Maximus IV Extreme & Sabertooth P67
ASUS Maximus IV Extreme
We always like to start an article on a high mark, and it doesn't really get any better than the Maximus IV Extreme, which part of ASUS' enthusiast-oriented Republic of Gamers (RoG) product line.
Unsurprisingly, ASUS have stuck to the popular red & black RoG theme for the M4E (that's the preferred abbreviation for this model), but they have unveiled a new heatsink design throughout the board.
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Under those large MOSFET heatsinks lies ASUS' new 16+2 phase DIGI+ VRM power design that is controlled by the Dual Intelligent Processors 2 (DIP2). As per its name, DIP2 consists of two controllers, the power-saving Energy Processing Unit (EPU) and the overclocking-enhancing TurboV Processing Unit (TPU). Although both technologies have been found on previous ASUS motherboards, when combined with the new programmable DIGI+ VRM they allow for extremely precise adjustment and management of the power design, high power efficiency, cooler VRM temperatures, and in the end, increased overclocking potential.
The M4E's most distinguishing features are without a doubt its four PCI-E x16 slots. What this means is that the Maximus IV Extreme supports Quad CrossFireX and is also Triple SLI capable, which is courtesy of an NVIDIA NF200 PCI-E controller. Yes, that venerable NVIDIA chip has found its way onto another platform, but it is the only way to get more than 2-way SLI support.
Another familiar controller is the PLX PCI-E bridge chip, which is designed to multiply the PCI-E bandwidth as well as effectively distribute it among this motherboard's various high-performance storage controllers. The M4E features two NEC USB 3.0 controllers and has 8(!!) USB 3.0 ports on its rear I/O panel. A brand new JMicron 9182 controller feeds four SATA 6Gb/s ports. Networking aficionados will be glad to hear that ASUS have decided to ditch the usual Realtek Gigabit LAN controllers and make use of a high quality Intel Gigabit LAN solution instead.
Casual overclockers will find the M4E a dream to use thanks to its super user-friendly new UEFI BIOS and smart TurboV Processing Unit, but this simply wouldn't be a Republic of Gamers motherboard without some hardcore overclocking-oriented features, and the Maximus IV Extreme doe not disappoint. There are read points for all the essential system voltages, an LN2 mode button, switches to turn on/off the four PCI-E x16 slots (a great feature first unveiled on the Rampage III Extreme, molex power connectors to improve power delivery to the board when you have four power hungry graphics cards installed. There are also two replaceable bios chips, to give you extra protection just in case things go terribly wrong.
ROG Connect, the remote system management and overclocking feature, once again makes an appearance, but this time it has been expanded to allows users to overclock graphics cards, only select ASUS models are supported at the moment though.
ASUS Sabertooth P67
A little over a year ago, ASUS introduced their first TUF (The Ultimate Force) series motherboard, the Sabertooth 55i. This new product family was specifically designed with the best possible components to be as durable and reliable as possible for power users, in even the most extreme conditions. ASUS backed up this new series with an industry-leading 5-year warranty. It was apparently popular enough to release a second model, Sabertooth X58, and with Sandy Bridge, ASUS will be introducing a third model, the Sabertooth P67.
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This new TUF motherboard is unlike any of the past models. In fact, it is unlike like any other motherboard that has ever been marketed in the consumer realm. The first thing to catch your eye is obviously the new Tactical Vest, a large protective piece of ABS plastic. Now you may be wondering why a motherboard needs body armor, and we would tend to agree, but it actually serves a dual purpose. First and foremost, with the Tactical Vest installed it is now much more difficult to physically damage the motherboard's PCB while installing expansion cards or simply tightening screws. Furthermore, in coordination with the new TUF ESD Guards, there is also a significantly lower risk of ever short-circuiting or otherwise electrically damaging any part of the motherboard. The second purpose of the Tactical Vest is in improving to cool the motherboard's various onboard components and controllers. There is a little hatch where the northbridge cooler would usually be, it is removable and allows users to install an included fan that sucks exterior air into the Tactical Vest and is then channeled to various critical locations. The end result is a significant (up to double-digit) drop in the operating temperatures of the motherboard's various controllers and other SMDs.
From a specs point-of-view, the Sabertooth P67 benefits from the new DIGI+ VRM, it supports
front and rear-panel USB 3.0 ports, has 2 SATA 6Gb/s ports, and also comes with the Intel Gigabit LAN controller. Gamers will be glad to know that this model supports both CrossFireX and SLI support. The new UEFI BIOS has also found its way onto this model.
