ASUS has recently announced the new Asus TUF Z97 Series motherboards for Philippines, featuring the latest Intel Z97 Express chipset. The new Asus TUF Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 and Sabertooth Z97 Mark 2, Gryphon Z97 and Gryphon Z97 Armor Edition motherboards support up to the latest 5th-generation Intel Core processors and — exclusively on the Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 — the new 10Gbit/s SATA Express interface for high-speed external storage. Available in both ATX and mATX form factors, there’s a TUF Z97 motherboard suitable for any build. Check out their features, respective specifications and prices below.
Looks TUF, performs tougher
The Asus TUF Z97 motherboards are world-renowned for their toughness, long-term stability, durability and bold styling, and the new models continue this proud tradition with a powerful new military-inspired design and the use of premium components throughout. The robust TUF motherboards have upgraded thermal management with the brand new TUF ICe cooling for precise fan control and thermal monitoring. Other features include the comprehensive Thermal Radar 2 cooling control, including the innovative Dust Diverter reversible fan technology and VGA Fan Control, making TUF motherboards cooler, more stable and even more reliable.
Intelligently cooled, toughly built
All Asus TUF Z97 motherboards include Thermal Radar 2, which now allows users to control fans on ASUS graphics cards as well the case and system fans. Designed to provide total control over fan tuning and system cooling, it delivers the perfect balance between quietness, cooling and performance. Additionally, the new TUF ICe is an onboard microchip that delivers incredibly precise temperature monitoring and fan control. Monitoring of onboard temperature and fan speeds is always ultra-accurate — whether adjusting settings manually or using Thermal Radar 2’s automatic one-click optimization feature.
TUF Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 and Gryphon Z97 Armor Edition feature TUF Fortifier. This turns the entire motherboard backplate into a huge heat-sink to direct heat away from key components on the back of voltage regulator module (VRM), reducing temperatures by up to 7°C. These models also use exclusive Thermal Armor, a special casing covering the entire motherboard that optimizes airflow to boost heat dissipation. The newly-added Dust Diverter technology allows fans to blow dust away from internal components, and Dust Defenders protect unused ports from dust inside and outside the system.
Designed for stability, tested for guaranteed satisfaction
TUF Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 and Gryphon Z97 Armor Edition are both fully geared up with Thermal Armor, TUF Fortifier and Dust Defenders for the ultimate in cooling, stability and durability. Sabertooth Z97 Mark 2 and Gryphon Z97 are engineered with military-certified TUF components for everyday reliability, plus TUF ICe and Thermal Radar 2 for comprehensive control of cooling.
All Asus TUF Z97 series motherboards are strictly tested to assure the utmost reliability. Military-grade certified TUF components have been upgraded with new alloy chokes, running up to 13.6% cooler. TUF ESD Guards are tested to standards that are up to double the industry norm, ensuring electrostatic discharges are properly grounded to protect sensitive components. Along with server-grade system tests and over 7000 hours of compatibility checks with over 1,000 devices, TUF Z97 motherboards are solidly built to inspire confidence, which is why every board is covered by a 5-year warranty.
Asus TUF Z97 Motherboards Specifications
| Specifications | SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 1 | SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 | GRYPHON Z97 ARMOR EDITION | GRYPHON Z97 |
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| CPU | LGA1150 socket for 5th, new 4th and 4th-gen Intel® Core i7/i5/i3, Pentium®/Celeron® processors |
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| Chipset | Intel Z97 Express Chipset |
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| Memory | Dual-channel DDR3 1866/1600/1333, max. 32GB |
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| VGA Output | HDMI/DP | HDMI/DP/DVI |
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| Power Phase Design | Digital 8+2 phase |
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| PCIe x16 slots | 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slots |
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| PCIe x1 slots | 3 x PCIe 2.0×1 | 1 x PCIe 2.0×1 |
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| Multi-GPU | Quad-GPU SLI & CFX |
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| LAN | 1x Intel Gigabit LAN 1x Realtek Gigabit LAN | 1x Intel Gigabit LAN |
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| Audio | Realtek 1150 8-channel HD | Realtek 892 8-channel HD |
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| Storage | 1x SATA Express(compatible with 2 x SATA 6Gb/s), 6 x SATA 6Gb/s | 6x SATA 6Gbit/s |
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| USB | 8x USB 3.0 (4 front); 8 x USB 2.0 | 6 x USB 3.0 (2 front); 6 x USB 2.0 |
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| TUF Features | Thermal Armor with Flow Valve TUF ICe Dust Diverter TUF Fortifier Dust Defenders Thermal Radar 2 TUF Components | TUF ICe Thermal Radar 2 TUF Components | Thermal Armor TUF ICe Dust Diverter TUF Fortifier Dust Defenders Thermal Radar 2 TUF Components | TUF ICe Thermal Radar 2 TUF Components |
| Form factor | ATX | mATX |
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Price and Availability
The new ASUS TUF Z97 Series motherboards will be available in the Philippines starting this May 2014. The Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of Php 15,190, while the Mark 2 is Php 10,990, and the Gryphon Z97 Armor Edition has a local retail price of Php 11,490.
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