OC3D Review: Asus Maximus Formula Special Edition X38 S775 Motherboard

[JN]

"Asus once again add some more firepower to their "Republic of Gamers" linup with the X38 based Maximus range. We take a look at the DDR2 based "Formula" version."

Asus Maximus Formula Review

 

[Mr. Smith]

God that took some reading!

It doesn't perform much better than the P35 dfi and is almost identicle to the blitz, bar a few extra insane/unusable voltage options so I feel no inclination to buy this.

Nice to see the score being penalised for the pretty outragous price!

Overall, ROG ftw!

 

[JN]

God that took some reading!

It doesn't perform much better than the P35 dfi and is almost identicle to the blitz, bar a few extra insane/unusable voltage options so I feel no inclination to buy this.

Nice to see the score being penalised for the pretty outragous price!

Overall, ROG ftw!

Yeah, personally I wouldn't upgrade from a Blitz or other high-end P35 board to it as it doesn't really have much more going for it (not until we see some PCI-E 2.0 ATI cards worth CF'ing).

But as a purchase for a new rig it's one hell of a beastly board - and I'm real glad that watercooling isn't a requirement anymore. That was a pretty big downer on the Blitz.

 

[Mr. Smith]

I guess it's lucky I had w/c for the blitz! That is a marked improvement, did you actually state that in the review? That water was no longer required? Must have missed that.

The only additional thing I would have liked to have seen is the removal of the nb waterblock just so you could further comment on its construction...

Re. cards worth CF'ing, I hope there are some I have this desire to CF or SLI even though I know its not really worth it!

 

[Aqua-Pc's]

Bah ive just had to fork out for one of these to pop my QX9650 in

But the board looks good to me

 

[JN]

I guess it's lucky I had w/c for the blitz! That is a marked improvement, did you actually state that in the review? That water was no longer required? Must have missed that.

Yeah mate it's in the conclusion (*hopes he didn't accidentally delete it*)

The only additional thing I would have liked to have seen is the removal of the nb waterblock just so you could further comment on its construction...

Re. cards worth CF'ing, I hope there are some I have this desire to CF or SLI even though I know its not really worth it!

The block is actually extremely hard to remove as they've used some kind of thermal cement on it. I did have a quick go at levering it off, but didnt want to get a slapped wrist for breaking one of Asus limited review boards

As for the construction, the heatpipe side of things is the same as the blitz, but the finned heatsinks around the block and on the 'fets feel much thicker aluminium.

 

[Mr. Smith]

Bah ive just had to fork out for one of these to pop my QX9650 in

But the board looks good to me

Niiiice, do you already have the proccy? ES?

Jim - just stick a credit card under and prize it apart, whats the worst that can happen? coughcorsaircough

 

[JN]

Jim - just stick a credit card under and prize it apart, whats the worst that can happen? coughcorsaircough

Haha I wondered when that come back to haunt me. Its not my fault you Karate chopped it!

 

[Mr. Smith]

Haha I wondered when that come back to haunt me. Its not my fault you Karate chopped it!

Lol, I know, I know. Hey, we better get back on topic before a mod/admin tells us off!

 

[llwyd]

Lol, I know, I know. Hey, we better get back on topic before a mod/admin tells us off!

:whack:

 

[Aqua-Pc's]

Niiiice, do you already have the proccy? ES?

Yeh intel where kind enough to giv me one for our lil project @ i32 ;P

 

[Mr. Smith]

:whack:

LOL - Hey, what'cha do that for? Jim, get him! :haha:

 

[steve30x]

Id love one of these motherboards along with a good Core 2 Quad and watercool the lot LOL. It would cost too much though.

 

[Brooksie]

Wish I can afford that Love the 'Crazy' upgrade setting on the bios

 

[Mr. Smith]

Wish I can afford that Love the 'Crazy' upgrade setting on the bios

LOL - that made me smile, I'm waiting for the 'WTF' setting to appear

 

[steve30x]

Im sure if the WTF setting showed up after you reboot a screen with big red writing would come up saying

DIE NOOB DIE

And then reset to default after a second reboot

 

[Bungral]

Quality review.. Great read... Did take forever though

 

[Azza]

Great review.

I canny wait to get mine to replace my P5K Premium.

 

[psies]

Omg!

OK this is my story.

I bought this Asus Formula maximus.. Paid quit a few bucks for it.. But hey i am a fanatic gamer..

So i bought two MSI 3870 cards to place them in CF...

Build the system..... everything was ready to go.. expect for.. uhm must pair those card together with a cf bridge.. WTF? where is the bridge? WTF?

I checked ASUS motherboard box... cables,

, fans, cdroms, manuals.. where the

is that brigde? Checked out the outside of the box.. gaming series motherboard... euh yeah well where is the freaking CF bridge then??

Ok well i ve got two cards, maybe they shipped with the cards... checked out the accessoires of the vga box.. oh man you got to be kidding me!!! NO CROSSFIRE BRIDGE!!!

I paid over 600 EURO's only for 2 cards and one motherboard and there is NO

ING CF BRIDGE!!!!!!!

On the outside of the MSI 3870 box it says the bridge is optional.. pfff

but everybody says the motherboard supplier must supply the bridge! I cannot image you didn't notice this in your review! Execellent features you mentioned.. Cannot think of anything negative... WELL I CAN! there is no brigde. How can they forget the most important item on a gaming board like this.

Who will spend that much money on board just to play with one card?? Hell no, buyers will definitly play in crossfire...

I am totally

ed of about this. I email Asus about this.. know what they say" Go back to your shop and ask for one...........

The shop didn't have it in stock, and they have no idea where they can buy one. They say it should come with either the vga card or the motherboard...

Last time i spend my money on ASUS stuff

 

[Hatman]

Could try ebay.