ASUS Shows off Top-Tier LGA1155 Motherboard Lineup

[btarunr]

ASUS showed off its high-end socket LGA1155 motherboard lineup in London, including from its two top brands, ROG and Sabertooth TUF. The ROG Maximus IV Extreme, TUF Sabertooth P67, P8P67 Deluxe and P8P67 were on display. All four models are based on the Intel P67 Express chipset, designed to support upcoming Sandy Bridge architecture derived LGA1155 processors, or the 2011 Core processor family. Leading the pack is the Maximum IV Extreme. This board is literally bursting with features and is geared for extreme overclocking. There are no less than four PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slots, possibly driven by a PCI-E bridge chip, which allows 3-way and 4-way SLI/CrossFireX; four each of USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s ports, and ROG-exclusive features such as ROG Connect, and redundant BIOS.

Next in line is the TUF Sabertooth P67. Keeping in tune with the TUF series' main feature of providing very high durability, the Sabertooth P67 uses ceramic heatsinks and high-grade components. For the first time, we're getting to see a protective scaffolding covering most of the board's area on its obverse side (we've seen it on the reverse side on older models). ASUS is calling it "tactical vest". This board only supports two PCI-E x16 devices, 2-way SLI/CrossFireX.



Next up are the P8P67 Deluxe and P8P67, two of the leading models from ASUS' pilot (main) brand. The P8P67 Deluxe features two PCI-E 2.0 x16 slots for 2-way SLI/CrossFire, and is loaded to the brim with connectivity features, including two SATA 6 Gb/s and six SATA 3 Gb/s ports, two USB 3.0 ports given out as front-panel header, and an enclosure that occupies one exposed 3.5" drive bay, providing front-panel access to the USB 3.0 ports, gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, and 8+2 channel HD audio. The P8P67 is a slightly skimpier version of this. At the moment, pricing looks like around $300 for the Maximus IV Extreme, $220 for the P8P67 Deluxe, and $150 for the P8P67.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[erocker]

That Sabretooth is one of the most interesting motherboards I've seen in quite some time.

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

I guess it'll help against accidentally dropping a screw driver on a voltage chip. Now that I recall that actually happening to my brother it seems less silly. Slightly.

 

[Flanker]

That Sabretooth is one of the most interesting motherboards I've seen in quite some time.

one of the theories I've heard is to prevent LN2 from dripping onto the PCB

 

[buggalugs]

It sucks that Intel didnt have a 6GB/s chipset for this generation. Oh well these Asus boards look good and no doubt will perform well.

 

[Flanker]

the front usb thingy is especially nice, seen it on asrock boards before. Happy to see asus having them as well

image from hexus.net

 

[FlanK3r]

lol, again we are in 1 thread man (Flanker and FlanK3r :-D )

nice boards, specially Maximus IV and Deluxe board.

 

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

Hey look.. its a heatsink with a motherboard installed on it

 

[caleb]

Hmm a board in a condom... Is there really any point/sense ? Dropping a screw ? come on.

Bring in the CPU's already!

 

[bear jesus]

It's described by hexus as

"Tactical Vest - as it's being called for now - is a removable plastic shroud that covers the entire motherboard, directing air over certain components and away from others with specially-cut channels and vents. Designed for use with a fan that forces air down onto the CPU, the manufacturer claims better heat distribution and improved stability"
source

Personally it just makes me wish it was a full cover motherboard water block

Hey look.. its a heatsink with a motherboard installed on it

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

That Sabretooth is one of the most interesting motherboards I've seen in quite some time.

I agree, I would be very interested in knowing the price, as I am thinking of going from 775 to 1155 for my LAN machine.

 

[hat]

Geared for overclocking eh? Hopefully it's not only for unlocked multipliers.

 

[bear jesus]

Geared for overclocking eh? Hopefully it's not only for unlocked multipliers.

I thought the sandy bridge architecture was the limit of overclocking, as in the new bus is tied to other things so multipliers is basically the only way to overclock to high speeds.

Either way i can't wait to see what the chips can do.

 

[hat]

FSB was tied into all kinds of things too. Hopefully they can lock down the frequencies that are tied into BCLK like they did with FSB.

 

[f22a4bandit]

It's nice to know that they're using ceramic on their TUF motherboard. At least now I know I can brake really well, as high end braking systems on cars are usually ceramic! In all honesty, it'll be interesting to see how well the board dispels heat. They use ceramic brakes on high powered cars for a reason.

 

[pantherx12]

It's nice to know that they're using ceramic on their TUF motherboard. At least now I know I can brake really well, as high end braking systems on cars are usually ceramic! In all honesty, it'll be interesting to see how well the board dispels heat. They use ceramic brakes on high powered cars for a reason.

Yeah because metal ones start becoming mailable at high temperatures and can bend out of shape or snap etc.

I don't think it has anything to do with heat dissipation and only to do with longevity/ durability of the breaks.


I'm sure copper and aluminium have better thermal properties vs ceramic but obviously both these metals would be useless for breaks as they're not strong enough XD

 

[cadaveca]

That Sabretooth is one of the most interesting motherboards I've seen in quite some time.

Me too. Now i want one. Sounds great.

 

[entropy13]

The ROG board looks like it's pink...

 

[Hayder_Master]

one of the theories I've heard is to prevent LN2 from dripping onto the PCB

and if u don't use LN2, isn't this cuz extra heating

 

[wolf]

That Sabretooth is one of the most interesting motherboards I've seen in quite some time.

it looks pretty amazing IMO, and really theres no need to have all that PCB exposed, they mayaswell cover it all up, especially for the LN2 point that has been raised, if not only for asthetics.

 

[f22a4bandit]

Yeah because metal ones start becoming mailable at high temperatures and can bend out of shape or snap etc.

I don't think it has anything to do with heat dissipation and only to do with longevity/ durability of the breaks.


I'm sure copper and aluminium have better thermal properties vs ceramic but obviously both these metals would be useless for breaks as they're not strong enough XD

Great point!

 

[boogerlad]

well, now I don't have to insulate for dice/ln2 sessions.

 

[DRDNA]

well, now I don't have to insulate for dice/ln2 sessions.

I wonder tho...is that protective layer any kind of condensation protection at all? It may just end up being a nightmare for condensation proofing.

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Will the tuf overclock as well as the Extreme? Cause if not it won't matter much for LN2 as anyone serious enough to bother will just get the better board and insulate themselves. Though the multiplier only overclocking may make boards like the extreme unnecessary.

 

[overclocking101]

Geared for overclocking eh? Hopefully it's not only for unlocked multipliers.

thats the only way to overclock these new crap chips. imo its intels worst move in a long time

Will the tuf overclock as well as the Extreme? Cause if not it won't matter much for LN2 as anyone serious enough to bother will just get the better board and insulate themselves. Though the multiplier only overclocking may make boards like the extreme unnecessary.

the tuff series overclock just as well as any of asus other boards.