ASUS Maximus Formula VI vs VII

ZachCampbell4065

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Currently doing a new build, and I'm looking at the Maximus Formula range, their looks really do it for me and they are packed with features, but I can't figure out if it's worth the price jump from the VI (£230) to the VII (£265). I am getting a i7-4790k and am aware of the BIOS update, that isn't a problem. Is it worth it? Or should I go for the likes of the Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming G1 WiFi-BK (£240)?
 
Solution
I have the M6F myself and yes it is a beautiful board, especially if water cooling. However, both are affected by the BIOS Clock Freeze bug whereby if you use certain BIOS features and sometimes for no reason at all, the BIOS clock freezes. Once that happens it's like the movie "Groundhog Day where Bill Murray relives the same day over and over. Once the freeze occurs, every time you boot the machine, you go back in time like Bill did and the machine "wakes up" at the same exact day / time every reboot.

There is a method to reset it and it involves clearing CMOS, reinstalling BIOS, and then re-inputting all your custom BIOS settings. One way in which you can get it to happen is to save or load BIOS profiles in the tools...
I have the M6F myself and yes it is a beautiful board, especially if water cooling. However, both are affected by the BIOS Clock Freeze bug whereby if you use certain BIOS features and sometimes for no reason at all, the BIOS clock freezes. Once that happens it's like the movie "Groundhog Day where Bill Murray relives the same day over and over. Once the freeze occurs, every time you boot the machine, you go back in time like Bill did and the machine "wakes up" at the same exact day / time every reboot.

There is a method to reset it and it involves clearing CMOS, reinstalling BIOS, and then re-inputting all your custom BIOS settings. One way in which you can get it to happen is to save or load BIOS profiles in the tools section. But users have also had it happen after a crash, and for no reason that they have been able to determine.

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?35490-Sabertooth-Z87-Bios-Clock-Issue&p=404524&viewfull=1#post404524
"I have 3 boards with this issue in my shop and EVERY client system I built has this problem. I have tried EVERY fix in this thread, nothing works for more then a few days. Flashed BIOS, reset to factory, replaced batteries. NOTHING. "

It was first reported as affecting the entire Z87 lineup is afflicted, there are numerous other posts on the RoG / VIP forums detailing this. Here's **some** of them
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?45079-BIOS-Time-Clock-not-Keeping-Correct-Time-or-Date
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?35490-Sabertooth-Z87-Bios-Clock-Issue
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?49989-VII-HERO-Clock-never-changes-hour
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?49904-VII-Hero-Real-Time-Clock-Issues
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?35490-Sabertooth-Z87-Bios-Clock-Issue
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?33895-Hero-Time-Clock-Problem
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?46242-Hero-boot-shutdown-time-clock-error
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?47956-General-issues-with-the-Maximus-Vi-Formula

A thread entitled "The Fix" for the Asus BIOS Clock Freeze Problem was started by an Asus staffer. It starts off stating:
"Is your motherboard suffering from the malady of a frozen time clock in UEFI?"
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?36676-Frozen-Time-Clock-in-UEFI-The-Fix

This is the procedure I mentioned above but to give ya a heads up before reading the thread, it's only temporary.

1st post here shows it affecting Z97 boards as well ..... you'll find similar postings in newegg user reviews and in other forums like OCN
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?36676-Frozen-Time-Clock-in-UEFI-The-Fix/page33

In one of the threads, a BIOS fix was announced on June 11, for 12 different non ROG boards. It was stated that the BIOS release notes would state "RTC Issue Cured" and that a new BIOS for RoG boards will follow. No such BIOS has ever been issued.
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?35490-Sabertooth-Z87-Bios-Clock-Issue&p=408653&viewfull=1#post408653

I would also advise you that, according to Asus, the use of LAN / WiFi is an either / or thing. While WiFi is nice on the workbench, I prefer a LAN connection and when setting them up had issues so called TS. I was advised that this was not possible. I questioned this as my laptop manages just fine and their response was that "laptops are designed to do this" but they don't support both components being enabled at the same time.
 
Solution
In had essentially used Asus exclusively for about 10 years. When I ran into this issue I had just recently started "dipping my toes" into MSI's products as it was readily apparent that we were being hosed for the RoG label. Two of the three Hero builds I was involved with suffered the same fate and the Hero was like $75 more than the equivalent MSI board. Imagine my dismay to see a $125 MSI Gaming 5 outperform not only the $215 Hero but also my $310 Maximus Formula.

11104520883l.jpg


I can recommend 2 of the boards on that list

1. The Gigabyte Z97X SOC Force ... my son just completed a build with this board and its a good performer as you can see above. It appears tho tho you want WiFi. I looked up a few reviews on other sites and the G1 doesn't do as well as the Gaming 5 of SOC Force. I fiond Gigabyte's BIOS however to be a bit behind the times .... all the features are there... just fugly and difficult to find things.

2. The MSI Z97A GAMING 9 ACK is a great performer, much cheaper than the G1 and would appear to have all the features you need including WiFi
 

ZachCampbell4065

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I suppose it must just be a lottery, I know people with ROG boards with no troubles, strange.
The gaming 9 looks nice, but I do quite like the addition of the water cooling, even just to try. Any under that category you can suggest? Wifi isn't honestly a big factor in my decision, though if it comes with it I won't say no!
 
I've had boards from all the major manufacturers over the years and no problems with any. If you're only looking for a reasonable OC, any board in the ~$150 USD range will be fine. More than that and you're either paying for a name or random extra "features". However, if there IS some connector you need or want a max OC the more expensive boards are worth it.
 
It's essentially Z87 versus Z97 .... only you can decide if the cost savings is worth the decreased value of your investment. The main difference is MSATA support...Z97 has it, Z87 doesn't. My take on it is that the difference between Z87 and Z97 isn't big enough to justify an upgrade, but in no case would I buy Z87 today versus Z97. Basically selling longevity for up front cost savings. Went searching for write ups and this was the 1st hit.:


http://www.ukgamingcomputers.co.uk/z97-and-z87-difference-a-59.html

There is not much that is different between the two chipsets so if you have an existing custom or gaming PC I recommend you don't run out the door trying to get your hands on a new Z97 motherboard as the new features are not going to be worth it to 99% of people. The biggest difference with this update will come from the CPU's - 4th generation Vs 5th Generation rather than a Z87 VsZ97 as both CPU generations are both forward and backward compatible.

If you are buying or building a new custom computer then given the small price difference between the two, a Z97 based motherboard should be your weapon of choice as it will give you that little bit more future proofing......you never know, MSATA may become the 'norm' and without Z97 in your life you will struggle to adapt to the ever changing industry.