ASUS Maximus II GENE P45 mATX Motherboard Review

Voltage Regulation / Temperature Testing

Now logically, we could have used the very handy TweakIt feature to monitor the voltages via the LCD Poster. However, since we are fan of old-school methods, our voltage testing will focus on the various voltages and the differences encountered between what is selected in the BIOS, what is reported by PC Probe II, and what is reported by a digital multi-meter (DMM). We have found the five essential voltage read points on this motherboard so the vCORE, CPU PLL, CPU Termination/VTT, vNB, and vDIMM will be recorded with our DMM. The vCORE will be read from the underside of the motherboard at the output side of the corresponding inductor for each voltage supply. PLL, VTT, and NB voltages will be read from read points on the top of the motherboard. vDIMM will be read directly from a DIMM slot's VDD pin. The ground point used for all readings will be a screw hole. Here are a few photos showing the various read points used:


Now that we have established where the read points are, let’s have a look at the results. The following measurements were taken at stock system speeds and with every setting in the BIOS on auto, except for the CPU energy-saving features which were turned off. Just to clarify, the vCore (LLC) section is the vCore readings with Loadline Calibration enabled. With that out of the way, let's have a look at the results.


As a whole, the Maximus II GENE has excellent voltage output. There is little difference between what you select in the BIOS and what the board actually outputs. The PLL, VTT, NB and DIMM voltages are very accurate and stable, displaying almost nonexistent variances between idle and load. The vCore has minor line droop (vDroop) when under load, but it is certainly not enough to negatively affect stability nor overclocking. The only noteworthy issue with the vCore is the variance between what you select in the BIOS and what the board outputs when under load, which can be as 'large' as 0.06V. However, since PC Probe II is so accurate at reading the vCore line, users should not have a problem determining what their actual vCore is at any given time. Most importantly, once Loadline Calibration is enabled, the vDroop is totally eliminated. Since it is such a crucial setting, let's take a closer look at the vCORE's characteristics with a one-hour OCCT stress test.



The vCore dips slightly when the stress test actually kicks-in, but otherwise the vCore line is solid and the ripple is minor at 2.5%.


With Loadline Calibration (LLC) enabled, the vCore line is straight as an arrow displaying zero variance even during load changes. This is an impressive result, clearly ASUS have implemented LLC very well on this motherboard.

Temperature Testing

Now it's time to see if the Maximus II GENE's passive cooling system works as well it as looks. Since this motherboard features temperature sensors for the northbridge and southbridge, we utilized them for our temperature test. We relied on our trusty digital thermometer to measure MOSFET temperatures. We set the system to its overclocked configuration, and then ran Prime 95 Blend for one hour. The temperatures were recorded at ten minute intervals throughout the one hour tests and the results averaged out. The ambient temperature was a warm 22°C/71.6°F


As you can see, the northbridge cooler reached 63°C/145.4°F and the southbridge cooler measured 59°C/138.2°F. Both of these temperatures are fairly hot, but you have to take into consideration that on this motherboard the temperature sensors are in direct contact with the NB and SB. On most motherboards, the temperature are merely placed near the chipset so the temperatures are often optimistically low. Considering our relatively hefty overclock and the fact none of the above components benefited from any direct cooling, all these figures essentially represent a worst-case scenario. In a regular case with some decent airflow, temperatures should be quite a bit lower. And frankly, if you are overclocking, you should absolutely have active cooling on all heatsinks, no matter what motherboard you're using.