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Dual-Channel DDR3 3300 (O.C) / 1600 / 1333 MHz Support

The motherboard supports the dual-channel DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of DDR3 3300 (O.C.)* / 1600 / 1333 MHz to boost the system’s performance, and to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of 3D graphics, multimedia and Internet applications.

M.2 Support

This motherboard features the M.2 slot, which shares bandwidth with PCI Express x2 slot to speed up data transfer up to 10 Gb/s. This helps enhance the performance of your SSD (Solid State Drive) that is dedicated only to the operating system. The M.2 slot also includes Intel Rapid Storage Technology support for faster access to data and applications, and quicker wake up time for your system.

Complete USB 3.0 integration

This motherboard offers you the strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for both the front and rear panels, allowing you to experience the convenience of the latest plug and play connectivity solution at speed up to ten times faster than USB 2.0.

Extra SATA 6 Gb/s support

The Intel Z97 Express chpset natively supports the Serial ATA (SATA) interface, delivering up to 6 Gb/s of data transfer. This motherboard features an extra 6 Gb/s ports for an enchanced scalability, faster data retrieval, and double bandwidth of current bus systems.

1.1.2Other special features

DTS Connect

To get the most out of your audio entertainment across all formats and quality levels, DTS Connect combines two enabling technologies, DTS Neo:PC™ upmixes stereo sources (CDs, MP3s, WMAs, internet radio) into as many as 7.1 channels of incredible surround sound. Consumers can connect their PC to a home theater system. DTS Interactive is capable of performing mult-channel encoding of DTS bitstreams on personal computers, and sending encoded bitstreams out of a digital audio connection (such as S/PDIF or HDMI) designed to deliver audio to an external decoder.

DTS UltraPC II

DTS UltraPC II delivers a superior surround sound experience through your system’s speakers and headphones while monitoring and balancing the loudness level difference between digital audio formats. It also ehnances the audio settings through augmenting low and high frequencies of musical tones, restores compressed or re-mastered sounds, improves bass performance even without a subwoofer, and improves dialogues derived from DVD or Blu-ray Disc™.

ErP Ready

The motherboard is European Union’s Energy-related Products (ErP) ready, and ErP requires products to meet certain energy efficiency requirement in regards to energy consumptions. This is in line with ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and energy- efficient products through product design and innovation to reduce carbon footprint of the product and thus mitigate environmental impacts.

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Chapter 1: Product introduction