ASUS Maximus III Formula LGA1156 Motherboard Review‏

Package & Accessories

Now that we have examined the Maximus III Formula's standout features, it is time to take a look at the packaging and the included accessories. Since the MIIIF is part of the Republic of Gamers (RoG) product line we are expecting big things...


The packaging is the usual Republic of Gamers fare, nearly identical to what we saw with the Rampage II Extreme. It definitely stands out among the sea of bland white packaging that most companies use. The packaging also comes with a top flap, which details some of this model's various features, and a window revealing the motherboard in all its glory.


When you open the box, you are greeted with two seperate inner sections. The first obviously holds the motherboard itself, while the bottom half contains all the accessories.


When you open the accessories box you are greeted by a fairly impressive array of items. There are six SATA cables with locking clips at both ends, three of which also have 90 degree connectors on one end. There's the always useful Q Connectors, which simplify the processor of connect the front-panel connections to the motherboard. A 2-port USB & 1-port eSATA PCI expansion bracket. Some zip ties to help keep your case nice and tidy. The RoG Connect cable, which is effectively just a USB cable. The RoG-themed I/O panel. The SupremeFX X-Fi audio card, and an SLI bridge. Why no CrossFire bridge? Well CF bridges come with every CrossFire-capable Radeon graphics card, whereas much GeForce cards don't come with an SLI bridge.


Let's take a closer look at a few accessories. First, we have the SupremeFX X-Fi audio card, which is based on the new VIA VT2020 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC, and which supports Creative EAX versions up to 4.0 Next, we have the sturdy SATA cables and the robust clips that prevent any accidental disconnections. Last, we have the RoG Connect cable, which attaches from the back of the Maximus III Formula to a netbook/notebook, and which allows for impressive control over the MIIIF's system frequencies and voltages.