ASUS Launches MicroATX Motherboards for Superior HTPC Performance

btarunr · Feb 25, 2013, 02:06 PM

ASUS today announced a new range of microATX motherboards with onboard HDMI and DVI ports for Intel and AMD processors with integrated graphics, and USB 3.0 ports with performance-enhancing ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology. By removing the need for a discrete graphics card, the new motherboards provide a more affordable option for home entertainment PCs that can fully exploit high-performance USB 3.0 storage.

The latest Intel 22nm CPUs feature Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, while AMD Socket FM2Athlon and A-Series APUshave integrated AMD HD 7000 Series discrete-level Radeon GPUs.The processors provide excellent 2D and 3D graphics performance, without the need for a separate graphics card, which in turn results in lower PC build costs.

The new ASUS microATX motherboards support the integrated graphics features of both processor families, and each model features both an HDMI port for use with HDTVs and a DVI port for connection to desktop displays. The ASUS B75M-A, H61M-PLUS, H61M-A/USB3 and H61M-A are microATX motherboards designed for Intel processors; the A85XM-A, A55M-A/USB3, A55M-A are for AMD APUs. The microATX form factor and reduced cooling requirements of these new motherboards make them ideally suited for compact desktop and home entertainment PCs.

Faster USB performance with exclusive USB 3.0 Boost

USB 3.0 has data-transfer speeds up to 10-times faster than USB 2.0. The new microATX motherboards announced today improve upon this further with exclusive ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology, for data transfer speeds up to 1.7-times faster than ordinary USB 3.0.

USB 3.0 Boost uses the industry standardUSB Attached SCSI Protocol (UASP)to increase data throughput by using multiple channels in parallel, rather than just the one channel of ordinary USB 3.0. This allows USB 3.0 Boost to use the entire bandwidth of a USB 3.0 connection for significant time savings with large file transfers and smoother HD video streaming. UASP requires a UASP-enabled drive or drive enclosure to deliver its full performance benefits, but ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology also incorporates an optimized 'turbo' mode for data transfer speed improvements from any standard USB 3.0 device.

USB 3.0 Boost is supported by the ASUS B75M-A, H61M-PLUS and H61M-A/USB3 Intel-based motherboards and the A85XM-A and A55M-A/USB3 AMD-basedmotherboards. Both onboard HDMI/DVI and USB 3.0 Boost are also available on the new ASUS Z77-A Intel-based ATX motherboard.

Superior components for incredible durability
ASUS Home Entertainment Motherboards feature high-quality solid capacitors that are industry ratedfor a lifespan of 5,000 hours at 105 degrees Celsius, which isaround 2.5-times longer than traditional capacitors. The capacitors meet strict Japanese Industrial Standards for durability and enhanced thermal capacity and, under average operating temperatures of 65 degrees Celsius, can last for over 50 years of continuous use.All models also feature chromium oxide-plated stainless steel rear I/O ports for superior corrosion resistance and an increased lifespan.

For more information, visit this page.

TheMailMan78 · Feb 25, 2013, 02:15 PM

Nice lil board there.

blibba · Feb 25, 2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Nice lil board there.

I'm not so sure - they appear to have cheaped out on DIMM slots, SATA ports and VRM cooling/phases (all excusable for an HTPC) and audio (not excusable for an HTPC).

The story here appears to be that Asus boards have clever and widespread implementation of USB 3, and can be used in HTPCs. Welcome to 2012, Asus.

Jorge · Feb 25, 2013, 03:11 PM

You'd be hard pressed to use Intel HD 4000 for HTPC so the only mobo that is likely of value here is the AMD model. There isn't any need for USB 3.0 boost. That's just another Asus marketing ploy for the technically challenged.

Dj-ElectriC · Feb 25, 2013, 03:12 PM

IMO when it comes to micro ATX boards for 1155 Gigabyte's B75 series conquered the mountain a long time ago. Their boards are marvelous

rugrat · Feb 25, 2013, 05:51 PM

Am3+ mATX / ITX anyone?

AlienIsGOD · Feb 25, 2013, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dj-ElectriC

IMO when it comes to micro ATX boards for 1155 Gigabyte's B75 series conquered the mountain a long time ago. Their boards are marvelous

unless you count z68 platform, then i would easily stick with my Asrock board http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.as...odel=Z68M/USB3 or z77 http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77M/

I wouldn't count B75 chipset as being all that awesome

jmcslob · Feb 25, 2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlienIsGOD

unless you count z68 platform, then i would easily stick with my Asrock board http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.as...odel=Z68M/USB3 or z77 http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77M/

I wouldn't count B75 chipset as being all that awesome

Why? isn't it just a Z77 without the RAID option rom, Smart response, Smart Storage and Overclocking? seems absolutely perfect for HTPC to me.

AlienIsGOD · Feb 25, 2013, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcslob

Why? isn't it just a Z77 without the RAID option rom, Smart response, Smart Storage and Overclocking? seems absolutely perfect for HTPC to me.

just my personal opinion. I dont have a console so if I built a HTPC i would want it to be as good as possible.

Sasqui · Feb 25, 2013, 08:01 PM

This has 8 channel audio, but no digital out. Does it get directed through HDMI?

TRWOV · Feb 25, 2013, 09:38 PM

1. Take a run-of-the-mill mATX mobo
2. Slap in an HDMI port
3. Call it an "HTPC Performance" board
4. ???
5. Profit?

james888 · Feb 25, 2013, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorge

You'd be hard pressed to use Intel HD 4000 for HTPC so the only mobo that is likely of value here is the AMD model. There isn't any need for USB 3.0 boost. That's just another Asus marketing ploy for the technically challenged.

um.... I do it with my laptops hd3000 all the time. Not pressed at all. Admittedly, the apu's are superior.

Absolution · Feb 26, 2013, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rugrat

Am3+ mATX / ITX anyone?

If only... Asus did have an ITX with a daughter board for extra VRM's (but for Intel's Z77)- pictured below. Hope they do something similar for the am3+ platform

Asus, hear us out pls!

rugrat · Feb 26, 2013, 11:49 AM

I have unpacked fx 6300 that i won and it's still waiting for proper matx / itx board. Will see if Cebit brings something new.

Bunchies · Feb 26, 2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absolution

Asus, hear us out pls!

lol i bet they will, unlike the D3 team

Feb 25, 2013, 02:06 PM	#1
btarunr Editor & Senior Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hyderabad, India Posts: 14,982 (7.30/day) Thanks: 788 Thanked 12,897 Times in 5,649 Posts System Specs	ASUS Launches MicroATX Motherboards for Superior HTPC Performance ASUS today announced a new range of microATX motherboards with onboard HDMI and DVI ports for Intel and AMD processors with integrated graphics, and USB 3.0 ports with performance-enhancing ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology. By removing the need for a discrete graphics card, the new motherboards provide a more affordable option for home entertainment PCs that can fully exploit high-performance USB 3.0 storage. The latest Intel 22nm CPUs feature Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, while AMD Socket FM2Athlon and A-Series APUshave integrated AMD HD 7000 Series discrete-level Radeon GPUs.The processors provide excellent 2D and 3D graphics performance, without the need for a separate graphics card, which in turn results in lower PC build costs. The new ASUS microATX motherboards support the integrated graphics features of both processor families, and each model features both an HDMI port for use with HDTVs and a DVI port for connection to desktop displays. The ASUS B75M-A, H61M-PLUS, H61M-A/USB3 and H61M-A are microATX motherboards designed for Intel processors; the A85XM-A, A55M-A/USB3, A55M-A are for AMD APUs. The microATX form factor and reduced cooling requirements of these new motherboards make them ideally suited for compact desktop and home entertainment PCs. Faster USB performance with exclusive USB 3.0 Boost USB 3.0 has data-transfer speeds up to 10-times faster than USB 2.0. The new microATX motherboards announced today improve upon this further with exclusive ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology, for data transfer speeds up to 1.7-times faster than ordinary USB 3.0. USB 3.0 Boost uses the industry standardUSB Attached SCSI Protocol (UASP)to increase data throughput by using multiple channels in parallel, rather than just the one channel of ordinary USB 3.0. This allows USB 3.0 Boost to use the entire bandwidth of a USB 3.0 connection for significant time savings with large file transfers and smoother HD video streaming. UASP requires a UASP-enabled drive or drive enclosure to deliver its full performance benefits, but ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology also incorporates an optimized 'turbo' mode for data transfer speed improvements from any standard USB 3.0 device. USB 3.0 Boost is supported by the ASUS B75M-A, H61M-PLUS and H61M-A/USB3 Intel-based motherboards and the A85XM-A and A55M-A/USB3 AMD-basedmotherboards. Both onboard HDMI/DVI and USB 3.0 Boost are also available on the new ASUS Z77-A Intel-based ATX motherboard. Superior components for incredible durability ASUS Home Entertainment Motherboards feature high-quality solid capacitors that are industry ratedfor a lifespan of 5,000 hours at 105 degrees Celsius, which isaround 2.5-times longer than traditional capacitors. The capacitors meet strict Japanese Industrial Standards for durability and enhanced thermal capacity and, under average operating temperatures of 65 degrees Celsius, can last for over 50 years of continuous use.All models also feature chromium oxide-plated stainless steel rear I/O ports for superior corrosion resistance and an increased lifespan. For more information, visit this page.

System Name:	Blackbox
Processor:	Intel Core i7-950
Motherboard:	Intel Extreme Series DX58OG
Cooling:	Xigmatek Aegir SD128264 with IC Diamond 24 Thermal Compound
Memory:	12GB ADATA Premier (3x 4GB) DDR3-1333 MHz
Video Card:	Palit GeForce GTX 680 JetStream 2GB outfitted with IC Diamond 24 TIM
Hard Disk:	Samsung 840 Series 250GB, Random 8 TB storage
Optical Drive:	HT-LG DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	ViewSonic VX2450wm-LED
Case:	Cooler Master CM690 Window
Sound Card:	Creative SB Recon3D
PSU:	Corsair HX850W
Software:	Windows 8 Pro 64-bit

System Name:	The Mailbox 3.5
Processor:	Intel i7 2600k @ 3.8GHz
Motherboard:	ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z
Cooling:	Stock
Memory:	G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB DDR3 1866: 9-9-9-24
Video Card:	EVGA GTX670 "FTW" Edition @ 1006MHz
Hard Disk:	256gb M4 SSD, 500Gb WD (7200)
Optical Drive:	LG - 24x Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive
CRT/LCD Model:	24" ASUS 1920 x 1080
Case:	Cooler Master 922 HAF
Sound Card:	SupremeFX X-Fi 2 with Bose Companion 2 speakers.
PSU:	SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold
Software:	Windows 8 Pro w/Media Center 64bit
Benchmarks:	Benching is for bitches.

System Name:	The one under the desk / The one next to the table / The one in the corner
Processor:	Xeon X3430@3.6GHZ / Pentium D 820 / Sempron 2800+
Motherboard:	Gigabyte P55M-UD4 / Biostar tp35d2-a7 / Abit NV8
Cooling:	AC Freezer Xtreme / AC Alpine 7 Pro / Generic+80mm
Memory:	8GB Kingston DRR3-1600 9-9-9-27 / 3GB DDR2-667 generic / 1GB DDR-400
Video Card:	GTX 460 (@800MHZ) with T'right HR-03 / HD2600XT IceQ Turbo 512MB / 8500GT
Hard Disk:	Kingston V200 128GB, WD6400AAKS, 2Maxtor Diamondmax 21 250GB / 4WD 80GB / Seagate 160GB
Optical Drive:	Sometimes.
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 2343BW / Acer P193W / Generic 17"
Case:	C'M' Silencio 550 / C'M' 330 Elite / Sometimes
Sound Card:	No.
PSU:	Thermaltake Toughpower XT 675W / Antec 430W / Dell 210W
Software:	Windows 7 Ult x64
Benchmarks:	Nah.

Feb 25, 2013, 03:12 PM	#5
Dj-ElectriC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trollithia Posts: 1,579 (1.56/day) Thanks: 141 Thanked 643 Times in 300 Posts System Specs	IMO when it comes to micro ATX boards for 1155 Gigabyte's B75 series conquered the mountain a long time ago. Their boards are marvelous __________________ Unreal Tournament mod - 85% progress Sponsored by MSI and Antec Battletag: HolyDiver#1664

Feb 25, 2013, 02:15 PM	#2
TheMailMan78 Banstick Dummy Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Crystal River, FL Posts: 15,109 (6.93/day) Thanks: 1,337 Thanked 6,829 Times in 3,739 Posts System Specs	Nice lil board there.

Feb 25, 2013, 03:11 PM	#4
Jorge Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 205 (1.51/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 29 Times in 19 Posts	You'd be hard pressed to use Intel HD 4000 for HTPC so the only mobo that is likely of value here is the AMD model. There isn't any need for USB 3.0 boost. That's just another Asus marketing ploy for the technically challenged.

System Name:	UTPC \| IRIS \| mITX
Processor:	Core i7 3960X @ 4.4Ghz \| Core i5 3570K @ 4Ghz \| 2500K
Motherboard:	MSI X79-GD65 8D \| Asus Z77 Sabertooth \| ASRock Z77 mITX
Cooling:	Swifty pump, EK block, DD GTX 360MM rad \| Raystorm\MCP655\240MM Rad \| Corsair H80i
Memory:	AVEXIR Core 32GB 1600Mhz \| Patriot VIPER3 Venom-Red 32GB 1600Mhz \| 8GB 1600Mhz
Video Card:	MSI Lightning GTX680 2GB SLI \| Intel iGPU Graphics \| iGPU
Hard Disk:	X2 Seagate barracuda 1TB, Corsair Perf Pro 256GB \| Samsung 830 128GB SSD \ Seagate 3TB \| 2TB Seagate
Optical Drive:	like... plastic media readers and such? o_0
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell U2713HM 27" \| Samsung EU46EH5000 46"
Case:	CoolerMaster Cosmos II \| Fractal Design Define XL R2 \| Node 304
Sound Card:	Some card... Tremor Core \| OB ALC 898 \| ALC 898
PSU:	Antec HCP Platinum 1000W \| Classified Antec 750W \| Antec TPN-750W
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64BIT \| same \| same
Benchmarks:	Over 9000 @ 3DMark V\11

Feb 25, 2013, 05:51 PM	#6
rugrat Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Croatia Posts: 22 (0.06/day) Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Am3+ mATX / ITX anyone?

System Name:	My Rig (part-time WCG) \| Wife's Rig (full-time WCG) \| L'il Man (kids lappy)
Processor:	Core i5 3570K @ 4.2 ghz 1.20 vcore \| Core i5 2400 \| Turion II P540
Motherboard:	EVGA Z77 FTW 1.21 BIOS \| AsRock Z68M/USB3 2.20 BIOS
Cooling:	CM Hyper 212 EVO R2-push/pull with 2x 120mm PWM \| CM Hyper 101i -push/pull with 2 x 80mm
Memory:	Mushkin Blackline 4GB x 2 1600mhz XMP profile \| Kingston HyperX 4GB x 2 1600mhz XMP profile \| 6GB
Video Card:	Sapphire 7870 2GB OC \| Gigabyte R7770 1GB \| HD4250
Hard Disk:	500GB OS / 500GB Data \| Kingston HyperX 120GB SSD / 2 x Seagate 500GB \| 320GB
Optical Drive:	Asus 22x DVD/CD Combo Drive \| ? \|
CRT/LCD Model:	LG Flatron IPS226 22" IPS 5ms \| Phillips 227E 22" IPS 7ms / 40" Samsung 550 LCD HDTV \| 15.6" LCD
Case:	Antec P280 \| Thermaltake Soprano Snow Edition
Sound Card:	Realtek ALC898 w/ Logitech z623 \| Realtek ALC892 w/ SB X-FI MB2 software w/ Logitech x540
PSU:	Corsair HX1000W \| Thermaltake TR2 500W
Software:	Windows 7 Home 64 Bit \| Windows 7 Home 64 Bit \| Windows 7 Home 64 Bit
Benchmarks:	benchmarks are for noobs, real men crunch WCG for TPU \m/

System Name:	CoolCow/Measly Cow
Processor:	Intel I5-3570AMD/Phenom X4 B60
Motherboard:	MSI Z77A-G45/Gigabyte 78LMT-S2P
Cooling:	Xigmatek Gaia/Scythe Katana 3
Memory:	G.Skill Ripjaws Z Unknown still tweaking/Kingston 2x4gb DDR3 1600
Video Card:	6950 unlocked/ Sapphire HD4830 512mb 575/700
Hard Disk:	2 Sandisk Extreme SSD in RAID0/2 WD BLACK 500GB 500AALS in raid0
Optical Drive:	Lite on Blu Ray/ same
CRT/LCD Model:	24" LCD 1920x1080/22" LCD 168x1050
Case:	Xigmatek Utguard/ B.Gears B Envy
Sound Card:	Reaktek 7.1/same
PSU:	Xigmatek 700w/ Rosewill 500w
Software:	Windows7 Pro x64/ Windows 7 pro x64

Feb 25, 2013, 08:01 PM	#10
Sasqui Eligible for custom title Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 6,051 (2.22/day) Thanks: 819 Thanked 904 Times in 738 Posts System Specs	This has 8 channel audio, but no digital out. Does it get directed through HDMI? __________________ Heatware

System Name:	"Naked Ivy"
Processor:	i7-3570k Costa (4.7 Ghz 24/7), Now de-lidded and NAKED!
Motherboard:	GA-Z77X-UD5H (rev1.1)
Cooling:	SWTech 320 Rad, Modded 655 Pump, Koolance 345
Memory:	16GB 4x4 G.Skill CAS9 2133 Sniper
Video Card:	Powercolor HD 7870 (Core at 1200, 5% bump in voltage)
Hard Disk:	WD 320 / 500KS / 500KS / 640KS / 640LS / 640LS / 640LS / 1TBFAEX
Optical Drive:	LG DVD+-R
CRT/LCD Model:	24" DELL 2405FPW
Case:	Modded HAF 932
Sound Card:	Onboard + HD HDMI
PSU:	Corsair HX750 (love it)
Software:	Win 7 Ultimate
Benchmarks:	Almost stable @ 4.9 Ghz, working on benchies

Feb 25, 2013, 09:38 PM	#11
TRWOV Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Mexico Posts: 2,051 (3.16/day) Thanks: 791 Thanked 1,064 Times in 552 Posts System Specs	1. Take a run-of-the-mill mATX mobo 2. Slap in an HDMI port 3. Call it an "HTPC Performance" board 4. ??? 5. Profit? __________________ My other rigs: OCTANUX - Conroe865PE - QX6800 - 4GB OCZ Platinum EL - HIS HD4670 AGP - SB Audigy 2 ZS - BFG PPU phenomenal - AM2NF3-VSTA - 965BE - 8GB OCZ Platinum LV - HIS HD3850 AGP - SB X-Fi - Asus PPU - WIP Green Tea - 939A8X-M - FX60 - 4GB OCZ Platinum EL - 7950GT AGP Re-build - CT-6VTA2 - PIII 600E - 384MB PC133 - Voodoo 5500 AGP - SB16 ISA BLUELINE - H61M-GE - PDC G645 - 8GB DDR3-1333 - Powercolor HD7750 - 2xTV Wonder 650

System Name:	Sandy Bridged 3rd Take
Processor:	Core i5-2320 @ 3.5Ghz
Motherboard:	GYGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
Cooling:	Antec Kuhler H2O 620
Memory:	2x4GB A-DATA XPG 1600GS
Video Card:	ATi RADEON HD7870 2GB / Zotac GT430
Hard Disk:	500GB WD / 64GB Samsung SSD (SRT cache) / 2TB Seagate
Optical Drive:	Samsung SH-B123A Blu-ray/DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer V223W 22" LCD 1680x1050
Case:	Cooler Master Gladiator 600
PSU:	Cooler Master Silent Pro M 700w
Software:	Windows 8 Pro with Media Center
Benchmarks:	3dmark11 7925, IBT 90Gflops

Processor:	Intel Core i5-2500K @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard:	MSI P67A-GD53
Cooling:	Alphacool Monta 240mm
Memory:	G.SKILL 2GBx4 1600mhz 7-8-7-24-2N
Video Card:	Saphire 7970 OC 1250Mhz/1600Mhz
Hard Disk:	Adata sp900, WD Black 500Gb
CRT/LCD Model:	Vizio VM230XVT 1920x1080
Case:	Corsair 550d
Sound Card:	Auzentech Prelude + jvc rx700
PSU:	COUGAR SX850 850W
Software:	Windows 7 64 Bit
Benchmarks:	8224 firestrike

Processor:	AMD Phenom II X6 1090T
Motherboard:	M5A99X Evo R2.0
Cooling:	Corsair H50
Memory:	16GB (2x8GB) Corsair Vengeance
Video Card:	Sapphire HD7870 Ghz Edition
Hard Disk:	1.5TB
CRT/LCD Model:	LG Flatron
PSU:	FSP 700W Epsilon

Feb 26, 2013, 11:49 AM	#14
rugrat Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Croatia Posts: 22 (0.06/day) Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have unpacked fx 6300 that i won and it's still waiting for proper matx / itx board. Will see if Cebit brings something new.

System Name:	Bunchies
Processor:	Intel i7-960 D0 @4Ghz (1.368v in bios)
Motherboard:	Gigabyte G1. Guerrilla ,On the latest beta bios
Cooling:	Corsair H60 (2013), Prolimatech Pro-Pk1 Thermel
Memory:	Kingston HyperX Blu (3x4GB) = 12GB @ 1400Mhz 8-8-8-22
Video Card:	Evga Gtx 660 Ti 2Gb
Hard Disk:	1 Ocz Agility 3 Sata III SSD , 2x1 1TB Hardrive's , 1 80GB Hardrive
Optical Drive:	ASUS DRW-24B1LT/24B1ST (DVD±R/±RW)
CRT/LCD Model:	23.5" Lg Flatron E2341
Case:	Thermaltake V3 Black Edition Mid Tower (Moded)
Sound Card:	Onboard Sound Chip, X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity and EAX 5.0
PSU:	Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 700W
Software:	Windows 7 64-Bit

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