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!
2X-faster 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 (2X) 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 (8X)! If you're a tweaker, use Advanced Mode for hardcore controls.
Greatly reduce latency, even during heavy downloading and uploading
Flawless audio that
makes you part of the game!
ASUS Z97-PRO GAMER explodes the myth that dedicated sound cards are always better, with integrated SupremeFX technology that achieves near-lossless audio quality with a remarkable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 115dB — meaning you hear every sound detail. And with exclusive Sonic Radar technology pinpointing the precise direction of in-game sounds you even get a leg up in the game!
-
SupremeFX
SupremeFX is an exclusive ASUS technology that's designed for one purpose — to deliver audio that's in a class of its own.
-
Red-line shielding
Horizontally separates SupremeFX audio components from the rest of the motherboard, effectively eliminating interference to ensure flawless sound quality.
-
300Ω-headphone amplifier
Z97-PRO GAMER drives some of the very best headphones available — up to 300Ω load impedance. Z97-PRO GAMER assures you great compatibility and more impactful output than standard onboard audio hardware. You demand superb effects and superior surround sound for truly immersive gaming experiences, and Z97-PRO GAMER delivers!
-
EMI cover
A carefully-engineered protective shield isolates the advanced audio chipset from electromagnetic interference (EMI), preserving the integrity of the audio signals.
-
Premium ELNA® audio capacitors
Added to the mix to deliver a warmer, natural sound to complete the audio experience.
Sonic Radar II
Designed for first-person shooters (FPS), Sonic Radar II displays a stealthy overlay that shows what opponents and teammates are up to. See the precise direction and origin of in-game sounds such as gunshots, footsteps and call-outs, and practice your enemy-pinpointing skills — and exclusive Audio Enhancement further improves in-game sound for superb hearing awareness. The all-new Sonic Radar II includes a redesigned control panel with customizable game list!
Top-speed transfers for faster gaming
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 10Gbit/s 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 550MB/s of bandwidth, which is close to the saturation point for SATA 6Gbit/s 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 10 Gbit/s. 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.
Gamer's Guardian for real-world protection!
While you protect your back in the game, Z97-PRO GAMER protects all sides in the real world. Great motherboard design is all in the detail, which is why ASUS engineers kitted out Z97-PRO GAMER with loads of brilliant protective features. Individually they're tough, together they're unstoppable.
-
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 (5X) 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 (3X) longer than ordinary panels!
ESD Guards
With ASUS ESD Guards your Z97-PRO GAMER is actively protected against sudden electrostatic discharge (ESD), meaning the components will last much longer — and you get protection that's up to twice as resilient as industry standards!
ESD Guards include:
-
Keyboard and mouse connectors:
Additional on-circuit ESD TVS diodes.
-
VGA connector:
Additional on-circuit ESD TVS diodes to protect D-Sub functionality.
-
USB 3/2.0 connectors:
On-circuit transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diodes and capacitor protection for surface-mount and dual-inline packages.
-
LAN port:
ESD TVS diode protection on the LAN circuit bolstered by an anti-surge LAN connector that increases protection against extreme events, such as lightning strikes.
-
Audio connectors:
Capacitor protection on both front and back audio-output circuits.
Epic graphics support for epic gaming experiences!
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 optimized performance, always!
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+ VRM
This 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 3
Fan 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 Boost
This great ASUS-exclusive technology accelerates the already-fast speed of USB 3.0, enabling transfer speeds that are up to 1.33 (1.33X) times faster than standard USB 3.0.
-
System Information
If 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 Update
Your 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 BIOS
Your 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 3
Never 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 2
Quickly 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 processors
Z97-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 6Gbit/s ports and 10Gbit/s 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 Technology
Z97-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 Technology
With 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 capacity
Uses an installed fast SSD (min18.6GB 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.
