[ad_1]
The current version of the representative of the ROG Maximus family in mATX format looks very unusual. The power subsystem is cloned from the older Extreme model, and the reception with the placement of only two slots for RAM modules was previously seen in Apex and Impact. These two versions have not yet been presented to the public, therefore, in competitive overclocking, it is the ROG Maximus XI Gene that is today used as a link in the chain of the best test stand. Many attributes of the series are available here, however, against the background of the older model, which we have already considered, there will be a lack of a number of elements.
The list of truncations can start with a limited number of SATA sockets, M.2 ports support exclusively the PCI-E interface, although the total number is the same – four pieces. The number of cooler slots has been reduced, there is no support for an additional card for the same purposes, a simplified look and sound system (without an op-amp and a DAC), the network infrastructure for wired lines has one controller. The general set of features is summarized in the table below.
| Model | ASUS ROG Maximus XI Gen |
|---|---|
| Official product page on the Web | asus.com |
| Chipset | Intel Z390 |
| Processor socket | Socket 1151 |
| Processors | Core i9, Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, Pentium Gold, Celeron (Coffee Lake-S) |
| Memory | 2 DIMM DDR4 SDRAM 2133/2400/2666/2800*/2933*/3000*/3200*/3300*/3333*/3400*/3466*/ 3600*/3866*/4000*/4133*/4266*/4400 */4500*/4600*/4700*/4800*(OC) 64 GB maximum, Double Capcity DRAM support |
| PCI slots | 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16, 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x4 |
| M.2 | 2 x PCI Express 3.0 x4 (Key M, 2242/2260/2280/22110, CPU) (both on bundled DIMM.2 expansion card) 2 x PCI Express 3.0 x4 (Key M, 2242/2260/2280, Z390) |
| Integrated video core (in the processor) | Intel UHD 610/630 |
| Video connectors | HDMI 1.4b |
| Number of connected fans | (5+2)x 4pin |
| PS/2 ports | 1 (keyboard/mouse) |
| The port is USB | 5 x 3.1 Gen2 (4 connectors on the rear panel (1x C), Z390) 2 x 3.1 Gen1 (2 connectors on the rear panel, ASM1042) 4 x 3.1 Gen1 (2 connectors on the rear panel, Z390) 6 x 2.0 (2 connectors on the rear panel, Z390) |
| VR Ready | – |
| Serial ATA | 4 x SATA 6Gb/s (Z390) |
| RAID | 0, 1, 5, 10 (SATA, Z390) |
| Built-in sound | SupremeFX (7.1, HDA): Codec — S1220A (Realtek ALC1220) |
| S/PDIF | Optical (output) |
| Networking | Intel I219V (Gigabit Ethernet) Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9560 (Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 5) |
| COM | – |
| TPM | – |
| UEFI | AMI UEFI |
| Form factor | mATX |
| Dimensions, mm | 244 x 226 |
| Additional features | ROG Water Cooling Zone (support for a flow sensor and a pair of temperature sensors), Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED), POST indicator, voltage measurement contacts, accessories: external Wi-Fi antenna; buttons: Start, Reset, Retry, Safe Mode, ClrCMOS and others; status switches: Slow Mode, LN2 Mode, MemOK! II and others; pads: Asus Node, Thermal sensor; technologies: Lighting Control Center (ROG Aura lighting system, including a pair of Aura RGB Strip Header), Armory Crate, USB BIOS Flashback and others |
| Retail price, $ | 376 |
The delivery set has also been cut, the number of cable products of various kinds is noticeably smaller, there are no temperature sensors at all.
Packaging and equipment
The style in the design almost eliminates the use of red tones, once associated with the ROG series. The box dimensions are typical for ATX boards. Attention can be focused on the icon, which informs about the support of “two-story” RAM modules – Double Capcity DRAM.
The tray with the board occupies a part of the upper compartment, next to it there is a pocket with a part of the delivery set.
The presence of a special expansion card for M.2 devices is indicated on the back, there is also a product photo and a list of main characteristics. There is not a word about proprietary software.
The set of accessories is as follows:
- user manual, which illustrates and describes the UEFI sub-items in detail (in English);
- a set of stickers with various images of the ROG series, including those for cables;
- disk with drivers and proprietary software;
- ROG device owner welcome brochure;
- coupon with a discount for the procedure of braiding wires (rounding);
- cup holder also with ROG logo;
- two SATA 6Gb / s cables, one of which has an L-shaped connector on one of the ends;
- extension cable for connecting RGB LED strip;
- set of three screws and stands for M.2 devices;
- an adapter for convenient connection of ASUS Q-Connector case connectors;
- DIMM.2 adapter rack for a pair of M.2 format devices, resembling a RAM module in appearance;
- remote antenna with the possibility of fixing only one position.
Detailed photos of a similar DIMM.2 adapter can be found in the ASUS ROG Maximus XI Extreme review.
Appearance
Speaking about the mATX format, one cannot fail to note the reduced height of the product, and not the width at all, as can often be found on the modern equipment market. Apparently, such a technique is necessary for better compatibility with cases, so that the connection and laying of wires go without problems, this is if the current product nevertheless suddenly becomes the basis for an “ordinary” PC assembly. Almost all racks and pads at the bottom face are longitudinal. Unusually, the number of holes for fasteners in the cases is only seven pieces. It will also be impossible to find places to connect the “speaker”, you can only rely on the POST code indicator or the simplified Q-LED diagnostic complex during operation. Mini-display OLED (LiveDash, like the older model) is not here either. Chip with firmware – one.
Nothing should interfere with the installation of CPU cooling systems, the engineers excluded electronic components from the nearby area on the back of the device, there are a lot of them in other parts of the board, they decided not to involve protective structures right there.
There are three main backlight placement areas – a decorative visor, the central area of the board and its right end.
The latter uses a dozen side-facing multicolor LEDs (with a diffuse lens).
Separately, another one will highlight the central hole on the device on the reverse side of the board.
Illumination in the center of the product is formed by another group of soldered LEDs, the light will ooze through the window in the cooler of an unusual look. Its lower part is a heat sink for the Intel Z390 hub.
A cooler for M.2 devices is preinstalled, it is actually paired here.
Each drive has its own section with a pre-applied thermal interface. The length of each here will not be more than 80 mm. Using both, it will turn out that the DRAM power converter will be covered, therefore, it will be possible to speak about the mode of operation of both the SSD and the memory itself (in this case) with a fair amount of skepticism, especially if it is overclocked.
For conventional drives, space was carved out only for four cross-type SATA outputs. Let me remind you that all M.2 slots are equipped with support for PCI-E lines only. Near the multicontroller, a yellow disk subsystem activity indicator is soldered.
There are two USB 2.0 (longitudinal) racks for USB case sockets, one is USB 3.1 Gen1, and one is USB 3.1 Gen2, for a balanced output.
The reinforced PCI-E x16 slot is tied to the CPU, and the plastic PCI-E x4 works with the hub. The sound codec is protected by the screen.
The platform with a group of contacts for measuring system voltages was shifted to the very bottom, operating probes next to working fans on a two-slot video card is still adrenaline, and a larger accelerator will completely cover it, you will have to, if necessary, solder wires to be able to remove information. But before that, they knew how to place this section above the DRAM slots.
Here, the upper right corner was densely filled with a variety of switches, buttons and indicators. A full-fledged button was implemented only for turning on the stand. The rest decided to make it more compact.
The VRM structure was copied from the older model of the ROG Maximus XI series, but the cooling structures were simplified here, although the radiators did not lose the heat pipe.
We have twelve IR3555 assemblies, ten (in pairs) form the CPU voltage, and the remaining two are needed for the iGPU to function, that is, the operation scheme is 5 + 2 “phases”, the relabeled ASP1405I PWM controller oversees the work.
Once again, you can complain about the modest size of thermal pads, the heat pipe is moved far from the base, which will affect the efficiency of the second (upper) radiator. All structures are securely fixed with screws.
The 5 Gb/s Ethernet output has been replaced by a PS/2 port, and the exquisite backlit audio outputs have been replaced with regular ones, clearly identified by a multicolored plastic border. In general, the set of ports is similar to the older model, so criticism is inappropriate here. There is a small incident with a pair of USB 2.0, both in the official instructions for the product and on its information page on the Web – either they are, or they are not (there is an attempt to issue faster versions of the sockets in them).
[ad_2]