Introduction and Technical Specifications

The ASUS Z97-Deluxe is the flagship motherboard in ASUS’ channel line of boards, combining killer looks with a massive feature list and unrivaled performance…

Introduction

Courtesy of ASUS

The ASUS Z97-Deluxe motherboard is the flagship board in ASUS' channel line of Intel Z97 chipset boards. ASUS revised its entire motherboard line for the Z97 chipset launch with the Z97-Deluxe featuring the updated channel board aesthetics as well as many design innovations built upon the previous board generation. With an MSRP of $399.99, ASUS priced the Z97-Deluxe at the level of other flagship motherboards with a plethora of integrated features and performance that more than justifies the price.

Courtesy of ASUS

Courtesy of ASUS

ASUS designed the Z97-Deluxe to be a serious competitor in the enthusiast space, integrating a 16+2 phase digital power system to drive the CPU and DRAM with 10k-rated Japanese capacitors used through the board. The board also features an updated heat sink and heat pipe design to optimize passive heat transfer away from the digital VRM chipset and the Z97 chipset.

Courtesy of ASUS

The ASUS integrated the following features into the Z97-Deluxe's design: six SATA 3 ports; an M.2 (NGFF) 10 Gb/s port; two SATA Express 10 Gb/s ports; dual Intel Gigabit NIC – an Intel I218-V and an Intel I211; a Broadcom 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth controller; three PCI-Express x16 slot; four PCI-Express x1 slots; 2-digit diagnostic LED display; on-board power, reset, CMOS clear, and MemOK! buttons; TPU, EPU, and EZ_XMP switches; Crystal Sound 2 audio solution; NFC Charger and NFC Connect modules; ThunderboltEX II PCIe add-on card; and USB 2.0 and 3.0 port support.

Technical Specifications (taken from the ASUS website)

CPU

Intel® Socket 1150 for 4th Generation and New 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7, Core™ i5, Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® Processors
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0


* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.

Chipset

Intel® Z97 Express Chipset

Memory

4 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.) / 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 memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)


* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. Please refer to Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) for details.

Expansion Slots

2 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8/x8)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot * (max. at x4 mode, compatible with PCIe x1 and x4 devices)
4 x PCI Express 2.0 x1


* PCIe x16_3, USB3_E56 and SATA Express_E1 connectors share the same bandwidth. The PCIe x16_3's default setting is in Auto mode that automatically optimizes the system bandwidth. f you use two of thse connectors, the system automatically disables the unused connector.

VGA

Integrated Graphics Processor – Intel® HD Graphics support
Multi-VGA output support: DisplayPort/Mini DisplayPort/HDMI port
Supports DisplayPort 1.2* with max. resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz (for DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort)
Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Intel® Quick Sync Video, Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, and Intel® Insider™
Supports up to three displays simultaneously
Maximum shared memory 512MB


* DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport compliant; supports DisplayPort 1.2 monitor daisy-chain up to 3 displays.

Multi-GPU Support

Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology (with 2 PCIe x16 graphics card)
Supports AMD 3-Way/Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology

Storage

Intel® Z97 Express Chipset with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and Intel® Rapid Storage Technology 13 support
– 1 x SATA Express port (black at bottom, compatible with 2 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports)
– 1 x M.2 socket 3*
– 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (gray)
– Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology**

ASMedia® SATA Express controller***
– 1 x SATA Express port (black at top, compatible with 2 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports)

ASMedia® SATA 6Gb/s controller***
2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (black)


* M.2 Socket 3 shares bandwidth with SATAExpress_1, and supports M Key and type 2260/2280 storage devices.
** These functions work depending on the CPU Installed.
*** These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. ATAPI devices are not supported.

LAN

Dual Gigabit LAN controllers-802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) appliance
– Intel® I218-V Gigabit LAN – Dual Interconnect between the integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and physical layer (PHY)
– Intel® I211-AT Gigabit LAN controller

Wireless Data Network

Speedy Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac support dual frequency band 2.4/5 GHz
ASUS Wi-Fi GO! Utility

Bluetooth

Bluetooth V4.0

Audio

Realtek® ALC1150 8-channel high definition audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 2
– Separate layer for left and right track, ensuring both sounds deliver equal quality
– Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio configuration
– Audio shielding ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference
– EMI protection cover to prevent electrical noise to affect the amplifier quality
– Audio Amplifier to enhance the highest quality sound for headphone and speakers
– Premium Japan-made audio capacitors provide warm, natural, and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
– High Quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR recording (Line-in) support
– Absolute pitch 192 KHz/24-bit True BD Lossless Sound
– BS audio layer content protection
– DTS UltraPC II
– DTS Connect
– Supports jsck-detection, multi-streaming and front panel jack-retasking (MIC)
– Optical S/PDIF out ports at rear I/O

USB Ports

Intel® Z97 Express Chipset – supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost
– 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear panel (blue)
– 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at mid-board, 4 ports at back panel)

ASMedia® USB 3.0 controllers – supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost
– 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at mide-board for front panel support
– 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear panel (blue)

ASUS Exclusive Features

5-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.
DIGI+ Power Control
CPU Power
– Industry leading digital 16-phase power design
– ASUS CPU power utility
DRAM Power
– Industry leading digital 2-phase DRAM power design
– ASUS DRAM power utility
TPU
– Auto Tuning, TPU, GPU Boost, 2-level TPU switch
EPU
– EPU, EPU switch
ASUS Fan Xpert3
– Featuring Fan Auto Tuning function and multiple thermistors selection for optimized system cooling control
Turbo App
– Featuring automatic system performance tuning, network priority, and audio scene configuration for selected applications.

UEFI BIOS
– Most advanced options with fast response time

M.2 and SATA Express onboard
– The latest transfer technologies with up to 10 Gb/s data transfer speeds

Special Memory O.C. Design
– Superb memory O.C. capability under full load by minimizing the coupling noise and signal reflection effect

Thunderbolt Ready (Optional
– Blistering-fast 20 Gb/s data transfer upgrades with ThunderboltEX II series

Interaction Home Cloud

Wi-Fi GO!
– Wi-Fi GO! Function: Cloud GO!, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer
Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote for portable smartphone/tablet, supporting iOS7 & Android 4.0 systems

Media Streamer
– Pipe music or movies from your PC to a smart TV
Media Streamer app for portable smartphone/tablet, supporting iOS7 & Android 4.0 systems

NFC Express 2 support (Optional)
– NFC receiver and 2-port USB 3.0 hubs
– NFC one-touch features: Video-to-go, Photo Express, Remote Desktop, Quick Launch, Windows® 8 Login and Bluetooth pairing

Gaming Scenario

Turbo APP
– Featuring tuning system performance customization, network priority, and automatic audio scene configurations for selected applications

Turbo LAN
– Experience smooth online gaming with lower pings and less lags

Crystal Sound 2
– Feel the sound power with different usage scenarios

Steam Support
– Compatible with most fun gaming platform under Windows® system

ASUS EZ DIY

Push Notice
– Monitor your PC status with smart devices in real time

USB BIOS Flashback
– with USB BIOS Flashback Wizard for EZ BIOS download scheduling

UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
– featuring friendly graphics user interface
– ASUS O.C. Tuner
– ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
– ASUS EZ Flash 2

Q-Design
– ASUS Q-Code
– ASUS Q-Shield
– ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
– ASUS Q-Slot
– ASUS Q-DIMM
– ASUS Q-Connector

Special Features

5X Protection featuring all-round protection provides the best quality, reliability, and durability
USB 3.0 Boost
USB Charger+
Ai Charger+
Disk Unlocker
Ai Suite 3
MemOK!
EZ XMP

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

Quiet Thermal Design
– ASUS Fan Xpert 3
– ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-pipe solution<

ASUS Exclusive Overclocking Features

Precision Tweaker 2
– vCore: Adjustable CPU Core voltage at 0.001 V increment
– iGPU: Adjustable CPU Graphics voltage at 0.001 V increment
– vCCIO: Adjustable Analog and Digital I/O voltage at 0.001 V increment
– vCCIN: Adjustable CPU Input voltage at 0.01 V increment
– vCCSA: Adjustable CPU System Agent voltage at 0.001 V increment
– vDRAM Bus: 144-step Memory voltage control
– vPCH: 88-step Chipset voltage control

SFS(Stepless Frequecy Selection)
– BCLK/PCIE frequency tuning from 80 MHz to 300 MHz at 0.1 MHz increment

Overclocking Protection
– ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)

Rear Panel I/O Ports

1 x DisplayPort
1 x Mini DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth v 4.0)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
2 x LAN (RJ45) ports (2 x Intel® LAN)
6 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, bottom port of USB3_34 supports USB BIOS Flashback)
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
8-channel Autio I/O ports

Internal I/O Ports

2 x 19-pin USB 3.0/2.0 connectors support addition 4 USB ports
2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
1 x M.2 Socket 3
2 x SATA Express connectors (black)
6 x SATA 6 Gb/s connectors (4 x gray, 2 x black)
1 x 4-pin CPU Fan connectors for both 3-pin (DC Mode) and 4-pin (PWM Mode) CPU coolers control*
1 x 4-pin CPU Optional Fan connector (CPU_OPT)
4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan connectors for 3-pin (DC Mode) and 4-pin (PWM Mode) coolers control
1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
1 x S/PDIF out header
1 x 5-pin Thunderbolt header for Thunderbolt add-on card support
1 x TPM connector
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector
1 x Clear CMOS button
1 x USB BIOS Flashback button
1 x MemOK! button
1 x EPU switch
1 x TPU switch (with advanced two-stage ajustments)
1 x Power-on switch
1 x Reset switch
1 x EZ XMP switch
System Panel (Q-Connector)


* The CPU Q-Fan control setting is set as default in Auto Mode for detecting the type of CPU fan installed and switches to the control mode automatically.

BIOS features

64Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0, Multi-Language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified Log, F12 PrintScreen function, F3 Shortcut function, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information

Manageability

WfM 2.0, DMI 2.7, WOL by PME, PXE

Support DVD Content

Drivers
ASUS Utilities
EZ Update
Anti-virus software (OEM version)

Operating System Support

Windows® 8.1
Windows® 8
Windows® 7

Form Factor

ATX Form Factor: 12 inch x 9.6 inch (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)
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