Maximus VI Gene - another review perspective

[Jarrax]

Adding on my humble review of a well know offering in the Republic of Gamers series, the Maximus VI Gene. Before i start, let me express my sincere thanks to JK and Michelle from ASUS Singapore for letting me have the chance to tinker around with this awesome piece of hardware. My sincere apologies for letting this drag out so long.

Specifications are as follows:
ROG - MAXIMUS VI GENE

Since there are numerous reviews online for this board and that I’m not a prominent enough reviewer, I shall try my best to focus on the areas that other reviewers might have missed out so as not to bore viewers of this page.
As bro eminus has kindly reviewed this board some time back, I would like to tap on his perspective and add on to his take to give readers a bigger picture on what the board actually is and is capable of doing. Head on after the jump for his review!

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/personal-projects-reviews-den-72/%5Basus%5D-asus-z87-maximus-vi-gene-review-choice-champions-4354692.html

 

[Jarrax]

Without further ado, on to the board itself!

even though the PICe slots show that it is a 16x and a 8x slot, the board can only support 8x/8x when in SLI/CF mode.

look at the sheer number of USB 2 and 3 ports on a mATX form factor!

6 layer PCB speaks for the commitment of quality of Asus ROG motherboards

Similarly to his bigger brothers, the Maximus VI Formula and Maximus VI Extreme, the Maximus VI Gene comes with a digital 8+2 phase power design. The CPU gets eight phases and the memory gets a stable current supply from two individual phases. Furthermore ASUS equips this board with their so called "BlackWing Chokes". These chokes can cope with up to 60A per phase, whereas the predecessors that were used on the Maximus V series were good for 30A of current per phase. Furthermore there are 10K Black Metallic Capacitors, which have an average life expectancy of 10'000 hours. This allows for rock stable voltage/current supply to both the chip and RAMs for extremely stable overclocking!

As expected from part of the ROG tradition, even a board as small as the mATX sized Gene accommodates for LN2 usage. LED debug code, LN2 mode jumper and the hardware measuring/monitoring points are placed conveniently in close proximity for easy access. Just look at the number and type of measuring points available on the board.

However, 1 gripe for this is the location of the measuring points, which is designed for a test bench setup due to the fact that it is partially blocked by the RAM slot locking pins. If one wants to do a real-time measurement in a normal casing mount setup, the measuring points are pretty much next to impossible to access.

With its verstality, it has also proven itself in the international overclocking arena with its bigger brothers, the Maximus VI Formula and Maximus VI Extreme. Look at the number of world renowned overclockers using the Gene as their overclocking platform of choice from the recently concluded HOT@HWBOT competition (http://hwbot.org/competition/hyperxhot13)

 

[Jarrax]

Audio is capably handed by their ROG SupremeFX audio chip, powered by Realtek’s ALC 1150 chipset. With 10 (onboard) + 2 (external front audio jack) DAC channels supporting 7.1 channels, the SupremeFX utilizes Realtek’s proprietary converter technology to achieve a front differential output of 115 dB and minimum external signal interference with its shielding. Premium ELNA capacitors used are also of the highest quality to ensure the best audio experience.

The mPCIe Combo II expansion card allows for the usage of a mSATA SSD as a boot device or a cache device. A half-height wireless card could also be placed in the expansion card to allow for wireless capabilities. However, only the expansion card itself is included into the package and you’ll have to purchase the required peripherals yourself.

 

[Jarrax]

Test setup used for this review:
Intel I7-4770K, manually set at 1.22125 for 4.5 GHz
Samsung DDR3-1600 4GB x2 running at 2500 MHz
Intel 530 240GB SSD
XSPC RASA with RX360
Gigabyte WindForce 780 3GB

My philosophy to overclocking is to maximize the capability of my available hardware while managing the heat dissipation and lifespan at a 24/7 stable setting. Thus, the hardware is set up to this specification as we can see from this review. However, YMMV depending on the cooling equipment and available hardware that you have on hand. As my personal perspective stands, I'm pretty happy with this level of overclock

Since bro eminus has covered most of the possible overclocking and benchmarking capabilities of this awesome board, I’ll try to not repeat the same stuff and cover some of the more interesting features that this board has to offer.


One of the many interesting features that Asus has managed to include from the Maximus VI series is Sonic Radar, an onscreen HUD overlay visually representing sound activities via their positional data. This gives a strategic advantage for pro/am gamers as it allows for the localization of the enemy position even before being located in-game, thus leading to calls to ban its usage in competitive sessions. However, in the non-competitive scene, it allows those users who are hard of hearing or unable to use in-game audio clearly to enjoy their gaming fully.

note the distribution of the sound positional data. For those peeps whom are already playing BF4, you'll probably recognise the scene from the game and know what follows next.

 

[Jarrax]

Another interesting feature is the SSD Secure Erase. Found integrated into their UEFI BIOS setup, it offers a easy to use method to recover lost performance and restore factory speed of a SSD that might have degraded over time due to usage. However, do remember to back your data out from the SSD before commencing this step, as it is a non-recoverable process.

With the 6th iteration of the Maximus series from the Republic of Gamers lineup, Asus has consistently produced high quality and versatile motherboards which cater to every user group, be it the normal user whom appreciates the ROG quality to the extreme overclockers that stand and compete on the world stage. From its overclocking features that don’t lose to its bigger brothers to the high quality audio experience via its SupremeFX chip and 8 SATA3 ports in a mATX setting, coupled with almost everything that a hardware enthusiast can dream of, the Maximus VI Gene is a perfect board for big players with a size constrain.

 

[ramdick]

Good effort but sounds more like a marketing pitch than an objective review. Don't mind me, just a personal opinion.

 

[ASUS@SG]

Nice review

What do you think of Sonic Radar?

 

[and_who]

Good effort but sounds more like a marketing pitch than an objective review. Don't mind me, just a personal opinion.

Agreed on this. Hopefully the passing of the hardware onto the reviewer and any additional marketing costs arising from this do not increase the already painful distro markup compared to say, the US.

Asus's prompt asking about the sonic pitch is a not too subtle effort at further marketing, IMO.

 

[Jarrax]

Good effort but sounds more like a marketing pitch than an objective review. Don't mind me, just a personal opinion.

Agreed on this. Hopefully the passing of the hardware onto the reviewer and any additional marketing costs arising from this do not increase the already painful distro markup compared to say, the US.

Asus's prompt asking about the sonic pitch is a not too subtle effort at further marketing, IMO.

thanks for recognizing the effort. as I've said, i'm still learning from the masters here on reviewing hardware, thus, it might seem inadequate.

as for the comments on the marketing pitch, everyone is entitled to their own comments, thus i'll not deny yr perspective. however, i'll just like to state that the motherboard is a media sample set and is on loan and will be returned. I also do not have any commercial affiliations with Asus Singapore and their distros. thus, with respect to bro and_who's comments on the passing of the hardware for review and distro markup due to the marketing costs, i'm slightly offended (IMHO) as we, as hardware enthusiast and providing our own perspective for reviews, mostly do not have any say and control on the margin of markup by the distros.

also, as i've stated in my 1st post, bro enimus has already reviewed this motherboard in august 2013. thus repeating what he has done is pointless (IMHO again). therefore, what i've done on my review is to fill in on some of the features that he may have missed out and give consumers a more rounded perspective on this amazing board. thus, if my review seems like a marketing pitch, i do apologise for it again, and will strive to give a more objective review next time. as for bro's Asus@SG question on Sonic Radar, i believe that it is meant as a personal question to get a feel on the local perspective on this new feature, as there doesn't seem to be any local blogs or reviews on it.

once again, if it seems that i'm trying to defend myself with this very long post, i do apologize. however, i do believe that the Maximus VI Gene is a very good board that will cather to a wide group of people to fulfill their hardware requirements.

 

[Jarrax]

Nice review

What do you think of Sonic Radar?

could have improved further in terms of sensitivity of distance objects and range. you might want to get your software engineers to relook at the drivers and overlay compatibility. there seems to be an issue with properly having it as an overlay in-game while the game is in full screen mode.

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?39462-Sonic-Radar-problems-with-Battlefield4

i'm using BF4 as an initial example, but it would be nice to expand the list to AC3, Titanfall and other games which are based on the 1st person perspective.

 

[and_who]

thanks for recognizing the effort. as I've said, i'm still learning from the masters here on reviewing hardware, thus, it might seem inadequate.

as for the comments on the marketing pitch, everyone is entitled to their own comments, thus i'll not deny yr perspective. however, i'll just like to state that the motherboard is a media sample set and is on loan and will be returned. I also do not have any commercial affiliations with Asus Singapore and their distros. thus, with respect to bro and_who's comments on the passing of the hardware for review and distro markup due to the marketing costs, i'm slightly offended (IMHO) as we, as hardware enthusiast and providing our own perspective for reviews, mostly do not have any say and control on the margin of markup by the distros.

also, as i've stated in my 1st post, bro enimus has already reviewed this motherboard in august 2013. thus repeating what he has done is pointless (IMHO again). therefore, what i've done on my review is to fill in on some of the features that he may have missed out and give consumers a more rounded perspective on this amazing board. thus, if my review seems like a marketing pitch, i do apologise for it again, and will strive to give a more objective review next time. as for bro's Asus@SG question on Sonic Radar, i believe that it is meant as a personal question to get a feel on the local perspective on this new feature, as there doesn't seem to be any local blogs or reviews on it.

once again, if it seems that i'm trying to defend myself with this very long post, i do apologize. however, i do believe that the Maximus VI Gene is a very good board that will cather to a wide group of people to fulfill their hardware requirements.

Hi bro, did not mean to be offensive and apologies if it came out that way. I am wondering what's in it for you to have to go through all the time trouble and effort to test asus hardware and write out a long review. Also, your review doesn't seem to have any personal flavor and seems to be a rehash of asus marketing material.


Could it be that it is totally altruistic and your effort will not be rewarded in ANY way?

I am a asus maximus v gene user, of course I would be keen to know if these marketing efforts lead to higher distro markups.

 

[Jarrax]

Hi bro, did not mean to be offensive and apologies if it came out that way. I am wondering what's in it for you to have to go through all the time trouble and effort to test asus hardware and write out a long review. Also, your review doesn't seem to have any personal flavor and seems to be a rehash of asus marketing material.


Could it be that it is totally altruistic and your effort will not be rewarded in ANY way?

I am a asus maximus v gene user, of course I would be keen to know if these marketing efforts lead to higher distro markups.

apologies accepted though not really needed, as you are entitled to your opinions also.

well, being a reviewer for me is just a chance to get to play around with new hardware with or without having to buy it, so i wouldn't say that i'm looking at being rewarded for doing the review. in a sense, its kind of being altrustic also.

as for the lack of personal flavour, i do apologize for it as it's mostly covered in the previous review from bro eminus, so there's not a lot more on what i can add on.

as for the distro markups, i dun think we can affect it in any way as it ultimately is decided by the distro.

 

[ASUS@SG]

could have improved further in terms of sensitivity of distance objects and range. you might want to get your software engineers to relook at the drivers and overlay compatibility. there seems to be an issue with properly having it as an overlay in-game while the game is in full screen mode.

Sonic Radar problems with Battlefield4

i'm using BF4 as an initial example, but it would be nice to expand the list to AC3, Titanfall and other games which are based on the 1st person perspective.

Dear Jarrax,

Thank you for your feedback and i will let our HQ team know.

thank you again.

 

[ASUS@SG]

Hi bro, did not mean to be offensive and apologies if it came out that way. I am wondering what's in it for you to have to go through all the time trouble and effort to test asus hardware and write out a long review. Also, your review doesn't seem to have any personal flavor and seems to be a rehash of asus marketing material.


Could it be that it is totally altruistic and your effort will not be rewarded in ANY way?

I am a asus maximus v gene user, of course I would be keen to know if these marketing efforts lead to higher distro markups.

Maybe i should do an review - not marketing review

 

[and_who]

Dear Jarrax,

Thank you for your feedback and i will let our HQ team know.

thank you again.

Is this really necessary seeing how ts is in contact with jk and Michelle from Asus Singapore? A little too orchestrated perhaps? Why the huge concern over a simple feature and why are you so responsive to TS?

As an asus user, maybe you could answer why my maximus v gene does not shut down and gives me problems 1-2 days after unboxing it. This was a rma replacement from a faulty asus p67 pro btw. Basically I got a faulty board to replace another faulty asus board. Also, why there are only 2 USB headers on the board given how lots of components need USB headers like corsair link.

You might also want to answer my pm's asking about the free game promo on the gtx 780 asus.

Might be nice if you pay attention to existing customers and their issues with your substandard product quality before cultivating new ones.

 

[ASUS@SG]

Is this really necessary seeing how ts is in contact with jk and Michelle from Asus Singapore? A little too orchestrated perhaps? Why the huge concern over a simple feature and why are you so responsive to TS?

As an asus user, maybe you could answer why my maximus v gene does not shut down and gives me problems 1-2 days after unboxing it. This was a rma replacement from a faulty asus p67 pro btw. Basically I got a faulty board to replace another faulty asus board. Also, why there are only 2 USB headers on the board given how lots of components need USB headers like corsair link.

You might also want to answer my pm's asking about the free game promo on the gtx 780 asus.

Might be nice if you pay attention to existing customers and their issues with your substandard product quality before cultivating new ones.

Dear and_who,

Please provide us system details.

Processor:
Motherboard Bios:
VGA:
HDD:
OS:

What do you mean by system do not shut down and give problem.

May i know what kind of problem did you encounter?

Thank you for your support.

 

[and_who]

Dear and_who,

Please provide us system details.

Processor:
Motherboard Bios:
VGA:
HDD:
OS:

What do you mean by system do not shut down and give problem.

May i know what kind of problem did you encounter?

Thank you for your support.

Will post a video here once I get back from work today. Thanks.

Anyway, not to take it out of topic, asus makes very desirable products.

The over the top marketing to get "ordinary" users "review" the products is not necessary. In fact the manner in which this review is "scripted" and the not too subtle promptings of ts by asus on this thread in my opinion exposes this for what it is- a scripted marketing effort with an intention to make it more believable by getting a "ordinary" user to provide a review. Surely asus must trust their consumers to pick up their products without trying to arrange "scripted" and "contrived" reviews?

If anyone reading here thinks I am taking this too far, I apologise in advance and please let me know. I just feel that this "review" abit too obvious already lah

 

[and_who]

Maybe i should do an review - not marketing review

Haha here it is- this is a "marketing review". Not a ordinary user based review. Would be great if you disclose it as such in the future

 

[ASUS@SG]

Haha here it is- this is a "marketing review". Not a ordinary user based review. Would be great if you disclose it as such in the future

When i free i will post review.

 

[and_who]

Dear and_who,

Please provide us system details.

Processor: i7 3770K
Motherboard Bios: Bios 1903
VGA: EVGA GTX 780
HDD: Crucial M4 + WD Black 2TB
OS: Win 8.1

What do you mean by system do not shut down and give problem.

May i know what kind of problem did you encounter?

Thank you for your support.

Details above. As to my problem, basically after shutting down windows, the motherboard and all fans remain on. I have already switched PSU and rams and the problem persists.

You have ignored my PMs once before, and I did not pm you on this issue because I know I would have gotten ignored again.

I have clearly set out the video here, so its up to you whether you care enough about your existing customers to do something about it.

p.s. this was a replacement for a Asus p67 pro, which died as well. No overclocking done on my components. I have had to go through the crap of having to disassemble and reassemble my system a few times already.

bottom line is, Asus products are desirable, the quality from my personal experience less so. What are you guys going to do to compensate customers for their inconvenience, rather than spending fresh money on contrived marketing campaigns?