ASUS is without a doubt one of the top manufacturers of computer components out there today. If you've been building your own computers for any length of time, you have most likely used one of their products in a build. Today we are going to look at one of their Intel Z87 LGA1150 motherboard for the latest Intel 'Haswell' platform. The ASUS Z87-Pro can currently be found for as little as $199.00 shipped. When considering everything you get with this ASUS motherboard, it almost seems like a steal!
As you undoubtedly figured out, the ASUS Z87-Pro features the Intel Z87 Express chipset and all the latest features that come with it. One of the features that is selling me on the Intel Z87 upgrade path is the fact that gone are the days of SATA II Ports, the Z87 chipset, and hence the ASUS Z87-Pro feature all SATA III 6Gbps ports. Of course that's only one of the many features that we get with the Intel Z87 chipset. Intel has doubled the number of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports from two to four over the previous Intel 'Ivy Bridge' Z77 platform.
All the goodness of the Intel Z87 chipset and the 'Haswell' platform aside, we're here to focus on the ASUS Z87-Pro LGA1150 motherboard. According to ASUS, the Z87-Pro features 'Perfect one-stop system optimization and enhanced Wi-Fi control on Intel Z87'. It boils down to three key features, more specifically three key sets of features. Starting with Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-way optimization for one click and done. The second key features is the Wi-Fi GO! which is designed to create the perfect fusion of desktop, smartphones, and tablets. Last but not least is the Fan Xpert 2, this is easily one of the most customizable sets of fan controls out there. The culmination of these three sets of features certainly lays the ground work for a killer system.
The ASUS Z87-Pro Intelligent Processors 4 and 4-way optimization are really a unique feature that are a great way to easily tweak your system. If you're looking for performance you can set the system up with a quick overclock, if you want to conserve some electricity you can enable the EPU and you're saving power and money without sacrificing performance.
The ASUS Z87-Pro is outfitted with the latest, greatest version of the ASUS exclusive Wi-Fi GO! technology. One of the aspects about the Wi-Fi GO! technology on the ASUS Z87-Pro that is great, is the ability to set-up a wireless network without the use of another router. It's the little things like this that go unnoticed by many that will separate this board
ASUS has made a number of changes to their UEFI BIOS in both the EZ Mode, and the Advanced mode. The two most significant changes in the EZ Mode are the EZ Fan settings and the EZ XMP Settings. The Previous generation of UEFI BIOS you needed to navigate through the advanced BIOS settings to locate both the fan controls and the XMP Profile. This latest generation ASUS has put it right on the EZ Mode! My personal favorite change to the UEFI BIOS is the last modified page. When you save and exit a pop-up window comes up showing what has been changed this time around in the BIOS. I would be amiss if I were to tell you that I haven't changed the wrong setting in the past, this is one feature I have really enjoyed using.
Intel Socket 1150 for 4th Generation Core i7/Core i5/Core i3/Pentium/Celeron ProcessorsSupports Intel 22 nm CPUSupports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.04 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 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 MemoryDual Channel Memory ArchitectureSupports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)Integrated Graphics Processor
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI-D/RGB/DisplayPort 1.2 ports
Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 HzSupports DVI-D with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 HzSupports RGB with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 HzSupports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 HzMaximum shared memory of 1024 MBSupports Intel HD Graphics, InTru 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, InsiderSupports up to 3 displays simultaneouslySupports NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI TechnologySupports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX TechnologySupports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX Technology2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode) *34 x PCIe 2.0 x1Intel® Z87 chipset :
6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), yellowSupport Raid 0, 1, 5, 10Supports Intel Dynamic Storage Accelerator, Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect TechnologyASMedia ASM1061 controller :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), dark brownIntel I217V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)Intel LAN- Dual interconnect between the Integrated LAN controller and Physical Layer (PHY)Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/nSupports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHzBluetooth V4.0Bluetooth V3.0+HSRealtek ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retaskingHigh quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR recording input (Line-in)Audio Feature :
Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless SoundDTS Ultra PC IIDTS ConnectOptical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panelBD Audio Layer Content ProtectionIntel Z87 chipset :
4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)Intel Z87 chipset :
8 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (8 at mid-board)ASMedia USB 3.0 controller :
4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue)ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-Way Optimization :
The tuning key perfectly consolidates ASUS-exclusive DIGI+ Power Control, TPU, EPU, and Fan Xpert 2 optimize the digital power setting, system performance, power saving and whole system cooling configurationASUS 5X PROTECTION :
ASUS DIGI+ VRM - 12 Phase digital power designASUS Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection - Short circuit damage preventionASUS ESD Guards - Enhanced ESD protectionASUS All 5K-Hour Solid Capacitors - 2.5x long lifespan with excellent durabilityASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O - 3x more durable corrosion-resistant coatingASUS EPU :
ASUS Digital Power Design :
Industry leading Digital 12 Phase Power DesignIndustry leading Digital 2 Phase DRAM Power DesignASUS DIGI+ VRM UtilityCPU Power UtilityDRAM Power Utility ASUS Wi-Fi GO!Wi-Fi GO! Function:
Cloud GO!, DLNA Media Hub, Smart Sensor Control, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer, Capture & SendWi-Fi Engine for network sharing and connection: Client Mode, AP ModeWi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote for portable Smartphone/Tablet, supporting iOS & Android systemsASUS Exclusive Features :
USB BIOS FlashbackMemOK!AI Suite 3Ai Charger+USB Charger+Anti-SurgeOnboard Button : PowerFront Panel USB 3.0 SupportASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interfaceNetwork iControlUSB 3.0 BoostDisk UnlockerASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
Stylish Fanless Design Heat-sink solutionASUS Fan Xpert 2ASUS EZ DIY :
DirectKeyPrecision Tweaker 2ASUS O.C. ProfileASUS CrashFree BIOS 3ASUS EZ Flash 2Multi-language BIOSASUS Q-Design :
ASUS Q-CodeASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)ASUS Q-SlotASUS Q-DIMMASUS Q-Connector100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors
Overclocking Protection :
ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)1 x DVI-D1 x D-Sub1 x DisplayPort1 x HDMI1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)6 x USB 3.0 (blue)1 x Optical S/PDIF out6 x Audio jack(s)1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth v4.0/3.0+HS)1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)4 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 8 USB 2.0 port(s)1 x TPM header8 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 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) (Q-Connector)1 x DirectKey Button(s)1 x DRCT header(s)1 x MemOK! button(s)1 x TPU switch(es)1 x EPU switch(es)1 x Power-on button(s)1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)1 x USB BIOS Flashback button(s)User's manual I/O Shield4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)1 x ASUS 2T2R dual band Wi-Fi moving antennas (Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n compliant)1 x SLI bridge(s)1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen, F3 Shortcut functions, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory informationWfM 2.0, DMI 2.7, WOL by PME, PXEDriversASUS UtilitiesEZ UpdateAnti-virus software (OEM version)ATX Form Factor12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
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