- - Intel LGA 1150 (Socket H3) Intel® Celeron®, Intel® Pentium®
- - PC ATX Intel® Z97 7.1 channels
- - DDR3-SDRAM DIMM
- - SATA III
- - Quad-GPU CrossFireX, Quad-GPU SLI
- - BIOS type: UEFI AMI 64 Mbit ACPI version: 5.0a Clear CMOS jumper
- - Gigabit Ethernet
Intel Z97, 4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, SATA 6Gb/s
One click, total system optimization
Get robust overclocking, energy savings, digital power, customized fan control and tailored networking and audio settings
One click takes care of all that complex tuning. Your PC is smart with ASUS 5-Way Optimization. It dynamically optimizes essential aspects of your system based on real-time use – so you get superb CPU performance, everyday energy savings, ultra-stable digital power, cool and quiet fans and now even networking and audio settings that are tailored for the apps that you are using. In short, 5-Way Optimization ensures that your PC is perfect for gaming, entertainment, productivity or just about anything else!
- Games run swiftly and smoothly with high performance, prioritized bandwidth and vivid sound
- Fans stay whisper-quiet for everyday computing and ensure extreme cooling efficiency when gaming
- Movies play without stutter
- Energy waste is reduced so you'll save money
Fan Xpert 3
Fan Xpert 3 puts 4-pin/3-pin CPU and case fan controls in one place. It scans each fan's characteristics and delivers custom settings for each fan based on the dedicated area temperatures detected by hardware thermal sensors. Make sure every fan achieves the best balance of cooling performance and low noise. Fan Xpert 3 supports hardware-level PWM/DC combo mode for both the CPU and case fans. It even can reduce the CPU fan speed to below the default minimum, for extra-quiet and power saving operation during light loads.
Media-acclaimed UEFI BIOS
The smoothest, slickest mouse-controlled graphical BIOS has been improved to make it even more appealing. Whether you're a PC novice or a seasoned overclocker, the EZ and Advanced Modes help you find your way, quickly and easily.
- Map to MyFavorite: Quickly find tuning options and add preferred tools to the MyFavorites list!
- EZ Tuning Wizard – OC and RAID: Select your hardware and use scenarios to tune system performance or streamline your RAID configuration for faster data retrieval and backups!
- EZ XMP Improve your DRAM performance with a click!
- Intuitive graphical fan control Fine-tune individual fans simply by dragging a curve with the mouse!
- Real-time hardware monitor Benefit from instant information from the critical parts of your system!
- Fan Profile: Detailed CPU and case fan information for instant cooling!
- SATA Information: Displays SATA port details for you to easily recognize devices!
- Fast Clock Adjustment: Use mouse controls to change the time and date!
- EZ XMP: Improve your DRAM performance with a click!
- Shortcut: Press Enter to create shortcuts to favorite settings, or select an existing shortcut and press F4 to go straight there!
- Quick Notes: Make notes and capture BIOS-related ideas, quickly and conveniently!
- Last Modified Log: Track last change and save preferred profiles onto a USB drive!
- SATA Port Renaming: Rename SATA ports for easy identification!
Special memory overclocking design
Now you can drive memory up to 3200 (OC)! Our exclusive T-Topology design provides superb memory overclocking capability under full load by minimizing the coupling noise and signal reflection effect. The memory channels are equidistant to the CPU, providing the most balanced control over multiple memory modules and enhanced overall memory compatibility.
Evolve your storage speed with
SATA Express
SATA Express provides up to 10Gbit/s data-transfer speeds from two PCIE 2.0 lanes, resolving the higher bandwidth request in the near future. The current SSDs consume up to 550MB/s, which is close to saturation point for SATA 6Gbit/s connections. Backwardly compatible with up to two SATA drives, SATA Express is the next-generation connectivity standard — and ensures that you and your system won't get left behind.
Speed up your system with M.2
With two native PCI Express 2.0 bandwidth, M.2 supports up to 10Gbit/s data-transfer speeds. It is the perfect choice for an operating system drive, making your whole PC work that much faster. It supports Intel® Rapid Storage Technology to ensure even faster access to data, refresh applications automatically and awake from sleep in just seconds!*
*Refer to model specifications for Intel® Rapid Storage Technology support
Upgrade to super-fast Thunderbolt speed today
ASUS ThunderboltEX II series are the first Intel®-certified Thunderbolt™ 2 add-on card, offering the flexibility to upgrade your own build to Thunderbolt technology whenever you want. You can enjoy bi-directional transfer speeds up to 20Gbit/s* — that's four times (4X) faster than USB 3.0! Experience video in incredible detail on the latest 4K/UHD (ultra-high-definition) displays while using bandwidth-hungry storage devices at the same time.
Game faster, rank higher!
Turbo App
The distant sound of enemy footsteps. You turn, focus, and unleash a crackle of rapid gunfire. Another frag for you! As a gamer, you know that only the swiftest actions win the game, and that's why you need exclusive ASUS Turbo App — an intuitive tuning panel to boost everything to secure your victory in your favorite titles! Overclock your CPU, prioritize game data across your network and optimize the audio settings for fantastically clear audio and in-game-chat. History is written by the victors, so don't go to war without Turbo App.
Flawless audio that makes you part of the game
Crystal Sound 2
Crystal Sound 2 makes short work of optimizing audio settings for the way you want to listen, be it gaming, chatting, watching movies or relaxing to your favorite music. Onboard physical shielding, professional engineered design and premium components, including Japanese-made audio capacitors and operational amplifiers (op-amps), result in sound output that has exceptional clarity and fidelity. Discover a whole new dimension of superior audio and get ready to rule!
A double win for gaming!
The difference between defeat and victory can be measured in milliseconds. That's why ASUS motherboards are equipped with state-of-the-art networking technology that puts your frags first!
Turbo LAN
Turbo LAN with cFosSpeed traffic-shaping technology adds even more lag-reducing support and intuitive user interface. It allows you to lower lag with no expert knowledge – by up to 1.45X! If you're a tweaker, use Advanced Mode for hardcore controls.
Intel® Gigabit Ethernet —top gaming choice that goes faster with your CPU
Faster, smoother gaming – always. Intel® Gigabit Ethernet has the serious double advantage of communicating directly with CPUs and offering high TCP and UDP throughput. This significantly reduces the processor's workload, so there's more power for your game and your gameplay.
Up to 2X-faster UDP game-data performance
ASUS engineers used IxChariot, an independent network-assessment test tool, to determine just how much quicker Intel Gigabit Ethernet deals with the smaller (sub-256 byte) UDP data packets that are vital for responsive gaming. The results are in — and with Z97 your game-data packets flow up to two times (2X) faster than competing gaming-LAN technologies!
Multi-GPU support
With support for both NVIDIA® SLI™ and AMD CrossFireX™, the Z97 motherboard enables multi-GPU setups so you can harness the full power of the latest graphics technologies.
4K/Ultra HD visual excellence
Native support for 4K/UHD (ultra-high-definition) resolutions of up to 4096 x 2160 via HDMI or DisplayPort —that's four times the pixel count of 1080p (1920 x 1080), offering incredible visual clarity, detail, and realism.
Work with up to 3 displays
Connect up to three independent monitors at once using video outputs such as DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, or VGA. Choose your outputs and set displays to either mirror mode or collage mode.
Your PC, your world
ASUS HomeCloud creates a world without boundaries. It lets you access your PC remotely, stream multimedia content to wherever you want, and manage all your stuff from anywhere — no matter where it's stored. Use the built-in Wake on WAN feature to remotely wake and control your PC with a single smart device, anywhere and anytime. It even turns your hard drive into a private cloud, removing worries about storage limits. With HomeCloud, your PC becomes the gateway to your world.
Total control anytime, anywhere with Remote GO!
Remote GO! gives you complete control of your PC — even when you're away from home! Access your forgotten files at home, work on your PC while your are in the traffic or outside. Plus one step to manage all your public clouds or sync files among your PC and devices in a click.
A digital PC hub perfect for sharing and home theater
Media Streamer
Enjoy your PC's multimedia content —anywhere! Pipe music from your PC while sipping coffee in a café or sit back with friends and stream a favorite movie to a smart TV. With ASUS Media Streamer, your entertainment goes wherever you go.
Touch the future
NFC EXPRESS 2 & Wireless Charger
Interact with your PC and smart devices wirelessly and efficiently with NFC Express 2 and Wireless Charger! Tap to control your PC or pop down your mobile gadget and charge, as if by magic. Wires are so last century.
Proven quality. Enduring trust.
Strict compatibility and validation
We are the world's biggest motherboard manufacturer, and renowned our design thinking that revolves around users – just like you. Our engineers employ exacting standards to guarantee quality throughout the product's life, choosing the finest components for real-world protection. Our motherboards are proven to be compatible with more than 1,000 components and devices, and undergo a minimum of 7,000 hours of strict validation. That gives you the peace of mind of knowing that ASUS motherboards are fit for all environments and applications. To build your PC with the best foundations, build it with an ASUS motherboard.
PC DIY has never been this easy
We understand how you use your PC. From assembly, system setting and monitoring, and to firmware and hardware updates — we're all about making your life easier. That's why we never stop developing new and exciting DIY opportunities to make PC DIY easy, fun and free from hassle!
assembly
ASUS Q-Design makes PC building quick and easy
settings
ASUS AI Suite 3 is a one-stop shop for adjusting your settings
monitoring
ASUS Push Notice monitors your PC status on the go
BIOS updates
ASUS EZ Flash 2 updates your BIOS from USB outside the operating system
Intel CPU and chipset features
Intel® LGA1150 4th, New 4th & 5th Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® Processors Ready
This motherboard supports Intel® 4th , New 4th and 5th Generation Core™ i7/i5/i3/Pentium®/Celeron® processors in the LGA1150 package, with iGPU, memory and PCI Express controllers integrated to support onboard graphics output with dedicated chipsets, 2-channel (4 DIMM) DDR3 memory and 16 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 lanes. This provides great graphics performance.
Intel® Z97 Express Chipset
The Intel® Z97 Express Chipset is a single-chipset design that supports Intel® LGA1150 4th, New 4th & 5th Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3/Pentium®/Celeron® processors. It provides improved performance by utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. Additionally, Z97 provides a maximum 6 USB 3.0 ports, 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports and 1GB/s M.2 support for faster data retrieval. Moreover, the Intel® Z97 Express Chipset also supports iGPU functions, letting users enjoy the latest Intel integrated graphics performance.
Intel® Smart Response Technology
SSD speed with HDD capacity
Uses an installed fast SSD (min18.6GB available capacity required) as a cache for frequently-accessed data. Key benefits include reduced load and wait times, and lower power consumption through the elimination of unnecessary hard drive spin. This technology combines SSD performance with hard drive capacity, operating up to 6X faster than a hard drive-only system.
Intel® Smart Connect Technology
Auto application refresh and shorter wait times
Your computer can receive web updates with fresh content for selected applications, even when the system is in sleep mode. This means less time waiting for applications to update and sync with the cloud, leading to a more efficient computing experience.
Intel® Rapid Start Technology
Instantly awaken your PC from sleep mode
Allows your computer to quickly resume from a low-power hibernate state in seconds. Saving your system memory to the designated SSD, it provides your computer a faster wake-up response time, while still keeping energy use low.
ASUS Z97-A, Intel, LGA 1150 (Socket H3), Intel® Celeron®, Intel® Pentium®, DDR3-SDRAM, DIMM, 1333,1600,1866,2000,2133,2200,2400,2600,2666,2800,2933,3000 MHz
ASUS Z97-A. Processor manufacturer: Intel, Processor socket: LGA 1150 (Socket H3), Compatible processor series: Intel® Celeron®, Intel® Pentium®. Supported memory types: DDR3-SDRAM, Memory slots type: DIMM, Supported memory clock speeds: 1333,1600,1866,2000,2133,2200,2400,2600,2666,2800,2933,3000 MHz. Supported storage drive interfaces: SATA III, RAID levels: 0, 1, 5, 10. Parallel processing technology support: Quad-GPU CrossFireX, Quad-GPU SLI. Ethernet interface type: Gigabit Ethernet
Sitting in the mid-$100 range, the ASUS Z97-A is one of the cheapest ATX boards we've looked at to date. There's no denying that when you move down to boards at this price level, you do lose a lot of the big fancy features that are seen on boards priced... 
Subtle & professional aesthetics, Great value, Solid performer, Plenty of storage options including M.2 & SATA Express support, Great performance, Clean & easy to use BIOS... 
Brown PCB... 
