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Redizajn Z97 serije matičnih ploča Asusu je donio elegantne proizvode koji se neće svidjeti samo određenom krugu korisnika (zlatni detalji iz prethodne serije), i time bi mogli osvojiti širi krug kupaca. Kod testa Deluxe modela smo hvalili elegantno dizajnirane i obojene VRM i PCH hladnjake, a tu su i elementi na mat crnom PCB-u koji privlače poglede. Ovaj Pro [Wi-fi ac] model donosi nešto manje opreme, no uz zadržavanje Wi-Fi-a uz podršku Asus Home Cloud softvera zapravo nudi sve što je prosječnom korisniku potrebno. Uz to, riječ je o izvrsnoj multimedijalnoj ploči, a PRO nije ni ništa slabiji overclocker od Deluxe-a. U pakiranju uz ploču dolaze i standardno izdašne upute za korištenje, SATA kabeli, I/O zaštita, WiFi+BT antena, CrossFire mostić itd.

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Layout ploče je odličan, još je malo čišći nego kod Deluxe modela i ništa ničemu ne smeta, pa je sve lako dostupno. Hladnjaci su identični kao i kod Deluxe modela, i svoj posao odrađuju odlično.  Za razliku od Deluxe modela, ova ploča ima jedan SATA Express utor manje, a kao i ona ima M2 utor, te WiFi + Bluetooth modul na stražnjem I/O portu. Ipak, Deluxe model ima jedan LAN konektor i jedan kontroler više, kompleksniju napojnu jedinicu (16 vs. 12 faza), te nekoliko detalja više poput CRL_CMOS tipke, Reset tipke a i neke su stravi malo drugačije razmještene na PCB-u – Q_Code, Nuvotonov Super I/O kontroler itd.

Specifikacije
Asus Z97-PRO
Podržani
procesori 		Intel® Socket 1150 for the 5th/New 4th/4th Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors
Supports Intel 22 nm CPU
Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
Čipset Intel Z97
Memorija 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 3200(O.C.)-1800(O.C.)/1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory *
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Utori
za proširenja		 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (max @ x4 mode)
4 x PCIe 2.0 x1
Multi-VGA
podrška		 Supports NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI Technology
Supports AMD 3-Way GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
LAN Intel I218V, 1 x Gigabit LAN, Dual interconnect between the Integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)
Audio Realtek ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 2
– Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking
– High quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output and 104 dB SNR recording input
Audio Feature :
– Absolute Pitch 192kHz/ 24-bit True BD Lossless Sound
– DTS Ultra PC II
– DTS Connect
– Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
– BD Audio Layer Content Protection
– Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference
– Dedicated audio PCB layers: Separate layers for left and right channels to guard the quality of the sensitive audio signals
– Audio amplifier: Provides the highest-quality sound for headphone and speakers
– Premium Japanese-made audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
– Unique de-pop circuit: Reduces start-up popping noise to audio outputs
– Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio configuration
– EMI protection cover to prevent electrical noise to affect the amplifier quality
Storage Intel Z97 chipset :
1 x SATA Express port, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
1 x M.2 Socket 3, , with M Key, type 2260/2280 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIE mode)
4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Supports Intel Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start Technology, Intel Smart Connect Technology
ASMedia SATA Express controller :
1 x SATA Express port,
ASMedia PCIe SATA controller :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), black
USB Intel Z97 chipset :
6 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue)
Intel Z97 chipset :
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (4 at back panel, , 4 at mid-board)
ASMedia USB 3.0 controller :
2 x USB port(s) (at back panel)
Wireless & Bluetooth Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
Support ASUS Wi-Fi Go! Utility
Bluetooth V4.0+HS
BIOS 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.8, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS,
ASUS EZ Flash 2, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified log,
F12 PrintScreen, F3 Shortcut functions, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
Format ATX Form Factor: 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm
Interni I/O portovi 2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
1 x SATA Express connector: black,
1 x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280 devices
1 x TPM header
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 x 4 -pin)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x EZ XMP switch
1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
1 x DRCT header(s)
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x TPU switch(es)
1 x EPU switch(es)
1 x Power-on button(s)
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
1 x USB BIOS Flashback button(s)
Specijalne značajke 5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5
– Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo App together, providing better CPU performance, efficient power saving, precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even tailor your own app usages.
ASUS 5X Protection :
– ASUS DIGI+ VRM – 16 Phase digital power design
– ASUS Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection – Short circuit damage prevention
– ASUS ESD Guards – Enhanced ESD protection
– ASUS High-Quality 5K-Hour Solid Capacitors – 2.5x long lifespan with excellent durability
– ASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O – 3x more durable corrosion-resistant coating
ASUS TPU :
– Auto Tuning
– GPU Boost
– TPU switch
ASUS EPU :
– EPU
– EPU switch
ASUS Digital Power Design :
– Industry leading Digital 16 Phase Power Design
– Industry leading Digital 2 Phase DRAM Power Design
– CPU Power Utility
– DRAM Power Utility
ASUS Wi-Fi GO!
– Wi-Fi GO! Function: Cloud GO!, Remote Desktop, Remote Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer
– Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote app for portable smartphone/tablet, supporting iOS 7 & Android 4.0 systems
ASUS Exclusive Features :
– AI Suite 3
– Ai Charger+
– USB Charger+
– Anti-Surge
– ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface
– USB 3.0 Boost
– Disk Unlocker
– Turbo LAN
– Crystal Sound 2
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution :
– Stylish Fanless Design Heat-pipe solution
ASUS EZ DIY :
– Precision Tweaker 2
– ASUS O.C. Tuner
– ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
– ASUS EZ Flash 2
– ASUS USB BIOS Flashback
– ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
– Push Notice
ASUS Q-Design :
– ASUS Q-Shield
– ASUS Q-Code
– ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
– ASUS Q-Slot
– ASUS Q-DIMM
– ASUS Q-Connector
Special Memory O.C. Design
Overclocking Protection :
– ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Media Streamer
Turbo App
Fan Xpert 3

 

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VRM jedinica je kao što smo spomenuli, u odnosu na Deluxe model doživjela smanjenje na dvanaest faza, a kontrola je i dalje DIGI+ sa 5-way optimizacijom. Zadržana su dva su PCIe 3.0 utora koji rade na 1×16 ili 2x 8 brzinama, a posljednji PCIe 2.0 x16 utor je brzine x4. Između njih se nalazi četiri PCIe x1 utora. Ploča podržava Quad-GPU SLI i 3-way Crossfire. USB 3.0 utora je osam, uz još šest USB2.0. Ploča donosi i jedan SATA Express konektor (Deluxe ima dva) i M.2 Socket 3 utor sa podrškom za uređaje dužine 60 i 80 mm, a može raditi i u SATA i u PCIe modu. SATA 6Gbps portova je ukupno šest – četiri siva sa čipseta i dva crna sa ASMedijinog kontrolera.

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Zvučni je podsistem identičan kao i kod Deluxe verzije. Tu je ALC1150 Audio kontroler sa Crystal Sound 2 podrškom. Audio jedinica je potpomognuta Japanskim audio kondenzatorima, ima BD Audio Layer Content zaštitu i odvojene PCB slojeve za lijevi i desni kanal, zaštitu Audio kontrolera, de-pop dizajn električnog kruga za smanjenje buke a tu je i EMI zaštita. Mrežni kontroler je samo jedan i to Intel I218V. Na stražnjem se I/O panelu uz ostatak konektora nalazi i WiFi i Bluetooth adapter koji podržava 802.11ac i Bluetooth v4.0 standarde, a dolazi i sa izvrsnom softverskom podrškom.

UEFI sučelje je identično kao i kod Deluxe modela, a opcije i naponi za overclocking su jednako izdašni. Softverska kontrola svih parametara rada ploče i 5-way optimizacije je kao i uvijek obuhvaćena vrlo dobrim AI Suite 3 softverom. Ploča se pokazala jednako zahvalnom za overclocking kao i jači model, te smo bez problema postizali stabilnih i 4.8 GHz s našim i7 4770K procesorom. Hladnjaci na VRM dijelu se pri tome zagriju pa ih je svakako potrebno prisilno hladiti, usmjeravanjem zračne struje preko njih. U dobro provjetrenim kućištima ovo ne bi trebao biti nikakav problem.