It's a shame that they put the M.2 connector where they did. The VRM heatsinks are going to block anything longer than the 2260 drives. The ROG Impact has a much better placement right above the PCIe slot and will accept longer drives as a result.
It looks to me like that slot is more intended for wireless cards than PCIe storage. In other words, it's practically useless and probably just there to check off a feature list. This board is also more expensive than the Z97-WS, which has nearly all the same features plus a PLX bridge to give more usable expansion slots. It's too bad the Z97-WS has other issues.
(Tip on the Z97-WS, the middle screw has to be a screw and has to be screwed down. If you mount it in a case with a post in the middle, like my Corsair Carbide Air 540, the second memory channel won't work. Weird, eh? It took me weeks to figure out why the second memory channel wouldn't work after my replacement had the same issue. Now I'm stick with using this board in a CoolerMaster HAF XB instead of my Air 540. Also, Asus's supposed server level warranty service for the Z97-WS is totally bogus. It took them a week to process and send out the replacement board, and the second case I opened with them got dropped after three weeks of no responses from them. Asus's support sucks pretty bad, but it's average for the MB industry.)
It appears this is a PCIe 2.0 M.2 solution, which means it will never take lanes away from GPU. GPU will always be at 16x unless you put a card in the second PCIex16 slot.
I just got my corsair 750D and after installing my 3 years old motherboard the 2nd memory channel stopped working I was about to buy a new motherboard and I came across your comment. I think I will remove the middle standoff and check if it is working or not. Thank you for sharing the information.
As soon as I read that the M.2 port is using only 2 PCIe lanes and only supports 60mm drives, I was turned away. One cannot fit a Samsung XP941 in this board. Maybe the next Samsung M.2 part will use 3D V-NAND and be 60mm in length, but until then, this is no good.
Asus, the combo riser card needs to go away. Place two 80mm slots on the motherboard, using 4 pcie lanes each (8 total), and let the GPU use the other 8. Then allow me to use 4 lanes from the PCH to drive thunderbolt 2.
I will keep my Asus Rampage IV Formula for the time being. I just hope that Asus releases an updated BIOS for my board to be able to boot from an NVMe M.2 stick in a PCIe adapter. I have 40 lanes, and I would like to put them all to good use.
From what I read there will be no Maximus VII Extreme. The Extreme team were working on a project for a different platform. Asus did not mention an Extreme version at Computex, from what I have read.
Finally! Been waiting too long for this! Although it has to be pointed out : Why the increase in price? Unless it drops to 300€ and below without Watch Dogs when it's available for purchase... Meh. I'll probably buy it anyway, but I don't like it.
I believe the original Maximus VI Formula released at $329 without any sort of bundle, which makes this revision $10 cheaper at launch. Although, the bundling of Watch Dogs reeks of corporate funny business by the hands of ASUS and UbiSoft. "Oh, you really want this new motherboard? How about you pay $50 extra and buy our game too!" Keep in mind that this game was recently on sale for $30 on Steam, it's a digital copy ($50 for that as a bundle is atrocious), and NVIDIA gives it away "for free" with their GPUs. You could probably buy a voucher off eBay for less.
There's no way in hell I'm buying the Watch Dogs bundle. I don't like Watch Dogs and I won't play it, so there's that. I'll wait for the Watch Dogs free edition. That's what I hope is cheaper. I couldn't care less about how much the bundle is going to cost. I'm selfish...
This "ROG armor" or shroud seems to be at cross-purposes with itself. If it's supposed to limit dust build-up (don't most gamers have case fans with filters in front of them?) which I guess is supposed to reduce heat build-up, doesn't that plastic shroud also trap the heat given off by components?
I own a Maximus VI Formula, and it's a decent board. Although, it looks like ASUS fixed most of my complaints in this new revision. My OCD makes me want to upgrade to this one because I can't stand seeing white locks (memory, expansion slots) on this black and red motherboard. It's also nice to see that CrossChill is actually usable this time around... well, at least usable for those that refuse to use additives to avoid galvanic corrosion. =P
About this, they're not mentioning what contact is with the top of that water channel insert but it does look like some type of POM or nylon which is good. I can't get an answer out of ASUS PR as to what exactly that port material is that covers the copper water channel insert, so until it's out in the wild we still don't know.
It isn't enough given the wait and price. To make people wait longer for a non-bundle board, is atrocious. Given the wave of new features available to be used on motherboards these days, I was hoping for the PLX bridge, as dgingeri mentioned, so more features could be used at once.
I don't mind the armor and like the water cooling block as a standard feature. Unfortunately, unless I missed something in this overview, without the PLX to open up more "at once" usage of features, I'll have to pass on this. Too bad, I have been waiting for this very board release.
True that. Especially considering the Formula is actually the top-of-the-line Maximus VII board (And is priced accordingly), it should have a PLX chip. Damn...
If you are going to upgrade do not buy something that is pre obsolete. Make sure you buy a motherboard with a pci-e 3.0 x4 m2 slot. The Samsung xp941 is a pci-e 2.0 x4 drive and it is faster than what a pci-e 2.0 x2 slot can provide and pci-e 3.0 x4 controllers are already starting to make their rounds. We will be maxing out pci-e 3.0 x4 on ssd's within 2-3 years, just in time for pci-e 4.0
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WithoutWeakness - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
It's a shame that they put the M.2 connector where they did. The VRM heatsinks are going to block anything longer than the 2260 drives. The ROG Impact has a much better placement right above the PCIe slot and will accept longer drives as a result.dgingeri - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
It looks to me like that slot is more intended for wireless cards than PCIe storage. In other words, it's practically useless and probably just there to check off a feature list. This board is also more expensive than the Z97-WS, which has nearly all the same features plus a PLX bridge to give more usable expansion slots. It's too bad the Z97-WS has other issues.(Tip on the Z97-WS, the middle screw has to be a screw and has to be screwed down. If you mount it in a case with a post in the middle, like my Corsair Carbide Air 540, the second memory channel won't work. Weird, eh? It took me weeks to figure out why the second memory channel wouldn't work after my replacement had the same issue. Now I'm stick with using this board in a CoolerMaster HAF XB instead of my Air 540. Also, Asus's supposed server level warranty service for the Z97-WS is totally bogus. It took them a week to process and send out the replacement board, and the second case I opened with them got dropped after three weeks of no responses from them. Asus's support sucks pretty bad, but it's average for the MB industry.)
craige4u - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
In Z97 Deluxe, I have a question with regards to PCI Lanes:1] I will always be using Single GPU... and say if I add upcoming Asus M.2 x4 Adapter on PCI slot - In this case will my GPU run in x16 OR x8 mode?
2] If I add M.2 x4 adapter + Lan Card, In this case will my GPU run in x16 OR x8 mode?
extide - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
It appears this is a PCIe 2.0 M.2 solution, which means it will never take lanes away from GPU. GPU will always be at 16x unless you put a card in the second PCIex16 slot.vin_mehta1988 - Monday, July 21, 2014 - link
I just got my corsair 750D and after installing my 3 years old motherboard the 2nd memory channel stopped working I was about to buy a new motherboard and I came across your comment. I think I will remove the middle standoff and check if it is working or not. Thank you for sharing the information.Eidigean - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
As soon as I read that the M.2 port is using only 2 PCIe lanes and only supports 60mm drives, I was turned away. One cannot fit a Samsung XP941 in this board. Maybe the next Samsung M.2 part will use 3D V-NAND and be 60mm in length, but until then, this is no good.Asus, the combo riser card needs to go away. Place two 80mm slots on the motherboard, using 4 pcie lanes each (8 total), and let the GPU use the other 8. Then allow me to use 4 lanes from the PCH to drive thunderbolt 2.
I will keep my Asus Rampage IV Formula for the time being. I just hope that Asus releases an updated BIOS for my board to be able to boot from an NVMe M.2 stick in a PCIe adapter. I have 40 lanes, and I would like to put them all to good use.
danjw - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
From what I read there will be no Maximus VII Extreme. The Extreme team were working on a project for a different platform. Asus did not mention an Extreme version at Computex, from what I have read.tolis626 - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
Finally! Been waiting too long for this!Although it has to be pointed out : Why the increase in price? Unless it drops to 300€ and below without Watch Dogs when it's available for purchase... Meh. I'll probably buy it anyway, but I don't like it.
Aikouka - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
I believe the original Maximus VI Formula released at $329 without any sort of bundle, which makes this revision $10 cheaper at launch. Although, the bundling of Watch Dogs reeks of corporate funny business by the hands of ASUS and UbiSoft. "Oh, you really want this new motherboard? How about you pay $50 extra and buy our game too!" Keep in mind that this game was recently on sale for $30 on Steam, it's a digital copy ($50 for that as a bundle is atrocious), and NVIDIA gives it away "for free" with their GPUs. You could probably buy a voucher off eBay for less.tolis626 - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
There's no way in hell I'm buying the Watch Dogs bundle. I don't like Watch Dogs and I won't play it, so there's that. I'll wait for the Watch Dogs free edition. That's what I hope is cheaper. I couldn't care less about how much the bundle is going to cost. I'm selfish...cmdrdredd - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
irrelevant to the article but ok...romrunning - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
This "ROG armor" or shroud seems to be at cross-purposes with itself. If it's supposed to limit dust build-up (don't most gamers have case fans with filters in front of them?) which I guess is supposed to reduce heat build-up, doesn't that plastic shroud also trap the heat given off by components?Tetracycloide - Sunday, July 20, 2014 - link
Looks like all it would do is make dust harder to remove.Aikouka - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
I own a Maximus VI Formula, and it's a decent board. Although, it looks like ASUS fixed most of my complaints in this new revision. My OCD makes me want to upgrade to this one because I can't stand seeing white locks (memory, expansion slots) on this black and red motherboard. It's also nice to see that CrossChill is actually usable this time around... well, at least usable for those that refuse to use additives to avoid galvanic corrosion. =Pextide - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
Why would you refuse to put any additives in?DarkStryke - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
Because distilled + coil is all you should need.About this, they're not mentioning what contact is with the top of that water channel insert but it does look like some type of POM or nylon which is good. I can't get an answer out of ASUS PR as to what exactly that port material is that covers the copper water channel insert, so until it's out in the wild we still don't know.
maximumGPU - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
can't argue with the looks!Questor - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
It isn't enough given the wait and price. To make people wait longer for a non-bundle board, is atrocious. Given the wave of new features available to be used on motherboards these days, I was hoping for the PLX bridge, as dgingeri mentioned, so more features could be used at once.I don't mind the armor and like the water cooling block as a standard feature. Unfortunately, unless I missed something in this overview, without the PLX to open up more "at once" usage of features, I'll have to pass on this. Too bad, I have been waiting for this very board release.
tolis626 - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
True that. Especially considering the Formula is actually the top-of-the-line Maximus VII board (And is priced accordingly), it should have a PLX chip. Damn...Hairs_ - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
What a fantastic array of utterly useless gimmickery.willis936 - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
upvote[1][1]: Used ironically here to mock the original post.
Questor - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
Great description! I wish I had thought of it.noeldillabough - Friday, July 18, 2014 - link
I wonder if the male end of the qd3 quick connects fit on this board? Click click and you're ready to go! I'm a big fan of quick connects.Laststop311 - Saturday, July 19, 2014 - link
If you are going to upgrade do not buy something that is pre obsolete. Make sure you buy a motherboard with a pci-e 3.0 x4 m2 slot. The Samsung xp941 is a pci-e 2.0 x4 drive and it is faster than what a pci-e 2.0 x2 slot can provide and pci-e 3.0 x4 controllers are already starting to make their rounds. We will be maxing out pci-e 3.0 x4 on ssd's within 2-3 years, just in time for pci-e 4.0m0n5t3r - Saturday, July 19, 2014 - link
A bit slow there. Had this for two days now :/Questor - Sunday, July 20, 2014 - link
Probably because it's not very exciting and all the commentary that ASUS needs to read, but won't, has been said.ghud - Sunday, August 10, 2014 - link
If I am reading this correctly, you can both run M.2 and Sata Express at the same time, not one or the other, Right?ghud - Monday, August 25, 2014 - link
Can the M7F use both M.2 and SATA Express at the same time, or is one or the other?