ASUS ROG Maximus VII Gene Review

Introduction

The sheer volume of models in the Maximus VII motherboard range appears to be unabated. We’ve had the awesome Hero, the excellent Ranger, the fully-featured Formula and today we’re looking at the Maximus VII Gene. 

The Gene’s have regularly been models that go far beyond they diminutive size, bringing all of the ROG trimmings to people who prefer a mATX motherboard. Or perhaps those who want a system they can take to LAN gaming conventions without having to carry a tower the size of a small hippo with them.

So far the Maximus VII range has proven itself worthy of the ROG branding and many accolades, so does the Z97 Gene continue this excellent work?

Technical Specifications

Certainly if you’re concerned that the Gene is a cut-down model you can dispel those notions. It might be on the smaller mATX form factor but ASUS have still stuffed it full of the Z97 accoutrements and ROG elements that make it so desirable. You’re getting almost everything apart from the ability to run three graphics cards, and that’s not something that many people do anyway.

• CPU
  Intel® Socket 1150 for the 5th/New 4th/4th Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors
  Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU
  Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
• Chipset
  Intel® Z97
• 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)
• Graphics
  Integrated Graphics Processor- Intel® HD Graphics support
  – Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
  Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™
• Multi-GPU Support
  Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology
  Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireXâ„¢ Technology
• Expansion Slots
  2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)
  1 x PCIe 2.0 x4
  1 x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1
• Storage
  Intel® Z97 chipset :
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
  Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology
  1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE mode)
  ASMedia® ASM1061 controller :
  2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
• LAN
  Intel® I218V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s), featuring GAMEFIRST III
  Intel® LAN- Dual interconnect between the Integrated LAN controller and Physical Layer (PHY)
  Anti-surge LANGuard
• Audio
  ROG SupremeFX Impact II 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  – Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  Audio Feature :
  – SupremeFX Shieldingâ„¢ Technology
  – ELNA premium audio capacitors
  – Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection 
  – DTS Connect
  – Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
  – Sonic SoundStage
  – Sonic SenseAmp
  – Sonic Studio
  – Sonic Radar II
• USB Ports
  Intel® Z97 chipset :
  4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
  Intel® Z97 chipset :
  7 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black, 3 at mid-board)
  ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller :
  2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue)
• ROG Exclusive Features
  Extreme Engine Digi+ III :
  – 8 + 2 phase power design
  – NexFETâ„¢ Power Block MOSFET
  – 60A Ferrite Chokes
  – 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
  ProbeIt
  KeyBot
  – CPU Level Up
  – XMP
  – Direct Key
  UEFI BIOS features :
  – GPU.DIMM Post
  – Tweakers’ Paradise
  – ROG SSD Secure Erase
  – Graphic Card Information Preview
  ROG RAMDisk
  GameFirst III
  Extreme Tweaker
• Special 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.
  Gamer’s Guardian:
  – ESD Guards on LAN, Audio, KBMS and USB3.0/2.0 ports
  – DRAM Overcurrent Protection
  – 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
  – Stainless Steel Back I/O
  ASUS Exclusive Features :
  – USB BIOS Flashback
  – MemOK!
  – AI Suite 3
  – Ai Charger+
  – USB Charger+
  – USB 3.0 Boost
  – Disk Unlocker
  ASUS EZ DIY :
  – ASUS O.C. Profile
  – ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
  – ASUS EZ Flash 2
  – ASUS USB BIOS Flashback
  – Push Notice
  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
  Overclocking Protection :
  – ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
  Media Streamer
• Back I/O Ports
  1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
  1 x HDMI
  1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  4 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  4 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to ROG Connect)
  1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  3 x Audio jack(s)
  1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
  1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch(es)
• Internal I/O Ports
  1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s)
  3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 5 USB 2.0 port(s)
  1 x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280 devices
  1 x TPM header
  8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
  3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (3 x 4 -pin)
  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) (Q-Connector)
  1 x MemOK! button(s)
  10 x ProbeIt Measurement Points
  1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
  1 x LN2 Mode header(s)
  1 x Power-on button(s)
  1 x Reset button(s)
  1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header(s)
  1 x KeyBot Button
  1 x Sonic SoundStage Button
• AccessoriesUser’s manual
  I/O Shield
  6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
  1 x SLI bridge(s)
  1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
  1 x 12 in 1 ROG Cable Label(s)
  1 x ROG Door Hanger(s)
• Form Factor
  mATX Form Factor 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch ( 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm )