![realtek alc892 audio codec realtek alc892 audio codec](https://www.eightforums.com/data/attachments/29/29828-ac30f4ef61f5768d8e47bd2d24714367.jpg)
Another fan header is on the bottom of the board, with the fan extension header next to it. Some of these are derived from the same control, so will perform the same function, but there are in total five controllable fan header sets in the system. The socket has quick access to three fan headers to the top right and three fan headers to the bottom left. The 10-phase power delivery shows an array of chokes and heatsinks over the VRMs with that rear shield moving over to cover the USB 3.1 and network ICs near the rear. One of the secrets to ASUS’ design is the lack of vertical and horizontal lines, which would disturb the flow (insert some interior design metaphor about style that I don’t understand). The socket area gets a small change as well, with ASUS going for an angled white design on the PCB that makes zero difference to the operation of the product but aims to catch the eye. Luckily, one could suggest that the color scheme of the board can take the users mind off of this. Despite this, there’s no getting away from the fact that ASUS PCBs are certainly busy, with lots of components each requiring SMT mounting line-up points that gives the PCB a lot of ‘white’.
![realtek alc892 audio codec realtek alc892 audio codec](https://www.datasheetq.com/image/Realtek/ALC892-CG.png)
One of the features that carries over from X99 is the rear IO cover, featuring ASUS’ white faux-metal (it is plastic) with angled lines to accentuate the design. The motherboard is slightly heavy as well, unlike some that we get which can feel deceptively flimsy. The aesthetics are color coordinated with the PCB colors and the heatsink colors complimenting each other. Visual Inspectionįresh out of the box, the first thing I certainly noticed was the feel of finesse for a $165 product.
![realtek alc892 audio codec realtek alc892 audio codec](http://blogthumb2.naver.net/20150512_149/sojumonika_1431414241198V9KXr_JPEG/blog_me_20150512_160216.jpg)
For users who are not familiar with the CPU Installation tool, this is ASUS’ method to help new builders place their processor without bending pins inside the socket. The Z170-A is a channel product, so it is not expected to contain much more than the bare essentials to get the system up and running, which is what we get here.
Realtek alc892 audio codec full#
This configuration allows for a PCIe device in the final slot without disrupting 2-way SLI, or a full x8/x8/x4 with 3-way SLI. It should be pointed out that unlike previous Intel chipsets, a number of motherboard manufacturers will be using x8/x8 on their PCIe 3.0 layouts from the CPU with another PCIe 3.0 x4 from the chipset. In some situations a user might not worry about onboard audio (under the guise of 'nothing really changes' or use their own external DACs), but the ALC898 at least offers a slight SNR improvement for not a lot extra. The main element that sticks out is the use of the Realtek ALC892 audio codec over the ALC898 or ALC1150, despite the use of an enhanced audio area with EMI shields and other features.