A computer product manufacturer based in Taipei, Taiwan, ASUSTeK Computer Inc., better known by its abbreviation, ASUS, is well known for its motherboards, which provide many of the crucial components of a personal computer. At the time of publication, ASUS advertises six motherboards at its U.S. website: the F1A75-V Pro, M5A99X Evo, Maximus IV Extreme-Z, P8Z68 Deluxe, Sabertooth 990FX and Crosshair V Formula. The type of ASUS motherboard can be determined by its components, which include its processor, or central processing unit (CPU); size; and inputs/outputs.
Processor Technology
ASUS motherboards can be split into two divisions, depending on whether the CPU comes from either of two semiconductor companies: Intel Corp. or Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Each ASUS motherboard has a CPU socket that it uses for the processor's physical and electrical attachment. The Intel-based boards -- the Maximus IV Extreme-Z and P8Z68 Deluxe -- come with Land Grid Array (LGA) 1155 for attaching CPUs from Intel Corp.'s premier Core i-series brand. Two sockets are available for the four AMD-based ASUS boards: Socket AM3 on the M5A99X Evo, Sabertooth 990FX and Crosshair V Formula for the mid-level Athlon and top-tier Phenom processor; and Socket FM1 on the F1A75-V Pro for AMD's newer A-series processors.
Form Factor
The largest of the six current ASUS motherboards is the Maximus IV Extreme-Z. It uses the Extended Advanced Technology eXtended (EATX) form factor, which gives it a measurement of approximately 12 by 10.6 inches, or 30.5 by 26.9 centimeters. The other motherboards use the ATX form factor; they measure 12 by 9.6 inches, or 30.5 by 24.4 centimeters.
Audio and Video
Each ASUS motherboard has an 8-channel high-definition audio driver, complete with Sony Digital Philips Interface (S/DIF) audio jacks. The Realtek ALC 889 goes on the Intel-based motherboards and the AMD-based motherboards with Socket AM3 have the Realtek ALC 892. The Socket FM1-bearing board has the SupremeFX X-Fi 2 chip, and it is the only ASUS board with an integrated graphics processor, which is the AMD Radeon HD 6000.
Networking
The ASUS motherboards have at least one Ethernet controller from Intel or Realtek with a peak data transfer speed of 100 megabits per second and an accompanying RJ-45 jack. The P8Z68 Deluxe is the only one with two Ethernet controllers: one from Intel and the other from Realtek. The P8Z68 Deluxe and the Maximus IV Extreme-Z have an additional Bluetooth V2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate wireless technology.
Tags: Maximus Extreme-Z, P8Z68 Deluxe, ASUS motherboard, ASUS motherboards, from Intel, 990FX Crosshair