Republic of Gamers Series Motherboards
Republic of Gamers Series Motherboards
The Republic of Gamers (RoG) Series should need no introduction, but if you aren't aware, these are the higher-end models that are tasked with the dual duty of being the gaming-oriented and overclocking-oriented models in the ASUS roster. Thankfully, if history is any indication, these RoG have proven quite capable of handling these distinct specializations.
ASUS are playing it a little coy when it comes to the Republic of Gamers lineup, by keeping a few models like the flagship Formula and miniature Impact secret for now, but we did take a close look at the three RoG models that will be available at or near the launch date.
As you will notice below, one of the distinguishing features – or lack thereof - of these RoG models is that none feature SATA Express. This might seem like a weird omission since it’s one of the key selling points of this new generation of motherboards, but it all comes down to prioritizing PCI-E lanes. There are only 16 PCI-E 3.0 lanes from the CPU and a small fixed number of PCI-E 2.0 lanes from the PCH. Obviously, you don’t want to borrow any from the CPU since they are used for the graphics card(s) (x16 or x8/x8), so that leaves you with the (maybe) 8 lanes from the PCH. One solution is to include a PLX chip, which acts as PCI-E multiplier, but it adds a fair bit of latency and thus there is a performance penalty. ASUS puts an emphasis on the pure performance of the RoG models, so the PLX is out of the question. As a result, one of the new high-speed interfaces had to sacrificed…and its two PCI-E 2.0 lanes used elsewhere.
Frankly, given the lack of SATA Express devices for the foreseeable future, and the fact that the M.2 slot is just as fast (10Gbit/sec), we aren’t going to get too hung up on this omission. In fact, given that M.2 requires no additional cables, we expect it to be a big hit among those who buy RoG motherboards to build sleek, eye-pleasing systems.
In the RoG range, we were shown three different models, the Micro-ATX Maximus VII Gene and the full-sized siblings, the Maximus VII Hero and Maximus VII Ranger. We were told that a higher-end Formula model and compact Mini-ITX Impact model will be released down the road.
Maximus VII Gene
Click on image to enlarge
As we have come to expect, this new GENE model is a fully featured Micro-ATX motherboard with dual PCI-E x16 expansion slots for full 2-way CrossFire and 2-way SLI support in x8/x8 configuration. Despite an obvious shortage of PCB space, ASUS have upheld this model's RoG gaming roots by including an upright PCB module that houses the new
SupremeFX Impact II sub-system.
If it’s anything like its predecessor, we can expect it to house a Realtek ALC1150 8-channel HD audio CODEC protected by an EMI cover, ENLA audio capacitors, and PCB-level analog and digital signal separation. It should be every bit as competitive as the SupremeFX 2014 audio found on the larger motherboards, and it supports the same Sonic SenseAmp, Sonic Studio, Sonic SoundStage, and Sonic Rader II features. SenseAmp is particularly interesting since is detects headphone impedance and adjusts the built-in amp automatically. This ensures that headphones are properly driven/powered given their specific Ohm rating, which is something that your average user probably had no knowledge of.
This model comes with an 8-phase CPU power design with NexFET Power Block MOSFET, 60A Ferrite Chokes, and 10K Black Metallic Capacitors. Basically, the same high-end components that you see on all RoG models. It features similar connectivity features as well, with an
M.2 slot, an impressive eight SATA 6Gb/s ports, four USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 headers, and one gigabit LAN port powered by an Intel I218-V NIC. Video output is limited to a sole HDMI port, since the rear I/O panel has to make room for the usual plethora of aforementioned ports as well as the RoG-specific Clear CMOS button and ROG Connect On/ Off switch.
Overclockers and those who run their system on an open test bench definitely won’t be disappointed with this model, it features a Q-Code debug LED display, LN2 Mode jumper (helps remedy cold-boot bug during post at sub-zero temperatures), power-on Start button, reset button, MemOk! button (initiates memory compatibility tuning process), thermal probe header, and even a ProbeIt area with an assortment of voltage read points. Overall, you don’t have to give up anything by choosing a small form factor motherboard. This GENE is packed with features, many of which we haven’t even mentioned yet, so keep reading below.
Maximus VII Hero
Click on image to enlarge
If you take a close look around the CPU socket area, you will see that the Maximus VII HERO (and the GENE too) feature the world’s first
dual-colour PCB with a matte black and red finish. This might seem pointless, but once the myriad PCB mounted LEDs are turned on the effect is quite attractive. Specifications wise, the HERO is much like the GENE. It features an 8-phase CPU power design, one
M.2 slot, eight SATA 6Gb/s ports, four USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 headers, and one gigabit LAN port fed by an Intel I218-V NIC. There is an LED embedded in the PCH heatsink, and when combined with the aforementioned the dual-colour PCB, and the black nickel plated CPU socket, heatpipe, EMI cover, and
rear I/O shield creates the striking “RoG-infused aesthetics” that ASUS is striving for.
The HERO has three PCI-E x16 slots, but it still only supports 2-way SLI (x8/x8) and 3-way CrossFire, although once again in a less than ideal x8 3.0/x8 3.0/x4 2.0 configuration. This third slot is more or less irrelevant since it is automatically disabled if you use the M.2 slot or any of the PCI-E x1 slots. This is just an unavoidable reality on this PCI-E lane limited mainstream platform.
The new SupremeFX 2014 audio subsystem is obviously updated for this latest generation. It features a Realtek ALC1150 8-channel HD audio CODEC, ENLA audio capacitors, and it supports the various RoG-only features such as Sonic SenseAmp, Sonic Studio, Sonic SoundStage, and Sonic Radar II. There is also an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield covering the Realtek CODEC, and red-line shielding surrounds the audio section of the PCB and isolates it from the rest of the system. All of this serves to help to preserve the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio and thus ensure the highest possible sound quality.
Regrettably and rather inexplicably, this model fails to deliver when it comes to overclocking features. Compared to the smaller GENE model, the HERO is missing the LN2 Mode jumper, the thermal probe header, and most egregiously the ProbeIt voltage read points. These are all puzzling omissions since – as we stated before - the smallest model in the lineup has them. We will have to ask for the official reasoning behind this choice.
Maximus VII Ranger
Click on image to enlarge
This new value-oriented Ranger model was designed with system integrators in mind (think CyberPower, iBUYPOWER, Maingear, etc), but it will also be available in the retail channel sometime in the not too distant future. It is basically a slightly stripped down version of the HERO. This model doesn’t have the dual-colour PCB, it lacks the RoG LED under the PCH heatsink, omits two SATA 6Gb/s ports, and swaps the higher-end 60A gold-tipped chokes for different “New Alloy” chokes. That is about the extent of the changes, so nothing drastic at all.
Thankfully, this short description allow us to go into more detail about the various features and technologies that are found on all the Republic of Gamers models. All RoG models feature a newly designed LAN port, dubbed LANGuard, which has been improved with advanced signal-coupling technology and surface-mounted capacitors. The end result is supposedly improved throughput and superior surge and electrostatic protection thanks to ESD Guards. Software-wise, LAN connectivity has been improved with the exclusive GameFirst III networking optimization utility. With more gamer-oriented features and a refreshed interface, this utility can help prioritize game packets or just manage and monitor bandwidth for any application.
On each Republics of Gamers model you will find a KeyBot button on the top of the board, and a KeyBot microprocessor on the rear. ASUS is dubbing KeyBot as a free, instant keyboard upgrade. Users plug in their existing keyboard to the dedicated USB port on the rear I/O shield to engage the KeyBot chip, and a user-friendly utility allows for the easy programming of macro keys, assigning of function keys, or creation of shortcuts for everything from launching any of any application with a single press to multimedia playback control. Users will also be able to create and share their KeyBot profiles with friends, which should be great for games with complex macros. KeyBot also functions with the S5 sleep mode, so users can wake their PC and boot directly into the UEFI BIOS or enable/disable CPU Level Up with just one tap.
The new TrueVolt USB design provides a steady 5V output to both the front and rear USB ports courtesy of two isolated power supply lines. This is noteworthy mostly because of the increasing use of USB DAC’s, which obviously benefit from clean, stable supply of power.