After taking a look at a couple of Asus’ MicroATX Z77 boards we are moving up in size to the standard ATX products. Asus has been (as we have told you) working on integrating the same feature set you find in their ROG boards down into their mainstream and even channel boards. This move is also helping them to restructure the feature set at each level and offer the right features to the right market segment. We started off with the gateway product into the ROG line (the Maximus V Gene) and then dropped to the other end of the spectrum with the P8Z77-M Pro. Now we are going to check out the lower end of the mid-range motherboards in the P8Z77-V. This board is a step up from the P8Z77-M Pro in both size and the features that it brings to the table. Let’s take a look shall we?
The Box and Goodies -The box for the P8Z77-V has the same look as all of Asus’ mid-level products. You get the black background with the dots (they remind me of the old TV show Lost in Space for some reason). In the series of dots you can just make out the infinity symbol (perhaps to indicate unlimited performance potential or something). As with the P8Z77-M Pro the big deal here is the Smart Digi+ which we will cover in more detail under features and in the performance half of our review. There are other badges and tags that are worth mentioning here though. As this is a step up from the M Pro you are going to get wireless (but not Bluetooth), an actual Intel network controller (to go with the Network iControl) and improved audio software. Flipping things around you have a more detailed look at the P8Z77-V and the primary features that are offered. Again topping the list we find the Smart Digi+ controls. This really is a great feature and one that Asus was smart to bring to their mid-level products.Inside the box we find a little a couple of new items like the WiFi GO! module and antenna. The rest is pretty much standard for Asus’ midrange boards.
