Test System

Initial Setup

I can't say I had more fun at any other time with an install than I did with the ASUS MAXIMUS VIII EXTREME. There's just so much here that makes it all work just as it should, without any problems. The first boot into the OS showed perfect stock settings. I used to gripe that some ASUS boards came with optimized stock settings that weren't truly stock, but I can't complain about that any longer.


Everything just fit so nicely together. I had no problems installing my cooler or RAM, and ASUS's CPU-installation tool makes that task easy as well. There's even a little LED next to the BIOS chip that is actively in use, and a small button nearby to change the BIOS if you so desire.


If you want to install more than a VGA and use SLI or Crossfire, you can push a little button next to the BIOS-selection button that activates some red LEDs right by the edge of the slot to show you which slots to install your cards into. Should you change your mind, no matter! Just boot into the BIOS and the board will recognize that there is only one card installed and adjust the PCIe configuration accordingly.