Overclocking and Conclusion
Overclocking
To give a feel for the Maximus VI Formula's overclocking performance capabilities, we attempted to push the board to known CPU-supported performance parameters with minimal tweaking. I was able to get the board running stable for over 4hrs at a 4.67GHz CPU speed, a 1780MHz memory speed, and a 4.0GHz ring bus speed at a 167MHz base clock. System stability was tested running the AIDA64 stability test in conjunction with FurMark running at 1280×1024 resolution and 2x MSAA in stress test mode.
Note that this is is meant only as a quick preview of the board's performance potential. With more time to tweak the settings to a greater extent, pushing to a higher base clock and ring bus speed may have been achievable, in addition to an overnight stability run without issue.
Performance
The Maximus VI Formula is another well design board from ASUS, worthy of the ROG-branding that it so gloriously displays. The board performed on par or better than the other test systems at stock speeds, as well as easily meeting the expected overclocking thresholds.
Pricing
As of February 25, the ASUS Maximum VI Formula 08 was available at Newegg.com for $309.79 with free shipping. The board was also available from other retailers such as Amazon.com for $330.00 with Prime shipping and TigerDirect.com for $309.99.
Conclusion
Before continuing with our final thoughts on the Maximus VI Formula, we would like to take this opportunity to give our friends at ASUS a hearty “Thank You” for allowing us the opportunity and pleasure to review such a stellar example of motherboard engineering. With the Maximus VI Formula board, ASUS successfully melded elements from their ROG Maximus VI Extreme and TUF Sabertooth Z87 boards to form a synthesis greater than its parts. ASUS successfully paired the TUF-series Thermal Armor overlay (branded ROG Armor) and underlay with ROG-based SupremeFX sound, Extreme Engine Digi+ III power, and mPCIe Combo II card technologies to make an aesthetically pleasing and high performance product. The Maximus VI Formula is visually striking with its black and red coloration and engineered to match. While the board may not pack the 16+ power phases that other high-end solutions offer, its digital power circuitry is tough enough to handle anything you throw at it, proven with its stock and overclocking performance. Throw in the amount of features ASUS was able to integrate into this ATX-sized board without crowding in components, and you have a board made for enthusiasts and gamer alike. Throw in the CrossChill hybrid VRM cooling solution for the water cooling enthusiasts, and ASUS has a solution that covers the entire enthusiast community.
The only minor challenges with the board come from its ROG Armor overlay. The CMOS battery is hidden beneath the overlay with no access to it without removing the entire overlay. An access door would have been a nice to have, but may have affected the overlay's strength and durability. The only other challenge with the ROG Armor's design is the lack of air flow through the channel created between the board surface and the overlay. While the CrossChill hybrid VRM cooler is a very welcome addition to the board, it does not solve this issue.
Strengths
- Stock performance
- Overclocking performance
- Board layout and design
- Accessible PCI-Express x1 slot with multiple PCI-Express x16 slots filled
- UEFI BIOS design and usability
- Motherboard manual information on base features
- Intel GigE NIC
- Quality of included power circuitry
- ROG Armor
- CrossChill hybrid VRM cooling solution
- mPCIe Combo II card with support for 802.11ac wireless and M.2 SATA device
Weaknesses
- Lack of easy access to CMOS battery
- Lack of active cooling for channel created by Thermal Armor overlay
- Power components in close proximity to under-board socket plate
Those 3 weaknesses seem like
Those 3 weaknesses seem like it should not get a gold but a bronze. I can not agree with that score at all. 2 thumbs down on this board and extreme.
bronze? You’re on crack
bronze? You’re on crack Flawedbydesign
Because its hard to get to the CMOS battery? The one you change every 5 years? Not..
The other two are minor and really only would apply to someone who would buy the extreme board anyway.
You have no clue what your talking about, and most likely can’t afford this board.
Good review PCP … It deserves a gold – What an enthusiast board!
Your analysis is FLAWED, I
Your analysis is FLAWED, I own this board and it is Golden.
Flawedbydesign
“Those 3
Flawedbydesign
“Those 3 weaknesses seem like it should not get a gold but a bronze. I can not agree with that score at all. 2 thumbs down on this board and extreme.”
Meh, 3 very minor negatives. Non of them will affect the board anyhow.
Excellent review Morry, this is is indeed my favorite Z87 board. Just look at it..plus the review which confirms its greatness. Very detailed review. Thumbs up
I own this board myself with
I own this board myself with a I5 4670K running 4.4Ghz@ 1.264V just using the AI Suite 3 software’s 4 way optimization, looks great performs really well and very happy with the performance foe the money, will be mounting 1 Powercolour PCS+ O.C R9 290 and if there’s space hopefully 2 in Crossfire
Nice setup. Glad to hear
Nice setup. Glad to hear that you are having as good an experience with the board as I did when testing it.
Good luck…
GREAT GREAT AND GREAT AND ITS
GREAT GREAT AND GREAT AND ITS A 4th GEN BEAST
ten Sata ports ?? need 4 for
ten Sata ports ?? need 4 for win 7 raid, 1 for win8, 1 for Linux mint, plus two for storage raid that’s 8, 1 for external Esata …… is this possible ?
Plus would this MB run a 4.5GHZ now ?
Hey guys,
I have bought this
Hey guys,
I have bought this motherboard and want to use the wifi-card but my system can´t find it…
do you have any ideas ?
hi
you need to enable the
hi
you need to enable the card in the bios! it is disabled by default