ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces Maximus VIII Extreme

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (12^th October, 2015) — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced Maximus VIII Extreme, a new flagship Z170 gaming motherboard loaded with exclusive overclocking and gaming features — and primed for epic performance.

Based on the new Intel^® Z170 Express chipset and LGA 1151 socket for the latest 6th-generation Intel processors, Maximus VIII Extreme extends ROG’s world-record-breaking heritage to deliver the best gaming performance with multiple ASUS-exclusive innovations, including OC Panel II for expert overclocking, 5-Way Optimization auto-tuning for instant performance boosts, Pro Clock to push base-clock frequencies further than ever before, second generation T-Topology technology for extreme DDR4 overclocking and the new Extreme Engine Digi+ for precise, smooth core voltages.

Maximus VIII Extreme also provides the best gaming audio with SupremeFX 2015 with Sonic Studio II, the best gaming networking from Intel Ethernet, plus exclusive ASUS LANGuard and GameFirst technologies to eliminate lag for incredible online-gaming experiences.

Best gaming performance: OC Panel II, 5-Way Optimization, Pro Clock and 2nd-gen T-Topology

Maximus VIII Extreme is built for extreme overclocking, and includes ASUS-exclusive OC Panel II with a bright, clear 2.6-inch display for intuitive system monitoring and tweaking.

Used in Normal mode, OC Panel II slots into a 5.25-inch drive bay to provide real-time monitoring of multiple vital parameters, including CPU temperature, ratios, base clock and fan speeds. The OC button provides instant control over overclocking, while CPU fan speeds can be adjusted to Turbo, Standard and Silent modes.

Extreme mode makes advanced overclocking easy, with OC Panel II serving as an external overclocking console to provide quick access to multiple ROG-exclusive features including Subzero Sense, VGA Hotwire, Slow Mode and Pause switch. It also offers direct access to two pulse-width-modulation (PWM) and two full-speed fan headers, as well as remote power and reset buttons. Extreme mode also offers easy access to the all-new Safe Boot and ReTry buttons for instant configuration testing and diagnosis.

5-Way Optimization technology affords Maximus VIII Extreme users automated overclocking and unrivaled fan control for instant, highly-controllable performance boosts. This exclusive technology dynamically optimizes essential system aspects based on real-time use for superb CPU performance, everyday energy savings, ultra-stable digital power, cool and quiet fans, and even networking and audio settings tailored for favorite games and apps.

Maximus VIII Extreme also benefits from second-generation ASUS T-Topology to take DDR4 memory overclocking to new heights: over 3866MHz is possible with all memory slots populated. Featuring a customized trace layout for reduced crosstalk and coupling noise, second-generation T-Topology ensures time-aligned signal transfer for improved memory stability and compatibility.

ASUS-exclusive Pro Clock technology is a dedicated base-clock (BCLK) generator designed for 6th-generation Intel processors that allows overclocked base-clock frequencies of 400MHz or even beyond. This custom solution works in tandem with ROG’s TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) to enhance voltage and base-clock overclocking control. Boot times can be reduced, jitter is lowered and stability is increased under heavy overclocking — providing an exciting new way to boost performance to extreme heights.

Extreme Engine Digi+ is Maximus VIII Extreme’s exclusive voltage-regulator module (VRM), with dual PWM controllers, OptiMOS™ MOSFETs for up to 50%-lower Rds on and 2X-higher I_drain, MicroFine alloy chokes for more stability and greater efficiency at high currents, running up to 31% cooler than large-granule chokes and with up to 75% hysteresis reduction. Extreme Engine Digi+ also has Japanese-made 10K black metallic capacitors that deliver 5X-longer lifespan and 20%-greater extreme-temperature endurance compared to traditional capacitors.

Best gaming audio: Jacked-up SupremeFX 2015 and Sonic Studio II with one-click auto-tuning

Maximus VIII Extreme packs jacked-up audio, inside and out. ROG’s engineers have reinvented integrated audio, with the very best gaming-audio inputs and outputs, special shielded designs, and a collection of carefully-selected, professional-grade audio components, including an ESS^®ES9023P digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with Hyperstream™ technology, ultra-low-jitter clock, Nichicon capacitors, 2V_RMS headphone amp, and Sonic SenseAmp that automatically detects and optimizes any headset (32-600ohms) for purest sound quality.

SupremeFX 2015 also features intuitive Sonic Studio II to apply different audio effects for the most enjoyable entertainment, plus Perfect Voice noise-cancellation technology for both incoming and outgoing communications to give team conversations total clarity. This intuitive audio-tuning suite includes a one-click virtual-surround function that emulates 7.1 channels, through even stereo (2.0-channel) headsets. It offers five more superb audio controls, including Reverb, Bass Boost, Equalizer, Voice Clarity and Smart EQ — ensuring that everything emitted by Maximus VIII Extreme sounds just amazing.

Sonic Studio II incorporates Casting Enhancer to improve both streaming and recording audio quality, reducing noise artifacts and stabilizing overall voice volume. It also enhances all the rich details and boosts the bass effects of in-game sounds and music to deliver audio experiences with real feeling.

Best gaming networking: Lag-banishing Intel Gigabit Ethernet, LANGuard and GameFirst

Maximus VIII Extreme combines superior hardware and software technologies to deliver a knock-out blow to lag for online gaming without stutter.

The very latest Intel Gigabit Ethernet (I219-V) reduces CPU overhead and offers exceptionally-high TCP and UDP throughput, freeing up more computing power for gaming and gameplay, while LANGuard’s exclusive signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted components ensure reliable connections and better throughput. There are also electrostatically-guarded and surge-protected components (ESD Guards) for 1.9X-greater tolerance to static electricity and 2.5X-greater protection (up to 15KV) against surges.

Exclusive GameFirst technology optimizes network traffic for faster, lag-free online gaming — and now we’ve added Multi-Gate Teaming, enabling Maximus VIII Extreme users to team all their networks for maximum bandwidth and the smoothest-ever gameplay. GameFirst also includes all-new Intelligent mode, which automatically compiles a database by parsing new app data to ensure that every game is optimized for the best performance.

Best gaming connectivity: Thunderbolt 3, NVMe U.2, M.2, SATA Express and USB 3.1

Maximus VIII Extreme is engineered with the latest connectivity for more speed, more pixels and more possibilities. Thunderbolt™ 3 offers breathtaking up to 40Gbit/s speeds, for transfers that are up to four times (4X) faster than any other cable method. With twice (2X) the video bandwidth of the previous standard, Maximus VIII Extreme users are free to attach bigger-and-better displays than ever before — and Thunderbolt 3 also offers compatibility with billions of USB devices, simple device docking and charging, and built-in 10Gbit/s networking.

NVM Express (NVMe) is the revolutionary specification that unlocks the full potential of the latest SSDs, and Maximus VIII Extreme has a U.2 connector on board. This enables plug-and-play ease for data-transfer speeds of up to 32Gbit/s, and frees up a PCIe^® slot for another expansion card. Maximus VIII Extreme also has M.2 with x4 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 bandwidth for up to 32Gbit/s data transfers, plus two SATA Express connectors for full storage flexibility.

Maximus VIII Extreme has the latest USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity for speeds of up to 10Gbit/s, or twice (2X) as fast USB 3.0, and includes three Type-A ports for great backward-compatibility and one reversible Type-C (USB-C) connector for convenience, ease and future-proofing. In punishing read-write tests Maximus VIII Extreme’s ASMedia^® USB 3.1 controller outperforms Intel’s controller, with read speeds of up to 836MB/s and write speeds of up to 831MB/s — compared to 801MB/s and 767MB/s for the Intel.

With the ASUS-exclusive USB 3.1 Boost technology, Maximus VIII Extreme’s Intel USB 3.1 controller is pushed all the way up to 932MB/s for read transfers and 875MB/s for write operations — respective improvements of 16% and 14%.

Best gaming protection: Smart DIY designs and premium components for maximum durability

Maximus VIII Extreme delivers the stability and durability demanded by hardcore overclockers and gamers, with long-lasting, premium components and exclusive smart DIY design features for the best builds and gaming experiences.

Smart DIY features include the CPU Installation Tool to prevent socket-pin damage, TrueVolt USB for a rock-steady 5V power supply to USB ports, one-piece Q-connector front-panel connector, one-clip Q-Slot graphics card installation and Q-DIMM memory slots with one-sided clips for super-simple, super-secure handling of memory modules.

ROG’s latest gaming motherboards also have built-in DRAM Overcurrent Protection with an additional resettable fuse to protects connection ports and DRAM against overcurrent and short-circuit damage, dual backplates to provide additional cooling, protection and reinforcement, stainless-steel back I/O connections with 3X-longer lifespan than ordinary panels and black nickel-coated Q-Shield for protection from nicks and cuts while building.

Best gaming extras: Lighting controls, RAMCache, Keybot II and Overwolf

Maximus VIII Extreme enables brighter builds with customizable LED lighting and controls to cast a stunning multi-color glow, change shades to indicate CPU temperature, or pulsate in time to the beat of favorite tunes.

Uniquely-intelligent RAMCache technology effectively caches an entire storage device so that favorite games and apps launch at breakneck speeds, getting to work the moment it’s activated. RAMCache turns milliseconds into microseconds to boost game-load times to stratospheric levels, and minimizes risk of data loss.

ROG’s much-loved free keyboard upgrade has also been upgraded to KeyBot II, an exclusive microprocessor controlled by a simple user interface that lets gamers record macros directly from the keyboard, switch profiles in moments, enable special functions with hotkey from F1-F10, start and even boost the PC from shutdown (S5 mode). The brand-new Directional Exchange feature allows fighting-game fans to switch direction at the touch of a button.

Maximus VIII Extreme gamers also get free access to Overwolf, a clever unobtrusive overlay that enables browsing, emailing, instant messaging, streaming or recording without interrupting gameplay. This brilliant helper is all dressed up in color-matched ROG skins to illustrate membership of an elite pack — and is available to download now from Overwolf’s app store.