ASUS Z87-Pro Intel Z87 LGA1150 Motherboard Review

By Dan Stoltz

ASUS Z87-Pro Intel Z87 Motherboard

ASUS Z87-Pro Intel Z87 Motherboard Layout and Features

ASUS is without a doubt one of the top manufacturers of computer components out there today. If you’ve been building your own computers for any length of time, you have most likely used one of their products in a build. Today we are going to look at one of their Intel Z87 LGA1150 motherboard for the latest Intel ‘Haswell’ platform. The ASUS Z87-Pro can currently be found for as little as $199.00 shipped. When considering everything you get with this ASUS motherboard, it almost seems like a steal!

As you undoubtedly figured out, the ASUS Z87-Pro features the Intel Z87 Express chipset and all the latest features that come with it. One of the features that is selling me on the Intel Z87 upgrade path is the fact that gone are the days of SATA II Ports, the Z87 chipset, and hence the ASUS Z87-Pro feature all SATA III 6Gbps ports. Of course that’s only one of the many features that we get with the Intel Z87 chipset. Intel has doubled the number of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports from two to four over the previous Intel ‘Ivy Bridge’ Z77 platform.

All the goodness of the Intel Z87 chipset and the ‘Haswell’ platform aside, we’re here to focus on the ASUS Z87-Pro LGA1150 motherboard. According to ASUS, the Z87-Pro features ‘Perfect one-stop system optimization and enhanced Wi-Fi control on Intel Z87’. It boils down to three key features, more specifically three key sets of features. Starting with Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-way optimization for one click and done. The second key features is the Wi-Fi GO! which is designed to create the perfect fusion of desktop, smartphones, and tablets. Last but not least is the Fan Xpert 2, this is easily one of the most customizable sets of fan controls out there. The culmination of these three sets of features certainly lays the ground work for a killer system.

The ASUS Z87-Pro Intelligent Processors 4 and 4-way optimization are really a unique feature that are a great way to easily tweak your system. If you’re looking for performance you can set the system up with a quick overclock, if you want to conserve some electricity you can enable the EPU and you’re saving power and money without sacrificing performance.

ASUS Z87-Pro Wi-Fi GO!

The ASUS Z87-Pro is outfitted with the latest, greatest version of the ASUS exclusive Wi-Fi GO! technology. One of the aspects about the Wi-Fi GO! technology on the ASUS Z87-Pro that is great, is the ability to set-up a wireless network without the use of another router. It’s the little things like this that go unnoticed by many that will separate this board

ASUS Z87-Pro UEFI BIOS

ASUS has made a number of changes to their UEFI BIOS in both the EZ Mode, and the Advanced mode. The two most significant changes in the EZ Mode are the EZ Fan settings and the EZ XMP Settings. The Previous generation of UEFI BIOS you needed to navigate through the advanced BIOS settings to locate both the fan controls and the XMP Profile. This latest generation ASUS has put it right on the EZ Mode! My personal favorite change to the UEFI BIOS is the last modified page. When you save and exit a pop-up window comes up showing what has been changed this time around in the BIOS. I would be amiss if I were to tell you that I haven’t changed the wrong setting in the past, this is one feature I have really enjoyed using.

ASUS Z87-Pro LGA1150 Motherboard Specifications

CPU
  • Intel Socket 1150 for 4th Generation Core i7/Core i5/Core i3/Pentium/Celeron Processors
  • Supports Intel 22 nm CPU
  • Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
Chipset
  • Intel Z87
Memory
  • 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 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 Non-ECC,
  • Un-buffered Memory
  • Dual Channel Memory Architecture
  • Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Graphic

Integrated Graphics Processor

Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI-D/RGB/DisplayPort 1.2 ports

  • Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
  • Supports DVI-D with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
  • Supports RGB with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
  • Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
  • Maximum shared memory of 1024 MB
  • Supports Intel HD Graphics, InTru 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider
  • Supports up to 3 displays simultaneously
Multi-GPU Support
  • Supports NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI Technology
  • Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
  • Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX Technology
Expansion Slots
  • 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)
  • 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode) *3
  • 4 x PCIe 2.0 x1
Storage

Intel® Z87 chipset :

  • 6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), yellow
  • Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Supports Intel Dynamic Storage Accelerator, Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect Technology

ASMedia ASM1061 controller :

  • 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), dark brown
LAN
  • Intel I217V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
  • Intel LAN- Dual interconnect between the Integrated LAN controller and Physical Layer (PHY)
Wireless Data Network
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
  • Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth V4.0
  • Bluetooth V3.0+HS
Audio

Realtek ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC

  • Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  • High quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR recording input (Line-in)

Audio Feature :

  • Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless Sound
  • DTS Ultra PC II
  • DTS Connect
  • Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
  • BD Audio Layer Content Protection
USB Ports

Intel Z87 chipset :

  • 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)

Intel Z87 chipset :

  • 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (8 at mid-board)

ASMedia USB 3.0 controller :

  • 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue)
Special Features

ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-Way Optimization :

  • The tuning key perfectly consolidates ASUS-exclusive DIGI+ Power Control, TPU, EPU, and Fan Xpert 2 optimize the digital power setting, system performance, power saving and whole system cooling configuration

ASUS 5X PROTECTION :

  • ASUS DIGI+ VRM – 12 Phase digital power design
  • ASUS Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection – Short circuit damage prevention
  • ASUS ESD Guards – Enhanced ESD protection
  • ASUS All 5K-Hour Solid Capacitors – 2.5x long lifespan with excellent durability
  • ASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O – 3x more durable corrosion-resistant coating

ASUS EPU :

  • EPU
  • EPU switch

ASUS Digital Power Design :

  • Industry leading Digital 12 Phase Power Design
  • Industry leading Digital 2 Phase DRAM Power Design
  • ASUS DIGI+ VRM Utility
  • CPU Power Utility
  • DRAM Power Utility ASUS Wi-Fi GO!

Wi-Fi GO! Function:

  • Cloud GO!, DLNA Media Hub, Smart Sensor Control, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer, Capture & Send
  • Wi-Fi Engine for network sharing and connection: Client Mode, AP Mode
  • Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote for portable Smartphone/Tablet, supporting iOS & Android systems

ASUS Exclusive Features :

  • USB BIOS Flashback
  • MemOK!
  • AI Suite 3
  • Ai Charger+
  • USB Charger+
  • Anti-Surge
  • Onboard Button : Power
  • Front Panel USB 3.0 Support
  • ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface
  • Network iControl
  • USB 3.0 Boost
  • Disk Unlocker

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :

  • Stylish Fanless Design Heat-sink solution
  • ASUS Fan Xpert 2

ASUS EZ DIY :

  • DirectKey
  • Precision Tweaker 2
  • ASUS O.C. Profile
  • ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
  • ASUS EZ Flash 2
  • Multi-language BIOS

ASUS Q-Design :

  • ASUS Q-Code
  • ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
  • ASUS Q-Slot
  • ASUS Q-DIMM
  • ASUS Q-Connector

100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors

Overclocking Protection :

  • ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Back I/O Ports
  • 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
  • 1 x DVI-D
  • 1 x D-Sub
  • 1 x DisplayPort
  • 1 x HDMI
  • 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  • 6 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 6 x Audio jack(s)
  • 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth v4.0/3.0+HS)
Internal I/O Ports
  • 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
  • 4 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 8 USB 2.0 port(s)
  • 1 x TPM header
  • 8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  • 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  • 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  • 4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 x 4 -pin)
  • 1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
  • 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
  • 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
  • 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
  • 1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
  • 1 x DirectKey Button(s)
  • 1 x DRCT header(s)
  • 1 x MemOK! button(s)
  • 1 x TPU switch(es)
  • 1 x EPU switch(es)
  • 1 x Power-on button(s)
  • 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
  • 1 x USB BIOS Flashback button(s)
Accessories
  • User’s manual I/O Shield
  • 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
  • 1 x ASUS 2T2R dual band Wi-Fi moving antennas (Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n compliant)
  • 1 x SLI bridge(s)
  • 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
BIOS
  • 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen, F3 Shortcut functions, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
Manageability
  • WfM 2.0, DMI 2.7, WOL by PME, PXE
Support Disc
  • Drivers
  • ASUS Utilities
  • EZ Update
  • Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Form Factor
  • ATX Form Factor
  • 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )

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