Introduction and Technical Specifications

Z77 brings performance boosts, custom fan controls and remote functionality over Wi-Fi

Introduction

Courtesy of ASUS

It's been a couple months since we've had a chance to evaluate a Z77-based motherboard, so we are taking this opportunity to throw ASUS's P8Z77-V Deluxe on our test bench to put it through our comprehensive real-world and synthetic benchmarks. This $279 board has been available for several months and supports the LGA 1155 platform that includes Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors.

 

Courtesy of ASUS

There are many features to drool over about the ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe, but my favorite ones include the board's unique power management features, Wi-Fi functionality with remote access, and customized UEFI BIOS.  This board also includes other enhancements that focus on support for faster USB 3.0 and PCIe 3.0 integration as well as extra SATA 6GB/s ports that provide double the bandwidth of current bus systems.

 

ASUS went above and beyond in their support for high-end, multi-GPU CrossfireX and SLI graphics configurations as well. The addition of LucidLogix's Virtu MVP tech also adds a unique feature to the P8Z77-V Deluxe that uses discrete and integrated graphics together for faster video conversions.

Courtesy of ASUS

 

Technical Specifications (taken from ASUS's website)

CPU Intel® Socket 1155 for 3rd/2nd Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors 
Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU
Supports Intel® 32 nm CPU
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 
* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
Chipset Intel® Z77
Memory 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2800(O.C.)/2600(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 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. 
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
Graphic Integrated Graphics Processor 
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort ports 
– Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
– Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
Supports Intel® HD Graphics, InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™
Multi-GPU Support Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology *1
Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology 
Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
Supports LucidLogix® Virtu™ MVP Technology *2
Expansion Slots 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) *3
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black) 
4 x PCIe 2.0 x1 *4
Storage Intel® Z77 chipset : 
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology *5
Marvell® PCIe 9128 controller : 
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), navy blue
Support Raid 0, 1
ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : *6
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
LAN Intel® 82579V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Realtek® 8111F, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers- 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) appliance
Intel® LAN- Dual interconnect between the Integrated LAN controller and Physical Layer (PHY)
Wireless Data Network Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
Bluetooth Bluetooth V4.0
Bluetooth V3.0+HS
Audio Realtek® ALC898 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC 
– Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
Audio Feature :
– Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless Sound
– Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection 
– DTS Ultra PC II
– DTS Connect
– Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
USB Ports ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : *7
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue)
Intel® Z77 chipset : *7
4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
Intel® Z77 chipset : 
8 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black, 4 at mid-board)
Overclocking Features Overclocking Protection :
– ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 3 – SMART DIGI+ Power Control :
SMART DIGI+ :
– Smart DIGI+ Key- quickly delivers higher VRM frequency, voltage and current for superior CPU/iGPU/DRAM overclocking performance with one switch. 
– Smart CPU Power Level (Intel® VRD 12.5 Future Power Design)- provides the best digital power saving conditions. 
ASUS TPU :
– Auto Tuning
– TurboV
– GPU Boost 
– TPU switch
ASUS EPU :
– EPU 
– EPU switch
ASUS Digital Power Design :
– Industry leading Digital 20 Phase Power Design
(16 -phase for CPU, 4 -phase for iGPU)
– Industry leading Digital 2 Phase DRAM Power Design
– CPU Power Utility
– DRAM Power Utility
ASUS Wi-Fi GO!
– Wi-Fi GO! Function: DLNA Media Hub, Smart Motion Control, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer, Capture & Send *8
– Wi-Fi GO! Remote for portable Smartphone/Tablet, supporting iOS & Android systems
– Wi-Fi Engine for network sharing and connection: Client Mode, AP Mode
ASUS Exclusive Features :
– USB BIOS Flashback
– MemOK!
– AI Suite II
– Ai Charger+
– USB Charger+
– Anti-Surge
– ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface 
– ASUS SSD Caching
– Network iControl
– USB 3.0 Boost
– Disk Unlocker
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
– Stylish Fanless Design Heat-pipe solution
– ASUS Fan Xpert 2
ASUS EZ DIY :
– ASUS O.C. Tuner
– ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 
– ASUS EZ Flash 2 
ASUS Q-Design :
– ASUS Q-Shield
– ASUS Q-Code
– ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
– ASUS Q-Slot
– ASUS Q-DIMM 
– ASUS Q-Connector
Back I/O Ports 1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s
2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
6 x USB 3.0 
4 x USB 2.0 
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
6 x Audio jack(s)
1 x Bluetooth V4.0 connector(s) for ASUS Wi-Fi GO! card
1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
Internal I/O Ports 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) 
4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) 
1 x Optional Fan connector(s) 
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) 
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x TPU switch(es)
1 x EPU switch(es)
1 x Power-on button(s)
1 x Reset button(s)
1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
Accessories User's manual
ASUS Q-Shield
2 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x SLI bridge(s)
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! card(s)
2 x Wi-Fi Ring Moving Antenna(s)
BIOS 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, 
ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, F12 PrintScreen, F3 Shortcut Function and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
Manageability WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, PXE
Support Disc Drivers
ASUS Utilities
ASUS Update 
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Form Factor ATX Form Factor 
12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
Note *1: With 2 PCIex16 graphics card.
*2: LucidLogix Virtu MVP supports Windows 7 operating systems.
*3: PCIe 3.0 speed is supported by Intel® 3rd generation Core™ processors.
*4: The PCIe x1_2 shares bandwidth with SATA6G_E12. SATA6G_E12 is enabled by default for system resource optimization.
*5: Supports on Intel® Core™ processor family with Windows 7 operating systems.
*6: These SATA ports are for data hard drivers only. ATAPI devices are not supported.
*7-1: Supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost UASP Mode.
*7-2: The USB 3.0 ports only support Windows® 7 or later versions. 
*8: Available with V1.01.00 or later.
*9: Due to Intel® chipset limitation, P8Z77, P8H77 and P8B75 series motherboards do not support Windows® Vista operating system.

 

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