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Five $220-280 Z77 Express-Based Motherboards, Reviewed

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  • Graphics Cards
  • Thunderbolt
  • Motherboards
Last response: in Reviews comments
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a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 10, 2012 3:46:09 AM

Expanded graphics card support, enhanced on-board features that include Thunderbolt on some models, and more-robust voltage control are all good reasons to consider paying a little extra for a higher-end motherboard. Today we examine five top choices.

Five $220-280 Z77 Express-Based Motherboards, Reviewed : Read more

More about : 220 280 z77 express based motherboards reviewed

October 10, 2012 4:59:23 AM

As u have reviewed SIX (6) motherboards, the article's title should be:
"Six $220-280 Z77 Express-Based Motherboards, Reviewed"
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1
a b U Graphics card
October 10, 2012 5:10:38 AM

No SATA and USB tests ? data transfer speed differences will typically be noticable in everyday usage.
Also, the time taken to show the windows loading screen/ BIOS page..
Score
2
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Anonymous
a c 117 U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 10, 2012 5:57:57 AM

admit it.
you really liked the black/grey dimms and PCI slots of the gigabyte better than the blue/black of the MSI!
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0
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 10, 2012 6:28:48 AM

robertaAs u have reviewed SIX (6) motherboards, the article's title should be:"Six $220-280 Z77 Express-Based Motherboards, Reviewed"
Let's see what the article says:
Quote:
The one motherboard in today’s line-up with a 48-lane PCIe 3.0 bridge is ECS’ Golden Z77H2-AX. Unfortunately, this platform climbed $40 beyond the budget limit of today’s round-up in the time we've been reviewing it. We're tired of seeing board vendors playing pricing games based on our review schedule (this isn't the first time we're seeing a curiously-timed price move). So, since we put the work in to review ECS' submission, we're including our already-gathered data and simply withholding the board from any award candidacy.
mayankleoboy1No SATA and USB tests ? data transfer speed differences will typically be noticable in everyday usage.Also, the time taken to show the windows loading screen/ BIOS page..
Would have covered windows load time except that it wasn't markedly different. That is, after disabling empty SATA controllers. If you count the time that it takes to get the "No Device Found" error on boards that have extra SATA controllers, you're penalizing a board for having more features.

Andrew Ku tests drive controllers. I'm trying to get him to "write the book" on controller performance, since dozens of boards use only a few different controllers. As for testing things like Z77 controller performance on board A vs Z77 controller performance on board B, it's a waste of time unless something is broken. So the article looked for "broken stuff". See the red bar on the first chart:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77x-up5-th-z77a-gd...
With nothing broken, there's no excuse to test the Z77 controller six times. Back to me begging Andrew Ku for a comprehensive comparison of every SATA controller currently available on mainstream-brand enthusiast boards.
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5
October 10, 2012 12:36:42 PM

Arghh! Why the hell are you overclocking the base clock on Z77!! That will most likely cause permanent damage to your CPU.
Score
-8
Anonymous
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 10, 2012 5:17:21 PM

You left out a key aspect for overclockers which is vcore offset.
This allows ocer's to achieve higher overclocks while still retaining the power saving functions, instead of being forced to either reduce the overclock, or be forced to run high voltage 24/7.
MSI doesn't have this key feature.
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2
a c 204 U Graphics card
a c 150 V Motherboard
October 10, 2012 5:44:50 PM

I would think that the Sabertooth's five year warranty merits at least a mention in any value conclusion.
Score
5
October 10, 2012 7:33:51 PM

I'll just stick with sandy bridge. Doesn't seem like I'm losing much at all.
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0
a b U Graphics card
October 10, 2012 7:48:26 PM

JeanLucArghh! Why the hell are you overclocking the base clock on Z77!! That will most likely cause permanent damage to your CPU.


Overclocking the BLCK is very unlikely to cause any damage, it's just likely to not give much of a stable overclock.
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1
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 10, 2012 8:02:13 PM

jtt283I would think that the Sabertooth's five year warranty merits at least a mention in any value conclusion.
I actually missed that, having checked the lesser brands just to make sure those still had their three year warranty. Will add it.
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3
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 10, 2012 11:08:52 PM

Five year warranty is definitely nice. I really don't understand the point of their "thermal armor" though. Anyone care to explain that to me?

And as much as I like ASRock, I realy wish they'd put more PWM headers on their boards.
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3
a b U Graphics card
October 10, 2012 11:56:54 PM

^thermal armor = marketing (and looks)
Score
6
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 11, 2012 12:10:08 AM

The Asus Sabertooth got it's arse handed to it in the over clocking results, it runs hot and is a power hog, it's expensive...yet I see a photo of it on the last page along with the Gigabyte board that didn't do much better than the Sabertooth. What did I miss?
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0
October 11, 2012 12:49:24 AM

Proud owner of a Sabertooth Z77 board for 4 months. This thing has been like an immovable rock. For me the price was $220, and easily justifiable in a high-end build.
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3
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 11, 2012 1:43:23 AM

Why_Me said:
The Asus Sabertooth got it's arse handed to it in the over clocking results, it runs hot and is a power hog, it's expensive...yet I see a photo of it on the last page along with the Gigabyte board that didn't do much better than the Sabertooth. What did I miss?
Features for the money, overclocking for the money, warranty? Maybe you missed that the HORRIBLE heat wasn't hot? Or that the HORRIBLE inefficiency wasn't very inefficient?
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3
October 11, 2012 1:43:54 AM

Really good review Toms, and yes the results are a little more towards Thunderblot usage, but hey thats trend with this new line of mobos right??

On a side note, in a future I would love to see a comparison including boards like the Z77X-UP7 from Gigabyte, haven't got a chance to see that one in action
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2
a b U Graphics card
October 11, 2012 2:46:29 AM

While you should reward ASUS for the 5 year warranty on the Sabertooth, you should also note that ASUS RMA department in US is horrible, multitude of horror RMA stories can be found on OCN and other forums. So while that warranty is nice in other markets, but maybe not for US.
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3
Anonymous
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 11, 2012 11:04:17 AM

Why didn't you compare Asus ROG MAXIMUS V FORMULA instead of Asus SABERTOOTH
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-3
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 11, 2012 7:54:42 PM

rayhands0meWhy didn't you compare Asus ROG MAXIMUS V FORMULA instead of Asus SABERTOOTH
Because Asus send the Sabertooth.
windguessthis is not a Benchmark competition, this is stupid warranty fight and thunderbolt award.Why not I send you a mobo with 50yrs warranty and 10 thunderbolt ports? tom's hardware sucks!
No, it's just you. Really, the boards perform almost identically, because all properly designed boards perform identically, and the only two ways to get non-identical performance is to cheat (force people to overclock by default) or screw up (and get lower performance).

The problem isn't the review, the problem is that only two people didn't realize that the performance is supposed to be identical. Those two people are you, and the person who gave you the "thumbs up".
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5
October 13, 2012 9:28:43 AM

It was a few months ago that I picked the winner (ASUS Z77) for the build I'm using now. Nice to see I chose well.
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0
October 15, 2012 3:30:08 AM

OnihikageIt was a few months ago that I picked the winner (ASUS Z77) for the build I'm using now. Nice to see I chose well.

That board is a thing of beauty! I have mobo envy... I love my Gigabyte, but REALLY wanted the Sabertooth... should have waited a bit more and saved up.
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0
October 15, 2012 1:09:07 PM

Helpful article. Has anyone tried or tested Asus Rampage IV Formula? I will be interested to know the peformance of this motherboard.
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0
October 18, 2012 9:14:16 PM

look at who pays for the banner~ what can you say.....
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-2
October 18, 2012 9:14:34 PM

look at who pays for the banner~ what can you say.....
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-1
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 18, 2012 9:47:58 PM

rubiasedlook at who pays for the banner~ what can you say.....
ASRock paid for the banner displayed on 10-18...ASRock took third place in the review...I don't see the connection!
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1
October 29, 2012 11:12:48 AM

i think Asrock z77 oc formula performed equal to asus sabertooth. Doesn't it also deserve your "Approved award". Its too close right?
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0
October 29, 2012 11:13:45 AM

i think Asrock z77 oc formula performed equal to asus sabertooth. Doesn't it also deserve your "Approved award". Its too close right?
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0
October 29, 2012 3:06:53 PM

A very good and thorough review. Really made me feel every board too close to each other. I take it the hardware components in Asus sabertooth is superior than asrock plus a 5 year warranty, shifted the side right? Also I missed to see how well "Asus z77 formula V ROG board(without thunderbolt)", competes with the others. Asus should have sent it to you.
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0
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
October 29, 2012 5:57:21 PM

sents2011Also I missed to see how well "Asus z77 formula V ROG board(without thunderbolt)", competes with the others. Asus should have sent it to you.
Please tell Asus you said that.
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0
October 30, 2012 5:51:38 AM

Even if crashman said that, theye are not going give it.
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0
November 1, 2012 5:14:20 PM

G1.Sniper.3 ?? :( (
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0
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
November 1, 2012 10:22:39 PM

maxkremeurG1.Sniper.3 ?? (
Here's a quote from the article:
Quote:
The only other $220-280 board with PLX's 48-lane PCIe swtich is also out of contention because its manufacturer chose to focus on a different high-end feature.
Tom's Hardware didn't do this to you, Gigabyte did.
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0
Anonymous
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
November 15, 2012 5:54:41 PM

I bought this MB and bought an Thunderbolt (TH) to Firewire 800 adapter from Apple but the cable would not fit. Called Gigab Tech support and they said that the TH ports may not fit the Apple TH cable...isn't TH standard? And would all TH cables be the same? I think maybe my MB TH ports are deformed or poorly manufactured. Has anyone experienced TH cable connection issues?
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0
June 16, 2013 2:53:37 PM

Great review! I just posted this product and a review link back to you guys. Again, Great Review.
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0
!