Asus was the first to officially announce their next generation motherboard based on the new Intel Z97 Express Chipset, after breaking the NDA; since Intel hasn’t officially announce the Intel 9 series yet. And now, Asus is also one of the first to get their new Z97 motherboards listed in online stores. The most awaited Asus Maximus VII Hero and Maximus VII Gene is now available to order online, while the Maximus VII Ranger is to follow. Check out their specs, prices and where to buy below.
Asus Maximus VII Hero
The Asus Maximus VII Hero is a high-value gaming ATX motherboard fully loaded with lots of gaming features and overclocking potential. Asus has not only updated the Maximus Hero but they also turned it into a flagship motherboard. It supports 4th and 5th generation Intel Core / Pentium and Celeron processors, and features the latest Intel Z97 Express chipset with a M.2 support for NGFF SSD, which is capable of up to 10Gbps data transfer speed.
The new Maximus VII Hero is not only built for PC enthusiasts and overclockers but it is also jam-packed with lots of gaming features for PC gamers. It comes with the new Intel Ethernet + LANGuard and GameFirst III, SupremeFX 2014 with Radar II and Gamer’s Guardian; and it also has KeyBot with TrueVolt USB and a redesigned and updated UEFI BIOS interface. Asus has also improved its aesthetics with matte black and red finish, Red LEDs on the chipset heatsink and a stylish MOSFETs heatsink.
Aside from the things I mentioned above, the Maximus VII Hero still has lots of features; check them out at the specifications table below.
Asus Maximus VII Gene
The Asus Maximus VII Gene is pretty much an improved and updated version of the previous Maximus Gene. It’s also loaded with lots of gaming and overclocking features just like its bigger brother the M7 Hero, however it comes in a smaller micro-ATX form factor. Just like the Maximus Impact, the new Gene is using an add-in SupremeFX Impact II sound card.
The Maximus VII Gene (like the M7 Hero) also features Extreme Engine Digi+ III with 60A Choke and 10K Black Metallic Caps. In addition to the built-in M.2 slot, there is also an mPCIe slot available for an add-in card. Basically it’s a smaller version of the Maximus VII Hero and it’s perfect for enthusiasts and gamers who are into small form factor system. Check the rest of its features and specification from the table below.
Asus Maximus VII Ranger
The Asus Maximus VII Ranger is now the new budget friendly ROG motherboard, since the M7 Hero was upgraded to a flagship board. It’s basically similar with the Maximus VII Hero, but comes with lesser features, connectivity/expansion options and some components on the motherboard are not the same with the Hero.
This is like a trim down version of the Maximus VII Hero, but it still has the features that most gamers are looking for in a motherboard. Since this has lesser feature compared to the Maximus VII Hero and Gene, this makes the Maximus VII Ranger more affordable, specially for those who are in a tight budget. You can check out the rest of its features and specifications below.
Asus Maximus VII Z97 Motherboard Specifications
| Specifications | Maximus VII Hero | Maximus VII Gene | Maximus VII Ranger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel® Socket 1150 for the 5th/New 4th/4th Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors |
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| Chipset | Intel Z97 |
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| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 3300(O.C.)/ 3200(O.C.)/3100(O.C.)/ 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 |
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| Graphics | Integrated Graphics Processor- Intel® HD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI-D/RGB ports - Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz - Supports DVI-D with max. resolution 1920 x 2000 @ 60 Hz - Supports RGB with max. resolution 1920 x 2000 @ 60 Hz Maximum shared memory of 512 MB Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™ Supports up to 3 displays simultaneously | Integrated Graphics Processor- Intel® HD Graphics support - Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™ | Integrated Graphics Processor Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI-D/RGB 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 Intel® InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™ |
| Multi-GPU Support | Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology |
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| Expansion Slots | 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8, red) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black) 3 x PCIe 2.0 x1 | 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 | 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8, red) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black) 3 x PCIe 2.0 x1 |
| Storage | Intel® Z97 chipset : 6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology 1 x M.2 Socket 3, blackwith M Key, type 2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE mode) ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red | Intel® Z97 chipset : 6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE mode) ASMedia® ASM1061 controller : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red | Intel® Z97 chipset : 6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray, Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology |
| LAN | Intel® I218V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s), featuring GAMEFIRST III Intel® LAN- Dual interconnect between the Integrated LAN controller and Physical Layer (PHY) Anti-surge LANGuard | Intel® I218V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s) | |
| Audio | ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking Audio Feature : - SupremeFX Shielding™ Technology - ELNA premium audio capacitors - Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection - DTS Connect - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel - Sonic SoundStage - Sonic SenseAmp - Sonic Studio - Sonic Radar II | ROG SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking - SupremeFX Shielding Technology - ELNA® premium audio capacitors Audio Feature : - DTS Connect - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel - Sonic SoundStage - Sonic SenseAmp - Sonic Studio - Sonic Radar II |
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| USB Ports | Intel® Z97 chipset : 6 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® Z97 chipset : 7 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (2 at back panel, black, 5 at mid-board) | Intel® Z97 chipset : 4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® Z97 chipset : 7 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black, 3 at mid-board) ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue) | Intel® Z97 chipset : 6 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® Z97 chipset : 7 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, , 5 at mid-board) |
| ROG Exclusive Features | Extreme Engine Digi+ III : - 8 + 2 phase power design - NexFET™ Power Block MOSFET - 60A Ferrite Chokes - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors KeyBot - CPU Level Up - XMP - Direct Key UEFI BIOS features : - GPU.DIMM Post - Tweakers' Paradise - ROG SSD Secure Erase - Graphic Card Information Preview ROG RAMDisk GameFirst III Extreme Tweaker | Extreme Engine Digi+ III : - 8 + 2 phase power design - NexFET™ Power Block MOSFET - 60A Ferrite Chokes - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors ProbeIt KeyBot - CPU Level Up - XMP - Direct Key UEFI BIOS features : - GPU.DIMM Post - Tweakers' Paradise - ROG SSD Secure Erase - Graphic Card Information Preview ROG RAMDisk GameFirst III Extreme Tweaker | Extreme Engine Digi+ III : - NexFET™ Power Block MOSFET - New Alloy Chokes - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors KeyBot - CPU Level Up - XMP - Direct Key ROG RAMDisk GameFirst III Extreme Tweaker |
| Special Features | ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5 : Gamer's Guardian: - ESD Guards on LAN, Audio, KBMS and USB3.0/2.0 ports - DRAM Overcurrent Protection - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors - Stainless Steel Back I/O ASUS Exclusive Features : - MemOK! - AI Suite 3 - Ai Charger - USB Charger+ - USB 3.0 Boost - Disk Unlocker ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS O.C. Profile - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 - ASUS USB BIOS Flashback - Push Notice ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Code - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Connector Overclocking Protection : - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall) Media Streamer | 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5 - Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo App together, providing better CPU performance, efficient power saving, precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even tailor your own app usages. Gamer's Guardian: - ESD Guards on LAN, Audio, KBMS and USB3.0/2.0 ports - DRAM Overcurrent Protection - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors - Stainless Steel Back I/O ASUS Exclusive Features : - USB BIOS Flashback - MemOK! - AI Suite 3 - Ai Charger+ - USB Charger+ - USB 3.0 Boost - Disk Unlocker ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS O.C. Profile - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 - ASUS USB BIOS Flashback - Push Notice ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Code - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Connector Overclocking Protection : - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall) Media Streamer | ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5 : - Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo App together, providing better CPU performance, efficient power saving, precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even tailor your own app usages. ASUS Exclusive Features : - AI Suite 3 - Ai Charger - USB Charger+ - USB 3.0 Boost - Disk Unlocker ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 - ASUS USB BIOS Flashback - Push Notice ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Code - ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Connector Overclocking Protection : - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall) |
| Operating System Support | Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 |
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| Back I/O Ports | 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x DVI 1 x D-Sub 1 x HDMI 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 4 x USB 3.0 (blue) 2 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 6 x Audio jack(s) 1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s) | 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x HDMI 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 4 x USB 3.0 (blue) 4 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to ROG Connect) 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 3 x Audio jack(s) 1 x Clear CMOS button(s) 1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch(es) | 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x DVI-D 1 x D-Sub 1 x HDMI 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 4 x USB 3.0 (blue) 2 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 6 x Audio jack(s) 1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s) |
| Internal I/O Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 5 USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280 devices 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 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 MemOK! button(s) 1 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 1 x Power-on button(s) 1 x Reset button(s) 1 x Clear CMOS button(s) 1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header(s) 1 x KeyBot Button 1 x Sonic SoundStage Button | 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 5 USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280 devices 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) 3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (3 x 4 -pin) 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 MemOK! button(s) 10 x ProbeIt Measurement Points 1 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 1 x LN2 Mode header(s) 1 x Power-on button(s) 1 x Reset button(s) 1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header(s) 1 x KeyBot Button 1 x Sonic SoundStage Button | 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) 3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 5 USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x TPM connector(s) 6 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) 3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (3 x 4 -pin) 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) 1 x MemOK! button(s) 1 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 0 x Power-on button(s) 0 x Reset button(s) 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s) 0 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header(s) 1 x KeyBot Button 1 x Sonic SoundStage Button |
| Accessories | User's manual ASUS Q-Shield 6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s) 1 x ROG Door Hanger(s) | User's manual I/O Shield 6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s) 1 x ROG Door Hanger(s) | User's manual I/O Shield 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s) 0 x ROG Door Hanger(s) |
| BIOS | 64Mb UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI5.0a, Multi-Language BIOS |
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| Form Factor | ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm ) | mATX Form Factor 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch ( 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm ) | ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm ) |
Price and Where to Buy
The Asus Maximus VII Hero has a retail price of $209.99. Meanwhile if you are planning to build a small form factor system/gaming rig with a micro-ATX motherboard, loaded with lots of features, the Asus Maximus VII Gene is priced at $209.00.
All items are expected to be shipped starting May 11th, 2014. Better reserved your spot now, I’m sure this will be a hot product, since the previous Z87 ROG series where very much popular. This will also be a great upgrade specially if you are coming from an older system.
