Choosing between ROG EXTREME and Premium: Power phases and stability.

[TLoD_Snake]

ASUS Z170 Premium:
16 + 4 + 2 Phase Power Design

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII EXTREME:
8+4+1 Phase Power Design

I'm choosing between these two mobos and I need the most stable one. I'm really confused with the fact ROG mobo has less power phases.
Can someone explain this fact?

[Raja]

Power phases don't really mean much on this platform. Either board will max out your CPU. The Extreme is very slightly better at memory clocking (over DDR4-3700).

[Menthol]

two different boards for two different purposes, both are very good and reliable and stable, they have different options for different people, either is a good choice, you should decide on the options that you need or want as Raja says the power design is more than adequate on either

[TLoD_Snake]

Guys, I really don't need marketing talks about product placement and so on. I also beleive that both products are great, they should be for their price tags. In my case and for my purposes I see the only difference in their power design and I need a technical explanation on the topic.

I see both mobos use the same VRM module, may be in Premium there are 20 half-phases, that would make sense. Having more half-phases should make some advantage in theory but due to technical complexity of such solution I'd stick with less real phases rather then more of half-phases.

[Raja]

TLoD_Snake wrote:
Guys, I really don't need marketing talks about product placement and so on. I also beleive that both products are great, they should be for their price tags. In my case and for my purposes I see the only difference in their power design and I need a technical explanation on the topic.

The response you have received aren't based upon marketing. Here's a more technical reply - a picture is worth a thousand words...



Mux or direct phase count is not really relevant. The platform's current consumption is very light.

[TLoD_Snake]

Raja@ASUS wrote:
The response you have received aren't based upon marketing. Here's a more technical reply - a picture is worth a thousand words...

Mux or direct phase count is not really relevant. The platform's current consumption is very light.

Sorry but attachment link seems to be broken for me.

I really want to figure out if Premium mobo uses virtual power phases by utilizing phase multipliers. That'd give me some peace.

Could I switch fan speed profiles using ROG's OC panel under Gentoo Linux OS. I use Gentoo for my routine tasks and work and Windows 10 to play Battlefield4 and couple of other games.

[Raja]

TLoD_Snake wrote:
Sorry but attachment link seems to be broken for me.

Nothing broken on my side, but here's the image anyway:

http://s29.postimg.org/hk97euhsn/900x900px_LL_e39ad6a0_VRM.png

Shows the current slope is nothing to be concerned about.

[Code_Frenzy]

I originally ordered the Premium but due to an extended delay on delivery I changed my mind and purchased the M8 Hero Alpha for considerably less money. The ability to have U.2 and M.2 were amongst my reasons for choosing these boards, but had I waited just slightly longer I would have probably gone for the M8 Formula. It's a very nice looking board and has integrated water cooling which would have been perfect for my custom loop.
Anyhow, I'm very happy with my M8 Hero Alpha and will soon have it lit up like Blackpool Illuminations (a very famous light display here in the uk :p).

[Praz]

Hello

If one whats to be concerned with VRM design as a deciding point of purchase go with the X99 platform. Z170, even with Intel's base VRM implementation, is more than enough for any 24/7 use. A technical discussion regarding the design limitations of the VRM subsystem will most likely be lost on those that do not have a basic understanding of why this is a non-issue.