ASUS Maximus VIII Impact Review
Category : Z170
Published by Marc Büchel on 30.11.15
If there is a motherboard this year, which makes each and every enthusiast, gamer or even overclocker look closer, than it's the Maximus VIII Impact from ASUS' ROG department. After having set a new trend for mini-ITX gaming with their P8Z77-I Deluxe, ASUS now brings this form factor to the next level - yet again - by releasing this feature packed and powerful mini-ITX board. Next to a powerful VRM design and an additional sound module, there are plenty of other features and obviously, we're going to show them all to you.






When ASUS released the first Impact motherboard, the company showed what's possible with a mini ITX motherboard. ASUS has been making and improving the Impact for three years now and the Maximus VIII Impact packs more features than ever on the tiny 17 x 17cm PCB.

Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Specs and Delivery

Chipset Intel
Memory Dual Channel DDR4, 2 x DIMM, Max. 32 GB DDR4, 4133 (O.C) / 4000 (O.C) / 3800 (O.C) / 3733 (O.C.) / 3600 (O.C.) / 3500 (O.C.) /3466 (O.C) / 3400 (O.C.) / 3333 (O.C.) / 3300 (O.C.) / 3200 (O.C.) / 3000 (O.C.) / 2800 (O.C.) / 2666 (O.C.) / 2400 (O.C.) / 2133 Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Slots
  • 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 mode, black)
  • 1 x U.2 Port
Sound ROG SupremeFX Impact Audio 8-Channel High Definition Audio
  • Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
  • SupremeFX Shielding Technology
  • ESS ES9023P DAC: dB SNR, dB THD+N (Max. kHz/ -bit)
  • TI RC4580 2VRMS audio OP AMP(s)
Storage
  • 4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
  • Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
  • Intel Rapid Storage Technology supports
  • Supports Intel Smart Response Technology
Network LAN
  • Intel I219V, 1 x 10/100 LAN Controller(s), GameFirst technology
  • Intel LAN- Dual interconnect between the Integrated LAN controller and Physical Layer (PHY)
  • Anti-surge LANGuard
Wireless
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
  • Supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
  • Supports MU-MIMO
Internal Connectors
  • 1 x U.2 port
  • 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s)
  • 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
  • 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
  • 1 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
  • 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
  • 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
  • 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)x2
  • 1 x System panel(s)
  • 1 x ProbeIt Measurement Points
  • 1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
  • 1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector
  • 1 x LN2 Mode jumper(s)
  • 1 x SupremeFX Impact II connector(s)
  • 1 x Slow Mode jumper(s)
  • 1 x SupremeFX Impact III connector
  • 1 x U.2 socket pre-installed with a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module
  • 1 x System panel connector
External Connectors
  • 1 x HDMI
  • 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
  • 1 x USB 3.1 (black)Type-C
  • 1 x USB 3.1 (red)Type-A
  • 4 x USB 3.0 (blue)
  • 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
  • 3 x Audio jack(s)
  • 1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
  • 2 x Wi-Fi antenna port(s)
  • 1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
  • 1 x Q-Code LED
  • 1 x Start Button
  • 1 x Reset Button
Forfactor Mini ITX Form Factor (17cm x 17cm)
BIOS Bios (128 Mb flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS)


   


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Features

Digi+

 Since quite some time ASUS has been equipping its boards with digital power designs. Using the right software it is not only possible to adjust voltages while being in Windows on can now also control impedances. Furthermore this board features high quality 10K black metallic capacitor which guarantee a long lifespan.
 

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.
   

U.2 / NVMe support

 The new ASUS Maximus VIII Impact motherboard from ASUS features an U.2 slot, which can be equipped with an NVMe adapter card as well. This motherboard can be equipped with an SSD in U.2 format and it is wired directly to the PCH via four PCI Express Gen 3 lanes, therefore offering x4 bandwidth. In other words up to 32 Gbps can be pushed over the bus through this slot.
 

SupremeFX 2015

 With SupremeFX 2015 you get ASUS ROG's interpretation of high quality onboard audio. Supporting up to eight channels, the SupremeFX 2015 solution received shielding from other onboard components. Apart from that there are high quality Nichicon capacitors offering as clear as possible audio.


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Layout


As usual the Maximus VIII Impact looks very good and features a harmonic design. Once again the ROG-colors - red, black and silver/white - suite nicely and together with the matte black PCB it becomes a beautiful product. The layout itself is well thought and there is for example plenty of space around the CPU socket to install even the largest CPU coolers. On a mini-ITX motherboard it is crucial that the CPU socket is in the center of the motherboard, otherwise installing big aircoolers becomes an issue. There are plenty of other mini-ITX motherboards out there, which have the CPU socket closer to the PCI-Express x16 slot. This brings the consequence, that the cooler is going to collide with the VGA. Looking for the SATA connectors shows, that ASUS placed them at the only reasonable/available position. Furthermore there are straight connectors, since there just isn't enough space for angled ones.



  


The ASUS Maximus VIII Impact comes with a digital 6+2+2 phase power design. The CPU gets six phases and the iGPU as well as the memory receive stable current supply from two individual phases. Furthermore ASUS equips this board with so called "MicroFine alloy chokes", which are capable of withstanding higher current than conventional solid chokes. Furthermore there are 10K Black Metallic Capacitors, which have an average life span of 10'000 hours. Each phase is also equipped with an IR3553 buck-controller, which features an integrated Schottky diode as well as a control MOSFET. The IR3553 controller offer up to 40A output power. In other words, the Impact received the same power design, which can also be found on the bigger ASUS ROG Maximus VIII motherboards. Since, this mini-ITX motherboard offers very limited space, ASUS has put the VRM on a daughter PCB, which has been soldered to the motherboard.



In total there are two DIMM-slots on the Maximus VIII Impact. Officially supported are DDR4 4133 (O.C) / 4000 (O.C) / 3800 (O.C) / 3733 (O.C.) / 3600 (O.C.) / 3500 (O.C.) /3466 (O.C) / 3400 (O.C.) / 3333 (O.C.) / 3300 (O.C.) / 3200 (O.C.) / 3000 (O.C.) / 2800 (O.C.) / 2666 (O.C.) / 2400 (O.C.) / 2133. There is engough 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 2.0.



On the Maximus VIII Impact the PCH is being cooled by a passive cooling block. A closer look at the area where the VRM is, shows that there is another single heatsink - one is on the front-side and the other is located on the back-side. The design as well as the build quality is on an excellent level, which is typical for ASUS' Maximus VIII series motherboards.

Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Connectors and I/O


ASUS equipped the Maximus VIII Impact with four straight SATA ports. All ports offer 6Gbps bandwidth and they are natively wired to the Z170 PCH. If you're looking for an M.2 slot, there is none, but instead ASUS equipped this board with a U.2 connector which allows you to attach NVMe SSDs. You'll also find practical onboard power- and reset-buttons on this motherbboard as well as a a debug display, which has been moved to the I/O panel, since there is simply not enough space on the actual motherboard. ASUS also equipped this board with their SupremeFX Impact III audio solution. In this case the manufacturer put all the sound related components on yet another daughter board, which is electrically isolated from the rest of the board. There are high-quality components used for the audio implementation such as ELNA capacitors, an ESS9023P DAC, Nichicon gold caps, two headphone amps and a De-Pop relay.

  


In total, there are two fan headers on the Maximus VIII Impact's PCB. Another four come with the fan extension card, which is included in the delivery. This is definitely enough, to provide a well equipped mini-ITX system with fresh air.

  


Looking at the external connectors directly at the back-panel ASUS equipped the Maximus VIII Impact with four USB 3.0/2.0 ports, two USB 3.1 ports (1 x Type-A and 1 x Type-C), one gigabit ethernet port, an HDMI connector as well as an optical out and an analogue audio panel. Furtheremore you'll find also a clear CMOS button, a debug LED and a power and a reset button. Furthermore there is a WiFi 802.11ac/Bluetooth 4.0 module present, where external antennas can be connected.



Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

BIOS


The most recent version of ASUS’s UEFI BIOS presents itself with an attractive design, and especially the new interface which called EzMode, where we can not only monitor system information, CPU and motherboard temperature, CPU voltage and DRAM status but also set system and CPU fans as well as directly change the boot priority and tune the system to different profiles, is leaving a good impression. If you wish to go back to the good old times, where you were racing through the menus hammering up and down arrows as well as the enter key ridiculously fast, you just have to press F7 and there you go. Since this motherboard features a very solid power design it is suitable for gaming and high overclocking. The BIOS features all the usual ASUS options, which allow for altering virtually anything when it comes to overclocking. Overall, there is certainly no lack of options in this BIOS.


   


   


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Test setup

Hardware
Motherboard
  • ASRock Z170 Extreme7+
  • ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme
  • ASUS Maximus VIII Gene
  • ASUS Maximus VIII Hero
  • ASUS Maximus VIII Impact
  • ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger
  • ASUS Z170 Deluxe
  • ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming
  • ASUS Z170-A
  • Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1
  • MSI Z170A Gaming M7
  • MSI Z170A XPower Gaming Titanium Edition
  • Supermicro C7Z170-SQ
Processor Intel Core i7-6700K @ 4.0 GHz
Memory 8 GB (2x4) G.Skill Ares DDR4-2133 CL15-15-15-2T 350
Graphic card ASUS GeForce GTX 980
Driver ForceWare 353.62
Hard disk Intel 335 Series SSD 120 GB
Power supply Seasonic Platinum Fanless 520W


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1
[pagebreak]

Preview / Gallery



Product Picture Link to Gallery
   

ASRock Z170 Extreme7+
   

ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme
   

ASUS Maximus VIII Gene
   

ASUS Maximus VIII Hero
   

ASUS Maximus VIII Impact
   

ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger
   

ASUS Z170 Deluxe
   

ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming
   

ASUS Z170-A
   

Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1
   

MSI Z170A Gaming M7
   

Supermicro C7Z170SQ
   


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

3D Mark

Ice Storm

3D Mark Ice Storm Score
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   196'907 101.75%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   196'281 101.42%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   195'178 100.85%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   195'737 101.14%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   195'491 101.02%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   195'151 100.32%
ASUS Z170-A   195'107 100.82%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   193'524 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   192'036 99.23%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   187'768 97.03%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   184'489 95.33%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   186'491 96.37%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   185'448 95.83%
more is better


Ice Storm Physics

3D Mark Ice Storm Physics Score
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   68'208 104.29%
ASUS Z170-A   68'073 104.08%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   67'026 102.48%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   66'616 101.16%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   66'332 101.42%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   65'716 100.48%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   65'681 100.42%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   65'404 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   64'711 98.94%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   63'524 97.13%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   62'866 96.12%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   62'775 95.98%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   62'072 94.91%
more is better


Fire Strike

3D Mark Fire Strike Score
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   12'168 100.65%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   12'108 100.16%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   12'103 100.12%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   12'089 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   12'085 99.97%
ASUS Z170-A   12'085 99.97%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   12'081 99.93%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   12'081 99.93%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   12'071 99.85%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   12'068 99.83%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   12'061 99.80%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   12'061 99.80%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   12'059 99.75%
more is better


Fire Strike Physics

3D Mark Fire Strike Physics Score
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   13'050 100.48%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   13'043 100.33%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   13'009 100.07%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   13'000 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   12'998 99.98%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   12'993 99.95%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   12'988 99.91%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   12'987 99.90%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   12'977 99.82%
ASUS Z170-A   12'972 99.78%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   12'966 99.74%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   12'938 99.52%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   12'925 99.42%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

3D Mark 11

3D Mark 11 Total
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   16'473 100.54%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   16'436 100.32%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   16'428 100.27%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   16'425 100.25%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   16'423 100.24%
ASUS Z170-A   16'416 100.20%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   16'406 100.13%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   16'397 100.08%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   16'389 100.03%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   16'384 100.00%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   16'366 99.89%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   16'377 99.96%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   16'357 99.83%
more is better


CPU

3D Mark 11 Physics
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   11'597 101.27%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   11'549 100.85%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   11'548 100.84%
ASUS Z170-A   11'531 100.69%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   11'531 100.69%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   11'519 100.59%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   11'502 100.44%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   11'485 100.29%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   11'477 100.22%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   11'459 100.06%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   11'452 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   11'401 99.55%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   11'357 99.17%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

3D Mark Vantage

3D Mark Vantage Total
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   46'246 100.68%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   46'135 100.44%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   46'052 100.26%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   46'011 100.17%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   45'932 100.00%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   45'903 99.94%
ASUS Z170-A   45'900 99.93%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   45'891 99.91%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   45'881 99.89%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   45'815 99.89%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   45'793 99.70%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   45'725 99.55%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   45'717 99.53%
more is better


3D Mark Vantage CPU
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   33'163 101.58%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   32'869 100.68%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   32'860 100.66%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   32'852 100.63%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   32'850 100.62%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   32'801 100.47%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   32'753 100.33%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   32'688 100.13%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   32'646 100.00%
ASUS Z170-A   32'590 99.83%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   32'461 99.43%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   32'380 99.19%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   32'304 98.95%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

PC Mark 08

Total

PC Mark 08 Total
Review Rating
 Points Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   4'662 100.69%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   4'660 100.65%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   4'647 100.37%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   4'640 100.22%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   4'631 100.02%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   4'630 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   4'627 99.94%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   4'621 99.81%
ASUS Z170-A   4'620 99.78%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   4'618 99.74%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   4'617 99.72%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   4'615 99.68%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   4'612 99.61%
more is better


Web Browsing - JunglePin
Review Rating
 sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   0.28177 100.08%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   0.28182 100.06%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   0.28198 100.01%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   0.28200 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   0.28200 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   0.28209 99.97%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   0.28212 99.56%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   0.28215 99.95%
ASUS Z170-A   0.28219 99.93%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   0.28220 99.93%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   0.28253 99.81%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   0.28284 99.70%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   0.28300 99.65%
more is better


Web Browsing - Amazonia
Review Rating
 sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   0.12176 100.12%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   0.12176 100.12%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   0.12182 100.07%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   0.12185 100.05%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   0.12185 100.05%
ASUS Z170-A   0.12185 100.05%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   0.12186 100.04%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   0.12186 100.04%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   0.12187 100.03%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   0.12191 100.00%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   0.12200 99.88%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   0.12200 99.93%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   0.12256 99.42%
more is better


Writing
Review Rating
 sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   2.93116 105.76%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   3.00374 103.21%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   3.06777 101.05%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   3.06814 101.04%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   3.09132 100.28%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   3.09199 100.26%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   3.10012 100.00%
ASUS Z170-A   3.10024 99.99%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   3.14001 98.73%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   3.11766 99.44%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   3.13622 97.82%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   3.21000 96.58%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   3.21000 96.58%
more is better


Casual Gaming
Review Rating
 fps Percent
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   140.10 100.96%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   139.91 100.82%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   139.48 100.51%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   139.32 100.40%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   139.22 100.32%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   139.18 100.30%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   139.05 100.11%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   138.90 100.09%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   138.77 100.00%
ASUS Z170-A   138.65 98.97%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   138.49 99.80%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   138.49 99.80%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   137.39 98.07%
more is better


Video Chat Playback 1
Review Rating
 fps Percent
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   30.00 100.00%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   30.00 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   30.00 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   30.00 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   30.00 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   30.00 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   30.00 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   30.00 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   30.00 100.00%
ASUS Z170-A   30.00 100.00%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   30.00 100.00%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   30.00 100.00%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   30.00 100.00%
more is better


Video Chat encoding
Review Rating
 ms Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   48.00 101.29%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   48.00 101.29%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   48.00 101.29%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   48.00 101.29%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   48.62 100.00%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   48.88 99.47%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   49.00 99.22%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   49.00 99.22%
ASUS Z170-A   49.00 99.22%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   49.00 99.22%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   49.00 99.22%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   49.00 99.22%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   50.00 97.24%
more is better


Advanced Photo Editing
Review Rating
 sec Percent
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   0.30548 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   0.30810 99.15%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   0.31066 98.33%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   0.31100 98.23%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   0.31184 97.96%
ASUS Z170-A   0.31240 97.78%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   0.31261 97.72%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   0.31300 97.60%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   0.31355 97.43%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   0.31357 97.42%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   0.31501 96.97%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   0.31558 96.80%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   0.31645 96.53%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

SiSoft Sandra 1

Arithmetic Benchmark

SiSoft Sandra - Arithmetic Benchmark - Dhrystone
Review Rating
 GIPS Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   156.00 102.97%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   155.83 102.86%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   155.67 102.75%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   155.23 102.46%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   155.20 102.44%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7  

155.10

 102.38%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   155.00 102.31%
ASUS Z170-A   155.00 102.31%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   152.17 102.44%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   154.95 102.28%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   154.92 102.26%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   152.00 100.33%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   151.50 100.00%
more is better


SiSoft Sandra - Arithmetic Benchmark - Whetstone
Review Rating
 GFLOPS Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   108.70 100.78%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   108.49 100.58%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   108.47 100.57%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   108.34 100.45%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   108.00 100.13%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   107.86 100.00%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   107.61 99.77%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   107.46 99.63%
ASUS Z170-A   107.41 99.58%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   107.36 99.54%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   107.17 99.36%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   106.73 98.95%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   106.14 98.41%
more is better


Multimedia

SiSoft Sandra - Multimedia - Integer
Review Rating
 MPixels/sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   514.20 101.91%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   512.34 101.54%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   506.53 100.39%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   504.75 100.04%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   504.69 100.03%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   504.56 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   502.20 99.53%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   501.55 99.40%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   501.00 99.29%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   499.82 99.06%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   499.14 98.90%
ASUS Z170-A   499.12 97.42%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   498.84 97.37%
more is better


SiSoft Sandra - Multimedia - Floating Point
Review Rating
 MPixels/sec Percent
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   495.73 101.83%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   492.12 101.09%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   491.71 101.01%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   490.73 100.81%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   490.30 100.72%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   490.29 100.72%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   490.00 100.66%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   489.67 100.59%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   489.18 100.49%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   488.07 100.26%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   487.79 100.20%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   486.80 100.00%
ASUS Z170-A   480.54 98.23%
more is better


Crytography

SiSoft Sandra - Crytography - AES 256
Review Rating
 GB/sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   7.84 101.69%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   7.83 101.55%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   7.80 101.17%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   7.80 101.17%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   7.78 100.91%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   7.77 100.78%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   7.77 100.78%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   7.77 100.78%
ASUS Z170-A   7.73 100.26%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   7.71 100.00%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   7.71 100.00%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   7.68 99.61%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   7.66 99.35%
more is better


SiSoft Sandra - Crytography - SHA 256
Review Rating
 GB/sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   1.56 101.96%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   1.56 101.96%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   1.55 101.31%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   1.55 101.31%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   1.55 101.31%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   1.55 101.31%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   1.55 101.31%
ASUS Z170-A   1.55 101.31%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   1.55 101.31%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   1.55 101.31%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   1.55 101.31%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   1.55 101.31%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   1.53 100.00%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

SiSoft Sandra 2

Memory bandwidth

SiSoft Sandra - Memory bandwidth - Integer
Review Rating
 GB/sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   23.45 101.96%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   23.45 101.96%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   23.35 101.52%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   23.32 101.39%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   23.26 101.13%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   23.18 100.78%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   23.16 100.70%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   23.12 100.52%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   23.11 100.48%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   23.00 100.00%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   23.00 100.00%
ASUS Z170-A   23.00 100.00%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   22.91 99.61%
more is better


SiSoft Sandra - Memory bandwidth - floating point
Review Rating
 GB/sec Percent
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   23.34 102.46%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   23.20 101.84%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   23.18 101.76%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   23.11 101.45%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   23.00 100.97%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   23.00 100.97%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   22.92 100.61%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   22.92 100.61%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   22.86 100.35%
ASUS Z170-A   22.80 100.09%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   22.79 100.04%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   22.78 100.00%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   22.67 99.52%
more is better


Memory latency

SiSoft Sandra - Memory latency
Review Rating
 ns Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   22.7 101.76%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   22.7 101.76%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   22.8 101.32%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   22.9 100.87%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   22.9 100.87%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   22.9 100.87%
ASUS Z170-A   23.0 100.43%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   23.1 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   23.1 100.00%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   23.1 100.00%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   23.1 100.00%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   23.1 100.00%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   23.2 99.57%
less is better more is better


Memory and cache access

SiSoft Sandra - Cache
Review Rating
 GB/sec Percent
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   207.35 100.41%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   207.24 100.35%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   207.20 100.33%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   207.18 100.32%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   207.11 100.29%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   207.00 100.24%
ASUS Z170-A   206.87 100.17%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   206.79 100.14%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   206.65 100.07%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   206.51 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   206.40 99.95%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   206.00 99.75%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   205.49 99.51%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

UC Bench

UC Bench
Review Rating
 PW/sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   1'060.3 100.66%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   1'059.9 100.62%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   1'057.2 100.36%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   1'057.1 100.35%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   1'056.9 100.33%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   1'056.3 100.28%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   1'055.9 100.24%
ASUS Z170-A   1'055.9 100.24%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   1'055.5 100.20%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   1'055.1 100.16%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   1'054.6 100.11%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   1'054.1 100.07%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   1'053.4 100.00%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Super Pi 1M - 32M

Super Pi 1M

Super Pi 1.5 XS - 1M
Review Rating
 sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   9.048 100.80%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   9.057 100.70%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   9.068 100.57%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   9.075 100.50%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   9.079 100.45%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   9.094 100.29%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   9.094 100.29%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   9.095 100.27%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   9.095 100.27%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   9.110 100.11%
ASUS Z170-A   9.111 100.10%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   9.111 100.10%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   9.120 100.00%
less is better more is better

Super Pi 32M

Super Pi 1.5 XS - 32M
Review Rating
 sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   480.688 100.48%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   480.919 100.43%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   481.135 100.38%
ASUS Z170-A   482.305 100.14%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   482.390 100.12%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   481.401 100.33%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   482.462 100.11%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   482.789 100.04%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   482.985 100.00%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   484.677 99.65%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   485.394 99.38%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   486.127 99.35%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   487.266 99.12%
less is better more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

wPrime 1024M Multicore

wPrime - 1024M Multi Core
Review Rating
 sec Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   158.323 100.77%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   158.356 100.75%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   158.470 100.67%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   158.752 100.49%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   158.816 100.45%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   158.963 100.36%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   159.026 100.32%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   159.042 100.31%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   159.262 100.17%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   159.401 100.08%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   159.425 100.07%
ASUS Z170-A   159.459 100.05%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   159.536 100.00%
more is better more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Cinebench R15

Cinebench R11.5 - Multi Core
Review Rating
 pts Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   889 100.91%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   888 100.79%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   887 100.68%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   886 100.57%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   886 100.57%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   884 100.34%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   882 100.11%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   881 100.00%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   881 100.00%
ASUS Z170-A   879 99.77%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   878 99.66%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   877 99.55%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   874 99.21%
less is better more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Tomb Raider

Low resolution - 1024 x 768

Tomb Raider (low resolution, low details)
Review Rating
 fps Percent
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   264.6 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   262.6 99.24%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   261.4 98.79%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   261.0 98.64%
ASUS Z170-A   260.6 98.49%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   260.0 98.26%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   259.3 98.00%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   258.1 97.54%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   258.0 97.51%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   258.0 97.51%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   257.2 97.20%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   257.1 97.17%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   255.1 96.41%
more is better


High resolution - 1920 x 1080

Tomb Raider (high resolution, high details)
Review Rating
 fps Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   150.8 101.96%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   150.0 101.42%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   149.8 101.28%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   149.2 100.88%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   147.9 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   147.9 100.00%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   147.9 100.00%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   145.9 98.65%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   144.3 97.57%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   144.0 97.36%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   144.0 97.36%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   143.1 96.75%
ASUS Z170-A   142.0 96.01%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Metro Last Light

Low resolution - 1024 x 768

Metro Last Light (low details, low resolution)
Review Rating
 fps Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   186.03 101.53%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   185.90 101.46%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   185.70 101.35%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   185.63 101.32%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   184.71 100.81%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   184.02 100.44%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   184.00 100.43%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   183.22 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   183.00 99.88%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   182.29 99.49%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   182.27 99.48%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   181.85 99.25%
ASUS Z170-A   181.55 99.09%
more is better


High resolution - 1920 x 1080

Metro Last Light (high details, high resolution)
Review Rating
 fps Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   57.40 101.11%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   57.31 100.95%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   57.23 100.81%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   56.77 100.00%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   56.77 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   56.77 100.00%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   56.77 100.00%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   56.70 99.88%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   56.60 99.70%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   56.60 99.70%
ASUS Z170-A   56.57 99.65%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   56.54 99.59%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   56.06 98.75%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Sleeping Dogs

Low resolution, low details

Sleeping Dog (low details, low resolution)
Review Rating
 fps Percent
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   557.7 101.97%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   557.0 101.85%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   556.6 101.77%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   555.9 101.65%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   555.2 101.52%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   551.5 100.84%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   550.4 100.64%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   550.2 100.60%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   548.4 100.27%
ASUS Z170-A   548.3 100.26%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   548.1 100.22%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   546.9 100.00%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   545.7 99.53%
more is better


High resolution, high details

Sleeping Dogs (high details, high resolution)
Review Rating
 fps Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   248.1 101.51%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   248.0 101.47%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   247.3 101.19%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   246.8 100.98%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   245.5 100.45%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   244.4 100.00%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   243.6 99.67%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   242.5 99.22%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   241.7 98.90%
ASUS Z170-A   241.1 98.65%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   241.0 98.61%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   240.8 98.53%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   238.4 97.55%
more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Power Consumption

Idle

Idle
Review Rating
 Watt Percent
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   43 141.86%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   48 127.08%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   49 124.49%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   55 110.91%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   55 110.91%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   55 100.91%
ASUS Z170-A   56 108.93%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   59 103.39%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   61 100.00%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   61 100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   62 98.39%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   62 98.39%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   66 92.42%
less is better more is better


Load

Load
Review Rating
 Watt Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   108 123.15%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   109 122.02%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   111 119.82%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   113 117.70%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   117 113.68%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   120 110.83%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   121 109.92%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   127 104.72%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   131 101.53%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   133 100.00%
ASUS Z170-A   133 100.00%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   133 100.00%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   133 100.00%
less is better more is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Performance Rating

3D and Gaming Benchmarks
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   100.67%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   100.53%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   100.39%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   100.32%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   100.16%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   100.11%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   100.00%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   99.92%
ASUS Z170-A   99.82%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   99.49%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   99.18%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   98.80%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   98.64%
more is better


2D Benchmarks
Review Rating
 Percent
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   100.97%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   100.86%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   100.52%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   100.51%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   100.32%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   100.32%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   100.01%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   100.00%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   99.94%
ASUS Z170-A   99.82%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   99.82%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   99.61%
MSI Z170 Gaming M7   99.41%
more is better


Performance per Watt
Review Rating
 Percent
MSI Z170 Gaming M7 79.57%
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ   80.91%
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+   84.57%
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene   89.37%
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger   90.38%
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero   90.68%
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact   92.41%
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition   94.43%
ASUS Z170-A   98.91%
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1   99.50%
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme   99.02%
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming   99.86%
ASUS Z170 Deluxe   100.00%
less is better


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Price comparison

Model
Geizhals.eu
ASRock Z170 Extreme7+
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme
ASUS Maximus VIII Gene
ASUS Maximus VIII Hero
ASUS Maximus VIII Impact
ASUS Maximus VIII Ranger
ASUS Z170 Deluxe
ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming
ASUS Z170-A
Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1
MSI Z170 Gaming M7
MSI Z170A Xpower Gaming Titanium Edition
Supermicro C7Z170-SQ


Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1  
[pagebreak]

Conclusion

General   + -

The Maximus VIII Impact is a very fast motherboard, which comes with a great feature mix. There are numerous overclocking settings and tools and apart from that there is the usual high quality audio hardware, which makes this a state-of-the-art motherboard for mini-ITX-gaming. Next to a very nice looking design you also find useful software like GameFirst III. This software allows you to configure your network device the way gaming traffic gets prioritized (keyword traffic shaping). Furthremore you get ASUS's RAM Disk and lots of other goodies, which make this board even more appealing. Absolutely remarkable, that's what the ten phase power design is. ASUS again succeed in bringing even extreme overclocking to the mini-ITX form factor.

  

- Design
- Layout
- Features
- U.2 x4 Slot

 
       
Layout   + -
Basically, the ASUS Maximus VIII Impact's layout has been very well thought. In order to make more space on the tiny PCB ASUS decided to used two daughter PCBs, one for the power design and one for the audio solution. Furthermore, the straight SATA 6Gbps ports have been placed at the only location where it makes sense to have them, when you look at this from an accessibility point of view. Also due to space contraints ASUS has put the debug LED as well as power and reset button on the I/O panel. Since the CPU socket is in the center of the PCB it is possible to install even the largest CPU coolers. Another great addition is the U.2 solit, which allows attaching NVMe SSDs. Also on this board is a WiFi 802.11ac / Bluetooth 4.0 module.   - Space around the CPU socket - Audio Solution - Power/Reset-Button
- Debug LED
- Power Design 		 
       
Performance   + -
Calculating the average of all 2D benchmarks we ran, we see that this is the second fastest board we've tested so far. When taking the average of all 3D results this board manages to score a new best result. Having a look at power consumption we see this board pull a surprisingly high amout of power from the plug in idle but on the other hand, when running under load the system was pretty energy efficient.   - 3DMark
- 3DMark 11
- PCMark 08
- SiSoft Sandra Cryptography
- UC Bench
- Super Pi 1M
- wPrime		  
       
Overclocking / BIOS   + -
ASUS has a beautiful looking BIOS when it comes to their ROG series motherboard. The UEFI BIOS gets a black background and there are a few additional red design elements. Meanwhile it's almost normal that a BIOS is absolutely complete offering countless features. If you're looking for overclocking options you'll find a great many of them and they are equally practical for novices and extreme overclockers. We always love the pre-defined profiles, which make overclocking quite a bit easier. Apart from that we especially want to underline the memory profiles ASUS has created. These can help a great deal if you're trying to get high-end memory to work. Boosting our CPU to 5.0 GHz absolutely no problem at all.   - Sheer amount of options
- Design		  
       
Recommendation   + -
The ASUS Maximus VIII Impact is a very fast Z170 motherboard. At 229 Euro it's definitely no bargain but if you want to build a state-of-the-art mini-ITX rig, this is a recommendable board.   - Price - Gaming
- Air/Water Overclocking		  
       
Rating
We give the ASUS Maximus VIII Impact good 5 out of 5 stars.





Page 1 - Introduction Page 14 - SiSoft Sandra 2
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 15 - UC Bench
Page 3 - Features Page 16 - Super Pi 1M / 32M
Page 4 - Layout Page 17 - wPrime 1024M Multi Core
Page 5 - Connectors and I/O Page 18 - Cinebench
Page 6 - BIOS Page 19 - Tomb Raider
Page 7 - Test setup Page 20 - Metro Last Light
Page 8 - Preview / Gallery Page 21 - Sleeping Dogs
Page 9 - 3D Mark Page 22 - Power Consumption
Page 10 - 3D Mark 11 Page 23 - Performance Rating
Page 11 - 3D Mark Vantage  Page 24 - Price Comparison
Page 12 - PC Mark 8 Page 25 - Conclusion
Page 13 - SiSoft Sandra 1