KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
The Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 ships in packaging based around an industrialised theme.
Asus highlights the motherboard's 5-year warranty on the box's front side and references specifications and features on the rear.
The core accessory bundle comprises four SATA cables, the IO shield, an SLI bridge, and Asus' convenient Q-connectors.
With thermal performance and durability being key points behind the design of TUF motherboards, Asus supplies the Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 with dust defenders and thermal probes.
Dust defenders are simplistic plastic covers that fit into unused slots to prevent dust built-up. I must admit that significant levels of dust build-up in expansion slots or around headers is not something that I have experienced personally. But I can see the validity of dust defenders to certain users, such as those who live near a road or in a smoking household.
Three thermal probes can be connected to onboard headers to record the temperature of a user-defined location. Inside our NZXT Phantom 630 test chassis, the cable was long to stretch the probe from its header located along the board's bottom edge up to the memory slots and VRM area.
Two fans are included as part of the Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 motherboard's cooling system. The 35mm unit is powered by a standard 3-pin connection and can be mounted in the ‘northbridge' area to provide airflow below the Thermal Armour.
A mounting position for the 40mm fan is located close to the rear IO ports where it can provide cooling air to the VRM components.
Asus supplies documentation such as manuals and warranty notices with the Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1. A drivers CD is also provided, as is a large TUF INSIDE stick bearing the series' logo.
Luke, brilliant review and so much detail, took me 30 minutes reading it this morning. I love Kitguru’s motherboard (and GPU) reviews! This is top of my shortlist when the new K series come out.
What is going on? Why is everyone copying the ASUS red and black board designs? Nice to see ASUS (who started it all) using different colours.
Sabretooth are my favourite boards. always have been. ill be getting this one soon
I think thermal armor is a gimmick in regards to temperatures, but I like the dust protection and protection over the capacitors. I can be rough on the boards when installing them. Nice looking board – interested in SATA express too, as I have a lot of large files I move around often
based on your reviews I included the sabertooth mark 1 in my new build, also your reviews let me decide my gpu, gigabyte GTX770OC, psu seasonic X-Series 650W KM3 gold and now my ram, G.Skill ARES 16 g kit. Cheers for taking the stress out of my build
May I turn-off the small fans? Or just remove them? It is
going to have some significant impact in the performance or will the MB get
overheated?
Thanks!