1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Hardware Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z Review

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by arcticstoat, 18 Jul 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. arcticstoat

    arcticstoat Minimodder

    Joined:
    19 May 2004
    Posts:
    917
    Likes Received:
    21
    arcticstoat, 18 Jul 2011
    #1
  2. Kovoet

    Kovoet What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    26 Aug 2009
    Posts:
    7,128
    Likes Received:
    348
    At freggin last. It will be mine, oh yes it will be mine

    Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
     
    Kovoet, 18 Jul 2011
    #2
  3. Hustler

    Hustler Minimodder

    Joined:
    8 Aug 2005
    Posts:
    1,039
    Likes Received:
    41
    What is it with Bit Tech's obsession, yes obsession, with Micro ATX motherboards..?

    More than ANY other tech review site i visit, Bit Tech seems to have a constant stiffy for them....
     
    Hustler, 18 Jul 2011
    #3
  4. Elton

    Elton Officially a Whisky Nerd

    Joined:
    23 Jan 2009
    Posts:
    8,577
    Likes Received:
    196
    M-ATX cases and M-ATX boards are quite useful for LANs.

    Plus mod potential.
     
    Elton, 18 Jul 2011
    #4
  5. Jack_Pepsi

    Jack_Pepsi Clan BeeR Founder

    Joined:
    24 Apr 2006
    Posts:
    646
    Likes Received:
    11
    This board installed inside a Fractal Design Arc Mini and I'll be happy. Now I just need to find £375.

    Hmmm....
     
    Jack_Pepsi, 18 Jul 2011
    #5
  6. tigertop1

    tigertop1 What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    23 Apr 2009
    Posts:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Pity it is an mATX. And can someone explain why new mobos are not fitted out totally with USB3 and Sata6.?

    Since these are backwards compatible it seems odd that manufacturers don't just move on. Or is there a significant price penalty or a major technical reason why they don't
     
    tigertop1, 18 Jul 2011
    #6
  7. Paulg1971

    Paulg1971 Minimodder

    Joined:
    24 Apr 2009
    Posts:
    110
    Likes Received:
    0
    Good point
     
    Paulg1971, 18 Jul 2011
    #7
  8. Roskoken

    Roskoken What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    15 Jul 2011
    Posts:
    242
    Likes Received:
    7
    This is gettin papd into a corsair 600T White i think.
     
    Roskoken, 18 Jul 2011
    #8
  9. Baz

    Baz I work for Corsair

    Joined:
    13 Jan 2005
    Posts:
    1,810
    Likes Received:
    92
    USB3 isn't native to the Z68 chipset; it's added in by an additional controller chip at additional cost. Similarly, the Z68 chipset only supports two SATA (3) 6Gbps ports; the bandwidth isn't there for more. Rather than sell it as six SATA 6Gbps ports and have gimped bandwidth, Intel chose to have two full bandwidth SATA 6Gbps and four SATA (2) 3Gbps ports.

    Adding additional SATA 6Gbps ports is only possible via extra chips, for example, JMicron SATA 6Gbps controller, which take up a PCI-E lane, and again cost more.
     
    Baz, 18 Jul 2011
    #9
  10. kenco_uk

    kenco_uk I unsuccessfully then tried again

    Joined:
    28 Nov 2003
    Posts:
    10,106
    Likes Received:
    682
    The trouble is that Asus' own p8p67m pro does the business already. It mightn't look as subjectively pretty but it has better overclocked performance.
     
    kenco_uk, 18 Jul 2011
    #10
  11. Aragon Speed

    Aragon Speed Busily modding X3: Terran Conflict

    Joined:
    12 Jan 2009
    Posts:
    168
    Likes Received:
    1
    I hope you have copyrighted that. You could make a fortune in licensing that out. ^^
     
    Aragon Speed, 18 Jul 2011
    #11
  12. WildThing

    WildThing Minimodder

    Joined:
    26 Jul 2007
    Posts:
    824
    Likes Received:
    20
    Hmm, was thinking about using this board to upgrade to SB. Anyone know if a Titan Fenrir fits this board?

    Also bit-tech, did you test the audio at all? Would it be better or as good as an Auzentech xfi Prelude (I need 7.1 support)? I don't see a PCI slot on the Gene-Z...
     
    WildThing, 18 Jul 2011
    #12
  13. Venares

    Venares What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    22 Jun 2008
    Posts:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Audio is still a Realtek with a software layer so a dedicated card will still beat it hands down.
    I'd I would assume a Fenrir would fit on there as I had no problem getting Noctua C14 on mine.
     
    Venares, 18 Jul 2011
    #13
  14. chrisb2e9

    chrisb2e9 Dont do that...

    Joined:
    18 Jun 2007
    Posts:
    4,061
    Likes Received:
    46
    I'm concerned about getting a mATX board...
    Will I have issued getting my 6950 on there?
    Its on its way in the mail. May just send it back and pick up a p8p67m pro
    The p8p67m pro also had better overclocking performance in games.
     
    chrisb2e9, 18 Jul 2011
    #14
  15. WildThing

    WildThing Minimodder

    Joined:
    26 Jul 2007
    Posts:
    824
    Likes Received:
    20
    Cheers, looks like I need a board with a full PCI slot then... Would go with the other cheaper Asus boards but I've heard they don't like the Fenrir.
     
    WildThing, 18 Jul 2011
    #15
  16. Material

    Material Soco Amaretto Lime

    Joined:
    13 Apr 2010
    Posts:
    633
    Likes Received:
    25
    The fenrir will fit physically but you'll need to cut the AMD mounting lugs off the crossbar mounting plate to do it, as is the case with most of Asus' P67/Z68 boards.
     
    Material, 18 Jul 2011
    #16
  17. DeX

    DeX Mube Codder

    Joined:
    22 Jul 2002
    Posts:
    4,152
    Likes Received:
    3
    Nice review, thanks. I'm definitely with you guys on the small but mighty mATX machines.

    One of the important factors for me when choosing a new motherboard though is SATA performance. This board appears to perform really well, along with the Asus Sabertooth P67. But what's interesting is that the Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 which uses the same Intel Z68 SATA 6Gbps chipset as the Maximus IV Gene-Z doesn't perform anywhere near as well.

    I was considering getting the Asus P8P67-M Pro which uses the same chipset as the Sabertooth but given the discrepancy between boards with the same chipsets, I can't be sure that that is the only factor that affects performance. Can anyone explain why the Gigabyte board doesn't stack up to the Maximus IV Gene-Z in SATA speed?
     
    DeX, 18 Jul 2011
    #17
  18. Material

    Material Soco Amaretto Lime

    Joined:
    13 Apr 2010
    Posts:
    633
    Likes Received:
    25
    We've talked about this in the office numerous times and have come to the conclusion that Asus boards just seem to be better than most when it comes to SATA speeds.

    It could be down to a number of things like better EFI support, better trace routeing or simply that they know something the others don't.
     
    Material, 18 Jul 2011
    #18
  19. WildThing

    WildThing Minimodder

    Joined:
    26 Jul 2007
    Posts:
    824
    Likes Received:
    20
    Cheers Paul, might have to do some modding then. :dremel:
     
    WildThing, 18 Jul 2011
    #19
  20. Whindog

    Whindog What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    16 Sep 2010
    Posts:
    351
    Likes Received:
    4
    m-ATX......Meh.....

    Barely any room for a sound card. and if you do no chance for SLI/Crossfire.

    Such a shame, Is the ROG ATX board version as good??? Does it even exist???

    I would think anyone who was picking up a SB system would have one by now so the current range of products wont change much.
     
    Whindog, 19 Jul 2011
    #20
Page 1 of 2
Tags: Add Tags

Share This Page