ASUS Maximus II Formula Performance-Test
Category : Legacy
Published by Jean-Luc Hadey on 30.08.08
Original ImageAfter we tested the ASUS Rampage Extreme we had the possibility to review the Maximus II Formula whereas the first one is based on Intels X48 Chipset and the second one on the P45. Therefore the Maximus II Formula supports DDR2 instead of DDR3 and this will also be the biggest difference except the built in watercooling solution on the Rampage Extreme.

It's a matter of fact that the Maximus II Formula and the Rampage Extreme are very similar therefore we decided to focus on the performance.

Original Image

 

ASUS Maximus II Formula,
Intel P45 / ICH10R, DDR2

ASUS Rampage Extreme
Intel X48 / ICH9R, DDR3

Layout********
Delivery**********
Equipment**********
BIOS for overclockers**********
O.C.-Profile memory functionyesyes
onboard start and resetyesyes
C-Mos clear buttonyesyes
all-solid capacitorsyesyes
CPU current supply16 phases16 phases
DDR3 current supply2 phases2 phases
northbridge current supply3 phases3 phases
built in watercoolingnoyes
multi GPUCrossfireCrossfire
pricearound $270around $430


Layout, delivery and the equipment will be rate with stars.

*=very bad
**=bad
***=sufficient
****=good
*****=excellent


Test setup

MainboardsASUS Maximus II Formula und Asus Rampage Extreme
CPUIntel C2D E8400
Graphics cardnVidia 8800GTS 320MB
MemoryCorsair XMS3 Dominator 1800, @ 1333 MHz, 7-7-7-20
Hard driveWestern Digital 160GB RE16
Power supllyCorsair 620 Watt
DrivePlextor 712A
Operating SystemWindows Vista Home Premium 64Bit
Graphical interfacedirectX 9.0c März. 08, und directX10
Graphic drivernVIDIA ForceWare 175.19



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Test results

PCMark VantageMaximus II Formula DDR2Rampage Extreme DDR3
Total51285229
Gaming48965161
Music41834317


3DMark06 1.1.0 (Punkte)Maximus II Formula DDR2Rampage Extreme DDR3
Total1062510661
SM2.046704690
HDR/SM3.047084713
CPU27772793


Lavalys Everest Memory BenchmarksMaximus II Formula DDR2Rampage Extreme DDR3
Read (MB/s)80718970
Write (MB/s)71217109
Copy (MB/s)73457379
Latences (ns)62.756.3


USB-2.0
Schnittstelle		Maximus II Formula DDR2Rampage Extreme DDR3
CPU load5%5%
Burst (MB/s)37.537.6
Read average (MB/s)3535.0
   
SATA Schnittstelle  
CPU load4%3%
Burst (MB/s)242.3244.1
Read average (MB/s)68.167.4


Spiele:
1280x1024, kein AA & AF, Details: Hoch		  
HL2 Lost Coast (DX9)147.79141.25
Prey (DX9)194.5189.7
World in Conflict (DX10)3936
Call of Juarez (DX10)15.913.5


Super PI mod 1.5 XS  Maximus II Formula DDR2Rampage Extreme DDR3
1M15.538s15.486s
8M3m 07.852s3m 08.604s

Overclocking

With our overclocking attempts we are looking for the highest possible FSB. As a stabilitytest we use SuperPI 1.5 which has to run a 32M calculation. Therefore the results can be considered as stable. To cool the CPU we used a Zalman 9700.

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We reached 540 MHz FSB stable with a multiplyer of 6 and a CPU VCore of 1.48 Volts.


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[pagebreak]
Conclusion

The Maximus II Formula gives you what you expect of a board with a pricetag this high: Performance on a high level, an efficient and quiet cooling solution, a BIOS optimizied for hardware enthusiasts, good overclockability, high quality components and a well thought layout. Included in delivery is everything you could ever need to equip your board with.

Togeter with a powerful Intel dual- or quad core CPU, enough DDR2 memory and a high end graphic solution the Maximus II Formula is an ideal platform for overclockers and gamers.

At this point we thank ASUS, Corsair Deutschland and Intel for providing the testsamples.


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Autor: jl.hadey@ocaholic.ch
Redigiert durch: m.buechel@ocaholic.ch