Bundled Applications continued
AURA RGB LED Lighting Control
The AURA applet controls the active state of the RGB LEDs embedded in to the board as well as LED strips connected to the board's RGB LED 12V header. The controlled LEDs can be configured for any desired color using the color picker control and to operate in a variety of modes including static, breathing, strobing, color cycle, rainbow, rainbow comet, flash and dash, cpu temperature, and music effect. Further, the applet has an embedded preview panel, so that you can determine the look and effect that best suites your system build.
USB 3.1 Boost
The USB 3.1 Boost applet enables USB 3.1 devices attached to the USB 3.1 ports to perform in enhanced speed modes – Turbo mode for non-UASP capable devices and UASP mode for UASP-capable devices. Both modes offer increased performance over stock operating mode by enabling burst-mode style data transfer over the USB 3.1 data channels.
ROG RAMCache
The ROG RAMCache application can be used to setup an external high-speed cache partition for any attached hard drives or SSDs using an allocated portion of system memory. The upper limit of the cache is determined by the amount of memory in the system.
ROG RAMDisk
The ROG RAMDisk application is used to setup a write-able partition using a portion of your system memory. Setting up a Junction point configures the program to auto-administer the selected folders and files to take advantage of the high-speed RAM disk partition.
Junction page
ROG KeyBot II
KeyBot II is an ASUS-developed application that uses a chipset-centric approach to improving in-game keyboard macro speed and execution. The KeyBot II hardware process is slaved to the upper USB 2.0 slot on the board's rear panel with the Windows software used to configure macros, function keys, and shortcuts for customized game use. Furthermore, the Smart Input screen allows for storage of up to 50 characters into the KeyBot II chipset for use of the entered key sequence after invoking the user defined run button.
Smart Input page
Function Keys page
Shortcuts page
GameFirst IV
GameFirst IV is the latest revision of ASUS' application for optimizing network traffic through the on-board network controllers for gaming use. It offers the same functionality as offered with the Killer NIC series of network adapters. The application offers Auto mode with pre-configured profiles as well as Manual mode for more granular network traffic configuration.
Network Monitor page, Top 5 Applications tab
Network Monitor page, Application Usage tab
Network Monitor page, LAN Usage tab
Network Monitor page, Wi-Fi Analyzer tab
Network Information page, Network Information tab
Network Information page, Gateway Information tab
Mem TweakIt
Mem TweakIt is used to configure memory timing settings with all settings from the BIOS available for configuration through Windows.
Timings #2 tab
Timings #3 tab
About tab, Validation popup
Sonic Studio II
The ROG Sonic Studio II applet is an ASUS developed application allowing for advanced configuration of the audio subsystem, and its attached input and output devices. The application is a direct replacement for the audio chipset provided control panel applet. Further, Sonic Studio II offers advanced tools for optimized in-game recording and streaming of those in-game sessions.
Perfect Voice tab
Casting Enhancer tab
Sonic Radar II
To take advantage of the enhanced audio subsystem integrated into the Maximus VII Formula, ASUS includes their Sonic Radar II application. Sonic Radar II integrate a HUD into your first person shooter game to directionally track pre-configured sound effects in-game and real-time. The application includes a multitude of presets for a variety of game types as well as an auto-detect mode.
Controls page
Gaming EQ page
SupremeFX HI-FI Control Panel
For use with the bundled SupremeFX HI-FI device, ASUS included a control panel allowing very granular control over the sound input to and output from the device. The fine control over the bit-depth and sample rate allows for tweaking of audio reproduction and recording, putting powerful tools into the hands of the user for an exception audio experience.
The Spec sheet indicates Z170
The Spec sheet indicates Z170 chipset. I believe this is for the wrong board.
Now it shows X99 chipset. Go
Now it shows X99 chipset. Go figure???
Yeah, fixed it quick. A case
Yeah, fixed it quick. A case of mixed up tables….
Also, on page 2:
“The Intel
Also, on page 2:
“The Intel Z170 chipset is cooled by a low-profile black heat sink…”
The NH-D15 really looks like it’s touching the GPU in the first PCIe slot in the cooler fit test. Is it just too close for the gap to show in the photo?
Detailed and thorough review. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to justify a ~$600 motherboard.
Thanks for the heads up on
Thanks for the heads up on page 2, fixed.
As for the cooler to GPU proximity, its a trick of the shadows. There is a bit of a gap in between it and the card back. However, in that type of config, you'd be a fool not to run with a backplate on your video card…
What this MB needs is
What this MB needs is glasspacks
Would you say this review
Would you say this review suited Pro rampage V ED10 vs other x99 2011 boards, vs z170 boards or it stands on its own. Asking because the charts seem to say this board is very much in line with the performance of other good to better x99 boards. What features make this board a gold award winner? thx.