Test System

Initial Setup

The ASUS Maximus V Formula/ThunderFX booted up with our 3770K and G.Skill 2400 MHz memory without any problems. I immediately noticed that it was not using a default Intel Turbo Boost profile (with 3900 MHz on all cores), although it was running the 8 GB G.SKILL kit at 1333 MHz with 9-9-9-24-1T timings as we've seen on nearly every other Intel Z77 Express product. The ASUS Maximus V Formula-ThunderFX is yet another product that I found to have slightly elevated CPU voltage at stock, but nothing high enough to be concerned over.

PWM Power Consumption

One of our first tasks to truly verify system stability is to measure CPU power consumption. We isolate the power coming through the 8-pin ATX connector using an in-line meter that provides voltage and current readings, as well as total wattage passed through it. While this may not prove to isolate the CPU power draw in all instances, it does serve as a good indicator of board efficiency and effective VRM design.



When it comes to power consumption, the ASUS Maximus V Formula-ThunderFX managed to perform fairly well at just 4 Watts. At load it matched the ASUS P8Z77-V and drew 53 Watts, just a single Watt above our best result!