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Asus Maximus VII Formula Z97 Motherboard Unleashed – See Features and Specifications

Asus has finally officially announced its successor to the famous Z87 Formula Series motherboard – the Asus Maximus VII Formula Z97 motherboard. Like its predecessor, the Maximus VII Formula Z97 features CrossChill Copper hybrid cooling, double sided ROG Armor covers, and now comes with SupremeFX Formula 2014 audio core, plus a free Watch Dog game bundle for the Watch Dogs edition. The said motherboard supports 4th Gen Intel Haswell, the latest Haswell Refresh, Devil’s Canyon and the upcoming 5th Gen Intel Broadwell processors. Check out its features and specifications from the official release below.

Asus Maximus VII Formula with Watch Dogs Game Bundle

UPDATE 2: We’ve published our Asus Maximus VII Formula review.

Asus Maximus VII Formula Z97 Features

The Asus Maximus VII Formula Z97 is said to be engineered with many new and exclusive ROG game-boosting features. IT supports dual-channel up to DDR 3300+ (OC) memory, and quad-GPU SLI and 3-way CrossFireX for gaming rigs with multiple graphics-processing units (multi-GPU). The new motherboard series also includes two SATA Express and ten SATA 3.0 connectors, as well as eight USB 3.0 and six USB 2.0 ports.

Maximus VII Formula delivers the best gaming hybrid-cooling solution with CrossChill Copper, the best gaming audio with SupremeFX Formula 2014 and the best gaming networking with Intel Gigabit Ethernet, GameFirst III and LANGuard. The new motherboard also has the best gaming power solution with Extreme Engine DIGI+ III and TrueVolt 5V, and the best gaming protection with ROG Armor, premium components, ESD Guards and a multitude of DIY-friendly design innovations.

Asus Maximus VII Formula ROG Armor

Maximus VII Formula is pre-fitted with mPCIe Combo III + 802.11ac / Bluetooth 4.0, a compact connectivity module that delivers the latest wireless technologies along with mini PCI Express (mPCIe) and M.2 (10 Gbit/s PCIe x2 and 6 Gbit/s SATA) slots.

Two packages will be available – Maximus VII Formula and Maximus VII Formula/Watch Dogs. The latter includes the full version of Watch Dogs, so customers are able to experience 2014’s most exciting game action on 2014’s finest gaming motherboard.

Best hybrid cooling
The best gaming performance means keeping cool, so ROG has equipped Maximus VII Formula with the all-new and exclusive CrossChill Copper hybrid-cooling solution. CrossChill Copper is engineered around a highly-conductive, corrosion-resistant copper cooling channel that’s incredibly effective at removing heat.

Asus Maximus VII Formula CrossChill Copper

Whether using air or liquid, CrossChill Copper’s broad array of internal fins maximize the cooling channel’s heat-dissipation surface area for extreme thermal efficiency. With liquid, MOSFET temperatures are lowered by up to 23˚C and the G1/4-inch threaded fittings mean that Maximus VII Formula offers maximum compatibility for existing cooling setups — just fit the barbs, attach the pipes and it’s good to go.

Best gaming audio
The Asus Maximus VII Formula introduces SupremeFX Formula 2014, the integrated-audio solution that’s as great as a dedicated sound card. Cutting-edge isolation technologies minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and exceptionally-premium components deliver best-in-class audio, with an outstanding 120dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and Cirrus Logic® CS4398 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) available via the rear output.

Asus Maximus VII Formula SupremeFX Formula Audio Core

From the stylish black nickel EMI cover and warmth-suffusing ELNA® and WIMA® film capacitors to the high-fidelity Texas Instruments LM4562 operational amplifier that drives up to 600ohm-impedance headphones via the rear output, every part of SupremeFX Formula 2014 is engineered for the purest audio clarity. SupremeFX Formula 2014 also includes exclusive Sonic SenseAmp technology to automatically detect analog-audio front-panel (AAFP) headphone impedance and adjust the built-in amp, while Sonic SoundStage applies the best audio settings for popular game genres and Sonic Studio enables brilliant 7.1-channel virtual surround sound with just one click.

Best gaming networking
The Asus Maximus VII Formula is also fitted with state-of-the-art Intel Gigabit Ethernet that delivers better throughput with lower processing power for superior speed and increased efficiency. The new motherboard’s networking capabilities additionally benefit from ROG-exclusive GameFirst III technology for no-delay gameplay. This advanced network-optimization software assigns top priority to game-data packets, allocating them more bandwidth to ensure the best online gaming experience and clear, stutter-free online team-chat — all controlled with ROG’s usual intuitive flair.

Asus Maximus VII Formula Rear IO Ports

ROG has even reinvented the RJ45 socket, with LANGuard. Advanced signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted capacitors improve throughput, while surge-protected and electrostatically-guarded components (ESD Guards) protect against lightning strikes and static-electricity discharges.

Best gaming power solution
The Asus Maximus VII Formula’s Extreme Engine DIGI+ III voltage-regulator module (VRM) with exceptionally-premium components ensures ultra-stable power delivery, no matter how demanding the action.

NexFET MOSFETs deliver up to 90% efficiency in normal operation; they’re also more durable and half the size of standard MOSFETs. 60A BlackWing chokes serve up power with minimal loss and at very low temperatures, while Japanese-made 10K black metallic capacitors last five-times (5X) longer and deliver 20%-greater endurance at extreme temperatures than generic capacitors — ensuring that Maximus VII Formula is able to withstand even the hardest of hardcore gaming.

TrueVolt 5V technology delivers a rock-steady 5V supply to both the front and back USB sockets — with no drop-outs. All connected equipment benefits from a clean 5V supply, assuring great compatibility and added protection for USB devices.

Asus Maximus VII Formula 2x SATA Express Ports

Best gaming protection
The Asus Maximus VII Formula is brimming with some brilliantly innovative features to protect both gamers and their gaming gear. Exclusive ROG Armor is a two-part fortification that comprises a strong and stylish ABS-plastic cover and a SECC (steel, electro-galvanized, cold-rolled coil) backplate. The ABS cover blocks heat from the graphics card, lowering system temperatures for better performance; and the SECC backplate supports the motherboard to prevent bending, employing thermal pads to efficiently conduct heat away from crucial components.

Q-Slot makes it easy to secure or release a graphics card, while the black nickel-coated Q-Shield protects hands from nicks and cuts. Similarly, Q-DIMM’s one-sided clips means handling memory modules is a cinch, and resettable fuses provide DRAM over-current protection that minimizes the chance of short-circuit damage to memory and connection ports. Maximus VII Formula even has a stainless-steel back input/output (I/O) panel that lasts up to three-times (3X) longer than traditional panels.

Asus Maximus VII Formula Z97 Motherboad

Asus Maximus VII Formula Z97 Specifications

ProcessorIntel® 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
ChipsetIntel® Z97
Memory4 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.) /2400(O.C.) /2133(O.C.) /2000(O.C.) /1866(O.C.) /1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
GraphicIntegrated Graphics Processor- Intel® HD Graphics support
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort 1.2 ports
- Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
- Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™
Multi-GPU SupportSupports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
Expansion Slots2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode) *1
3 x PCIe 2.0 x1
1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 *2
StorageIntel® Z97 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 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)
4 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 *3
ASMedia® SATA Express controller : *4
1 x SATA Express port, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
ASMedia® ASM1061 controller : *4
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
LANIntel® 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
Wireless Data NetworkWi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
BluetoothBluetooth V4.0
AudioROG SupremeFX Formula 2014 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC *4
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming
- SupremeFX Shielding Technology
- Cirrus Logic® CS4398 DAC: 120 dB SNR, -107 dB THD+N (Max. 192 kHz/ 24 -bit)
- WIMA® film capacitors
- ELNA® premium audio capacitors
- TI LM4562 high-fidelity audio OP AMP(s)
Audio Feature :
- 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
USB PortsIntel® Z97 chipset : *5
6 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
Intel® Z97 chipset : *6
6 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, black, 4 at mid-board)
ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller :
2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue)
ROG Exclusive FeaturesCrossChill Copper (Hybrid air and liquid cooling)*7
ROG Armor (including top cover and SECC steel backplate)*8
mPCIe Combo III (mPCIe/M.2 combo card)
ROG Connect :
- RC Diagram
- RC Remote
- RC Poster
Extreme Engine Digi+ III :
- 8 + 2 phase power design
- NexFET™ Power Block MOSFET
- 60A BlackWing 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
Special Features5-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 Wi-Fi GO!
- Wi-Fi GO! Function: Cloud GO!, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer
- Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote app for portable smartphone/tablet, supporting iOS 7 & Android 4.0 systems
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
Operating System SupportWindows® 8.1
Windows® 8
Windows® 7
Back I/O Ports1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
6 x USB 3.0 (blue)
2 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to ROG Connect)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
6 x Audio jack(s)
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch(es)
Internal I/O Ports1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s)
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
2 x SATA Express connector: red,
1 x TPM header
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)
6 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (6 x 4 -pin)
1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x 4-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 Power-on button(s)
1 x Reset button(s)
1 x mPCIe Combo III connector(s)
1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header(s)
1 x KeyBot Button
1 x Sonic SoundStage Button
AccessoriesUser's manual
I/O Shield
8 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x ASUS 2T2R dual band Wi-Fi moving antennas (Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compliant)
1 x SLI bridge(s)
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s)
1 x mPCIe Combo III card(s) with dual-band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth v4.0 module
1 x ROG Door Hanger(s)
1 x Watch Dog game coupon
BIOS64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.8, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS
ManageabilityWfM2.0, DMI2.7, WOL by PME, PXE
Support DiscDrivers
ROG GameFirst III
ROG RAMDisk
ROG CPU-Z
ROG Mem TweakIt
Kaspersky® Anti-Virus
DAEMON Tools Pro Standard
ASUS WebStorage
HomeCloud
ASUS Utilities
Form FactorATX Form Factor
12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
Note1. The PCIe 2.0 x 16 slot (PCIEX4_3) shares bandwidth with SATAExpress_E1 connector. The default setting is in Auto mode that automatically optimizes the system bandwidth. If you install PCIe 2.0 x4 device, the system will automatically detect and disable SATAExpress_E1 connector.
2. The mPCIe slot is on mPCIe Combo III card and pre-installed with a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module.
3. The functions support depends on the CPU types.
4. These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. ATAPI devices are not supported.
5. Support ASUS USB 3.0 Boost, UASP standard on the Intel native USB 3.0 is only supported under Windows® 8.1/8.
6. 2 x USB2.0 port at mid-board shares with ROG extension (ROG_EXT) port.
7. Supports G1/4" threaded fittings. Fittings require separate purchase.
8. Chassis must conform to ATX specification for successful installation: brass stand-offs of at least 6mm are required.

Price and Availability

As of today, Asus hasn’t announced its manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Maximus VII Formula. But I’m guessing that it will replace the original price of the Maximus VI when it was first released. Or probably it will retail for around $300 or more. Asus hasn’t also announced when it will hit store shelves. I’ll update this post once this motherboard becomes available to order online. And hopefully I could review one as well.

UPDATE 2: We’ve published our Asus Maximus VII Formula review. You can check out its updated pricing and availability from the review as well.

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Author
Peter Paul
Peter is a PC enthusiast and avid gamer with several years of hands-on experience in testing and reviewing PC components, audio equipment, and various tech devices. He offers a genuine, no-nonsense perspective, helping consumers make informed choices in the ever-changing world of technology.

1 thought on “Asus Maximus VII Formula Z97 Motherboard Unleashed – See Features and Specifications”

  1. This board is available on Egghead.com only downfall is you have to purchase the hoard with watchdogs for probably an additional filthy dollars making the board come in at 370 while you can pic the game up on steam on sale for 29.99… Niceeee

    Reply

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