Asus Z87 Motherboard Line-up: Debutant Models Within

Luke Hill May 16, 2013 Event, Featured Announcement, Motherboard

Common Features

– Dual intelligent processors with 4-way optimisation
– Unique CPU fan header design
– Updated UEFI BIOS
– New and improved wireless connectivity

The features listed above are those common to each motherboard in Asus' mainline ‘Z87-‘ series, with the exception of the wireless connectivity.

Perhaps the most interesting feature is the unique CPU fan header design. Using some intelligent electronic engineering, Asus has designed a 4-pin CPU fan header which has the ability to control the speed of 3-pin, non-PWM fans. This an impressive feature, especially for those using high-quality 3-pin fans on their CPU cooler, such as Scythe's highly-regarded Gentle Typhoon (AP15) units.

New and improved wireless technology sees Asus equipping its higher-end motherboards with updated receivers. We aren't allowed to say too much about the improved wireless technology, but we can confirm that we were impressed with the ease-of-use features and technologies that Asus showed us. A closer observation of the motherboard pictures may give an indication as to what that improvement is.

‘Z87-‘ Models

Previously classified by their ‘Px' prefixes, Asus' ‘standard' line-up of motherboard models will now feature the ‘Z87-‘ name tag, followed by an additional letter or word, dependent upon their feature set. For users who are accustomed to Asus' naming methods, the mid-range to high-end boards will be keeping the same name suffix of ‘Pro' and ‘Deluxe', amongst others.

It's towards the entry-level section of the market where Asus is making its naming system easier to understand. The LX, LX2, LK and other boards which feature confusingly-indistinguishable suffixes are set to be renamed to ‘-A', ‘-C' and ‘-Plus', for example. This should help make Asus' motherboard hierarchy easier to analyse for consumers.

Asus' ‘Z87-‘ boards are equipped with Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-Way Optimization. The TPU performance tuning chip, EPU energy consumption manager, DIGI+ Power Control, and Fan Xpert 2 can all be activated with one click of the mouse to ensure real-time performance optimization, better energy efficiency, precise digital power control, and detailed case fan management for reduced noise and improved cooling.

As is the case with Asus' current line of ‘mainline' motherboards, parts from the Z87- range will have substantial differences in feature set, performance and target audience. From the samples that we saw at Asus' press event, it is clear that the motherboard manufacturer is aiming to cater for every possible market, including the m-ITX, with Z87I-Deluxe, and workstation, with Z87 WS, guys. This doesn't surprise us; just look at Asus' current Z77 line-up for proof that no market is left untouched and no consumer left without a suitable product.

By far the biggest change to Asus' main series of motherboards, in comparison to previous years, is the switch to a black and gold colour scheme. Asus made it clear that the company wanted its boards to stand out from the pack. Adding some gold into the mixture is one way of making that a possibility.

The five ‘Z87-‘ series motherboard pictured below are the; Z87-A, Z87-C, Z87-Plus, Z87-Pro, and Z87-Deluxe (in order of performance hierarchy, highest performance last).