Features

Faster USB 3.0 Transmission with UASP

New ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology supports UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol), the latest USB 3.0 standard. With USB 3.0 Boost technology, a USB device's transmission speed is significantly increased up to 170%, adding to an already impressive fast USB 3.0 transfer speed. ASUS software automatically accelerates data speeds for compatible USB 3.0 peripherals without the need for any user interaction.

• World’s 1st USB 3.0 UASP Support – 170% faster instantly
• Complete USB 3.0 Solution – Performance boost for most USB devices
• Simple Plug & Boost – Auto detection design ensures best performance always

When transferring a 13.8 GB movie, USB 3.0 Boost from ASUS lands an overall better-performing PC. Check out these benchmarks for more info:

UEFI BIOS (EZ Mode)

Flexible & Easy BIOS Interface
Exclusive to ASUS motherboards, its UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the first ever mouse-controlled graphical BIOS interface designed with dual selectable modes. It delivers a user-friendly interface that goes beyond traditional keyboard-only BIOS controls to enable more flexible and convenient input with quick scrolling. Users can easily navigate the UEFI BIOS with the smoothness of their operating system. Quick and simple overclocking and setup sharing is facilitated by the F12 hotkey BIOS snapshot feature. The exclusive EZ Mode displays frequently-accessed setup info, while the Advanced Mode is for experienced performance enthusiasts that demand far more intricate system control, including detailed DRAM information.

Universal Switchable Graphics Technology

LucidLogix® Virtu is designed for the Intel® Sandy Bridge platform's powerful integrated graphics. Its GPU virtualization dynamically assigns tasks to the best available graphics resources based on power, performance and system load on Windows® 7 based PCs. It allows users to fully utilize the unique capabilities of advanced Sandy Bridge multimedia features alongside the high end 3D rendering performance provided by installed graphics cards. When no discrete graphics are needed, the graphics card is put in idle mode to lower utilization, heat, fan speed and power draw down to near zero, making the system more environmentally-friendly. For users with diverse needs, LucidLogix® Virtu GPU virtualization provides great flexibility and efficiency.

Universal Switchable Graphics

LucidLogix® Virtu's GPU virtualization technology assigns tasks to the best available GPU, allowing dynamic graphics switching between integrated graphics and NVIDIA® or AMD graphics cards.

3X Faster Video Conversion

With switchable graphics, all ASUS P8Z68 Series motherboards leverage the transcoding power of Sandy Bridge, allowing users to enjoy three times faster video conversion with Intel® Quick Sync Video technology.

 

TPU

ASUS continues to put innovation at its forefront, launching the world’s first Dual Intelligent Processors technology. This exclusive design consists of the EPU (Energy Processing Unit), which automatically monitors power consumption system-wide to ensure efficiency, and the TPU (TurboV Processing Unit) - guaranteeing superior performance for every task, bringing users an unbeatable experience.

The Ultimate Turbo Processor

Unleash your performance with ASUS' simple onboard switch or AI Suite II utility. The TPU chip offers precise voltage control and advanced monitoring through Auto Tuning , GPU Boost and TurboV functions. Auto Tuning offers a user friendly way to automatically optimize the system for fast, yet stable clock speeds, while TurboV enables unlimited freedom to adjust CPU frequencies and ratios for optimized performance in diverse situations.

EPU

Energy Efficiency All Around

Tap into the world's first real-time PC power saving chip through a simple onboard switch or AI Suite II utility. Get total system-wide energy optimization by automatically detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating power consumption. This also reduces fan noise and extends component longevity!

Go to the Limit with iGPU Level Up!

GPU Boost accelerates the integrated GPU for extreme graphics performance. The user-friendly interface facilitates flexible frequency adjustments. It easily delivers stable system-level upgrades for every use.

Complete USB 3.0 Integration

Double USB Access, Double Convenience

ASUS facilitates strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for both the front and rear panel - 4 USB 3.0 ports in total. Experience the latest plug & play connectivity at speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The P8Z68-V LE affords greater convenience to high speed connectivity.

Native SATA 6Gb/s Support

The Intel® Z68 Chipset natively supports next-generation Serial ATA (SATA) storage interface, this motherboard delivers up to 6.0 Gb/s data transfer rates. Additionally, get enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, double the bandwidth of current bus systems.

 

LGA1155 socket for Intel® Second Generation Core™ i7/ Core™ i5/ Core™ i3 Processors

This motherboard supports the latest Intel® second generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3 processors in the LGA1155 package, with memory and PCI Express controllers integrated to support 2-channel (4 DIMM) DDR3 memory and 16 PCI Express 2.0 lanes. This provides great graphics performance. Intel® second generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3 processors are among the most powerful and energy efficient CPUs in the world.

Intel® Z68 Express Chipset

The Intel® Z68 Express Chipset is a single-chipset design to support socket 1155 Intel® second generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3 processors. It provides improved performance by utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. Additionally, Z68 chipset provides 2 SATA 6Gb/s and 4 SATA 3Gb/s ports for faster data retrieval at double the bandwidth of current bus systems. Moreover, Intel® Z68 Express Chipset also supports iGPU function, letting users enjoy the latest Intel integrated graphic performance.

Auto Tuning

Achieve extreme yet stable overclocking results automatically

Adjust system performance parameters with just a few clicks away

One-stop access to innovative ASUS features

Enjoy full HD 1080p multimedia home-theater entertainment

Built-in variety of useful profiles offer flexible controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment.

Stylish heatsink features 0-dB thermal solution that offers a noiseless PC environment.

Quick charge your iPod, iPhone and even iPad!

Any memory is A-OK!

 

Specifications

CPU	Intel® Socket 1155 for 2nd Generation Core™ i7/Core™ i5/Core™ i3 Processors Supports Intel® 32 nm CPU Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2 * The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types. * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
Chipset	Intel® Z68
Memory	4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) * Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.  * Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists). * Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.
Graphic	Integrated Graphics Processor Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DVI/RGB ports - Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz - Supports DVI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz - Supports RGB with max. resolution 2048 x 1536 @ 75 Hz Maximum shared memory of 1748 MB
Multi-GPU Support	Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology Supports LucidLogix® Virtu™ Technology
Expansion Slots	1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (blue) *1 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black) *1 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 3 x PCI
Storage	Intel® Z68 chipset : 2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray 4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10 Support Intel® Smart Response Technology on 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family
LAN	Realtek® 8111E , 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Audio	Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC - Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking Audio Feature : - Blu-ray audio layer Content Protection  - Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
USB Ports	ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 4 x USB 3.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board) Intel® Z68 chipset : 12 x USB 2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, black, 8 at mid-board)
Overclocking Features	Overclocking Protection : - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Special Features	ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors - TPU & EPU : ASUS TPU : - Auto Tuning - TurboV - GPU Boost - TPU switch ASUS EPU : - EPU ASUS Power Design : - 4 +2 Phase Power Design ASUS Exclusive Features : - MemOK! - AI Suite II - Ai Charger+ - Anti-Surge - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface - USB 3.0 Boost - Disk Unlocker ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution : - Stylish Fanless Design Heat-sink solution - ASUS Fan Xpert ASUS EZ DIY : - ASUS O.C. Tuner - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS Q-Design : - ASUS Q-Slot
Back I/O Ports	1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x DVI-D 1 x D-Sub 1 x HDMI 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s) 2 x USB 3.0 4 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 6 x Audio jack(s)
Internal I/O Ports	1 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin) 4 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 8 USB 2.0 port(s) 1 x COM port(s) connector(s) 2 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s) 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector(s) 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 -pin) 1 x Power Fan connector(s) (3 -pin) 1 x S/PDIF out header(s) 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s) 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s) 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP) 1 x System panel(s) 1 x MemOK! button(s) 1 x TPU switch(es)
Accessories	User's manual I/O Shield 2 x SATA 3Gb/s cable(s) 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
BIOS	64 Mb Flash ROM, EFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, F12 PrintScreen Function
Manageability	WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE
Support Disc	Drivers ASUS Utilities ASUS Update LucidLogix® Virtu software Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Form Factor	ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9 inch ( 30.5 cm x 22.9 cm )
Note	*1: The PCIe x16_2 slot shares bandwidth with PCIe x1_1 slot, PCIe x1_2 slot.