ASUS Maximus III Extreme Core i5 DDR3 Gaming Motherboard Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

The video opens with Linus introducing a new Republic of Gamers motherboard, the ASUS Maximus III Extreme, as part of the Z-series lineup for the P55 chipset. He notes its compatibility with Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors in the LGA 1156 family, highlighting support for both SLI and Crossfire multi-GPU setups. The host then performs an unboxing, showing the large accessory bundle that accompanies this high-end motherboard. He points out items such as an IO shield, various USB cables, a driver CD that includes a 3D Mark Vantage key, SATA cables, temperature probes, and a Crossfire bridge, emphasizing that Asus packs enough extras to ensure builders have what they need without additional purchases. Linus also comments on the Rog Connect feature and the USB BIOS Flashback, which allows BIOS recovery via a USB drive, underscoring Asus’ focus on reliability and overclocking features. The first look then shifts to the motherboard itself, where he describes the aesthetic design of the Republic of Gamers branding and details the layout around the socket and memory slots, including Asus’ distinctive dual-channel DDR3 slots with one side movable. He explains the presence of an 8-pin CPU power connector, multiple PWM fan headers, a Go button, QLED indicators for POST diagnostics, and the arrangement of PCI Express slots, noting that not all lanes are guaranteed 16x on the P55 chipset. The segment ends with an assessment of the power delivery design and the overall ambition of the Maximus III Extreme, highlighting its feature-rich, enthusiast-targeted approach and its emphasis on expanding capabilities for overclocking and custom cooling setups.

Topics · computers & technology · hardware · unboxing & first look · overclocking & tuning