Asus Z97-Deluxe/USB 3.1 User manual

Motherboard
Z97-DELUXE/
USB 3.1

ii
E9933
First Edition
January 2015
Copyright© 2015 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
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iii
Contents
Safety information...................................................................................................... vi
About this guide........................................................................................................ vii
Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 specifications summary....................................................... ix
Package contents...................................................................................................... xv
Installation tools and components....................................................................... xviii
Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.1 Special features..........................................................................................1-1
1.1.1 Product highlights........................................................................ 1-1
1.1.2 Other special features................................................................. 1-2
1.2 Motherboard overview............................................................................... 1-3
1.2.1 Before you proceed..................................................................... 1-3
1.2.2 Motherboard layout ..................................................................... 1-4
1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 1-6
1.2.4 System memory .......................................................................... 1-7
1.2.5 Expansion slots......................................................................... 1-21
1.2.6 Onboard buttons and switches..................................................1-23
1.2.7 Jumpers .................................................................................... 1-28
1.2.8 Onboard LEDs .......................................................................... 1-29
1.2.9 Internal connectors.................................................................... 1-36
Chapter 2: Basic installation
2.1 Building your PC system...........................................................................2-1
2.1.1 Motherboard installation.............................................................. 2-1
2.1.2 CPU installation........................................................................... 2-3
2.1.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation............................... 2-4
2.1.4 DIMM installation......................................................................... 2-6
2.1.5 ATX Power connection................................................................2-7
2.1.6 SATA device connection............................................................. 2-8
2.1.7 Front I/O Connector .................................................................... 2-9
2.1.8 Expansion Card installation....................................................... 2-10
2.1.9 Wi-Fi antenna installation.......................................................... 2-11
2.2 BIOS update utility...................................................................................2-12
2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections .............................................2-14
2.3.1 Rear I/O connection .................................................................. 2-14
2.3.2 Audio I/O connections............................................................... 2-16
2.4 Starting up for the first time.................................................................... 2-18
2.5 Turning off the computer ........................................................................ 2-19

iv
Chapter 3: BIOS setup
3.1 Knowing BIOS ............................................................................................3-1
3.2 BIOS setup program ..................................................................................3-2
3.2.1 EZ Mode...................................................................................... 3-3
3.2.2 Advanced Mode .......................................................................... 3-4
3.2.3 QFan Control............................................................................... 3-7
3.2.4 EZ Tuning Wizard ....................................................................... 3-9
3.3 My Favorites .............................................................................................3-11
3.4 Main menu ................................................................................................3-13
3.5 Ai Tweaker menu......................................................................................3-15
3.6 Advanced menu .......................................................................................3-31
3.6.1 CPU Conguration .................................................................... 3-32
3.6.2 PCH Conguration .................................................................... 3-35
3.6.3 PCH Storage Conguration....................................................... 3-36
3.6.4 System Agent Conguration ..................................................... 3-38
3.6.5 USB Conguration .................................................................... 3-39
3.6.6 Platform Misc Conguration...................................................... 3-40
3.6.7 Onboard Devices Conguration................................................ 3-42
3.6.8 APM Conguration.................................................................... 3-44
3.6.9 Network Stack Conguration..................................................... 3-45
3.6.10 Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology........................................... 3-46
3.7 Monitor menu ...........................................................................................3-47
3.8 Boot menu ................................................................................................3-51
3.9 Tool menu.................................................................................................3-57
3.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility ............................................................ 3-57
3.9.2 ASUS O.C. Prole..................................................................... 3-58
3.9.3 ASUS DRAM SPD Information ................................................. 3-59
3.10 Exit menu..................................................................................................3-60
3.11 Updating BIOS..........................................................................................3-61
3.11.1 EZ Update................................................................................. 3-61
3.11.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2...................................................................... 3-62
3.11.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3.......................................................... 3-63
Chapter 4: Software support
4.1 Installing an operating system .................................................................4-1
4.2 Support DVD information.......................................................................... 4-1
4.2.1 Running the support DVD ........................................................... 4-1
4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals.................................................. 4-3

v
4.3 Software information .................................................................................4-4
4.4 AI Suite 3.....................................................................................................4-4
4.4.1 Ai Charger+................................................................................. 4-7
4.4.2 USB 3.0 Boost.............................................................................4-8
4.4.3 EZ Update................................................................................... 4-9
4.4.4 USB BIOS Flashback................................................................ 4-11
4.4.5 USB Charger+........................................................................... 4-13
4.4.6 Push Notice............................................................................... 4-14
4.4.7 System Information ................................................................... 4-17
4.5 Audio configurations............................................................................... 4-18
Chapter 5: RAID support
5.1 RAID configurations ..................................................................................5-1
5.1.1 RAID denitions .......................................................................... 5-1
5.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks .................................................. 5-2
5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS .................................................... 5-2
5.1.4 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility.................. 5-3
5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk ......................................................................5-7
5.2.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.................. 5-7
5.2.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®................................................................. 5-8
5.2.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows®OS installation........ 5-8
Appendices
Notices .................................................................................................................... A-1
ASUS contact information...................................................................................... A-5

vi
Safety information
Electrical safety
• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet
before relocating the system.
• When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables
for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible,
disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.
• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all
power cables are unplugged.
• Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord. These devices
could interrupt the grounding circuit.
• Ensure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not
sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power
company.
• If the power supply is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied service
technician or your retailer.
Operation safety
• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all the manuals
that came with the package.
• Before using the product, ensure all cables are correctly connected and the power
cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors,
slots, sockets and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area
where it may become wet.
• Place the product on a stable surface.
• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualied service
technician or your retailer.

vii
About this guide
This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the
motherboard.
How this guide is organized
This guide contains the following parts:
1. Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it
supports. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the
motherboard.
2. Chapter 2: Basic installation
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when
installing system components.
3. Chapter 3: BIOS setup
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus.
Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
4. Chapter 4: Software support
This chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the
motherboard package and the software.
5. Chapter 5: RAID support
This chapter describes the RAID congurations.
Where to find more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software
updates.
1. ASUS website
The ASUS website (www.asus.com) provides updated information on ASUS hardware
and software products.
2. Optional documentation
Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty yers,
that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the
standard package.

viii
Conventions used in this guide
To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used
throughout this manual.
DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to
complete a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to
complete a task
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.
Typography
Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.
Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign
means that you must press the enclosed key.
Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or
Return key.
<Key1> + <Key2> + <Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key
names are linked with a plus sign (+).

ix
Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 specifications summary
CPU
LGA1150 socket for the 4th Generation and New 4th Generation Intel®
Core™ i7/Intel®Core™ i5/ Intel®Core™ i3, Pentium®and Celeron®
processors
Supports Intel®Turbo Boost Technology 2.0*
*The Intel®Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
Chipset Intel®Z97 Express Chipset
Memory
4 x DIMM, max. 32 GB, DDR3 3300 (O.C.)* / 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
Dual channel memory architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP)
*Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual
CPUs. Please refer to Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors List) for details.
Expansion slots
2 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots (single at x16 or dual at x8/x8 mode)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot* (max. at x4 mode, compatible with PCIe
x1 and x4 devices)
4 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots
*The PCIe x16_3, USB3_E12 and SATA Express_E1 connectors share the
same bandwidth. The PCIe x16_3’s default setting is in Auto mode that
automically optimizes the system bandwidth. If you use two of these
connectors, the system automatically disables the unused connector.
VGA
Integrated Graphics Processor - Intel®HD Graphics support
Multi-VGA output support: DisplayPort/Mini DisplayPort/HDMI port
Supports DisplayPort 1.2* with max. resolution of 4096 x 2160 @24 Hz
/ 3840 x 2160 @60 Hz (for DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort)
Supports HDMI with max. resolution of 4096 x 2160 @24 Hz / 2560 x
1600 @60 Hz
Supports Intel®InTru™ 3D, Intel® Quick Sync Video, Intel® Clear Video
HD Technology, and Intel® Insider™
Supports up to three displays simultaneously
Maximum shared memory 512 MB
*DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport compliant; supports DisplayPort 1.2
monitor daisy-chain up to 3 displays
Multi-GPU support
Supports NVIDIA®Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology (with 2 PCIe x16
graphics card)
Supports AMD®3-Way/Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Storage
Intel®Z97 Express Chipset with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and Intel®
Rapid Storage Technology 13 support
-1 x SATA Express port (black at bottom, compatible with 2 x SATA 6
Gb/s ports)
- 1 x M.2 socket 3*
(continued on the next page)

x
(continued on the next page)
Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 specifications summary
Storage
-4 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports (gray)
-Supports Intel®Smart Response Technology, Intel®Rapid Start
Technology, Intel®Smart Connect Technology**
ASMedia®SATA Express controller***
- 1 x SATA Express ports (black at top slot, compatible with 2 x
SATA 6 Gb/s ports)
ASMedia®SATA 6 Gb/s controller***
- 2 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports (black)
* M.2 Socket 3 shares bandwidth with SATAExpress_1, and supports
M Key and type 2260/2280 storage devices.
** These functions work depending on the CPU installed.
*** These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. ATAPI devices are
not supported.
LAN
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers—802.3az Energy Efcient Ethernet
(EEE) appliance
-Intel® I218-V Gigabit LAN - Dual interconnect between the
integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and physical layer
(PHY)
-Intel® I211-AT Gigabit LAN controller
Wireless Data Network
Speedy Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac supports dual frequency band 2.4/5
GHz
ASUS Wi-Fi GO! Utility
Bluetooth Bluetooth v4.0
Audio
Realtek® ALC1150 8-channel high denition audio CODEC
featuring Crystal Sound 2
- Separate layer for left and right track, ensuring both sounds
deliver equal quality
- Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio
conguration
- Audio shielding ensures precision analog/digital separation
and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference
- EMI protection cover to prevent electrical noise to affect the
amplier quality
- Audio Amplier to enhance the highest quality sound for
headphone and speakers
- Premium Japan-made audio capacitors provide warm, natural,
and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and delity
- High Quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at
rear) and 104 dB SNR recording (Line-in) support
- Absolute pitch 192 KHz/24-bit True BD Lossless Sound
- BD audio layer content protection
- DTS UltraPC II
- DTS Connect
- Supports jack-detection, multi-streaming and front panel jack-
retasking (MIC)
- Optical S/PDIF out ports at rear I/O

xi
USB
Intel®Z97 Express Chipset - supports ASUS USB 3.0
Boost
- 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear panel (blue)
- 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at mid-board, 4 ports at rear
panel)
ASMedia®USB 3.1 controller - support ASUS USB 3.1
Boost
- 2 x USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 ports at rear panel (teal blue)
ASMedia®USB 3.0 Hubs - support ASUS USB 3.0
Boost
- 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at mid-board for front panel support
ASUS Exclusive
Features
High Performance
5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5
- Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way
Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU,
DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 3, and Turbo APP together,
providing better CPU performance, efcient power saving,
precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even
tailor your own app usages.
DIGI+ Power Control
CPU Power
- Industry leading digital 16-phase power design
- ASUS CPU power utility
DRAM Power
- Industry leading digital 2-phase DRAM power design
- ASUS DRAM power utility
TPU
- Auto Tuning, TPU, GPU Boost, 2-level TPU switch
EPU
- EPU, EPU switch
ASUS Fan Xpert3
- Featuring Fan Auto Tuning function and multiple thermistors
selection for optimized system cooling control.
Turbo App
- Featuring automatic system performance tuning, network
priority, and audio scene conguration for selected
applications.
UEFI BIOS
- Most advanced options with fast response time
M.2 and SATA Express onboard
- The latest transfer technologies with up to 10 Gb/s data
transfer speeds
Special Memory O.C. Design
- Superb memory O.C. capability under full load by minimizing
the coupling noise and signal reection effect
(continued on the next page)
Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 specifications summary

xii
ASUS Exclusive
Features
Thunderbolt Ready (Optional)
- Blistering-fast 20 Gb/s data transfer upgrades with
ThunderboltEX II series
Interactive HomeCloud
Wi-Fi GO!
- Wi-Fi GO! function: Cloud GO!, Remote Desktop, Remote
Keyboard & Mouse, File Transfer
- Wi-Fi GO! & NFC Remote app for portable smartphone/tablet,
supporting iOS7 and Android 4.0 systems
Media Streamer
- Pipe music or movies from your PC to a smart TV
- Media Streamer app for portable smartphone/tablet,
supporting iOS7 and Android 4.0 systems
NFC Express 2 support (Optional)
- NFC receiver and 2-port USB 3.0 hubs
- NFC one-touch features: Video-to-go, Photo Express, Remote
Desktop, Quick Launch, Windows®8 Login and Bluetooth
pairing
Gaming Scenario
Turbo APP
- Featuring tuning system performance customization, network
priority, and automatic audio scene congurations for selected
applications
Turbo LAN
- Experience smooth online gaming with lower pings and less
lags
Crystal Sound 2
- Feel the sound power with different usage scenarios.
Steam support
- Compatible with the most fun gaming platform under
Windows®system
ASUS EZ DIY
Push Notice
- Monitor your PC status with smart devices in real time
USB BIOS Flashback
- with USB BIOS Flashback Wizard for EZ BIOS download
scheduling
UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
- featuring friendly graphics user interface
- ASUS O.C. Tuner
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 specifications summary
(continued on the next page)

xiii
ASUS Exclusive
Features
Q-Design
- ASUS Q-Code
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-DIMM
- ASUS Q-Connector
ASUS Special Features
5X Protection featuring all-round protection provides the best
quality, reliability, and durability
USB 3.1 Boost
USB Charger+
Ai Charger+
Disk Unlocker
AI Suite 3
MemOK!
EZ XMP
ASUS Quiet Thermal
Solution
Quiet Thermal Design
- ASUS Fan Xpert 3
- ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-pipe solution
ASUS Exclusive
Overclocking Features
Precision Tweaker 2
- vCore: Adjustable CPU Core voltage at 0.001 V increment
- iGPU: Adjustable CPU Graphics voltage at 0.001 V increment
- vCCIO: Adjustable Analog and Digital I/O voltage at 0.001 V
increment
- vCCIN: Adjustable CPU Input voltage at 0.01 V increment
- vCCSA: Adjustable CPU System Agent voltage at 0.001 V
increment
- vDRAM Bus: 144-step Memory voltage control
- vPCH: 88-step Chipset voltage control
SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection)
- BCLK/PCIE frequency tuning from 80 MHz to 300 MHz at 0.1
MHz increment.
Overclocking Protection
- ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
Rear Panel I/O Ports
1 x DisplayPort
1 x Mini DisplayPort
1 x HDMI port
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth
v 4.0)
1 x Optical S/PDIF Out port
2 x LAN (RJ45) ports (2 x Intel®LAN)
2 x USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 ports (teal blue)
4x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, bottom port of USB3_34 supports USB
BIOS Flashback)
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
8-channel Audio I/O ports
Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 specifications summary
(continued on the next page)

xiv
Internal I/O connectors 2 x 19-pin USB 3.0/2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB ports
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 4 USB ports
1 x M.2 Socket 3
2 x SATA Express connectors (black)
6 x SATA 6 Gb/s connectors (4 x gray, 2 x black)
1 x 4-pin CPU Fan connector for both 3-pin (DC mode) and 4-pin
(PWM mode) CPU coolers control*
1 x 4-pin CPU Optional Fan connector (CPU_OPT)
4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan connectors for 3-pin (DC mode) and 4-pin
(PWM mode) coolers control
1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
1 x S/PDIF out header
1 x 5-pin Thunderbolt header for Thunderbolt add-on card support
1 x TPM connector
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector
1 x Clear CMOS button
1 x USB BIOS Flashback button
1 x MemOK! button
1 x EPU switch
1 x TPU switch (with advanced two-stage adjustments)
1 x Power-on switch
1 x Reset switch
1 x EZ XMP switch
System Panel (Q-Connector)
* The CPU Q-Fan control setting is set as default in Auto mode for
detecting the type of CPU fan installed and switches to the control
mode automatically.
BIOS Features 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM
BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2,
CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My
Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modied Log, F12 PrintScreen function,
F3 Shortcut function, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence
Detect) memory information
Manageability WfM 2.0, DMI 2.7, WOL by PME, PXE
Support DVD contents Drivers
ASUS Utilities
EZ Update
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Operating system
support
Windows®8.1
Windows®8
Windows®7
Form factor ATX form factor: 12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)
Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 specifications summary
Specications are subject to change without notice.

xv
• If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
• The illustrated items above are for reference only. Actual product specications may
vary with different models.
• * The availability of these packages may vary with your Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1
package. For more details, refer to sections ASUS NFC Express 2 package
contents and ASUS ThunderboltEX II/Dual card package contents.
Package contents
Check your motherboard package for the following items
ASUS Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 Series motherboard
User manual
Support DVD
6 x Serial ATA 6 Gb/s cables
1 x ASUS SLI™ bridge connector
1 x ASUS Q-Shield
User Manual
1 x 2-in-1 ASUS Q-Connector kit
1 x 2T2R dual-band Wi-Fi moving antennas
(Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compliant)
ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card package*
ASUS NFC Express 2 package*

xvi
ASUS NFC Express 2 package contents
The ASUS NFC Express 2 package is only available with Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 (NFC &
WLC) package.
Check your ASUS NFC Express 2 package for the following items
ASUS NFC Express 2 wireless charger
ASUS NFC Express 2
micro USB cable
USB cable
Power adapter
• If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
• The illustrated items above are for reference only. Actual product specications may
vary with different models.
• The power adapter varies by country or region.
NFC tag

xvii
ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card package contents
The ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card package is only available with Z97-DELUXE/USB
3.1 (NFC & WLC) package.
Check your ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card package for the following items
ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card
User manual
Support DVD
User Manual
TB_Header cable
• If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
• The illustrated items above are for reference only. Actual product specications may
vary with different models.
Mini DisplayPort cable
DisplayPort cable

xviii
Installation tools and components
The tools and components in the table above are not included in the motherboard package.
PC chassis
Power supply unit
Intel®LGA1150 compatible CPU Fan
Intel®LGA1150 CPU
DIMM
SATA hard disk drive
Graphics card
Philips (cross) screwdriver
SATA optical disc drive (optional)
1 bag of screws

ASUS Z97-DELUXE/USB 3.1 1-1
Chapter 1
Product introduction
1
1.1 Special features
1.1.1 Product highlights
LGA1150 socket for the 4th Generation and the New 4th Generation Intel®
Core™ i7/Intel®Core™ i5/Intel®Core™ i3, Pentium®and Celeron®processors
This motherboard supports 4th generation and new 4th generation Intel®Core™ i7/Intel®
Core™ i5/Intel®Core™ i3, Pentium®, and Celeron®processors in the LGA1150 package. It
provides great graphics and system performance with its GPU, dual-channel DDR3 memory
slots and PCI Express 2.0/3.0 expansion slots.
Intel®Z97 Express Chipset
Intel®Z97 Express Chipset is a single chipset that supports the LGA1150 socket for the
4th generation and new 4th generation Intel®Core™ i7/Intel®Core™ i5/Intel®Core™ i3,
Pentium®, and Celeron®processors. It utilizes the serial point-to-point links, which increases
bandwidth and enhances the system’s performance. It natively supports up to six USB 3.0
ports, six SATA 6 Gb/s ports, and M.2 support for faster data retrieval. It also enables the
iGPU function for Intel®integrated graphics performance.
PCI Express®3.0
PCI Express®3.0 (PCIe 3.0) is the PCI Express bus standard that provides twice the
performance and speed of PCIe 2.0. It provides an optimal graphics performance,
unprecedented data speed and seamless transition with its complete backward compatibility
to PCIe 1.0/2.0 devices.
Intel®Desktop Responsiveness Technologies
Intel Desktop Responsiveness Technologies comprise of three technologies: Intel Rapid
Start Technology, Intel Smart Response Technology, and Intel Smart Response Technology.
These technologies provide faster and better performance for your computer, allow your
system to receive the freshest updates from the Internet, and quickly resume your system
from a deep sleep or hibernate mode.
Quad-GPU SLI and 3-WAY CrossFireX™ Support
This motherboad features NVIDIA SLI and 3-Way AMD CrossreX support that enables
mulit-GPU setup, giving you the full power of the latest graphics technologies. It also features
native support for 4K/UHD (ultra high denition) resolution of up to 4096 x 2160 via HDMI or
DisplayPort, resulting to four times the number of pixels for incredible visual clarity, detail,
and realism.
SATA Express support
SATA Express provides faster data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gb/s, allowing your system to
catch up with the speed of the SSDs. It also features backward compatibility with up to two
SATA drives of the same speed.
Chapter 1: Product Introduction

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction
Chapter 1
Dual-Channel DDR3 3300 (O.C) / 1600 / 1333 MHz Support
The motherboard supports the dual-channel DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates
of DDR3 3300 (O.C.)* / 1600 / 1333 MHz to boost the system’s performance, and to meet the
higher bandwidth requirements of 3D graphics, multimedia and Internet applications.
M.2 Support
This motherboard features the M.2 slot, which shares bandwidth with PCI Express x2 slot
to speed up data transfer up to 10 Gb/s. This helps enhance the performance of your SSD
(Solid State Drive) that is dedicated only to the operating system. The M.2 slot also includes
Intel Rapid Storage Technology support for faster access to data and applications, and
quicker wake up time for your system.
Complete USB 3.1 integration
This motherboard has the latest USB 3.1 connectivity built in with dual Type-A ports for the
very fastest USB data transfers — that’s up to 10 Gb/s, or twice as fast as USB 3.0. The
next-generation standard is completely backward-compatible with your existing USB devices,
and you’ll be all set for USB 3.1’s breakneck speeds.
Extra SATA 6 Gb/s support
The Intel Z97 Express chpset natively supports the Serial ATA (SATA) interface, delivering
up to 6 Gb/s of data transfer. This motherboard features an extra 6 Gb/s ports for an
enchanced scalability, faster data retrieval, and double bandwidth of current bus systems.
1.1.2 Other special features
DTS Connect
To get the most out of your audio entertainment across all formats and quality levels, DTS
Connect combines two enabling technologies, DTS Neo:PC™ upmixes stereo sources (CDs,
MP3s, WMAs, internet radio) into as many as 7.1 channels of incredible surround sound.
Consumers can connect their PC to a home theater system. DTS Interactive is capable of
performing mult-channel encoding of DTS bitstreams on personal computers, and sending
encoded bitstreams out of a digital audio connection (such as S/PDIF or HDMI) designed to
deliver audio to an external decoder.
DTS UltraPC II
DTS UltraPC II delivers a superior surround sound experience through your system’s
speakers and headphones while monitoring and balancing the loudness level difference
between digital audio formats. It also ehnances the audio settings through augmenting
low and high frequencies of musical tones, restores compressed or re-mastered sounds,
improves bass performance even without a subwoofer, and improves dialogues derived from
DVD or Blu-ray Disc™.
ErP Ready
The motherboard is European Union’s Energy-related Products (ErP) ready, and ErP
requires products to meet certain energy efciency requirement in regards to energy
consumptions. This is in line with ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and energy-
efcient products through product design and innovation to reduce carbon footprint of the
product and thus mitigate environmental impacts.