Mit dem Maximus IX Formula hat ASUS den Nachfolger des Maximus VIII ins Programm aufgenommen, das nun auf Intels aktuellem Z270 Chipsatz basiert. Bestückt ist dieses mit einer Abdeckung für die Vorder- sowie die Rückseite, wie man sie bereits von den Formula-Boards her kennt. Darüber hinaus findet man zahlreiche zeitgemässe Features, auf die wir unter anderem auf den folgenden Seiten eingehen werden. [/de][en]With the Maximus IX Formula, ASUS launches the successor of the Maximus VIII Formula, which was based on the previous generation Z170 chipset from Intel. This Z270 base motherboard comes with a plastic cover on the fron and a metal plate on its backside, which we know from earlier Formula series motherboards. Apart from that there are numerous features to have a look at and we’re apparently going to run our benchmark suite on this contender.[/en][fr]With the Maximus IX Formula, ASUS launches the successor of the Maximus VIII Formula, which was based on the previous generation Z170 chipset from Intel. This Z270 base motherboard comes with a plastic cover on the fron and a metal plate on its backside, which we know from earlier Formula series motherboards. Apart from that there are numerous features to have a look at and we’re apparently going to run our benchmark suite on this contender.[/fr][it]Con la Maximus IX Formula, ASUS presenta una nuova interessante soluzione basata su chipset Intel Z270. La scheda è sostanzialmente una Maximus VIII Formula con un design aggiornato e un nuovo schema di colori. Come da tradizione troviamo la solida copertura ASUS Armor e i waterblock di EKWB direttamente integrati nei blocchi dissipanti. Questa scheda si rivolge alla fascia alta offrendo un buon numero di feature come audio SupremeFX e retroilluminazione RGB denominata Aura
Bisher sind fünf Motherboards des ASUS Maximus IX-Lineup bekannt, von denen zwei komplett neue Modelle darstellen. Beim Maximus IX Formula handelt es sich offensichtlich um den Nachfolger des Maximus VIII Formula zu handel, sprich somit hat man es hier nicht mit einem vollständig neuen Modell, sondern mit einem Update zu tun.
Das Maximus IX Formula wurde mit der hauseigenen „Armor“ ausgestattet, einer Plastikabdeckung an der Vorderseite und einer soliden Metallplatte an der Rückseite. Außerdem gibt es die Aura RGB-Beleuchtung, die von Windows aus kontrolliert werden kann. Vom Layout her ist dieses Modell beinahe identisch zum Maximus IX Code. Auch hier finden sich drei metallverstärkte PCIe-Slots in voller Baulänge, die, von oben nach unten, mit 16/8/8-Lanes angebunden wurden.
Im Bezug auf Speicher bekommt man zwei M.2-Slots geboten, von denen einer unter einem abnehmbaren abnehmbaren Abdeckung versteckt ist und der andere in der unteren rechten Ecke des Boards eine vertikale Installation ermöglicht. Insgesamt gibt es sechs SATA-Ports und keine SATA Express-Stecker mehr. Hier ist es interessant zu beobachten, dass mit dem Z270-Chipsatz die wenig erfolgreichen SATA Express-Anschlüsse endlich verschwinden. Ein für Overclocker und Open Bench-affine Nutzer praktischer Aspekt sind die diversen Zusatzbuttons wie Power und Reset sowie auch die Debug-Anzeige.
Wie auch beim Vorgänger wird die Spannungsversorgung von wassergekühlt, wobei Komponenten von EK Water Blocks zum Einsatz kommen. Darüber hinaus stehen zahlreiche Anschlüsse für Pumpen, AIO-Kühler und Lüfter bereit. Das Maximus IX Formula dementsprechend ideal für Wasserkühlung vorbereitet zu sein.
Bereits auf den ersten Blick handelt es sich hier um ein optisch attraktives Mainboard, wobei wir langsam aber sicher eine Sättigung bezüglich Kunststoffabdeckungen zu entwickeln beginnen. Selbstverständlich aber wird uns das nicht davon abhalten diese Platien durch unseren Benchmark-Parcours zu jagen und genauer unter die Lupe zu nehmen.[/de][fr]So far the ASUS Maximus IX line-up consists of four motherboards and two of them are completely new models. Apparently the Maximus IX Formula is the successor of the Maximus VIII Formula and therefore not a new but an upgraded model. At a first glance not much has changed, so we have to look for the details to see what has happened behind the scenes.
The Maximus IX Formula has been equipped with ASUS’ “armor”, which is a plastic cover for the front side and a sturdy metal plate for the back side. Apart from that there is the Aura RGB backlight, which allows you to change the illumination of the board from within Windows. The layout is highly similar to what we’ve seen on the Maximus IX Code. There are three full-sized and metal-strengthened PCIe slots, which have been wired using 16/8/8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes – from top to bottom.
On the storage side we see two M.2 slots, one is hidden underneath a removable cover, and the other one can be vertically mounted in the bottom right corner of the motherboard. There is a total of six SATA ports and no SATA Express connectors anymore. With Z270 it’s interesting to see that the unsuccessful SATA Express interface is finally going away.
Like with the predecessor the VRM received water cooling from EK Water Blocks and several fan headers for pumps, AIO water blocks and fans. Apparently the Maximus IX Formula is the right motherboard for water cooling enthusiasts. Since the Formula is undoubtedly a high-end motherboard features like onboard buttons and debug display can’t be missing.
This is certainly a good looking motherboard, although personally we’re starting to feel like we’ve seen enough plastic covers on motherboards. Nevertheless this will not stop us from having a detailed look at this board and send it through our benchmark parcours.[/fr][en]So far the ASUS Maximus IX line-up consists of four motherboards and two of them are completely new models. Apparently the Maximus IX Formula is the successor of the Maximus VIII Formula and therefore not a new but an upgraded model. At a first glance not much has changed, so we have to look for the details to see what has happened behind the scenes.
The Maximus IX Formula has been equipped with ASUS’ “armor”, which is a plastic cover for the front side and a sturdy metal plate for the back side. Apart from that there is the Aura RGB backlight, which allows you to change the illumination of the board from within Windows. The layout is highly similar to what we’ve seen on the Maximus IX Code. There are three full-sized and metal-strengthened PCIe slots, which have been wired using 16/8/8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes – from top to bottom.
On the storage side we see two M.2 slots, one is hidden underneath a removable cover, and the other one can be vertically mounted in the bottom right corner of the motherboard. There is a total of six SATA ports and no SATA Express connectors anymore. With Z270 it’s interesting to see that the unsuccessful SATA Express interface is finally going away.
Like with the predecessor the VRM received water cooling from EK Water Blocks and several fan headers for pumps, AIO water blocks and fans. Apparently the Maximus IX Formula is the right motherboard for water cooling enthusiasts. Since the Formula is undoubtedly a high-end motherboard features like onboard buttons and debug display can’t be missing.
This is certainly a good looking motherboard, although personally we’re starting to feel like we’ve seen enough plastic covers on motherboards. Nevertheless this will not stop us from having a detailed look at this board and send it through our benchmark parcours.[/en][it]Con la linea di schede madri Maximus Z270, Asus ha a disposizione quattro modelli due dei quali completamente nuovi. La nuova Maximus IX Formula è la versione aggiornata della Maximus VIII Formula e non sono state fatte particolari modifiche.
Ma partiamo dall’inizio, per fare maggiore chiarezza. La Maximus IX Formula è dotata della copertura ASUS Armor, che non è altro che una copertura di plastica frontale e un backplate di metallo sul retro della scheda. Ovviamente la scheda è dotata del sistema di illuminazione Aura, che permette di cambiare i colori dei LED da Windows. Inoltre sono presenti 3 slot PCIe rinforzati con supporti metallici, in grado di operare in modalità 16/8/8. Tra il primo e il secondo slot è stato lasciato un po’ più di spazio così da favorire l’installazione di schede grafiche di dimensioni importanti, e per sistemi multi GPU.
Rimuovendo la copertura esterna ci troviamo di fronte a una scheda dalle feature leggermente diverse rispetto ai modelli Z170 che conosciamo. Sono presenti 6 porte SATA, mentre i modelli high-end delle precedenti generazioni arrivavano anche a 8 o 10. Un’altra porta mancante è quella U.2, sostituita da due slot M.2 collegati utilizzando 4 linee PCIe Gen 3. Il posizionamento di questi connettori ci lascia un po’ perplessi, in quanto non amiamo gli slot M.2 posizionati in verticale, in quanto più soggetti a rotture ed esteticamente non molto gradevoli. Il secondo slot M.2 è nascosto sotto a una copertura removibile, che vi consigliamo di installare nuovamente dopo aver posizionato il disco, per non rovinare l’estetica della scheda. Purtroppo coprire i dischi con questo tipo di copertura, aumenterà ulteriormente il rischio di throttling dovuto alle alte temperature.
I blocchi dissipanti presenti sui VRM offrono la possibilità di essere integrati in loop a liquido, ASUS ancora una volta utilizza waterblock di EK Water Blocks. In aggiunta sono presenti numerose intestazioni per ventole, pompe e dissipatori AIO. Il resto delle feature è standard: troviamo i soliti tasti on-board per gli amanti dell’OC, display di debug, supporto per USB 3.1, design di alimentazione di alta qualità e tanti connettori di vario tipo nel pannello I/O. A un primo sguardo questa scheda può sembrare molto bella e ricca, ma a nostro avviso le coperture di plastica esterne cominciano ad essere un po’ troppo frequenti sul mercato.