After taking a look at a few full-sized Z97 motherboards, we thought it was time to focus on something a little more compact. With this in mind, today we will be putting the new ASUS Maximus VII GENE under the microscope. As you will see, this fun-sized Micro ATX Z97-based model packs an impressive number of features and capabilities into a compact design, and might even make you think twice about the need for a standard ATX motherboard.

As we have come to expect, this new GENE model is a fully featured Micro-ATX motherboard with dual PCI-E x16 expansion slots for full 2-way CrossFire and 2-way SLI support in x8/x8 configuration. Despite an obvious shortage of PCB space, ASUS have upheld this model's RoG gaming roots by including an upright PCB module that houses the new SupremeFX Impact II sub-system. This audio module houses a Realtek ALC1150 8-channel HD audio CODEC protected by an EMI cover, ENLA audio capacitors, and PCB-level analog and digital signal separation. It should be every bit as competitive as the SupremeFX 2014 audio found on the larger motherboards, and it supports the same Sonic SenseAmp, Sonic Studio, Sonic SoundStage, and Sonic Rader II features.