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ASUS P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT ATX Intel Motherboard

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#1 ·
ASUS P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT ATX Intel Motherboard

Description:
The ASUS P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT motherboard features the Intel Z77 chipset supporting the Intel LGA1155 3rd/2nd Generation Intel Core i7 Processors. ASUS is pleased to announce that the P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT is equipped with the latest in I/O technology onboard, Thunderbolt, providing the user with an ultra-fast transfer speed of 10GBps, an amazing 2 times faster than USB 3.0. Thunderbolt also supports ultra-sharp resolution, using the DisplayPort to reach up to 2560 x 1600. Simple and flexible, Thunderbolt only requires one unified cable to transmit high-performance storage and video capturing devices, perfect to avoid messy cabling. Also, with the daisy-chain technology, the user can connect up to 7 high-speed devices without the use of any hubs or switches. With Thunderbolt onboard, one unified interface will satisfy every type of high-performance devices in the future!

Details:
DetailValue
BindingPersonal Computers
BrandAsus
EAN0610839187256
FeatureSMART DIGI+ Power Control - Flexible precise adjustments for System Stability, High Power Efficiency and Improved Performance Scaling on both CPU & RAM
Wi-Fi GO! - Rich Features for the Home Environment: multimedia management, diverse remote control, Internet sharing and quick data sharing
Fan Xpert 2 - Fan Auto Tuning function for optimized speed control and settings for each individual fan
THUNDERBOLT Onboard - The Fastest and most Versatile Transfer Technology capable of Ultra-fast transfer rates and Ultra-sharp resolution, with Data and Display transfer all on one unified cable
USB BIOS Flashback - Plug in USB with BIOS file and just click the button for simplest BIOS update
FormatCD-ROM
LabelAsus
ManufacturerAsus
ModelP8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT
MPNP8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT
PlatformWindows
PublisherAsus
SKU3210174
StudioAsus
TitleASUS P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
UPC610839187256
CatalogNumberList - CatalogNumberListElement106775
0610839187256
P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT
125818
Item Height12.9 inches
Item Length10.1 inches
Item Width2.7 inches
NumberOfItems1
Package Height2.7 inches
Package Length13.1 inches
Package Weight4 pounds
Package Width10.6 inches
PackageQuantity1
PartNumberP8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT
ProductGroupPersonal Computer
ProductTypeNameMOTHERBOARD
UPCList - UPCListElement610839187256
Item Weight3.96 pounds
HardwarePlatformPc
OperatingSystemWindows
 

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#2 ·
You decide

review by nature1ders

I'm reviewing the P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT which at the time I bought it was the only motherboard around I could find with Thunderbolt support. Let's list the Cons and Pro's of this in more detail.

1. Wifi Go! is a gimmick designed to fool the masses, it's actually just a detached mini pcie module that you attach to pins on the motherboard. Nothing special here and you can get a pcie to mini pcie adapter from overseas that's far easier to use and add any wifi adapter you want. Ubuntu tells me the chipset of this Wifi adapter when the ASUS software refuses to reveal the secret, it's a Qualcomm Atheros AR9485. It supports only 2ghz which is bad because now-a-days we have a 5ghz band. I actually feel this could be replaced with this mPCIe Combo Card (Wi-Fi+BT) which comes with their Maximus line of mobo's. One might then potentially have the benefits of blutooth/wifi module that supports 2/5ghz not just the weaker version. All you would need to do is cut a hole in the IO plate. However I'm not completely positive it would work so yea, but it should. Also it has msata support on this module which is good.

2. Only came with 2 6/gbs sata cables. I appreciate that truly but buying them on the store is a fortune so I had to buy them on ebay instead for dirt cheap! Same darn things. I could've gotten generic ones but figured it says 6/gbs on them and they are ASUS brand, why not stick to that.

3. BIOS is sometimes weird/sensitive. Right now when I reboot the computer takes about 2 seconds or so to even register anything in the BIOS, like a delay that's crazy IMO. Or it feels like 2 seconds...... I'm used to things being instant on reboot. So yea it is abit strange to me but I don't think it's a failure of any kind just slow.

4. BIOS/ASUS Suite II aren't exactly integrated that well. If you turn the FIXED RPM option on, when you reboot it's completely back to SMART MODE. You cannot ever get it to reboot with FIXED RPM. Saving profiles and then selecting and applying them in Windows results in the profile being deselected and the settings applied, but why? There is no reason to blank the profile I've selected after its been applied, except to make me crazy and wonder which one I used last time. BIOS is far superior after you get used to it, ASUS Suite II is polished but untested in simple things that should work.

5. Q-Connector long time flaw........ it's pins are VERY long. So long infact that for as long as I remember when using it I have broken around 3 power/reset switche cables because the pins actually pushed out the wires they were so long. We're talking about some cheap plastic that the wire slides into and is held there by plastic tabs, so the ASUS connector pins are metal and easily have enough force to push back those tabs and break/bend them. They really need to fix this but I know they never will.

These are my observations about this board. Would I buy it? I think after trying ASRock yes I'd prefer this BIOS to that. Both use the same chipset controller for the fans yet the ASRock boards can't set fixed RPM's or Smart Modes nor let me set the exact RPM's which is ridiculious, it's a simple matter of programming the options.

Any other comments welcome.

One final word, I was searching through ebay and discovered the ASUS SPDIF Optical and RCA Out Plate Cable Bracket which allows you to gain additional optical/coax outputs for your mobo. I really feel this should be made more clear to potential buyers as I never heard of such a thing until then. Now I have 2 optical outputs 1 to my HDTV and 1 to my PC Speakers which is just amazing IMO. Thanks ASUS

ProsCons
Supports Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, WiFi module, 2 Optical Outs 1 for HDTV one for PC SpeakersWifi module 2ghz not 5ghz, only 2x6/gbs sata cables, BIOS sensitive/slow sometimes

Ratings
Overall4
 
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