ASUS P8Z68-V Pro Motherboard Review

First Look at the ASUS P8Z68-V Pro Z68 Motherboard

In the middle of last week, Intel launched the new chipset for the Socket LGA1155 platforms. Dubbed the Intel Z68 chipset, it brings some new features to the table, as well as merges a few from the Intel H67 and the Intel P67. In our first article on the Intel Z68 chipset Joe took an in-depth look at Intel’s Smart Response Technology. In short, Intel’s Smart Response Technology… Well, I’ll let Joe, the resident SSD expert at Legit Reviews, explain that for me:

Using the latest version of Rapid Storage Technology drivers (10.5) and adjusting some easy settings in the Intel Control Center you essentially create a RAID configuration which treats the SSD as a cache for the most frequently used data. Access then comes via the faster SSD rather than the slower HDD, increasing performance markedly. Right now, some are thinking, wait, this isn’t new…we’ve seen a version of this before! The voices in your head are correct. A while back we had a look at the Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid drive which essentially employs the same concept, albeit all bundled on a single drive.

Along with giving us an in-depth look at Intel’s Smart Response Technology, we also got a peek at the ASUS P8Z68-V Pro motherboard! This particular board is going to be the primary focus of our article today. At the launch of the Intel Z68 chipset, ASUS launched a pair of boards based on the Z68 chipset. The first is the ASUS P8Z68-V Pro that we are looking at today which has an expected retail price of $209.00. The second of the pair is simply the P8Z68-V which will cost a bit less at only $189.00.

Likely the biggest change, aside from the Intel Smart Response technology, is the addition of integrated graphics to what is basically the Intel P67 chipset. Just adding in the integrated graphics isn’t what makes this a drastic change. What makes the addition of the integrated graphics such a grand change is the technologies associated with the Intel integrated graphics. The new Sandy Bridge processors have the graphics integrated directly onto the processor.

With the addition of the Intel integrated graphics we can now access the features that are tied to it. Features like Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel InTru 3D Technology and Intel Insider are now available on the top tier boards like the ASUS P8Z68-V Pro. Now, what makes this different than the Intel H67 Chipset? Well, you can access this while you run the latest discrete graphics card from AMD or NVIDIA! This not so small feat is accomplished by Lucid Virtu software.

ASUS P8Z68 Specifications

CPU	Intel Socket 1155 The 2nd Generation Core i7/Core i5/Core i3 Processors Supports Intel 32 nm CPU Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
Chipset	Intel Z68
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 Hz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Graphic	Integrated Graphics Processor Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI/RGB ports – Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz – Supports DVI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz – Supports RGB with max. resolution 2048 x 1536 @ 75 Hz Maximum shared memory of 1748 MB
Multi-GPU Support	Supports NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI Technology Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
Expansion Slots	2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8) 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black) 2 x PCIe x1 2 x PCI
Storage	Intel Z68 chipset : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray 4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Support Intel Smart Response Technology Marvell PCIe SATA 6Gb/s controller : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), navy blue JMicron JMB362 controller : 1 x eSATA 3G port(s), red
LAN	Intel 82579, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller
Bluetooth	Bluetooth V3.0+EDR ASUS BT GO! Utility
Audio	Realtek ALC 892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC – Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking Audio Feature : – Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless Sound – Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection – DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC – Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
IEEE 1394	VIA 6308P controller 2 x IEEE 1394a port(s) (2 at mid-board)
USB Ports	ASMedia USB 3.0 controller : 4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel Z68 chipset : 12 x USB 2.0 port(s) (6 at back panel, black+red, 6 at mid-board)
Overclocking Features	Overclocking Protection : – ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features	ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM: ASUS Digital Power Design – Industry leading Digital 16 Phase Power Design (12-phase for CPU, 4-phase for iGPU) – ASUS DIGI+ VRM Utility ASUS EPU – EPU, EPU switch ASUS TPU – Auto Tuning, TurboV, GPU Boost, TPU switch ASUS BT GO! (Bluetooth) – Folder Sync, BT Transfer, Shot & Send, BT to Net, Music Player, Personal Manager ASUS BT Turbo Remote – Exclusive Smartphone Interface supporting iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile and Symbian systems ASUS Exclusive Features – ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface – MemOK! – AI Suite II – AI Charger+ – Anti Surge – Disk Unlocker ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution – ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-sink solution – ASUS Fan Xpert ASUS EZ DIY – ASUS Q-Shield – ASUS Q-Connector – ASUS O.C. Tuner – ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 – ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS Q-Design – ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED) – ASUS Q-Slot – ASUS Q-DIMM
Accessories	User’s manual ASUS Q-Shield 2 x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s cable(s) 2 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cable(s) 1 x SLI bridge(s) 1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1) 1 x ASUS USB 3.0 Bracket(s)
BIOS	64 Mb Flash ROM, EFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, F12 PrintScreen Function

The ASUS P8Z68-V Pro motherboard is totally packed with features that gamers, enthusiast, and everyone in-between have come to love and expect on top tier boards. These are features such as BT GO!, which is an onboard Bluetooth module that allows you to sync folders, transfer data, and several other functions that are all available from an easy to use interface!

There are a number of features that we will be looking at as we go through our tour of the ASUS P8Z68-V Pro motherboard. That being said, before we delve into the ASUS P8Z68-V Pro too much further, let’s take a look at the new Intel Z68 Chipset!