Asus has recently released a new gaming motherboard based on the new Intel H97 chipset – the Asus H97-Po Gamer. The said motherboard is built with the essential features that are geared towards PC gamers, but at the same time keeping it as affordable as possible. It’s built with game centric features like SupremeFX audio core, Intel Gigabit Ethernet and GameFirst II networking, Sonic Radar II, M.2 and SATA Express for faster storage solution, Gamer’s Guardian and more. Check out the rest of the Auss H97-Pro Gamer’s features and specifications below.
Asus H97-Pro Gamer Features
The Asus H97-Pro Gamer’s networking is powered by Intel Gigabit Ethernet. This has the advantage of communicating directly with Intel processors to offer exceptionally-high Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) throughput, lowering overall processing demands and improving efficiency – releasing more power for games and gameplay. Using independent network-assessment tools, ASUS engineers calculated that Intel Gigabit Ethernet deals with the UDP data packets that are vital for responsive gaming up to two times (2X) faster than competing gaming-LAN technologies.
H97-Pro Gamer also has GameFirst II, an ASUS-exclusive traffic-shaping technology that reduces lag even further by prioritizing game-related data. Tests by ASUS engineers show that latency is greatly reduced – ping times are up to eight times (8X) faster with GameFirst II enabled. The EZ Mode lets users take advantage of low-latency gaming, with no need for expert knowledge.
The Asus H97-Pro Gamer has the fastest storage connectivity in the shape of SATA Express and M.2. SATA Express provides data-transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s from two PCI Express 2.0 lanes, ready for the next generation of super-fast SSDs and enabling H97-Pro Gamer players to speed up their game storage.
The new motherboard also has a built-in M.2 socket with two native PCI Express 2.0 lanes for data-transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s, so H97-Pro Gamer owners can choose their preferred method to speed up both storage and gameplay.
Asus H97-Pro Gamer players enjoy SupremeFX technology for near-lossless audio with a remarkable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 115dB that enhances every sound detail. The advanced audio chipset is isolated from electromagnetic interference (EMI) by a protective shield, preserving the integrity of the audio signals. Exclusive ‘red-line shielding’ horizontally separates SupremeFX audio components from the rest of the motherboard. This unique combination effectively eliminates analog interference to ensure flawless sound quality. Premium ELNA audio capacitors are added to the mix to deliver a warmer, natural sound to complete the audio experience.
SupremeFX also has a built-in amplifier that drives high-quality headphones – all the way up to 300ohm impedance – for sound quality that’s as great as a dedicated sound card.
H97-Pro Gamer also includes Sonic Radar II, an ASUS-exclusive technology that displays a stealthy overlay showing the precise direction and origin of in-game sounds. This helps players to hone their enemy-pinpointing skills and giving them the edge in FPS games.
The Asus H97-Pro Gamer is engineered with high-quality, highly-durable components for exceptional real-world protection. We call these components ASUS Gamer’s Guardian.
Gamer’s Guardian includes onboard resettable fuses that protect the connection ports and DRAM against overcurrent and short-circuit damage, while exceptionally high-quality, Japanese-made 10K black-metallic capacitors offer greater temperature endurance and improved lifespans.
Gamer’s Guardian ESD Guards on the USB ports, audio connectors and Ethernet (LAN) port ensure that H97-Pro Gamer is actively protected against sudden electrostatic discharge (ESD). The result is that the components last much longer.
The Asus H97-Pro Gamer also has the ASUS-exclusive DIGI+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) to enhance performance, increase efficiency and ensure reliability, and a stainless-steel back input/output (I/O) panel that’s chromium-plated and corrosion-resistant to last up to three times (3X) longer than traditional panels.
Asus H97-Pro Specifications
| Processor | Intel® Socket 1150 for the 5th/New 4th/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® H97 |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) |
| Graphic | 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 1200 @ 60 Hz - Supports RGB with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 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 |
| Multi-GPU Support | Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 mode, gray) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (max at x4 mode, black) 2 x PCIe x1 3 x PCI |
| Storage | Intel® H97 chipset : 1 x SATA Express port, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports 1 x M.2 Socket 3, , with M Key, type 2260/2280 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode) 4 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 II Gigabit Intel® LAN Connection- 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) appliance |
| Audio | SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 2 - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking - High quality 115 dB SNR stereo playback output - High-fidelity audio OP AMP(s) Audio Feature : - SupremeFX Shielding™ Technology - ELNA premium audio capacitors - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel - Sonic Radar II |
| USB Ports | Intel® H97 chipset : 6 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® H97 chipset : 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (2 at back panel, black, 6 at mid-board) |
| ROG Exclusive Features | GameFirst II |
| Special Features | ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM : - The tuning key perfectly consolidates ASUS-exclusive DIGI+ Power Control, TPU, EPU, and Fan Xpert 3 optimize the digital power setting, system performance, power saving and whole system cooling configuration 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 - DIGI+ VRM ASUS TPU : - Auto Tuning - TurboV - GPU Boost without switch ASUS EPU : - EPU ASUS Exclusive Features : - AI Suite 3 - Ai Charger - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface - USB 3.0 Boost - Disk Unlocker Interactive HomeCloud - Media Streamer ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution : - Stylish Fanless Design Heat-sink solution - ASUS Fan Xpert 3 ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode - Push Notice ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-Shield - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-DIMM |
| Operating System Support | Windows® 8.1, Windows® 8, Windows® 7 |
| Back I/O Ports | 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 6 x Audio jack(s) |
| Internal I/O Ports | 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin) 3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 6 USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x SATA Express connector: black, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports 1 x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280 devices 1 x TPM header 1 x COM port(s) connector(s) 4 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 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) 1 x Thermal sensor connector(s) 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s) |
| Accessories | User's manual ASUS Q-Shield 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) |
| BIOS | 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.8, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified Log, F12 PrintScreen function, F3 Shortcut function, 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 ) |
Editor’s Note: Since this is based on an H97 chipset, don’t expect that you will be able to overclock your Devil’s Canyon or Haswell Unlock processor with this motherboard. The Asus H97-Pro Gamer also supports DDR3 memory up to 1600MHz, and supports only AMD CrossFireX.
Price and Availability
As of today, Asus hasn’t disclosed the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Asus H97-Pro Gamer. There’s no exact date as to when will it become available on stores yet, but I’m guessing it will become available in the following weeks to come. I;ll update this post once this motherboard becomes available to order online.
