Wednesday, November 12th 2014

ASUS Announces Limited-Edition TUF Sabertooth Z97 Mark S

ASUS today announced TUF Sabertooth Z97 Mark S, a Z97 ATX motherboard with a strikingly-white, irresistibly-tough arctic-camouflage design and a limited-edition production run.

The latest ASUS masterpiece features multiple renowned TUF features. These include TUF camouflage-white Thermal Armor with Flow Valve to optimize airflow, Thermal Radar 2 for intuitive fan tuning, a TUF ICe microchip to intelligently monitor and control system temperatures and fan speeds, reinforced camouflage-white TUF Fortifier backplate, high-durability TUF Components and TUF Dust Defenders to prevent airborne particles entering via external ports.
Strikingly white, irresistibly tough and exclusively rare
Sabertooth Z97 Mark S made its first appearance at Computex 2014, where it was exhibited as a concept board bearing the codename 'Sabranco' - a portmanteau of saber and 'branco', the Portuguese word for 'white'.

Responding to the hugely-positive visitor feedback, our engineers refined the design to produce the Sabertooth Z97 Mark S, the very first all-white motherboard in the ASUS TUF series with an extra-special dimension that we know enthusiast PC-builders will love. Innovative printing technology means that Sabertooth Z97 Mark S retains its strikingly-white hue for its lifetime, without discoloring.

Adding to the aesthetic appeal are two traditional Chinese characters adorning the rear side of Sabertooth Z97 Mark S. Carrying the meaning 'tiger spirit', they signify that Sabertooth Z97 Mark S is made with unwavering endurance to survive the most extreme conditions.

Sabertooth Z97 Mark S also has exclusive limited-edition rarity, and every single board will be individually numbered.

The motherboard that keeps as cool as it looks
Sabertooth Z97 Mark S is equipped to keep as cool as its strikingly-white looks. TUF's Thermal Armor with Flow Valve technology is an exclusive arctic-camouflage-style cover with dual fans to boost airflow across the system for maximum heat dissipation. The new board comes with TUF's easy-to-use Thermal Radar 2 software to make quick work of fan tuning for complete system cooling, enabling users to enjoy the perfect balance between quietness, cooling and performance.

Sabertooth Z97 Mark S also has an onboard TUF ICe microchip, which delivers incredibly precise temperature monitoring and fan control whether adjusting settings manually or via Thermal Radar 2's one-click optimization feature.

TUF by name, tough by nature
Sabertooth Z97 Mark S offers great strength and cooling, with exclusive TUF Fortifier technology. This reinforced backplate ensures that the motherboard doesn't buckle under the weight of heavy graphics cards and CPU coolers, minimizing the risk of damaged circuitry from bowing and bending. TUF Fortifier also includes a thermal pad that efficiently directs heat away from the back of the 8+2-phase Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) and other critical components - an innovation that reduces operating temperatures by up to 7°C.

TUF Components ensure that Sabertooth Z97 Mark S is tough enough for the most demanding situations. Japanese-made 10K black metallic capacitors offer 20%-better temperature endurance for a lifespan that's up to five times (5X) longer, and TUF's New alloy chokes are manufactured using high-grade anti-oxidization materials to provide better heat dissipation and unbeatable durability.

Sabertooth Z97 Mark S even includes color-matched white TUF Dust Defenders to cover unused slots, protecting the PC against minuscule particles and environmental contamination - further extending the lifespan of sensitive components.

Server-grade stability that's guaranteed to endure
Sabertooth Z97 Mark S is an enthusiast-level motherboard that delivers server-grade reliability - and that's guaranteed. ASUS engineers put the new motherboard through extensive thermal-shock and stability tests, so users are assured that it will endure even the toughest conditions. Sabertooth Z97 Mark S also benefits from TUF ESD Guards that protect various ports, including USB sockets and audio connectors, from sudden electrostatic discharge.
  • Processor/CPU socket: LGA 1150 socket for the 4th-, new 4th- and 5th-generation Intel Core i3, i5, i7, Pentium, and Celeron processors
  • Chipset: Intel Z97
  • Memory: 4 x DIMMs, up to a maximum of 32GB, DDR3 1866MHz
    o Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) supported
  • Expansion slots: 2 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots (single at x16, dual at x8/x8)
    o 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (maximum x4 mode, compatible with PCIe x1 and x4 devices)
    o 3 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots
    o Multi-GPU support Quad-GPU NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX
  • Storage: 1 x SATA Express (10Gbit/s) port (compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gbit/s ports)
    o 6 x SATA (6Gbit/s) ports
  • Networking/LAN: Intel I218-V Gigabit LAN controller
    o Realtek 8111GR Gigabit LAN controller
  • USB: 8 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (4 on back panel, 4 mid-board)
    o 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 on back panel, 4 mid-board)
  • Key features: TUF camouflage-white Thermal Armor with Flow Valve
    o TUF camouflage-white Thermal Radar 2 with Thermistors
    o TUF ICe
    o TUF Fortifier
    o TUF ESD Guards
    o TUF Components
    o TUF Dust Defenders
  • 8+2-phase digital power design
  • Dimensions / form factor: ATX, 12-inch x 9.6-inch (30.5cm x 24.4cm)
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22 Comments on ASUS Announces Limited-Edition TUF Sabertooth Z97 Mark S

#2
GhostRyder
Wow that is one fantastic looking motherboard!!!
Posted on Reply
#3
Cruise51
Get rid of that plastic armour and I'll love it.
White pcb = the sex
Posted on Reply
#4
Saidrex
That's a one sexy mobo. ;)
Posted on Reply
#5
荷兰大母猪
I am pretty sure no one except Chinese can type that two words:D虎魂 and no one knows the meaning except Chinese:D
Posted on Reply
#7
Naito
Now that would go nicely with a pair of Galax GeForce GTX 980 HOFs...
Posted on Reply
#8
dj-electric
This reminds me of something i did last year.

Posted on Reply
#9
GreiverBlade
duhhh that would have been sooo good for my Shiro build ... but it doesn't matter anymore :D since my retailer (all of them) where unable to provide me with a white C70 or Air540 ahahah ... now ... that Sabertooth is the Sabranco we saw a while ago? edit: yes indeed ... stupid me watching the pics and not reading the full article :oops: (limited edition= limited sanity about the price? :roll: )

edit² : chinese character above limited edition ? eh? they should have named it: 西方白虎(Xīfāng báihǔ) instead of Sabertooth :)
Posted on Reply
#11
erixx
White is ok for the kitchen and surgery.
Posted on Reply
#12
stinger608
Dedicated TPU Cruncher & Folder
natr0n
memories
Ah yes!!! I actually have one of the SoYo Socket A boards that is dead. Kept it just because it was such an awesome looking board. :p
Posted on Reply
#14
adulaamin
That tiny fan in the middle destroys the looks. Why didn't Asus camouflage it some how or remove it entirely. If it overheats without that tiny fan then the thermal armor is just useless plain and simple.
Posted on Reply
#15
64K
There are two of those tiny fans. The other one is by the connectors. I'm not sure how noisy they are though. If I understand the purpose of the two fans correctly it is to keep air flow over the mobo components underneath the plastic panels. It does stick out against the white theme though.
Posted on Reply
#16
gdubc
Really wish they would have at least changed the color of the connectors. White or grey would have been nice.
Posted on Reply
#17
DumbHodor
I don't like that hint of camo, can't they just make it pure white?
Posted on Reply
#18
Marty 1480
That is the coolest motherboard I have ever seen.
Would look awesome in a white case with white components and white LED lighting.
Posted on Reply
#19
THE_EGG
gdubcReally wish they would have at least changed the color of the connectors. White or grey would have been nice.
I agree, tbh I don't mind that dusty slightly brown 24-pin, but that green USB3.0 fp connector? Damn, Asus please that that.

This with a HOF (or two) graphics cards, white PSU, Silverstone tundra TD02 (or something else white), with white lighting in a white case would be the shizz. :O
Posted on Reply
#20
Chaitanya
I am really tempted to get that motherboard(anandtech already has a review published) but since Asus like Logitech is serviced by arrogant f***tards called RPTech in India, I am going to resist temptation and save the money instead.
Posted on Reply
#21
Tonduluboy
that will owesome with my current desktop white theme
Posted on Reply
#22
DanishDevil
Am I the only one frantically searching for a picture of this board naked? If it looks good with its top off, it may just lure me into buying it.
Posted on Reply
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