Intro and Tech Specs
ASUS’ latest Workstation line board, the P8Z77 WS, is put to the test…
Introduction
Today we will be evaluating the ASUS P8Z77 WS motherboard on the test bench, evaluating its performance and functionality in various ways to ensure that the board works up to the standards we’ve come to expect from ASUS. At $339 a base price, this Intel Z77 chipset based board is part of the ASUS Workstation series, designed to meet the needs of the harsh corporate and server environments requiring optimal component functioning over a 24/7 timeframe.
The P8Z77 WS is a feature-rich solution with dual Intel-based GigE NICs, an ASUS customized UEFI BIOS, and multi-GPU PCI 3.0 support offered innately through the Intel Z77 chipset as well as the integrated LicidLogix Virtu MVP chipset.
Technical Specifications (taken from the ASUS website)
CPU |
Intel® Socket 1155 for 3rd/2nd Generation Processors Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU Supports Intel® 32 nm CPU Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2 * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types. * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list |
Chipset |
Intel® Z77 |
Memory |
4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 MHz 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 VGA output support : DVI port – Supports DVI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz Supports Intel® HD Graphics, InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™ |
Multi-GPU Support |
Supports NVIDIA® 4-Way SLI™ Technology Supports AMD 4-Way CrossFireX Technology Supports LucidLogix® Virtu™ MVP Technology *1 |
Expansion Slots |
4 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (dual x16 or x16/x8/x8 or quad x8) *2 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 |
Storage |
Intel® Z77 chipset : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), white 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 *3 Marvell® PCIe 9128 controller : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), navy blue Support Raid 0, 1 ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : *4 2 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red |
LAN |
Intel® 82574L, 2 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s) |
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 : *5 2 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue) Intel® Z77 chipset : *5 4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® Z77 chipset : 9 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, , 5 at mid-board) |
Workstation Feature |
4 x PCIe x 16 slot(s) Quick Gate: 1 x vertical USB 2.0 on board ASUS SASsaby series Cards support ASUS WS Diag. LED ASUS WS 3-color LED |
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 Hybrid Processor – TPU : – Auto Tuning – TurboV – 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 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-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 PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x DVI-I 2 x eSATA 6Gb/s 2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 4 x USB 3.0 4 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 6 x Audio jack(s) 1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s) |
Internal I/O Ports |
USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x Vertical USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x TPM connector(s) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s) 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 1 x Optional Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 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 4-pin EZ_PLUG Power connector(s) 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP) 1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector) 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 I/O Shield 2 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s) 1 x 3-Way SLI bridge(s) 1 x 4-Way SLI bridge(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) |
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 |
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: LucidLogix Virtu MVP supports Windows 7 operating systems. *2: PCIe 3.0 speed is supported by Intel® 3rd generation Core™ processors. *3: Supports on Intel® Core™ processor family with Windows 7 operating systems. *4: These SATA ports are for data hard drivers only. ATAPI devices are not supported. *5-1: Supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost UASP Mode. *5-2: The USB 3.0 ports only support Windows® 7 or later versions. |
In looking at the components
In looking at the components on the board and comparing it to other gaming ones, most of the components are the same (just wish I could see which VRM’s it was using)
I am not seeing where all of those additional cost are coming from.
Some of the additional costs
Some of the additional costs come from the dual Intel-based NICs. Not only are they true Intel GigE NICS, but the NICs themselves are the L-series that are server-class adapters.
Most manufacturers only include a single Intel NIC (when doing dual-NIC config) or pass on Intel NICs entirely for the cheaper Realtek or Marvell based NICs.
Go4 thunderbolt motherboard,
Go4 thunderbolt motherboard, think about the future.
Buy an addon card.. ..think
Buy an addon card.. ..think about the present
Great post. I have read this
Great post. I have read this article. This article is really informative. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing.
http://www.durontotech.com/intel-desktop-board-dx79sr-overview/