ASUS P8Z68-V PRO or ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z?

[blackphoenix]

Anyone know which one would be better for overclocking an I7-2600k?

Obviously they are other factors involved, features, ATX versus mATX, but from a strictly overclocking aspect, is one better than the other?

 

[Skott]

The Gene is a great mATX board. The best Z68 mATX mobo currently on the market. I'm thinking though wouldn't the P8Z68-V Pro allow for potentionally higher (maximum) overall overclocks? ATX mobos usually have better cooling due to their larger size allowing better airflow and they usually have more cooling features. At least that is how I understand it but one does have to look at it model by model as not all are created equal.

 

[blackened23]

I'd go with the p8z68 pro gen 3, I don't think the MIVE-Z has a gen 3 version released yet. Really the differences with the P8Z68 and mive-z are pretty minor, paying for more slots, sata ports and the NF200 chip. As far as I can tell they both have the same # of phases and similar VRM...I could be wrong though.

 

[Coydog]

I'd go with the p8z68 pro gen 3, I don't think the MIVE-Z has a gen 3 version released yet. Really the differences with the P8Z68 and mive-z are pretty minor, paying for more slots, sata ports and the NF200 chip. As far as I can tell they both have the same # of phases and similar VRM...I could be wrong though.

MIVE-Z has a Gen 3 version in the works, though not sure when it will be out. Saw some previews on it. No word on release.

 

[Zap]

ATX mobos usually have better cooling due to their larger size allowing better airflow and they usually have more cooling features. At least that is how I understand it but one does have to look at it model by model as not all are created equal.

Some motherboards (both ATX and mATX) are smaller than others, but at their maximum allowed size, both ATX and mATX motherboards have the SAME amount of area around the CPU. Thus, cooling should be the same. The only difference is that there are three fewer expansion slots in the area farthest away from the CPU.

EDIT: I created an image to illustrate what I am talking about.

Take an ATX motherboard. Purple lines are the possible expansion slots. Blue lines are RAM slots. Rounded square is CPU socket. Dots are possible screw holes (look at your case motherboard tray without mobo installed to see them).

Cut the motherboard at the green line. Voila! You now have a micro ATX motherboard. Now tell me, how does that impact the possible cooling area of the CPU?

 

[xreflection]

I'd go with the p8z68 pro gen 3, I don't think the MIVE-Z has a gen 3 version released yet. Really the differences with the P8Z68 and mive-z are pretty minor, paying for more slots, sata ports and the NF200 chip. As far as I can tell they both have the same # of phases and similar VRM...I could be wrong though.

What is the benefit of gen3? I had some people say I should have gotten a gen3 mobo instead of settling with the Gene-z that I have now.

 

[Mem]

What is the benefit of gen3? I had some people say I should have gotten a gen3 mobo instead of settling with the Gene-z that I have now.

Gen3 boards offer PCI-E 3.0 support when you use an Ivy bridge CPU .


Quote taken from Asus.

PCI Express® 3.0

PCI Express® 3.0 (PCIe 3.0) is the latest PCI Express bus standard with improved encoding schemes that provide twice the performance of current PCIe 2.0. Total bandwidth for a x16 link reaches a maximum of 32GB/s, double the 16GB/s of PCIe 2.0 (in x16 mode). As such, PCIe 3.0 provides users unprecedented data speeds, combined with the convenience and seamless transition offered by complete backward compatibility with PCIe 1.0 and PCIe 2.0 devices. PCIe 3.0 will become a must-have feature for users who wish to improve and optimize graphic performance, as well as have the latest technology available to them.
* Actual PCIe 3.0 speed varies with the installed CPU type.

Btw I have an Asus P8Z68 V/Gen3 board which I think is great.

 

[MacLeod1592]

I would rather have the Maximus. Have read nothing but stellar reviews on it and Guru3D said they were able to overclock an i7 higher on this board than on any board theyve tested. I really like Asus' ROG series and this one seems to be very good. My tired ASRock 4 year old 780G board is due for retirement and the Max IV is on my very short list of motherboard to replace it.

 

[mrjoltcola]

I own both Maximus Z68 boards, the Maximus IV Extreme-Z and the Gene-Z. I love the big Extreme, but it is too expensive and a bit overkill to have in every case I own.

Both clock a 2600K well past 5.0Ghz rock stable. I use identical voltages on both boards for any given chip. The Gene-Z will _not_ limit your overclocking. The chip and the cooler will.

As Zap said, ain't nothing different in the actual board (necessarily), just size of PCB and how many slots you get.

For my money, the Gene-Z or P8Z68-V (non PRO) are the best all around boards for quality and performance. It all comes down to your video cards (how many and how wide) as to which you are best served with.

 

[red454]

I just got the Gene Z board this week - my case is in transit and will be delivered today so the build will start this evening. CAN'T WAIT!!! :biggrin:

I've been reading reviews all spring / summer / fall on all my components and the Gene Z seems to be the most bang for the buck (for me). Decided to hold off on Sandy Bridge e and let it mature a little (and the pricing to come down).

Other items are:

i72600K
Corsair 500R case
16gb Corsair Vengeance memory
Corsair Force GT 120 SSD
Seagate 1TB HDD
Corsair H100 cpu cooler
Corsair TX750M PSU

 

[Kjeldsen4]

So what are the reasons that I should get a mobo with PCI-X 3.0? Will I be able to utilize the 32GB/s they're talking about?

I am getting an Intel Core i7 2600K with a GTX 570 and Im in great distress over which mobo I should get along with that! :/ Cooling wont be a problem!

 

[cantholdanymore]

Both clock a 2600K well past 5.0Ghz rock stable. I use identical voltages on both boards for any given chip. The Gene-Z will _not_ limit your overclocking. The chip and the cooler will.

This information is hard to come by thanks :thumbsup:
Now I'm feeling happier

 

[Puppies04]

Anyone know which one would be better for overclocking an I7-2600k?

Obviously they are other factors involved, features, ATX versus mATX, but from a strictly overclocking aspect, is one better than the other?

From memory, 2 of the PC mags that i buy each month have tested both these boards and found the P8Z68-v PRO to achieve a stable OC at 4.9 and the maximus 5.0 although both were quoted as using around 1.4v which I personally find too high for an everyday overclock.

 

[Mem]

I own both Maximus Z68 boards, the Maximus IV Extreme-Z and the Gene-Z. I love the big Extreme, but it is too expensive and a bit overkill to have in every case I own.

Both clock a 2600K well past 5.0Ghz rock stable. I use identical voltages on both boards for any given chip. The Gene-Z will _not_ limit your overclocking. The chip and the cooler will.

As Zap said, ain't nothing different in the actual board (necessarily), just size of PCB and how many slots you get.

For my money, the Gene-Z or P8Z68-V (non PRO) are the best all around boards for quality and performance. It all comes down to your video cards (how many and how wide) as to which you are best served with.

HardOCP have just reviewed the Asus P8Z68 V board here http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/11/10/asus_p8z68v_motherboard_review/1 ,they did get a great overclock,

I still got a great result but I was unable to take the processor further without throttling it. Still it’s hard to complain about a 5.04GHz overclock. So despite being a budget board it sure as hell doesn’t overclock like one and the P8Z68-V will in fact do what any other board in the series can do performance wise. As always, some CPU-Z and Sandra screen shots are provided for viewing.


5.04GHz (103.0 x 49) DDR3 1600MHz

 

[BonzaiDuck]

HardOCP have just reviewed the Asus P8Z68 V board here http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/11/10/asus_p8z68v_motherboard_review/1 ,they did get a great overclock,

Check again, and I could be wrong. I THOUGHT I saw a difference between the low-end P8Z68 boards in terms of power-phase design. The "Deluxe" version price can be accounted for with the few extra features it throws in the bargain. But I'm just very happy with my -V-Pro board. It's good to know you can get great over-clocks on the budget version. Something to keep in mind for upgrading some other machines in the fam-damn-ily. . . .

 

[mrjoltcola]

I think the real budget version is the the P8Z68-V LX model, though I agree, the P8Z68-V probably doesn't have quite the same power phases as the Deluxe. I recall ASUS rep saying the Deluxe had the same power as the Maximus Extreme.

The P8Z68-V LX board doesn't have the DIGI-VRM control, so the voltages are bit looser and there are less options, but I've used it as well and it is fine for a moderate overclock (44x - 46x or more). It lacks some of the big heatsinks, though, of the higher models.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I think the real budget version is the the P8Z68-V LX model, though I agree, the P8Z68-V probably doesn't have quite the same power phases as the Deluxe. I recall ASUS rep saying the Deluxe had the same power as the Maximus Extreme.

The P8Z68-V LX board doesn't have the DIGI-VRM control, so the voltages are bit looser and there are less options, but I've used it as well and it is fine for a moderate overclock (44x - 46x or more). It lacks some of the big heatsinks, though, of the higher models.

Again, I could be mistaken, but I surveyed the difference in "extras" between the much-touted -V-Pro and Deluxe versions. The -V-Pro DOES indeed have the same power-phase design as the Maximus IV Extreme-Z. The Deluxe adds a couple things which match dollar-for-dollar the cost of the user adding them separately, such as the 3.5"-bay front-panel USB 3 box connected to the onboard USB 3 port. The Deluxe has an extra heatsink on components near the processor. There were a few other minor differences, and I listed them. But now, I'm feeling my age and can't remember what I wrote two months ago . .

 

[Zap]

From memory, 2 of the PC mags that i buy each month have tested both these boards and found the P8Z68-v PRO to achieve a stable OC at 4.9 and the maximus 5.0 although both were quoted as using around 1.4v which I personally find too high for an everyday overclock.

Really, with any board that can do decent overclocks on Sandy Bridge, the voltage that you are comfortable with using 24/7 is the real limit to overclocking.

 

[imaheadcase]

NM found answer

 

[mrjoltcola]

Again, I could be mistaken, but I surveyed the difference in "extras" between the much-touted -V-Pro and Deluxe versions. The -V-Pro DOES indeed have the same power-phase design as the Maximus IV Extreme-Z. The Deluxe adds a couple things which match dollar-for-dollar the cost of the user adding them separately, such as the 3.5"-bay front-panel USB 3 box connected to the onboard USB 3 port. The Deluxe has an extra heatsink on components near the processor. There were a few other minor differences, and I listed them. But now, I'm feeling my age and can't remember what I wrote two months ago . .

You and I are talking about different boards, I think.

I'm speaking of the actual P8Z68-V, not the P8Z68-V PRO. The non-PRO is the same price as the Gene-Z which is why I am comparing it.