We decided to build the new gaming test bench with just a little overkill and after our experience with the P8-Z68-V Pro /Gen 3 motherboard in the Fractal R3 home server build, we decided to go one better and check out the ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe motherboard. So, to make it clear guys, we purchased this board for our own gaming test bench with high expectations. For the purposes of gaming, we could have opted for something mid to entry level and still achieved similar performance/experience for less expense but at the end of the day, we are enthusiasts here at PCGamers.net.au. Ultimately, it came down to a combination of curiosity, indulgence and the fact that there were so many features to test out for a review.
Asus ‘Deluxe’ series boards have been around for a while and this wasn’t the first time I’d worked with one (my last ‘Deluxe’ was a P35 based version about 5 years ago). According to www.dictionary.com , the word “Deluxe” when used as an adjective means “of special elegance, sumptuousness, or fineness; high or highest in quality, luxury”. Let’s see if the product lives up to its name.
In the spirit of ‘Deluxe-ness’ we decided to feed the board with an Intel i7-3770K CPU and 16GB of corsair low profile RAM in the matching blue finish. There are no excuses for poor performance in this build.
Above: The ASUS promotional shot of the motherboard taken by a professional photographer
Above: The PCGamers.net.au shot of the motherboard in our STRYKER build with the Corsair H100 and Corsair Vengeance LP Blue memory
What’s in the box?
Aside from a feature packed motherboard, ASUS have also included:
- The manuals (yes, more than one booklet)
- SATA 2 Cables x2
- SATA 3 Cables x 4
- SLI Bridge – flexible type
- Q-Connector
- ASUS Wi-Fi GO card (needs to be attached to the motherboard prior to installation)
- 2 magnetic antennas for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Asus Q-Shield IO backplate
