The ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme Review: The Other $500 Option
by Ian Cutress on April 7, 2016 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- Gaming
- Asus
- ROG
- Skylake
- Z170
- Thunderbolt 3
ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme Conclusion
I mentioned at the top of the review that this is the second halo motherboard we’ve tested. Both the ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme and GIGABYTE Z170X-Gaming G1 command a large price but represent the premium product from the two major motherboard players in the industry. For the sale, each side focuses on specific areas:
| ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme vs GIGABYTE Z170X-Gaming G1 MSRP $500 |
||
| Motherboard | ASUS Maximus VIII Exteme | GIGABYTE G170X-Gaming G1 |
| Warranty Period | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Product Page | Link | Link |
| Price | Amazon US | Amazon US |
| Size | E-ATX | E-ATX |
| CPU Interface | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| Chipset | Intel Z170 | Intel Z170 |
| Memory Slots (DDR4) | Four DDR4 Supporting 64GB Dual Channel Up to 3866 MHz |
Four DDR4 Supporting 64GB Dual Channel Up to 3666 MHz |
| Video Outputs | HDMI DisplayPort |
HDMI |
| Network Connectivity | Intel I219-V 3T3R 802.11ac |
2 x Killer E2400 Killer AC-1535 2T2R 802.11ac |
| Onboard Audio | Realtek ALC1150 with ESS ES9023P DAC bypass |
Creative Sound Core 3D + JRC NJM2114 + Burr Brown OPA2134 |
| PCIe Slots for Graphics (from CPU) |
3 x PCIe 3.0 - x16, - x8/x8, - x8/x4/x4 |
4 x PCIe 3.0 via PLX8747 - x16/x16, - x16/x8/x8, - x8/x8/x8/x8 |
| PCIe Slots for Other (from PCH) |
1 x PCIe 3.0 x4 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Onboard SATA | Six, RAID 0/1/5/10 Two from ASMedia ASM1061 |
Six, RAID 0/1/5/10 Four via ASM1061, no RAID |
| Onboard SATA Express | Two, RAID | Three |
| Onboard M.2 | 1 x PCIe 3.0 x4 or SATA, RAID 0/1, NVMe |
2x PCIe 3.0 x4 or SATA, RAID 0/1, NVMe |
| Onboard U.2 | 1 x PCIe 3.0 x4 (switched with M.2) | None |
| USB 3.1 | 2 x Type-A (ASM1142) 1 x Type-A (Alpine Ridge) 1 x Type-C (Alpine Ridge) |
1 x Type-A (Alpine Ridge) 1 x Type-C (Alpine Ridge) 1 x Type-A (Front Panel bundle) 1 x Type-C (Front Panel bundle) |
| USB 3.0 | 4 x Rear Panel 4 via headers |
4 x Rear Panel 2 via headers |
| USB 2.0 | - 6 via headers |
2 x Rear Panel 4 via headers |
| Power Connectors | 1 x 24-pin ATX 1 x 8-pin CPU 1 x 4-pin CPU |
1 x 24-pin ATX 1 x 8-pin CPU |
| Fan Headers | 2 x CPU (4-pin) 4 x CHA/SYS (4-pin) |
2 x CPU (4-pin) 5 x CHA/SYS (4-pin) |
| Notes | Bundled OC Panel | Bundled USB 3.1 Panel Combination air/water heatsink |
The big selling points for the Z170X-Gaming G1 are the PLX8747 chip enabling 32 PCIe lanes for 3-way and 4-way SLI, three Killer based network points for DoubleShot-X3 Pro, a combination air/water chipset heatsink, dual M.2, a USB 3.1 front panel, PCIe guards, and a Creative Sound Core 3D audio codec with a Burr Brown op-amp.
The big selling points for the Maximus VIII Extreme are the 3x3 Wi-Fi module, onboard U.2 support, a total of four onboard USB 3.1 ports, an ES9023P audio DAC, a bundled OC Panel, system performance and the BIOS/software package.
Both motherboards are validated with Thunderbolt 3.
It’s an interesting scenario being played out. ASUS wins on the performance side, the BIOS and software are easier to use, and overclocking wins out due to LLC implementation. 3x3 WiFi plus U.2 is hard to ignore on the Extreme as well. But the multi-GPU support of the GIGABYTE via the PLX is the massive plus that can’t be made up elsewhere (and non-GPUs can be used as well).
Both sides have impressive feature sets, and both sides have areas for improvement. If the price is still a factor and the prices of these motherboards decrease over time, if the GIGABYTE ends up $50-75 less expensive in a direct comparison, it would be hard to pass up that saving to spend elsewhere. Under the 100-series platform and Skylake processors, ASUS takes the crown up to dual GPU here, whereas by virtue of support the GIGABYTE motherboard happily takes it for 3-way and 4-way.
I’d happily recommend the ASUS to any performance junkie, but sometimes big performance needs big PCIe, and I’d happily recommend the GIGABYTE in that case.
Recommended by AnandTech
The ASUS Rampage VIII Extreme Motherboard
For Your Local Performance Junkie, Dual GPU and under
Other AnandTech Reviews for Intel’s 6th Generation CPUs and 100-Series Motherboards
Skylake-K Review: Core i7-6700K and Core i5-6600K - CPU Review
Comparison between the i7-6700K and i7-2600K in Bench - CPU Comparison
Overclocking Performance Mini-Test to 4.8 GHz - Overclocking
Skylake Architecture Analysis - Microarchitecture
Z170 Chipset Analysis and 55+ Motherboards - Motherboard Overview
Discrete Graphics: An Update for Z170 Motherboards - PCIe Firmware Update
Price Check: Intel Skylake i7-6700K and i5-6600K - Latest Skylake Price Check (3/29)
100-Series Motherboard Reviews:
Prices Correct at time of each review
($500) The GIGABYTE Z170X-Gaming G1 Review
($500) The ASUS Maximus VIII Extreme Review (this review)
($250) The ASUS Maximus VIII Impact Review
($240) The ASRock Z170 Extreme7+ Review
($230) The MSI Z170 Gaming M7 Review
($208) The GIGABYTE Z170-UD5 TH Review
($165) The ASUS Z170-A Review
($125) The Supermicro C7H170-M Review
Motherboard Reviews Planned:
For anyone not interested in the $500 motherboard segment, the next one up on the block is the MSI Z170A SLI PLUS, which comes in at $120-130. Stay tuned for that review. We've also got a couple of server focused Skylake boards waiting in the wings.
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BrokenCrayons - Thursday, April 7, 2016 - link
"Yes, blowing that much money on frivolous casual dining, outings and shopping is obviously a demonstration of financial brilliance!"It most certainly isn't wasted money and is part of my "fun cash" allotment to myself after bills are paid and my savings and retirement funds are given their budgeted amounts. So what you're effectively seeing is the result of financial planning and numerous years strictly sticking to a budget. It's not brilliance, but it is a very regimented commitment to a monetary standard.
sweenish - Thursday, April 7, 2016 - link
What you're failing to understand is that "wasted" money to you is not necessarily wasted money to someone else.You're way of doing things is not universal, and neither is how you decide to spend your money for fun. Get over yourself.
BrokenCrayons - Friday, April 8, 2016 - link
I don't think you actually read the chain of posts above yours fully before replying. It doesn't seem like you've comprehended the nuances of the discussion prior to developing feelings about it.A5 - Thursday, April 7, 2016 - link
I don't think anyone buying a $500 motherboard runs in social circles that have the same priorities as you do.It's obviously an insane product, but I assume it brings in a decent profit at low volumes.
ASEdouardD - Thursday, April 7, 2016 - link
As with most things, the rationality of spending that much on a motherboard really depends on how much money you have to spend. If you make 500k a year and like this stuff, why the hell not.Murloc - Thursday, April 7, 2016 - link
yeah people who buy this stuff, besides a few extreme overclockers, are usually rich kids who get into this stuff and just buy the best.They're paying a premium but that premium isn't too much for them so that's good for asus and everybody else.
haukionkannel - Friday, April 8, 2016 - link
Well, I have old Extreme board and the best part is that it has been a trouble free instrument in my setting. The Mother board is now 8-9 years old and still working perfectly!You pay for quality components. I have done only very minor overclocking and preferred stability and durability over maximum performance.
Azethoth - Saturday, April 9, 2016 - link
I just built my Mom a new computer. The last one lasted 7 years. The new one has a Maximus VIII Hero from Fry's. If Fry's stocked the extreme I would have bought that, but limited time meant not waiting for an Amazon delivery. Assuming the same 7 year life span (old comp still worked, just not compatible with 8TB drives), it is less than $100 a year for the MB. Like the old one it is not overclocked and the extra lifespan from better components means I do not have to worry about it like I used to when she got Dells. Does she need 64GB of memory, nope. 2TB Samsung Pro? Nope. 2 8TB HGST He8 drives for the raid, nope. Netgear M4100-D12G switch with all shielded CAT7 cabling? Nope. Thermaltake Core 71 case? Nope, but she wanted a taller case so it is easier to put stuff on top of it and 71 sounds like better quality than 51.Is it worth maxing as much as possible? Yep. I anticipate that this machine will last 10 years and never break, unless 4k VR home movies suddenly becomes a thing and she gets into it and I have to fill up a few more drive bays or get a stupid expensive NAS. Oh yeah and Ashes of the Singularity is gonna scream.
Gastec - Thursday, September 22, 2016 - link
Get outta here! 500 bucks is pocket change, I pay more to fill up my Reventón every week :)arayoflight - Thursday, April 7, 2016 - link
Is there anything meaningful that it offers over Z170 deluxe, which is I guess the only option of you want fast onboard WiFi.