There's further speedy storage options available via a feature called ROG RAMdisk. It's pretty much as it sounds, offering the ability to allocate up to 80 per cent of your system RAM for use as a RAM disk, which Asus says will be most beneficial for dealing with large game files that can take a while to load. The files can be cached using what are called Junction Points, which ensure the game still thinks it's reading from the original directory. 16GB memory kit anyone?
An intriguing addition is something called Asus Sonic Radar. This is a gaming aid that indicates the location of enemies but listening for sound sources such as gunshots, footsteps or callouts. When it comes to gaming aids, many have been frowned upon or even persecuted over the years (wide screen monitors are the obvious example). However, not everything is as objectionable as an aimbot. Nonetheless, it's a grey area that we're a little surprised to see Asus getting involved in.
The Maximus VI Extreme includes the usual overclocking gubbins such as on-board power and reset switches, as well as an LED post code readout and a 2-pin thermal probe connector located at the base of the board - something that's also found its way onto Asus' TUF range of motherboards with LGA1150.
New this time though, is Asus' CPU fan header, that when tied in to the bundled fan control software, can alter the speed not just of 4-pin PWM fans, but 3-pin fans too, widening your choice of fans significantly.
Another new overclocking extra called OC Panel looks like it were freshly plucked from Batman's utility belt. It's a combined 5.25in bay device and hand-held tweaking tool, you're able to use to adjust various voltages and fan speeds as well as monitor voltages and temperatures. Mounted to a bundled 5.25in bay adaptor, the top display folds down so it fits neatly inside the mount. Removing the front cap reveals four 4-pin fan headers, which combined with the SATA power connector, allow you to use the OC Panel as an automatic fan controller.
OC Panel is probably the best ROG overclocking device we've seen yet and while we suspect it contributes a fair bit to the Maximus VI Extreme's lofty £350 price tag, we'd imagine it to be pretty useful in overclocking competitions and the like.
Head over the page to see our test setup.
Click to enlarge
An intriguing addition is something called Asus Sonic Radar. This is a gaming aid that indicates the location of enemies but listening for sound sources such as gunshots, footsteps or callouts. When it comes to gaming aids, many have been frowned upon or even persecuted over the years (wide screen monitors are the obvious example). However, not everything is as objectionable as an aimbot. Nonetheless, it's a grey area that we're a little surprised to see Asus getting involved in.
Click to enlarge
New this time though, is Asus' CPU fan header, that when tied in to the bundled fan control software, can alter the speed not just of 4-pin PWM fans, but 3-pin fans too, widening your choice of fans significantly.
Another new overclocking extra called OC Panel looks like it were freshly plucked from Batman's utility belt. It's a combined 5.25in bay device and hand-held tweaking tool, you're able to use to adjust various voltages and fan speeds as well as monitor voltages and temperatures. Mounted to a bundled 5.25in bay adaptor, the top display folds down so it fits neatly inside the mount. Removing the front cap reveals four 4-pin fan headers, which combined with the SATA power connector, allow you to use the OC Panel as an automatic fan controller.
OC Panel is probably the best ROG overclocking device we've seen yet and while we suspect it contributes a fair bit to the Maximus VI Extreme's lofty £350 price tag, we'd imagine it to be pretty useful in overclocking competitions and the like.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Head over the page to see our test setup.
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October 14 2021 | 15:04
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