We know that ASUS is ready and waiting for Intel's Lynnfield-based Core i5 and Core i7 processors, arriving in an LGA1156 package next month, as we've already taken a good look at the Taiwanese manufacturer's supporting P7P55D and Maximus III Formula motherboards.
If, however, you're hoping for something a little smaller, say, a microATX board, then ASUS will have you covered with the Maximus III Gene - the latest addition to ASUS' line of high-end "Republic of Gamers" boards.
ASUS' Maximus III Gene, pictured above, supports Intel Core i5 and Core i7 Processors in the LGA1156 package - namely the 2.66GHz Core i5 750, 2.80GHz Core i7 860 and 2.93GHz Core i7 870, all arriving early September.
The board features a red, black and white design that resembles the larger ATX Maximus III Formula, but the number of PCIe x16 expansion slots is down from three to two - and they'll run in single x16 or dual x8 configurations, supporting both NVIDIA SLI and ATI Crossfire.
With the P55 architecture doing away with the need for an IOH (Input/Output Hub), the microATX board doesn't look particularly cramped. ASUS' dual-channel memory slots support DDR3 memory at speeds of up to 2,133MHz, and a built-in SupremeFX X-Fi chip promises high-end audio.
As you'd expect from and board in the Republic of Gamers line, it's choc full of enthusiast-orientated features. Despite trimming down on size, the Maximum III Gene carries plenty of the high-end features found on the full-fat Maximus III Formula - including ROG Connect, MemPerfect, iROG, Extreme Tweaker and a Voltminder LED.
There's no mention of availability or pricing, but it's looking like a very decent P55 board.
