KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the P8Z77-V LX and the LX2 is the latter's aesthetic upgrade to a black PCB.
The P8Z77-V LX2 motherboard does not conform to the standard ATX form factor of 12 x 9.6 inches (305 x 244 mm). Instead, it is a slightly narrower at around 12 x 8.4 inches (305 x 213 mm). The reasoning behind this size reduction is to reduce production costs by implementing a smaller PCB which requires less physical material.
The size difference is clear when placing the P8Z77-V LX2 next to a standard-width ATX motherboard. Don't worry; the narrower dimensions will not affect compatibility with ATX-capable cases. It just means that the right-hand column of motherboard stand-offs is rendered unnecessary.
A total of 32 gigabytes of DDR3 memory can be installed in the four DIMM slots. Frequencies up to 2400 MHz are supported by the Z77-V LX2, although overclocking is likely to increase that figure. To cut costs, Asus has chosen to use double-latched DIMM slots rather than the more convenient single-latched versions that are found on many of its higher-end motherboards. Omitting the MemOK feature has also helped to reduce production costs.
The LX2's 24-pin connector is found in the ideal location which integrates it with the cable management routes of modern cases.
Neighbouring the 24-pin power connector, the front panel USB 3.0 header is located in an easily-accessible area.
Nestled between a pair of VRM heatsinks, a 4-pin connector is used to provide power to the CPU. Thanks to the low power draw of Intel's LGA 1155 processors, the ‘downgrade' from an 8-pin connector is unlikely to have a meaningful effect on system stability or overclocking potential.
Asus downgrades the 4+1+1 phase power design found in the original P8Z77-V LX to a lower-cost 4+1 phase design which is used in the LX2 motherboard. It is highly unlikely that the slight downgrade will have a meaningful affect on stability, especially given that the P8Z77-V LX2 motherboard's target audience isn't the heavy overclocking crowd.
Asus' ‘Digi+ VRM' digital power control should ensure that the power delivery components can effectively feed an efficient LGA 1155 CPU, even when overclocked.
One of the biggest design changes between the P8Z77-V LX and LX2 is the addition of a pair of VRM heatsinks on the updated board. Even in the entry-level market, consumers who value overclocking and component longevity consider VRM heatsinks to be a critical factor when deciding upon a motherboard purchase.
As far as entry-level motherboard go, Asus' choice of expansion slots is almost perfect for the specific target audience. PCI slots are still a requirement, as the P8Z77-V LX2 targets users with a strict budget who will want to continue using their legacy cards with their new motherboard.
Why only ‘almost perfect' you ask? We aren't impressed by Asus' decision to remove an entire expansion slot to make room for the battery, and then position a PCI-E x1 directly in the blocking-area of a dual-slot graphics card. It would make far more sense to position the battery and wasted slot directly beneath the graphics card's x16 lane, and move the PCI-E x1 slot down one position to make it usable. Does anybody actually access the battery regularly enough to make its positioning more important than the usability of a convenient expansion slot?
Don't expect uncapped CrossFire performance from the P8Z77-V LX2. While the motherboard supports CrossFire configurations, the lower PCI-E x16 expansion slot is limited to x4 bandwidth. This is a perfectly acceptable design choice for an entry-level motherboard that is unlikely to see dual-card action.
To cut costs, Asus opts for six outwards-facing SATA ports, as opposed to the more-expensive right-angled or stacked variants. All of the ports operate from the Z77 chipset, including the pair of white 6Gb/s connections. Limited to SATA 3Gb/s speeds, the blue ports are best-suited for mechanical HDDs, optical drives or older SSDs.
An additional pair of SATA 6Gb/s ports powered by an external controller would have increased the P8Z77-V LX2's price, so Asus opted to sacrifice them.
As well as the usual front panel, speaker and USB headers, Asus' P8Z77-V LX2 features COM and SPDIF headers. Problems could be caused by the incorporation of only two USB 2.0 headers.
We understand the cost-cutting decision to opt for two USB 2.0 headers, rather than more, but much of the P8Z77-V LX2 motherboard's target audience will be using cases with front panel USB 2.0 ports, and perhaps a card reader. Connect those two devices, and the board's internal USB 2.0 connectivity is already saturated. An extra header would give added flexibility, while having a minor effect on price.
A basic rear IO consists of four USB 2.0 ports, an additional two of the 3.0 variety, a pair of PS/2 connections, HDMI and VGA outputs, Gigabit Ethernet, and a trio of audio ports.
We don't have any complaints about the array of connections, although the audio outputs are limited even by entry-level standards. An optical audio port would be welcomed by some users.
Motherboard rear ports:
- 1 x PS/2 keyboard (purple)
- 1 x PS/2 mouse (green)
- 1 x D-Sub
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
- 2 x USB 3.0
- 4 x USB 2.0
- 3 x Audio jack(s)
Aesthetic appeal comes in the form of Asus' trademark blue heatsinks.
Two 4-pin fan headers are located above the DIMM slots, one of which controls the CPU fan speed. One additional 4-pin fan header and a 3-pin connection are found above the upper PCI-E x1 slot – an excellent location for connecting rear and side case fans.
The onboard controllers featured on the Asus P8Z77-V LX2 motherboard are: Asmedia ASM1083 for the PCI slots, Asmedia ASM1442 for the digital video connections, Realtek 8111F for Gigabit Ethernet, Realtek ALC887 for multi-channel HD audio, Nuvoton NCT5535D for monitoring, and Asus' Digi+ VRM and EPU chips.
Motherboard slots and connectors:
- 1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s)
- 3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 6 USB 2.0 port(s)
- 1 x COM port(s) connector(s)
- 2 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s)
- 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
- 2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin)
- 1 x Power Fan connector(s) (3 -pin)
- 1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
- 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
- 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
- 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP)
- 1 x System panel(s)
- 1 x MemOK! button(s)
- 1 x GPU Boost switch(es)
- 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
