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Networking That Just Goes Faster!
The difference between defeat and victory can be measured in milliseconds. That's why we've equipped Z97-PRO GAMER with networking technology that puts your frags first!
Intel® Gigabit Ethernet
The very latest Intel® Gigabit Ethernet means faster, smoother gaming – always. Intel's LAN has the serious double advantage of communicating directly with Intel CPUs and offering exceptionally high TCP and UDP throughput. This significantly reduces the processor's workload, so there's more power for your game and your gameplay!
Twice as Fast as 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 UDP data packets that are vital for responsive gaming. The results are in – and with Z97-PRO GAMER your game-data packets flow up to two times faster!
LANGuard – RJ45 Reinvented
Z97-PRO GAMER has the reinvented LAN Guard. Advanced signal-coupling technology and premium surface-mounted capacitors improve throughput, while surge-protected and electrostatically-guarded components (ESD Guards) protect your motherboard from lightning strikes and static electricity!
GameFirst II
GameFirst II with cFosSpeed traffic-shaping technology adds even more lag-reducing support, with an EZ Mode that lets you lower lag with no expert knowledge – by up to eight times! If you're a tweaker, use Advanced Mode for hardcore controls.
Every part of your PC contributes to gaming speed and with both M.2 and SATA Express connectivity on board, Z97-PRO GAMER drives data transfers at lightning speed – and that means faster gaming fun for you!
Evolve your storage speed with SATA Express
SATA Express provides up to 10Gbps data-transfer speeds from two PCI Express 2.0 lanes, so you're all set for the next generation of super-fast SSDs. Existing SSDs consume up to 550Mbps of bandwidth, which is close to the saturation point for SATA 6Gbps connections – but Z97-PRO GAMER's SATA Express interface smashes this through this speed barrier. Backwardly compatible with up to two SATA drives, SATA Express is the next-generation connectivity standard that ensures you and your game won't get left behind.
Faster Gaming with M.2
Z97-PRO GAMER includes an M.2 socket with two native PCI Express 2.0 lanes for data-transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps. This is the perfect choice for an operating system drive to make every gaming experience faster and more fun. Z97-PRO GAMER also 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.
DIGI+ VRM
Z97-PRO GAMER DIGI+ VRM voltage-regulator module (VRM) is one of the finest in the industry, ensuring ultra-smooth and ultra-clean power delivery to the CPU at all times!
DRAM Overcurrent Protection
Z97-PRO GAMER's connection ports and DRAM are protected against overcurrent and short-circuit damage by onboard resettable fuses, extending your motherboard's life.
10K Black Metallic Capacitors
Exceptionally high-quality Japanese-made (Nichicon GT series) solid-state capacitors offer 20% greater temperature endurance and lifespans that are up to five times longer that generic equivalents.
Stainless steel back I/O
Crafted from chromium-plated, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, Z97-PRO GAMER's input/output (I/O) panel is super-strong – and last up to three times longer than ordinary panels!
Z97-PRO GAMER is an epic motherboard, so you'd expect it to boast epic graphics support. From native next-generation 4K/UHD (ultra-high-definition) resolutions to support for multiple graphics cards (multi-GPU), Z97-PRO GAMER is a visual master – so prepare to be stunned!
4K/UHD support
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.
PCI Express 3.0 Support
The fastest graphics cards require the fastest interfaces, and Z97-PRO GAMER has the very latest and fastest PCI Express 3.0 expansion slot (not to mention three PCI Express 2.0 and three PCI slots!).
Quad-GPU SLI™ / CrossFireX™ support
The Z97 platform lets you unleash full power of multi-GPU setups with optimized PCI Express allocation for visuals that never stutter!
GPU Boost
Exclusive ASUS GPU Boost technology lets you accelerate Z97-PRO GAMER's integrated GPU (iGPU) for extreme graphics performance safely and easily via a user-friendly interface – it's a free iGPU level-up!
AI Suite 3 is an exclusive ASUS dashboard-style control panel that lets you fine-tune almost every aspect of your Z97-PRO GAMER-based system for the best balance between performance, stability and efficiency – all via a simple and intuitive interface.
Dual Intelligent Processors 5 with Digi+ VRMThis key part of AI Suite 3 is an easy-to-use tuning tool that dynamically adjusts ASUS TPU (Turbo V Processing Unit), EPU (Energy Processing Unit) and Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM), Fan Xpert 3 and Turbo App technologies to enhance performance and increase efficiency. It all happens with perfect precision – and all with a single click!
Fan Xpert 3Fan 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. It even can reduce the CPU fan speed to below the default minimum, for extra-quiet and power saving operation during light loads.
USB 3.0 BoostThis great ASUS-exclusive technology accelerates the already-fast speed of USB 3.0, enabling transfer speeds that are up to 1.3 times faster than standard USB 3.0.
System InformationIf you need to look up your PC's specification in a hurry then the System Information screen will show you want you need – right away!
EZ UpdateYour motherboard will always be kept up to date thanks to EZ Update – just click to check for the latest drivers.
Award-Winning BIOS Design!Z97-PRO GAMER is designed for speed and simplicity – a design ethic that extends right down into the motherboard's powerful and yet elegant UEFI BIOS.
UEFI BIOSYour Z97-PRO GAMER's UEFI BIOS includes both EZ Mode and Advanced Mode to suit your experience level and ambitions. In EZ Mode you can get set up very quickly, applying the date and time, fan profiles and Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory profiles. Switch to Advanced Mode to set up favorites and shortcuts, record and review recent changes with Last Modified or make notes in Quick Notes.
CrashFree BIOS 3Never again worry about corrupted a BIOS, as CrashFree BIOS 3 lets you restore a PC to working order – even when it won't boot!
EZ Flash 2Quickly update your BIOS from a USB flash drive before entering the OS. It only takes a few clicks, with no floppy disk or an OS-based flash utility.
The Power of Intel!Z97-PRO GAMER builds on the latest Intel technologies so you can take full advantage of some brilliant PC innovations, from cutting-edge desktop processors to auto-updating applications and the ability to wake your computer in just moments.
Intel® Z97 Express Chipset for the Latest Intel ProcessorsZ97-PRO GAMER's Intel® Z97 Express is a single-chipset design that supports Intel LGA1150 4th-, new 4th- and 5th-generation Core™ i7/i5/i3/Pentium®/Celeron® processors. It provides improved performance by using serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. Additionally, Z97 provides a maximum of six USB 3.0 ports, six SATA 6Gbps ports and 10Gbps M.2 support for faster data retrieval. The Intel Z97 Express chipset also supports iGPU functions, so you enjoy the latest Intel integrated-graphics performance.
Intel® Smart Connect TechnologyZ97-PRO GAMER has Intel Smart Connect Technology to super-charge your daily computing. Receive updates from your favorite Internet-connected apps even when your PC is asleep, so your computing experience becomes more fluid and efficient!
Intel® Rapid Start TechnologyWith Intel Rapid Start Technology built in your Z97-PRO GAMER will awake from sleep in just moments. It's fast, effective and superbly energy efficient – all at the same time!
Intel® Smart Response Technology SSD Speed with HDD CapacityUses an installed fast SSD (min. 18.6GB 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.