Support from Intel and Asus for this issue is very disappointing. I tried all suggestions mentioned here and nothing works. Intel admits that the device has issues, but doesn't realy solves it. Also the Intel NVM utility does not solve the problem.
Asus doesn't even post the latest driver for this device on their site. They still have the 17.3 driver while Intel has 18.5. (I gess they gave it up).
I reported the Issue to Asus and they only tolp me to do the driver and BIOS updates. Some weeks ago they send my issue to their experts in Taiwan, but I didn't get a solution yet.
I have an Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe and get a code 10 error after a cold boot, but after a restart the device works fine. So I tried to use the sleep mode instead, because then the device does not do a cold boot. That works fine, but then a different issue appears: the device awakes the PC from sleep for no reason.
It seems that the WOL implementation of the device is totally messed-up. Deleting al that feateres doesn't help either.
The only solution is to completely disable the device (solder it out maybe) and put a LAN card in your PCI slot (without an Intel device of course), like many other users did already.
I my case I can use the onboard WLAN device, but that will give me a 300MB connection in stead of a GB connection.
For now there is no other solution I think.
Please everyone: avoid using any motherboards with an 82579 device!!