ASUS Z97-A Preview
Category : Z97
Published by Hiwa Pouri on 11.06.14
The Z97-A from ASUS belongs to the manufacturer's Classic-Series which makes it feature a black PCB and champagne-colored heatsinks. This board certainly offers more than just a pretty color scheme like for instance great versatility regarding storage connectors. Also the price of this motherboard is quite interesting.


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The Z97-A from ASUS is an ATX motherboard and at a first glance it comes with a reasonable feature mix. Other than that also the price is rather is quite appealing.

Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion
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Specs and Delivery

Chipset Intel Z97
Memory Dual Channel DDR3, 4 x DIMM, Max. 32 GB DDR3, 3200(O.C.) / 3100(O.C.) / 3000(O.C.) / 2933(O.C.) / 2800(O.C.) / 2666(O.C.) / 2600(O.C.) / 2500(O.C.) / 2400(O.C.) / 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Multi-GPU
  • Supports NVIDIA Quad-GPU SLI Technology
  • Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX Technology
Slots
  • 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8)
  • 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x2 mode)
  • 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
  • 2 x PCI
  • 1 x M.2 Socket 3
Sound Realtek ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
  • DTS Ultra PC II
  • DTS Connect
  • Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
  • Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  • Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel
  • Dedicated audio PCB layers
  • Unique de-pop circuit
  • Audio amplifier
  • Premium Japanese-made audio capacitors
Storage Intel Z97 chipset
  • 4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
  • 1 x M.2 (NGFF)
  • 1 x SATA Express port
Network
  • Intel I218-V Gigabit LAN
  • Anti-surge Ethernet port
Internal Connectors
  • 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s)
  • 3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 6 USB 2.0 port(s)
  • 1 x SATA Express connector: , compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
  • 1 x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280 devices
  • 1 x TPM header
  • 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  • 1 x CPU Fan connector(s)
  • 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s)
  • 4 x Chassis Fan connector(s)
  • 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(s)
Extrenal Connectors
  • 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
  • 1 x DVI-D
  • 1 x D-Sub
  • 1 x DisplayPort
  • 1 x HDMI
  • 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  • 4 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 5 x Audio jack(s)
Forfactor ATX Form Factor (30.5cm x 24.4cm)
BIOS Bios (64 Mb flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS)


   


Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion
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Features

ASUS 5X Protection

 In this case the ASUS marketing department has been thinking about a new name for a set of features. "5X Protection" is the word they associate with the following things. First of all there is a six phase Digi+ power design, which is built around an ASP1103 chip. Second, you get ASUS DRAM OCP, which provides short circuit protection. Other than that there is the so called ESD guard that features additional protection regarding electrostatic discharge. Last but not least we find capacitors, which have been rated for 5000 hours.
 

ASUS Fan Xpert 3

 ASUS Fan Xpert 3 provides customizable settings for fans that have been attached directly to the onboard fan headers. With the Fan Auto Tuning feature, ASUS Fan Xpert 3 automatically detects and tweaks all fan speeds and in the end reduces unwanted noise.
 

M.2 Support

 The new Z97 ATX motherboard from ASUS features an M.2 slot moved to the back part of the board this board can be equipped with SSDs in M.2 format. M.2 is wired directly to the Z97 PCH via two PCI Express lanes, therefore offering x2 bandwidth. In other words up to 10 Gbps can be pushed over the bus through this slot, almost doubling performance of SATA-III.
   

Crystal Sound 2

 Also the classic series from ASUS are getting beefed-up audio meanwhile. In this case there is an EMI shield in place for the audio chip and the circutry is isolated from the rest of the motherboard. Other than that ASUS is using high quality capacitors, which should be offering warm sound.
     
EPU EPU automatically detects the current system load and moderates power usage. It offers a system-wide energy optimization and is able to reduce fan noise.


Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion
[pagebreak]

Layout

With the release of Intels Z87 chipset ASUS's design team chose to bring quite some change to the design of their classic series motherboards. ASUS was brave enough to ditch their highly successful black/blue color scheme and replace it with a color scheme kept in black, gold and yellow. Meanwhile the worlds larges motherboard manufacturer again reworked the design of their classic series motherboards in order to make it more calm by removing yellow from the equation. They've also changed the tone of the gold color they're using a champagne-ish color.
Regarding the layout ASUS once again put quite a few features onto a standard ATX PCB. Obviously this board is compliant with Intels guidelines regarding clearance around the CPU socket. There even is some margin between the CPU socket and the DIMM slots. Apart from that the build quality of the board is good and in this regard there is nothing to complain.



The ASUS Z97-A features a fully digital 8+2 phase power design. The CPU gets eight phases and the memory gets a stable current supply from two individual phases. Apart from that there are high-quality, Japanese solid state capacitors, which have been specified 5000 hours.



Totally you'll find two DIMM-slots on the Z97-A. Officially supported are DDR3 3200(O.C.) / 3100(O.C.) / 3000(O.C.) / 2933(O.C.) / 2800(O.C.) / 2666(O.C.) / 2600(O.C.) / 2500(O.C.) / 2400(O.C.) / 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz. There is enough space between the DIMM-slots and the CPU socket which means that you wont encounter compatibility problems with big coolers even when you choose to install RAM with big heatspreaders. Also supported are Xtreme Memory Profiles (XMP) in version 1.3.



On the Z97-A the PCH is being cooled by a passive cooling block. A closer look at the area where the VRM is, shows there are two additional heatsinks. The design as well as the build quality is on a very good level, which is typical for ASUS' Z97 series motherboards.

  


Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion
[pagebreak]

Connectors and I/O

Totally ASUS equipped the Z97-A with four angled SATA ports, which can be found below the 24-pin ATX power connector. Apart from that there is also a SATA Express connector as well as an M.2 slot. Therefore it should be no problem whatsoever to equip office PCs as well as multimedia PCs with plenty of drives. We also like that there are different types of storage connectors, which is definitely up-to-date with todays standards. What you won't find with this board are practical onboard power- and reset-buttons as well as a debug display.

 
 


Totally you'll find six fan header on the Z97-A which is more than enough, to provide a well equipped office or multimedia PC with fresh air. ASUS decided to use 4-pin PWM headers in all six cases. Therefore it is possible to adjust rotation speeds in the BIOS or in Windows.

  


Looking at the external connectors directly at the back-panel ASUS equipped the Z97-A with four USB 3.0/2.0 ports, two USB 2.0/1.1 ports, one gigabit ethernet port, an HDMI connector, a DisplayPort output, a VGA out, a DVI out as well as an optical out and an analogue audio panel.



Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion
[pagebreak]

Conclusion

Overall   + -
At a first glance the Z97-A leaves a good impression. You get a reasonable feature mix and it won't take long until you realize that ASUS created a product, which is to be available at a reasonable price. There is a decent power design and the absence of overclocking features, makes it clear that this board will end up with a decent price tag. In terms of storage connectivity there are four angled SATA connectors, a SATA Express port as well as an M.2 slot, which makes this board compatible with a vast variety of storage devices. In case of the color scheme we're happy to see that the new Z97 Classic-Series from ASUS isn't as flashy as the Z87 motherboards anymore.   - Design
- Layout		  
       
Layout   + -
Generally the ASUS Z97-A's Layout is well thought. Once more very practical are the angled SATA connectors, of which there are four. Unfortunately there are now power- and reset buttons and there is also no CLR-CMOS button, which in the end is reasonable, since ASUS is not targeting overclockers, enthusiasts or gamers with the motherboard. We want to underline that this board features great storage versatility, since there is SATA, SATA Express as well as M.2 support. Furthermore the placement of the PCI-Express x16 slots is well thought an therefore nothing needs to be criticized at this point. There are for example two slots between the first and the second PCI-Express x16 slot. Should you decide to build an SLI/CrossFire setup, then the first card will still be able to get plenty of fresh air. Another thing that is good with this board is the fact, that there as plenty of space between the CPU socket and the heatsinks on the power design as well as between the CPU socket and the DIMM slots.   - Space around the CPU socket - SATA Express  


Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion