Asus P8Z77-V LX

P8Z77-V LX is about $ 5 cheaper than ASRock. This model gives users access to Asus' legendary support structure, including frequent firmware updates long after the model is discontinued. However, for a lower price, you will have to say goodbye to some options. For example, the rear panel only has two USB 3.0 ports and three analog audio jacks.

In budget computers, old analog audio systems are usually used and three connectors are enough for a 5.1 configuration. Asus relies on a front-panel connector for eight-channel output, although most users use them for headsets.

In addition, there are no PCIe 3.0 switches that are required for x8 / x8 mode on the two x16 slots. Instead, users will get one locked 16-lane slot and a second locked four-lane PCIe 2.0 slot via the Z77 PCH. This configuration allows you to install two video cards in CrossFire, but you will have to forget about SLI. Fans of multi-card configurations from Nvidia will be more comfortable with the more equipped P8Z77-V LK model, but it cost more than $ 160 when we selected the boards for testing.

Asus hasn't provided the board with its enthusiast-loved power and reset buttons, although other vendors are adding them to make testing easier. However, when the board is installed in a case with its own external buttons, they are of no use. There is also no diagnostic display on the board. Asus believes the less informative LED indicators are easier to read.

Asus' MemOK and GPU Boost features are tied to two switches along the front edge of the P8Z77-V LX motherboard, which many builders will find useful. MemOK temporarily lowers the frequency of poorly configured memory, which will provide access to UEFI, where you can manually adjust the problematic settings. And GPU Boost overclocks the HD Graphics engines built into Intel LGA 1155 processors.

We always try to find flaws in the board layout, and the only thing we found in the Asus P8Z77-V LX are the fan headers that are too far from the front of the case. This disadvantage is not significant, though, as many chassis come with Molex 4-pin power connectors. Asus has even moved the front panel audio connector a few centimeters forward from the corner where it is normally placed, which completely solves the problem of short cables. Bravo!

Two SATA cables are sufficient for any simple system. The P8Z77-V LX comes with no SLI bridge, because the board does not support it.

Asus P8Z77-V LX Apps

Included with the P8Z77-V LX you will find a small set of different programs. These include the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Adobe Reader X, and a sixty-day trial version of Norton Internet Security. They are all installed by default using the Asus "InstAll" feature. Fortunately, the "InstAll" option can be turned off during driver installation, otherwise you will have to endure the annoying registration / update prompts from Norton.

Asus comes bundled with the USB Turbo Mode app. Unlike the competition, the company has added support for UASP. Our recent research on this technology showed that some USB 3.0 devices already support the USB Attached SCSI Protocol. But so far, only Asus has decided to add a utility to activate and configure it.

Asus still calls this heavily updated PC Probe II utility, although today's version is much more versatile and advanced than previous ones. We found voltage, temperature and fan speed readings, although there are still no less important voltages for CSA and DIMMs.

Fans of Asus monitoring software should decide on one point before installing, since our copy of this software was not 100% removed. The modules remaining from the program did not cause problems with the subsequent installation of the same software, but they interfered with the installation of competing monitoring utilities.

In addition to real-time readings, the Asus Sensor Recorder can generate data tables, which can then be viewed as graphs in the PC Probe II.

Asus Fan Expert allows users to modify the automatic fan profiles on the P8Z77-V LX for all three 4-pin headers on the board.

The Asus EPU utility has several power saving profiles, two of which you can configure yourself. We were able to save approximately 2W in idle time compared to operating system settings.

The P8Z77-V LX also includes Asus's Network iControl software, with which you can prioritize packages in favor of, for example, latency-sensitive online gaming.

Some people make a 2GB or larger email backup, but it is not always convenient to download this amount of content. Asus provides 2GB of web storage for free. You can get up to 10GB by inviting others, or 1GB by subscribing to another Asus service. The WebStorage program is designed to synchronize and back up any user data and files.

Overclocking with Asus TurboV

In addition to manual overclocking options, Asus TurboV offers less "advanced" users to take advantage of the impressive capabilities of the P8Z77-V LX through an auto-tuning utility. The program reached a stable frequency of 4.22 GHz at 1.216 V using the "Fast" overclocking scheme, and 4.84 GHz at 1.456 V with the "Extreme" setting.

The biggest problem with the Extreme profile is that the CPU voltage is too high. These processors have a flaw in the interface that prevents even the best coolers from keeping temperatures at moderate voltage levels, and the 1.456V setting is well above 1.30V, which we recommend as a comfortable and safe limit for long-term performance. With this voltage a little afraid that the processor "burned out", we launched Prime95 and watched as the Intel thermal protection mechanism turned on throttling after 20 seconds.

Although the Auto-Tuning feature of TurboV is intended to be addressed to less experienced overclockers, it unfortunately sets too high a voltage that is useless due to throttling that inexperienced users may not notice. Therefore, manual configuration seems to us to be safer.

By tweaking the settings ourselves, we were able to achieve the same overclocking level using TurboV as with the Asus UEFI, and as it turns out, some hardcore overclockers will find the TurboV program quite useful for changing voltage and clock speeds on the fly, provided an efficient system is in place. cooling.

Below in the screenshot, the sliders are set to the maximum position to demonstrate the limits of the TurboV setting, however, we did not work with such settings. Advanced Mode adds CSA, PLL and PCH options to the basic voltage settings.

While we don't expect many users to overclock the processor's integrated graphics core, Asus provides the ability to tweak its frequency and voltage in TurboV GPU Boost.

A separate menu provides a choice of the CPU cores multiplier for two modes: synchronous and depending on the load. Although the slider is at its maximum in the image, we did not use the 63x multiplier in our tests.

Asus P8Z77-V LX UEFI

Perhaps the biggest impact on Asus' reputation has been its functional and easy-to-use firmware. The P8Z77-V LX continues this tradition by providing features typical of the company's more expensive motherboards.

The Ai Overclock Tuner has only "XMP" and "Manual" options. The CPU settings are almost the same between these modes, as XMP users are likely to tackle them first. But remember that switching from XMP to Manual will reset them.

Although the 47 x 100 MHz variant was unstable at 1.25V core voltage, the 46 x 102.2 MHz configuration gave us a processor frequency of 4.7 GHz. Most likely, the 47 x 100 mode did not work due to the fact that Asus instead of 100 MHz actually outputs 100.3 MHz, and it turns out 4.71 GHz.

To get 1.25V under load, a combination of 1.245V in UEFI and a higher "load line calibration" value is needed. The memory voltage of 1.65 V was not manually set by us, it was taken from XMP Profile 1.

The P8Z77-V LX includes primary, secondary and tertiary timing settings, which is quite remarkable for budget enthusiast-oriented motherboards.

Depending on other settings, the multiplier can be locked in the main menu of Ai Tweaker. The fixed ratio can be configured in the CPU Power Management submenu.

The Ultra High setting of the CPU Load-Line Calibration gives the overclocked core of our processor the desired 1.25V under load. We tried other settings for core voltage and Load-Line Calibration and found that these are the most consistent with the target. The Digi + VRM submenu also contains voltage settings and adjustments.

As a rule, ASUS motherboards designated with the letter PRO are intermediate solutions between the middle class and senior products, as happened in the line of motherboards based on the Intel Z77 Express system logic set. On the one hand, there is the cheaper P8Z77-V, on the other, the more expensive P8Z77-V Deluxe, and the P8Z77-V PRO is somewhere in between. P8Z77-V Deluxe and Sabertooth Z77 (whose design is almost a copy of P8Z77-V) were previously tested in the laboratory, so the product "above average" will have something to compare with.

Let's start the review, as usual, with the packaging and delivery set.

Packaging and equipment

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO comes in a medium-sized cardboard box. The packaging design is typical for most modern ASUS motherboards: dark colors prevail, there is a contrasting text with the product name and advertising logos describing the main features of the model.

On the reverse side there is a photo of the board and its main characteristics are listed. The continuation of the advertising description of proprietary technologies has not gone anywhere either: most of the back side is occupied by advertising of various kinds.

When you open the box, the first thing you see is P8Z77-V PRO, packed in an antistatic bag on a separate cardboard pallet:

After removing it together with the motherboard at the bottom of the box, you can find the delivery set:

It includes:

• Back panel cover;
• Four SATA cables, two of which are billed as SATA 6 Gb / s and two as SATA 3 Gb / s. All four stubs are angular;
• Brief instructions for installing the board in several languages, including Russian;
• Detailed user manual in English;
• Instructions for configuring the Wi-Fi module;
• Wi-Fi module, as well as an antenna for it;
• Flexible SLI bridge;
• Q-Connector adapter set;
• A housing bracket with two USB 2.0 ports and one eSATA port;
• CD with software.

The package bundle cannot be called meager: there are Q-Connectors typical for ASUS, a Wi-Fi module is available, and the cover for the rear panel is equipped with a soft gasket. But you can find fault: for a product costing ~ 6700-6800 rubles, I would like to see more SATA cables, not to mention a plug with case USB 3.0 ports (instead of USB 2.0). We can note the already standard ignoring of bridges for CrossFireX.

Board design and features

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO is made in ATX form factor (305x244 mm).

The fact that the model is not the oldest in the line can be seen with the naked eye: there are bare areas with unsoldered controllers, the radiators of the cooling system are not connected with a heat pipe, there are no buttons to turn on / restart the system. Externally, the motherboard still looks more like the P8Z77-V than the P8Z77-V Deluxe, this is especially noticeable in the configuration of the expansion slots. Compared to the P8Z77-V, you can find more USB 3.0 ports and a stronger processor power converter.

Even when looking at the front side of the board, it is noticeable that the VRM cooling radiators are screwed, and from the photo of the reverse side it becomes clear why the screws were visible exactly there: the radiators are attached through a pressure plate, and the screws are screwed to it, creating a kind of "sandwich" ... The screw mount is also used for the chipset heatsink, but there it is already more familiar. Thanks to the last photo, you can find out the manufacturer of the processor socket - it's Foxconn.

Arrangement of elements:

On the image of the ASUS P8Z77-V PRO element layout, you can find the LEDs for the basic indication of the system start (CPU_LED, DRAM_LED, VGA_LED and BOOT_DEVICE_LED), which sequentially light up during POST and in some way can be a substitute for the POST code indicator.

There are four slots for DDR3 memory, which are equipped with latches only on the top:

Since the graphics PCI-E X16 is located at the height of the second expansion slot (the top / first is PCI-E X1), the use of latches on one side only looks unjustified. If there were latches on both sides, access to the RAM slots would be preserved even with a video card installed in the system, but the memory modules would be fixed more tightly, and in general, double-sided latches are more convenient.

The manufacturer declared DDR3 1066/1333/1600/1866 (overclocking) / 2133 (overclocking) / 2200 (overclocking) / 2400 (overclocking) MHz operating modes. The list of these modes is not complete (if we talk about Ivy Bridge processors), but in fact, the settings provide all the multipliers available to the processor for the memory frequency. The maximum volume of 32 GB indicates that the board supports 8 GB DDR3 modules.

To activate the Dual Channel mode, you need to set the bars in slots of the same color, that is, either 1/3 or 2/4. To ensure the greatest compatibility of modules and stability in overclocking, the manufacturer recommends using the blue connectors first, that is, 2/4.

The role of the system logic set is assigned to one microcircuit - Intel Z77 Express:

At the moment, this is the senior chipset for the LGA 1155 platform.

Expansion Slot Configuration:

Slots from top to bottom:

• PCI-E 2.0 X1;
• PCI-E 3.0 X16;
• PCI-E 2.0 X1
• PCI-E 3.0 X8;
• PCI-E 2.0 X4.

The motherboard has room for seven expansion slots, which is the maximum number for an ATX form factor.

The configuration of the expansion connectors is well thought out, coinciding with that of the P8Z77-V. One of the PCI-E X1s is located above the top graphics slot, which allows it to be used regardless of the size and number of graphics cards. The two graphics connectors are well spaced to allow tandem installation of large cards.

Above the top graphics port are four ASMedia ASM1480 switch chips:

They split the sixteen PCI-E lanes from the processor between the two graphics slots, allowing them to operate in either 16/0 or 8/8 formulas. These microcircuits support the PCI-E 3.0 version of the interface, although it is available only in the case of using Ivy Bridge processors.

Also on the board are two ASMedia ASM1440 switch microcircuits:

One chip is located above the south bridge, the other is located under the top graphics slot.

They are responsible for dividing PCI-E lanes from the system logic set. Four lanes are divided between the lower PCI-E X4 port, two PCI-E X1 ports, and between additional USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb / s controllers. Three operating modes are available: Auto, X4 mode and X1 mode. In Auto mode, the PCI-E X4 slot is limited to one lane, both PCI-E X1 slots are disabled, additional USB 3.0 controllers (USB3_E34 ports) and SATA 6Gb / s (SATA6G_E12 ports) are available. In "X4 mode" the PCI-E X4 slot gets four lanes, additional controllers and PCI-E X1 ports are disabled. In X1 mode, the PCI-E X4 slot is limited to one line, both PCI-E X1s are active, a USB 3.0 controller is available, while the additional SATA ports remain inactive.

Such a confusing scheme is actually a consequence of the abundance of third-party controllers and the limited number of PCI-Express lines. Perhaps it would be wiser to implement the scheme used on the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H, when all three full-sized PCI-E slots originate from the processor and, if necessary, can work according to the 8 + 4 + 4 scheme. Then the lines from Intel Z77 Express would be enough for other "strapping".

The situation when a new processor requires a new motherboard with a new chipset has already been encountered quite often. All motherboard manufacturers were in a hurry to introduce their new products, playing chicken and egg. However, as you already know, things are going differently this spring - new Intel processors, codenamed Ivy Bridge, can be used on "old" boards. But this does not mean at all that the leaders of the component market need not worry - users who want the latest are the most active and very interesting financially, so everyone was enthusiastic about the release of the seventh series chipset line.

In the arsenal of ASUS, a dozen products appeared at once on the maximum version of the chipset line - Intel Z77. Honestly, in our opinion, this is overkill: it will not be easy for users to understand the differences and numerous suffixes when it comes to ordinary "workhorses". In this article, we will take a look at the P8Z77-V Pro motherboard.

Among its distinctive features, the manufacturer mentions the use of a Digi + chip to control power circuits, the possibility of using four-chip SLI and CrossFireX, and a fan control system in the Fan Xpert 2 case.

Package and proprietary utilities

Traditionally, out of a dozen models based on one chipset, only a few were awarded the original packaging. Our today's hero is out of luck - an ordinary medium-sized cardboard box. Its design, at first glance, hardly differs from many other mass devices. But upon closer examination, you can notice the texture (relief) on the cardboard.

A detailed description of the numerous features of the board is noteworthy. It is a pity that only in English. Moreover, these are not just technical characteristics rewritten with beautiful words, but really unique functions of the device. We will dwell on some of them in more detail below.

The scope of delivery for this model is quite rich: a dummy plate for the rear panel of the board with a black insert and connectors' signatures, two SATA 6 Gb / s cables with latches (one straight connector, the other angular), two “simple” SATA cables with the same connectors, flexible SLI bridge, special adapters for easy connection of connectors on the front panel of the case to connectors on the board (one for buttons and indicators, the other for USB ports), a bracket for the rear panel of the case with a pair of USB 2.0 ports and one eSATA, a proprietary Wi- Fi with external antenna, thick user manual (in English), DVD with drivers, programs and documents.

The motherboard comes with a lot of utilities, some of which deserve special consideration in a separate article, and we will try to return to this issue in the near future. All of them are collected in a single AI Suite II shell to simplify both installation and work with them.

An updated version of the kit can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website as a single archive. The set includes utilities for monitoring system status, collecting system information, updating software and BIOS, managing a Wi-Fi controller (including for organizing an access point), configuring USB ports, selecting power saving modes, setting power management, overclocking the system, installing network traffic priorities, remote control from wireless mobile devices.

The TurboV utility is used to automatically overclock the system. We tested it in automatic mode with an Intel Core i5-2500K processor and a Corsair H100 liquid cooling system. The choice of the "Fast" profile made it possible to increase the processor frequency by one third in just a couple of seconds - up to 4.3 GHz.

A longer process in the Extreme profile showed even more impressive results - the frequency exceeded 5.2 GHz. However, it should be noted that the second option turned out to be unstable under the load of the LinX program. In the "beautiful" mode 5 GHz (100 MHz × 50), the system coped with this test as well. We also mention the presence of an automatic reset system in case of unsuccessful overclocking.

Features of the board

The motherboard uses black PCB, which makes it look both strict and stylish. It has a standard ATX size (304 × 244 mm), so that all configuration elements could fit freely. The LGA1155 socket can be used with both 32nm and new 22nm Intel processors (codenamed Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, respectively). It cannot be said about most modern motherboards that there is a lot of free space near the socket and it will be easy to install a cooling system of any format. The product in question is no exception to this rule, but everything is arranged according to the standard, and boxed coolers will of course be installed without problems. And if you are thinking of purchasing something larger and more effective, we recommend that you first make sure that it can be installed.

This model has four slots for DDR3 RAM. The manufacturer says it can work at frequencies up to 1200 MHz (DDR3-2400) inclusively in overclocking mode. XMP profiles are supported - in particular, Kingston test modules worked without problems in their "native" DDR3-2133 mode (it was enough to change only one parameter in BIOS Setup). The latches on the slots are "one-sided", which is intended to simplify the installation of modules, although efficiency can be argued. We did not forget about the MemOK! Button, which will help start the system in case of installing "not very compatible" memory modules.

Expansion slot configuration is tricky. Differences in color coding do not help to figure it out. There are two PCIe x16 slots connected to the processor and capable of operating in x16 mode with one video card installed in the first slot, and in x8 + x8 mode with two video cards. These ports support the 3.0 standard if the corresponding processor is installed (this is also confirmed by the use of ASMedia standard chips for switching). The location of these slots allows cards with three-slot cooling systems to work. The third slot of x16 format version 2.0 works through the chipset and supports the maximum x4 mode. According to the manufacturer, it shares the chipset lines with other slots (both PCIe x1) and external controllers (internal USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb / s ports on ASMedia chips). So with the maximum use of all devices, you can expect only x1 mode from it.

The last pair - PCIe x1 slots - are located on both sides of the "main" graphics slot. So one of them will be free in any configuration (if a large processor cooler does not interfere), and the second will in most cases be unavailable when installing an external gaming video card, since most of them have a dual-slot cooling system. In addition, these ports share PCIe lanes with a third PCIe x16 slot, and the second with an external SATA 6Gb / s chip.

Numerous external controllers and a wide range of expansion ports make full use of the 8 PCIe 2.0 lanes available in the chipset. We also note the support of this board for the LucidLogix Virtu MVP technology (we wrote about LucidLogix Virtu), which is designed to increase the performance of graphics applications due to the combined use of integrated and external video cards, although, in our opinion, it is still more convenient to purchase a more efficient external video card than to count on this function.

An 8 MB BIOS chip is installed on the socket, but in most cases this will not be useful - this board implements the USB BIOS Flashback technology. It allows you to restore a completely "killed" firmware from a USB flash drive plugged into a dedicated USB port with an image. For this, a specialized microcircuit is used on the board. True, you will have to open the case - to access the button for starting the recovery process.

Like many other ASUS motherboards, the P8Z77-V Pro has dedicated LEDs to help you identify the root cause of boot problems. Moreover, this does not require a long study of the documentation and codes - the indicators are located near all critical elements (processor, memory, video card port).

Most of the motherboard connectors are clustered along the bottom edge (left in the photo). Moreover, they occupy it almost completely (except for two connectors absent in this modification of the board). This can make it difficult to access the BIOS Emergency Recovery button. The jumper for resetting CMOS is also not very convenient - it is too close to the connectors.

Power and cooling circuits

Connection to the power supply is made using standard 24-pin and 8-pin connectors (it is possible to work with a four-pin connection using an ATX12V connector). Several Digi + chips are used to control the power supply of the system components. The manufacturer calls this "Dual Intelligent Processors 3" technology. In total, the processor receives 12 phases, four for the graphics core (in this case, we are talking about the operation of an eight-channel PWM controller with phase doubling), and two for the RAM.

The elements of the processor power supply circuits near the socket are covered with relatively small aluminum heatsinks about 25 mm high. Note that their design is complemented by plates on the back of the PCB. There are no heat pipes here, which is more good than bad. You can also see a heatsink with a complex shape of the upper surface on the chipset microcircuit. Its height is only 12 mm and it will not interfere with the installation of expansion cards - except access to the latches of the PCIe x16 slots. This configuration of the cooling system is more than enough for the model under consideration. In our tests with an overclocked Intel Core i5-2500K processor, we directed the flow from a leisurely 120mm fan to the power heatsinks, since the processor was equipped with a liquid cooling system. In these conditions, their temperature did not cause any concern.

To connect fans on the board, there are as many as six connectors - "double" for the processor and four for the case. They are all four-pin and auto-speed control to create an efficient and quiet system. Note the implementation of the new unique Fan Xpert 2 technology in this motherboard. It is able to provide the required temperature conditions while maintaining a low system noise level. To do this, after assembling the PC, installing and connecting all the fans, you need to run a special program that automatically calibrates the operation of the fan system: it will be able to determine the effect of each fan on the temperature of system components and suggest the optimal operating mode.

In this section, we will also mention the presence of TPU and EPU switches and indicators on the board. The first activates the function of automatic overclocking of the system with the participation of the chip of the same name. You can use it after loading the operating system through a proprietary utility. EPU is designed to reduce system power consumption by dynamically managing power circuits.

BIOS

BIOS is implemented using UEFI technology and is based on AMI code. It allows for mouse control (although you cannot do without a keyboard) and has several localization options. One cannot look at Russian without tears - as if China has the only version of the Russian script that can often be found in “nameless” smartphones.

The first page that the user sees after entering BIOS Setup is an implementation of a simplified version of "EZ Mode". Here you can check the configuration of the processor, memory, hard drives, view the monitoring data of the sensors built into the board (temperatures, voltages, fans), change the boot order and select one of the “optimization” modes of the processor parameters - “eco”, “normal”, “optimal ASUS version ".

To access the full set of settings, you need to go to the "Advanced Mode". It traditionally contains sections:

• Main - displaying the BIOS version, setting the time and date;
• Ai Tweaker - settings for frequencies, voltages and modes for overclocking and system optimization;
• Advanced - setting CPU / PCH / SA parameters, setting up SATA and USB, external controllers;
• Monitor - monitoring system sensors, setting Q-Fan to control the fan speed;
• Boot - OS boot parameters, device selection;
• Tool - access to the BIOS EZ Flash firmware utility, control overclocking profiles, display information from SPD memory modules (including XMP).

We do not recommend for beginners to go to Ai Tweaker, at first glance there are about a hundred parameters. Moreover, effective overclocking can be carried out with a proprietary utility from Windows. The rest of the points are quite simple and do not cause any problems with finding the desired options.

Functionality

Most of the space on the rear panel is occupied by video outputs - there are four of them for every taste: VGA, DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort. It is difficult to say whether such a configuration is really in demand, but the fact that no adapters are required to connect any monitor can be considered a plus. The PS / 2 connector has long been worth scrapping, it is better to install another pair of USB or eSATA instead. By the way, this board has none of the latter. This is slightly compensated by the fact that 4 USB ports correspond to version 3.0 of this interface. Moreover, two of them are chipset, and the second pair is powered by an external controller. USB 2.0 ports are implemented by the chipset controller.

Audio outputs and network are standard - analog mini-jacks for 7.1 configuration, digital optical S / PDIF-Out, RJ-45 port with built-in indicators. A separate place is assigned to the Wi-Fi controller for connecting the antenna and the LED for indicating the operation.

Despite the use of the modern multifunctional Intel Z77 chipset, this motherboard has many additional controllers that add new functions and expand existing ones. The complete list consists of:

• two USB 3.0 controllers based on ASMedia ASM1042 (PCIe x1) microcircuits, each with support for 2 devices, two ports are routed to the rear panel, two to a bracket connector for connecting to connectors on the case;
• integrated audio based on the HDA codec Realtek ALC892 in 7.1 format, with an optical S / PDIF-Out connector on the rear panel of the board and an additional S / PDIF-Out connector on a PCB;
• a gigabit network controller based on a MAC controller in the chipset and an Intel PHY;
• PCI bus controller on the ASMedia ASM1083 chip (PCIe x1) for the implementation of two slots;
• SATA controller ASMedia ASM1061 (PCIe x1) with support for two internal SATA 6 Gb / s ports.

The motherboard has eight SATA connectors for connecting drives. Six of them are chipset, two of which support 6 Gbps interface speed. The remaining two are implemented on an external ASMedia controller and also support 6 Gbps. The ports are located near the edge of the board at an angle so that their cables will not interfere with expansion cards. Color coding makes it easy to identify the type of port. An external eSATA port can be realized by connecting a complete bracket for the rear panel of the case (the connector from it is plugged into any port on the PCB of your choice, providing the speed and functionality of the eSATA port that you need "on the back"). The chipset controller supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, Matrix RAID and Intel technologies - Smart Response, Rapid Start and Smart Connect. By the way, ASUS decided to offer its own utility for using an SSD as a cache for a hard drive.

The built-in audio codec implements standard modes with connection to analog outputs up to 7.1, and also supports digital sound, including HD tracks in BD and output via stock HDMI.

For the first time for Intel, Z77 has built-in USB 3.0 controllers (recall that exactly how 3.0 they work today only in Windows 7, since only there are corresponding drivers for it). But ASUS decided to add a couple of external controllers as well. As a result, the user gets four ports version 3.0 and two versions 2.0 on the rear panel, as well as connectors on the board for four more ports 3.0 and eight 2.0. The board supports the USB 3.0 UASP standard (you can read more about this technology in the ASUS P9X79 Pro review) for ports based on ASMedia chips, as well as fast charging of mobile devices (USB Charger +).

One of the innovations in this line of motherboards is the complete set with a wireless module. To be honest, the implementation, in our opinion, was chosen somewhat strangely. Today there are good USB controllers that provide high-speed 802.11n operation. They are easy to select, connect and use. But ASUS went its own way - a standard half mini-PCIe card is installed in a proprietary adapter, which is placed on the motherboard in a special slot between the rear panel connectors and secured with a screw from the back. An antenna (or several) also uses micro-connectors of its own, original format. As a result, the user is faced with many restrictions - it is impossible to install another board, it is difficult to replace the antenna, and this product cannot be used with other devices. Perhaps it was the last point that became the reason for such a design. The P8Z77-V Pro uses the Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 single-channel single-band chip, supporting a maximum connection speed of 150Mbps. Note that other motherboards in this series have more efficient solutions.

The presence of two standard PCI slots on the board will be of interest to users who need to use expansion cards of the old standard.

Conclusion

The announcement of a new chipset and a new line of processors has once again spurred manufacturers to update their products. Wanting to maintain the high status of one of the market leaders, ASUS has released a dozen models on the Z77 chipset at once. Choosing the right one is not an easy task. And even the presence of the product comparison function on the company's website does not help much in this situation. So we recommend that you write down the exact requirements and "try" them on the solutions presented on the market.

The ATX format made it possible to implement a rather interesting configuration of expansion slots on the P8Z77-V Pro, allowing the simultaneous operation of three video cards. Also, this model has two PCI slots available, which may be of interest to users who did not have time or could not replace equipment with a more modern one. Note the use of a network controller by Intel itself, which are considered exemplary, albeit more expensive, and the presence of a wireless adapter of the 802.11n standard (but the lowest configuration). Other additional controllers add four USB 3.0 ports and a pair of SATA ports to the chipset's capabilities. The rest of the product parameters are quite consistent with a modern solution for building a high-performance computing system based on Intel Core processors of the past and last generations. From proprietary programs and technologies, we mention TurboV for system overclocking and Wi-Fi Go! for working with mobile devices. the current price (number of offers) of this model in Moscow retail: N / A ()

On April 23, many interesting events took place. For example, in 1956 the first Elvis Presley concert in Las Vegas took place, and in 1982 the legendary ZX Spectrum appeared. A new generation of CPUs appears in 2012 Intel Ivy Bridge, the first serial processors manufactured using 22 nanometer technology. A chipset was released to support them Intel Z77, about the features of which I will tell you on the example of a motherboard ASUS P8Z77-V PRO.

Key differences between Intel Z77 and Intel Z68:

• Integrated USB 3.0 controller
• PCI Express 3.0 support
• Supports displaying images to three monitors at the same time (when using Intel 3rd generation Core)

There are three chipsets in the lineup: Intel Z77, Intel Z75 and Intel H77. The differences between the two can be seen in the diagram below. Intel Z75 lacks Intel Smart Response Technology and Intel H77 lacks overclocking capabilities.

The chipsets of the seventh series support PCI Express 3.0, although the controller itself is located inside the Intel Ivy Bridge processor. The main difference is the doubling of the bus bandwidth. Such improvements were made after changing the coding algorithm, namely by reducing redundancy.

It should be noted that Intel has dropped the P chipsets and thus each of the chipsets supports displaying images from the integrated graphics core.

However, there are enough theoretical materials on the Web, it's time to get down to practice.

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO motherboard specifications

The motherboard is delivered in a cardboard box, decorated in black colors. There are several icons on the front side that tell about the features of the board. It features support for NVIDIA SLI, AMD Crossfire, Lucid Virtu MVP, UEFI BIOS, Wi-Fi GO !, USB 3.0 Boost. The SmartDigi + technology is especially highlighted, which includes additional TPU and EPU processors - the first is responsible for overclocking and tuning the system using the AI ​​Suite II utility, the second is for optimizing power consumption according to the current system requirements.

The set of the board corresponds to the PRO level - in addition to the usual dummy, disk with software and cables, ASUS has equipped the P8Z77-V PRO with an SLI loop, a Wi-Fi GO! Module, an external panel for two USB 3.0 ports, and a set of Q-Connectors.

The design of the board is traditional for the latest ASUS series - plastic and aluminum elements of four colors - black, blue, light blue and pale white - are located on a black PCB. PCI-Express slots are located far from each other, which should not create difficulties when installing two video cards with massive cooling.

To cool the chipset, an aluminum radiator with a decorative plate is used, on which the ASUS logo and the name of the proprietary Dual Intelligent Processors technology are applied.

The SATA ports are rotated 90 degrees so as not to interfere with the installation of a long video card. Of the eight ports, four support SATA 3Gb / s and four SATA 6Gb / s (two blue using the optional ASMedia controller and two white using the Intel Z77).

Expansion options are represented by 3 PCI-Express 16x, 2 PCI-Express 1x and 2 PCI slots. Only one of the three 16x slots is full - if one video card is connected, all 16 lines will be available to it. When installing two video cards, the 8x + 8x PCI-E 3.0 mode will be enabled, which is equivalent to 16x + 16x PCI-E 2.0. The bottom (black) slot will always operate in 4x mode regardless of the configuration of the first two slots.

The sound is realized by the Realtek ALC892 chip, which is very popular among motherboard manufacturers. Supports audio output in 7.1 format. Subjectively, there were no negative feelings during listening.

The network interface is implemented via an Intel 82579V gigabit network controller.

In the lower right corner there are two switches: EPU - responsible for power saving and TPU - which enables the auto-overclocking function on the board (my processor automatically overclocked to 4.2 GHz).

The processor is powered according to the 12 + 4 scheme. 4 phases are responsible for the integrated graphics core, the remaining 12 for powering other processor units. Power is supplied through the 8-pin EPS12V connector. The RAM power supply has two phases.

Cooling of power circuits is carried out using aluminum radiators.

The following ports are displayed on the rear panel:

• 2x USB 2.0
• 4x USB 3.0,
• HDMI;
• DisplayPort;
• optical S / PDIF;
• RJ45;
• six audio connectors.

BIOS

ASUS P8Z77-V PRO motherboard uses UEFI BIOS. This is already a common practice for many manufacturers. Indeed, using the mouse when setting up is quite convenient.

Nothing new has been invented, you can see the screenshots below.

The main EZ Mode screen displays brief information about the installed processor, temperature of the CPU and motherboard chipset, voltages on the system components. The user can choose one of the presets - Quiet, Normal or Performance. You can also select the boot order from this screen. By pressing F7, go to Advanced Mode.

The first screen is a reference screen - information about the time, BIOS version, processor, memory size.

Ai Tweaker screen - fine tuning of the system - frequencies, voltages, memory timings.

The Advanced tab contains the management of additional processor technologies (disabling HyperThreading, virtualization), management of additional controllers.

The Monitor tab displays information about the fan speed, voltages and temperatures of system elements.

Proprietary utilities

Of the utilities, it is worth noting TurboV EVO for overclocking the system and controlling voltages.

It is possible to automatically overclock your computer.

For advanced users, there is a manual configuration option.

Power management - for overclocking, you can increase the characteristics, or vice versa, put the system in "green" mode and save energy.

FAN Xpert2 will automatically adjust the fan speed in the system.

Proprietary technology that accelerates the already high-speed USB 3.0 bus

One port on the board is dedicated specifically for charging gadgets from different manufacturers.

The following stands were assembled to evaluate the performance.

In early April 2012, Intel introduced the new 7th series chipsets. The expected improvements appeared in them, but they did not show any fundamental changes. This update to the system logic was rather a logical step before launching a new one. Motherboard manufacturers quickly filled the shelves with new motherboard models. And with the LGA 1155 socket, almost complete replacement of motherboards with chipsets of the sixth series with new ones took place. With today's review, we are starting to consider substantively new motherboards. And the first in line was ASUS P8Z77-V Pro. This fee can be classified as expensive, let's see what one of the market leaders offers us for over 6,500 rubles.

ASUS P8Z77-V Pro: board features

Asus motherboards have always been renowned for their quality. However, there are some other nice features as well. For example, the scope of delivery is usually more varied than that of alternative models from other manufacturers. And the quality of the accessories is up to the mark. Of course, this is often reflected in the price tag and is especially noticeable on expensive lines.

Asus accompanies its products with high-quality and varied software. We do not want to say that the software that other vendors use on their motherboards is bad. It's just that Asus utilities are noticeably distinguished by both simplicity and clarity, and full support for all proprietary technologies.

Let's briefly tell you about the remarkable technologies implemented in the Asus P8Z77-V Pro motherboard.

First of all, we will mention two very famous proprietary technologies: EPU and TPU. The first goal is energy saving. It is implemented at the hardware and software level and, using a PWM controller on the board, controls the power lines of the components, as well as the frequency characteristics (processor, memory, system buses). The second, also at the hardware and software level, increases system performance by dynamically setting aggressive frequency and power settings for the main components (memory, processor, integrated graphics core). Monitoring and adjustment of parameters occurs in real time to maintain stable system operation. The Asus P8Z77-V Pro has hardware switches on the motherboard to enable / disable these technologies

Another specific feature is called “MemOK!”. This is an intelligent technology that avoids memory problems, for example, when using different modules. The technology has been implemented in the form of a button on the motherboard, by pressing which the parameters of the modules are analyzed and the optimal operating mode is selected.

The arsenal contains the functions of USB ports, on which other manufacturers also bet: increased currents supplied to the USB ports (Ai Charger +), the ability to charge mobile devices via USB when the computer is turned off (USB Charger +), acceleration of devices with a USB 3.0 interface by implementing UASP protocol and driver-level caching (USB 3.0 Boost).

Special attention is paid to the overclocking functions. If we are dealing with a Pro series motherboard, the component base, circuitry solutions, and software should satisfy the wishes of users who know firsthand about overclocking. The software package includes a proprietary utility ASUS TurboV EVO, with which you can set any settings available in the UEFI of the motherboard. The option of intelligent automatic overclocking is also available here.

ASUS P8Z77-V Pro: package contents

Asus' motherboard bundles generally don't disappoint. In the case of ASUS P8Z77-V Pro, we found the following accessories in the box:

• SATA 6 Gb / s and SATA II cables (two each);
• bridge SLI;
• rear panel dummy with USB 2.0 and eSATA ports;
• Wi-Fi module with external antenna;
• a set of Q-Connectors;
• CD with software and drivers;
• user manual in English;
• guide to using the Wi-Fi GO!
• brief installation instructions.

A very nifty Wi-Fi GO! Solution. A small module connects via a comb at the back of the motherboard, and the connectors for connection lead out to the rear I / O panel. And the antenna itself looks nice from an aesthetic point of view. If you remember the external Intel DX79SI module, this one seems to be just a work of art. Well, this solution is perfectly complemented by the software part - the Wi-Fi GO! Utility! and its mobile versions that allow you to control your computer from smartphones (Android and iOS).

Compact Wi-Fi module with a nice outdoor antenna

Most often in kits, if an additional plug for the rear panel is attached, then only with USB ports. Here we also see a very useful eSATA port.

The set of documents is distinguished by a separate large manual describing how to work with the Wi-Fi module and the corresponding software.

The company has assigned a separate marketing name to a set of small connectors in a separate bag - Q-Connectors. They are designed to make it easier to connect devices through the internal headers of the motherboard.

ASUS P8Z77-V Pro: specifications

The main characteristics of the motherboard are presented in the table.

The Intel Z77 chipset is the most functional at the moment for the LGA 1155 platform. The most important distinguishing features are the ability to split the PCI Express lines from the processor into two or three video cards, as well as overclocking by multiplier of the K-series processors.

There are three full-size PCI Express slots on the board. The first two borrow lines from the processor and, depending on its architecture - Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge - work in accordance with specifications 2.0 and 3.0, respectively. The third slot has only four PCI Express 2.0 lanes derived from the chipset. Of the other expansion slots, there are two PCI Express x1 and two “older” PCIs.

Fan connectors are all 4-pin, which allows you to connect fans with controlled rotation speed

As for other interfaces, we note the small number of USB ports on the rear panel and the complete absence of high-speed interfaces for external storage devices - FireWire and eSATA. Fortunately, the cover for the rear panel of the case from the delivery set partially solves these problems. It is also noteworthy that there are more USB 3.0 ports on the back than in the previous revision of the interface.

The rear panel of ASUS P8Z77-V Pro features a full set of display connectors. On the one hand, it's good when you have a choice. On the other hand, they take up a lot of space where additional USB connectors could be placed. Although, given the possibility of displaying images from the graphics core built into the Ivy Bridge processors on three monitors at once, the presence of at least three interfaces is logical.

ASUS P8Z77-V Pro: visual inspection, circuitry

In the production of the board, black textolite is used. Connectors, slots, radiators are made in light colors with a bias in blue. Despite the presence of different shades of blue / blue, the overall look is quite harmonious.

The power subsystem has 16 phases, of which four provide the operation of the graphics core built into the processor. The power circuit uses high-quality solid-state capacitors and chokes with ferrite cores. The circuit components are partially located on the back of the motherboard. And the cooling of the components is organized both from the front and from the back: there are metal plates on the back, and radiators with good fins on the front.

Speaking of cooling. Heat pipes are not used. The main thermal interface is heat-conducting pads. Thermal grease is used only for cooling the chipset.

Let's look at a set of additional microcircuits. The manufacturer actively used Asmedia controllers: an ASM1061 SATA 6 Gb / s controller for two ports, a TMDS signal converter for digital display ports, an ASM1042 controller with two additional USB 3.0 ports and a PCI Express bridge<->PCI ASM1083.

The TPU and EPU chips are prominently featured, and next to the SATA ports are hardware switches for those technologies.

Also on the board you can see the Intel WG82579V PHY chip for the gigabit controller built into the chipset. The Realtek ALC892 audio codec provides multi-channel audio.

The MemOK button is located next to the memory slots. A similar button for resetting UEFI settings is located at the bottom of the board, next to additional on / off and reset buttons.

The Wi-Fi header is located at the back between the stack of USB ports and display connectors.

ASUS P8Z77-V Pro: overclocking

To test the overclocking, we used an engineering sample of the Core i7-3770K processor. The capabilities of the demo samples may slightly differ from what the final versions of processors, released at retail, are capable of. However, we got a general impression of the board's capabilities.

The list of options in UEFI is comprehensive. We have presented the main ones in the table.

We managed to reach a frequency of 4.7 GHz and at the same time the processor worked stably in everyday scenarios, however, under a prolonged load, the OS rebooted. We managed to achieve absolute stability at a frequency of 4.6 GHz.

ASUS P8Z77-V Pro: conclusion

Like most motherboards from Asus, today's model is a quality finished product. In our regular, we have listed the P8Z77-V Pro as one of the alternatives in its price range. It did not become a winner due to the fact that the competitor's board turned out to be cheaper and provided similar functionality, and in some aspects it seemed to us more attractive. But note that on the side of the Asus model is a redesigned and potentially more powerful processor power subsystem - all phases are doubled and controlled by specialized chips that monitor the balance of performance and economy.

At the time of publication, the ASUS P8Z77-V Pro motherboard was sold in Russia at a price of 6,500 rubles.

ASUS P8Z77-V Pro advantages:

• good delivery set;
• useful proprietary technologies;
• powerful power subsystem.

Disadvantages of ASUS P8Z77-V Pro:

• (no obvious shortcomings were identified).