Gene uses an 8+2 Phase power design via Digi+3. Around the socket ROG has placed 60A ferrite chokes and 10K black metallic capacitors.

Over the MOSFETs sit two large and distinct heatsinks which are interconnected by a copper heatpipe. Just behind the heatsinks resides an 8-pin CPU power socket and as becoming customary now - there are two designated CPU fan headers for flagship air coolers and ALCs.

Gene uses Socket 1150 and supports Intel’s 4th and 5th Generation Processors.



Moving on there are 4x DDR3 DIMM slots which can accommodate up to 32GB of memory and 3300 (OC).

Also in the memory region are a number of advanced features – MemOK! makes an appearance and is now regarded as an integral ASUS feature, MemOK! ensures memory compatibility and a successful boot up. Probelt runs along the edge allowing you to accurately read voltages and LED debug is also present for diagnosing any issues on POST.

ROG has placed a USB 3.0 header near to the memory slots and 24-pin ATX socket. This supplies USB 3.0 functionality for the front panel.



Most partner Z97 boards are combining SATA, SATA Express and M.2 for storage but for the ROG line we have just SATA and M.2. Even, so ASUS have given this small motherboard a remarkable number of ports – up to eight SATA III 6GB/s.



Gene has just three PCI Express slots due to the overall size of the motherboard. The slots include:

• 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 top slot or dual x8)
• 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4

Since there are two X16 slots, NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossfireX are both supported. If a single card configuration is being used the top slot is the best slot to use as this operates at x16 but if two cards are installed this will drop to x8.

In between the PCI Express slots, ASUS have placed a M.2 slot for SSD storage. This slot can accommodate type 2260/2280 drives.

Underneath the x4 slot ASUS have placed onboard power and reset buttons to make tie motherboard easier to use on a test bench.

At the bottom of the board is a button called KeyBot. This button allows you to assign macros and functions to a standard USB keyboard. By plugging the keyboard in and pressing this button, the microprocessor on the reverse initiates and allows a variety of commands to be applied via proprietary software which is included. This kind of feature is very useful for users who do not have access to a keyboard with macro functionality built-in.



Finally, we come to the rear IO panel on Gene. Additional to the usual plethora of USB and other ports, ASUS have included a mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 slot and a set of pins for the SupremeFX audio module. Here is a full list of the available ports:

• 1x Mini-PCIe 2.0 x1
• 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
• 1 x HDMI
• 1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
• 4 x USB 3.0 (blue)
• 4 x USB 2.0 (one port can be switched to ROG Connect)
• 1 x Optical S/PDIF out
• 3 x Audio jack(s)
• 1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
• 1 x ROG Connect On/ Off switch(es)