User's Manual
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 efciency requirement in regards to energy
consumptions. This is in line with ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and energy-
efcient products through product design and innovation to reduce carbon footprint of the
product and thus mitigate environmental impacts.