It also provides greater data security in case one drive fails, as the data will still be accessible from another. EPU will also reduce CPU wattage to a set level and deliver even more savings with Away Mode, creating an extreme energy-saving scenario that shuts down unused extra I/O controllers and reduces the graphics cards' power level. So it’d be rather stupid if we didn’t elaborate on why this board suits gamers and what features it has to up your overall game. The two LED headers are located at the base of the board next to the power and reset buttons, so it should be easy to route strip cables away out of sight using extension cables and the latter should mean that getting a strip to the roof of the case is no problem either. It has minor setbacks with an odd plastic shroud (subjective) but It is incredibly hard to fault this board.

All systems will act differently, so I will look for commonalities, such as how far from the VRM the heat spreads through the PCB and the difference in temperature between the front side and backside of the PCB. The smoothest, slickest mouse-controlled graphical BIOS has been improved to make it even more gorgeous. Keep in mind that the majority of the heat from the VRM goes into the PCB as it is a giant soldered on copper heat sink. Visually, the PCB is a deep matte black with red and argent accents on the Z170 PCH and Digi+ VRM cooling solutions.That voltage is logged by a National Instruments ADC which logs the DC voltage level, which I then convert into current. Right above the system connection is a 5-pin header used with ASUS' fan controller that can be controlled via Fan Xpert III. A single card will run at 16x in the first slot, and two cards will run at 8x/8x in each of the gray slots.

Users can still check out the voltages by finding the output capacitors of each of the VRMs and measuring there, but dedicated pads wouldn't have hurt. Note on Thermal Images: In the temperature section, we use our Seek thermal imaging camera to capture the surface temperatures of major components on the board; I look at the VRM and then all other things that light up the screen. The Bottom Line: While the ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero has a great feature set and brilliant aesthetics, it has all the right stuff to be an affordable overclocking motherboard aimed at breaking records. Still, the Ranger will be worth looking at if you want to save a few notes and aren't fussed about the lighting etc.

This solution uses Texas Instruments NexFET™ MOSFETs that are up to 90% more efficient, MicroFine alloy chokes that run up to 31% cooler than chokes with a larger granular structure, and Extreme Engine Digi+ PWM controller and 10K black metallic capacitors that have a 5x improved lifespan with a 20% boost in temperature tolerance to offer improved efficiency and voltage control. ASUS is using the tried and true Texas Instruments NexFET CSD87350Q5D which is a 40A dual N-Channel MOSFET with support for very high switching frequencies and solid efficiency. The Realtek codec is located under an EMI shield which peaks out from below the plastic shield, Nichicon fine audio capacitors are used as well, and a relay is used to eliminate popping when you start up the system.