Cutting-edge isolation technologies minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and exceptionally-premium components deliver best-in-class audio, with an outstanding 120dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and Cirrus Logic CS4398 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) available via the rear output.

From the stylish black nickel EMI cover and warmth-suffusing ELNA and WIMA film capacitors to the high-fidelity Texas Instruments LM4562 operational amplifier that drives up to 600ohm-impedance headphones via the rear output, every part of SupremeFX Formula 2014 is engineered for the purest audio clarity. SupremeFX Formula 2014 also includes exclusive Sonic SenseAmp technology to automatically detect analog-audio front-panel (AAFP) headphone impedance and adjust the built-in amp, while Sonic SoundStage applies the best audio settings for popular game genres and Sonic Studio enables brilliant 7.1-channel virtual surround sound with just one click.

Best gaming networking

Maximus VII Formula is also fitted with state-of-the-art Intel Gigabit Ethernet that delivers better throughput with lower processing power for superior speed and increased efficiency. The new motherboards networking capabilities additionally benefit from ROG-exclusive GameFirst III technology for no-delay gameplay. This advanced network-optimization software assigns top priority to game-data packets, allocating them more bandwidth to ensure the best online gaming experience and clear, stutter-free online team-chat all controlled with ROGs usual intuitive flair.

ROG has even reinvented the RJ45 socket, with LANGuard. Advanced signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted capacitors improve throughput, while surge-protected and electrostatically-guarded components (ESD Guards) protect against lightning strikes and static-electricity discharges.

Best gaming power solution

Maximus VII Formulas Extreme Engine DIGI+ III voltage-regulator module (VRM) with exceptionally-premium components ensures ultra-stable power delivery, no matter how demanding the action.

NexFET MOSFETs deliver up to 90% efficiency in normal operation; theyre also more durable and half the size of standard MOSFETs. 60A BlackWing chokes serve up power with minimal loss and at very low temperatures, while Japanese-made 10K black metallic capacitors last five-times (5X) longer and deliver 20%-greater endurance at extreme temperatures than generic capacitors ensuring that Maximus VII Formula is able to withstand even the hardest of hardcore gaming.

TrueVolt 5V technology delivers a rock-steady 5V supply to both the front and back USB sockets with no drop-outs. All connected equipment benefits from a clean 5V supply, assuring great compatibility and added protection for USB devices.

Best gaming protection

Maximus VII Formula is brimming with some brilliantly innovative features to protect both gamers and their gaming gear. Exclusive ROG Armor is a two-part fortification that compromises a strong and stylish ABS-plastic cover and a SECC (steel, electro-galvanized, cold-rolled coil) backplate. The ABS cover blocks heat from the graphics card, lowering system temperatures for better performance; and the SECC backplate supports the motherboard to prevent bending, employing thermal pads to efficiently conduct heat away from crucial components.

Q-Slot makes it easy to secure or release a graphics card, while the black nickel-coated Q-Shield protects hands from nicks and cuts. Similarly, Q-DIMMs one-sided clips means handling memory modules is a cinch, and resettable fuses provide DRAM over-current protection that minimizes the chance of short-circuit damage to memory and connection ports. Maximus VII Formula even has a stainless-steel back input/output (I/O) panel that lasts up to three-times (3X) longer than traditional panels.

ASUS ROG Maximus VII Formula Specifications
Processor/CPU socket	LGA 1150 for the 4th-, new 4th- and 5th-generation Intel Core i3, i5, i7, Pentium, and Celeron processors
Chipset	Intel Z97 Express
Memory	Dual-channel memory architecture; 4 x DIMMs, up to a maximum of 32GB, DDR3 3300+ (O.C.)Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Expansion slots	2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (Single at x16, dual at x8/x8 mode)1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot (Maximum at x4 mode) 3 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots 1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 slot on mPCIe Combo III card
Graphics (VGA)	Integrated Intel HD Graphics processorDisplayPort 1.2 with maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 (4K x 2K) at 24Hz and 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz HDMI with maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 (4K x 2K) at 24Hz / 2560 x 1600 at 60Hz Intel InTru 3D / Quick Sync Video / Clear Video HD Technology / Insider
Multi-GPU	Quad-GPU NVIDIA SLI and AMD 3-way / Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
Storage	10 x SATA 6.0 Gbit/s (4 shared with SATA Express)2 x SATA Express 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2260 storage devices supported (on mPCIe Combo III card)
Networking/LAN	Intel I218-V Gigabit LAN with GameFirst III and ASUS LANGuard
USB	8 x USB 3.0 ports (6 on back panel, 2 mid-board)6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 on back panel, 4 mid-board)
Audio	ROG SupremeFX Formula 2014 8-channel high-definition audio- SupremeFX shielding technology – Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC (SNR: 120dB) – WIMA film capacitors – Texas Instruments LM4562 high-fidelity audio operational amplifier – ELNA premium audio capacitors Sonic SoundStage / Sonic SenseAmp / Sonic Studio / Sonic Radar II DTS Connect, optical S/PDIF-out port on back panel
Dimensions / form factor	ATX, 12-inch x 9.6-inch (30.5cm x 24.4cm)

About ASUS

ASUS is a worldwide top-three consumer notebook vendor and maker of the worlds best-selling, most award-winning, motherboards. A leading enterprise in the new digital era, ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of todays digital home and office, with a broad portfolio that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktop and all-in-one PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia devices, wireless solutions, networking devices, tablets and smartphones. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS won 4,256 awards in 2013 and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with its Eee PC. ASUS has more than 13,600 employees around the globe with a world-class R&D team of 4,500 engineers. Company revenue for 2013 was approximately US$14 billion.

[1]Specifications, content and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors.