From $100 To $160: Five Z68-Based Boards, Compared

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Overclocking

BIOS Frequency and Voltage settings (for overclocking)
 ASRock
Z68 Pro3		Biostar
TZ68A+		Gigabyte
Z68XP-UD3		Intel
DZ68DB		MSI
Z68A-GD55
CPU Base Clock95-110 MHz (0.1 MHz)100-300 MHz (1 MHz)80-200 MHz (0.1 MHz)100-300 MHz (1 MHz)38-282 MHz (0.1 MHz)
CPU MultiplierUp to 60xUp to 100xUp to 59xUp to 255xUp to 60x
DRAM Data Rates1066-2133 (266.6 MHz)1066-2133 (266.6 MHz)800-2400 (266.6 MHz)1066-2133 (266.6 MHz)800-2133 (266.6 MHz)
CPU Vcore0.723-1.52 V (5 mV)1.00-1.79 V (10 mV)0.75-1.70 V (5 mV)1.00-1.35 V (12.5 mV)0.80-1.80 V (5 mV)
VTT Voltage0.77-1.63 V (9 mV)1.05-1.70 V (12.5 mV)0.86-1.53 V (5 mV)Not Adjustable0.95-1.55 V (20 mV)
PCH Voltage0.78-1.65 V (9 mV)1.05-1.20 V (50 mV)Not AdjustableNot Adjustable0.78-1.72 V (5 mV)
DRAM Voltage1.20-1.80 V (14 mV)1.30-2.20 V (12.5 mV)0.89-2.14 V (5 mV)1.20-1.80 V (50 mV)1.11-2.46 V (7.25 mV)
CAS Latency5-15 Cycles3-15 Cycles5-15 Cycles5-12 Cycles5-15 Cycles
tRCD4-15 Cycles3-15 Cycles1-15 Cycles5-16 Cycles4-15 Cycles
tRP4-15 Cycles3-15 Cycles1-15 Cycles5-16 Cycles4-15 Cycles
tRAS10-40 Cycles9-63 Cycles1-40 Cycles15-75 Cycles10-40 Cycles


All of today’s motherboards offer a wide enough range of voltage and frequency settings to satisfy the majority of semi-serious overclockers, yet no motherboard in this price comes with a voltage regulator we'd feel comfortable taking into an overclocking competition. Differences in trace layout also affect signal strength between devices, setting us up for an interesting overclocking comparison.

The chart does not tell the whole story in today’s CPU overclocking chart. Intel actually had the highest stable CPU clock, but it eventually throttled back down to its stock 3.4 GHz frequency after a few minutes of load. This unfortunately took the board with the best CPU stability out of the running in the overclocking comparison. We tried lower voltage, but all that did was delay the onset of the same symptoms. This test was done with maximum power and thermal limits set in the BIOS, of course.

Thus, with the same low price as Intel, Biostar’s reduced-feature overclocking motherboard wins.

Biostar also has the highest base clock, though this is primarily a restriction of our CPU. We have no idea why the DZ68DB could push our processor’s normal 107 MHz limit, but more conservative settings are better for preserving hardware, and when it comes to longevity in a daily use machine, we err on the side of long-term health.

MSI tops our memory overclocking chart with a superb data rate. Biostar sits at the bottom because it wasn’t completely stable at 2129 MT/s and didn’t support BCLK underclocking to assess its capabilities at the same high multiplier.

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Summary
  1. Almost Affordable
  2. ASRock Z68 Pro3
  3. Z68 Pro3 Firmware
  4. Biostar TZ68A+
  5. TZ68A+ Firmware
  6. Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3
  7. Z68XP-UD3 Firmware
  8. Intel DZ68DB
  9. DZ68DB Firmware
  10. MSI Z68A-GD55
  11. Z68A-GD55 Firmware
  12. Test Settings
  13. Benchmark Results: Crysis And F1 2010
  14. Benchmark Results: Just Cause 2 And Metro 2033
  15. Benchmark Results: Audio And Video Encoding
  16. Benchmark Results: Productivity
  17. Overclocking
  18. Power, Heat, And Efficiency
  19. Value Conclusion
About the author
Thomas Soderstrom

Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.

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    Top Comments
  • The Greater Good
    vilenjanWhat about looks? The gigabyte board looks so meh, while the MSI board is sexy!


    Do you stare into your case whilst computing, or do you look at the monitor?
  • hatethisbull
    90% of this article could've been compressed into the summary page. I would've preferred to see comparisons between, say, a $70 h67 and a high-end z68. Instead of four pages of unsatisfying gaming benchmarks, how about focusing on board usability? Which of the boards have cheap PCI-E retention clips that are going to pop off on first use? Which ones will have blocked ports, etc.
    • Other Comments
  • vilenjan
    What about looks? The gigabyte board looks so meh, while the MSI board is sexy!
  • compton
    I temporarily used a Biostar TH67+ 1155 mobo until I picked up my new board. After seeing the description of the Z chipset's Graphical UEFI I checked Biostar's website. It looks as though they're released the graphical UEFI for all biostar 1155 mobos.

    Now I just wish Intel would do the same -- can't they just rip off Asus's UEFI implementation?
  • johnnyb_27
    Why not use the MSI's Z68A-G65 instead of the MSI's Z68A-G55? They were the same price but now the drop MSI's Z68A-GD55 to 154 before rebate.
  • dirtmountain
    Sorry, but rebates don't count. A nice test of the other 4 motherboards though.
  • hatethisbull
    90% of this article could've been compressed into the summary page. I would've preferred to see comparisons between, say, a $70 h67 and a high-end z68. Instead of four pages of unsatisfying gaming benchmarks, how about focusing on board usability? Which of the boards have cheap PCI-E retention clips that are going to pop off on first use? Which ones will have blocked ports, etc.
  • The Greater Good
    vilenjanWhat about looks? The gigabyte board looks so meh, while the MSI board is sexy!


    Do you stare into your case whilst computing, or do you look at the monitor?
  • aznguy0028
    The Greater GoodDo you stare into your case whilst computing, or do you look at the monitor?

    I look into my case daily when I use the computer. There's a reason why there is a window, and hours of hard work for your perfect wiring job deserves much credit and to be stared at. Not to mention coloring schemes that matches your case/mobo pcb color/fan led colors/etc.
  • jerreddredd
    isn't it time we lost the PS2 port? and maybe even the DB15 VGA port also?
  • Crashman
    johnnyb_27Why not use the MSI's Z68A-G65 instead of the MSI's Z68A-G55? They were the same price but now the drop MSI's Z68A-GD55 to 154 before rebate.
    MSI picked the GD55 because it's SUPPOSED to cost $160. MSI did NOT pick the GD65 because it's SUPPOSED to cost $180. MSI's predictions from a few weeks back simply didn't pan out.
  • Crashman
    jerreddreddisn't it time we lost the PS2 port? and maybe even the DB15 VGA port also?
    Not PS/2, just VGA. They leave the Multi-I/O controller on the board for compatibility in other areas, so PS/2 is "free" and some people still use it at the high end.

    Some cheap monitors still use VGA, but these boards are not for the budget market! For VGA compatibility (for external capture devices and such) they could just use DVI-I and let the oddball user who needs VGA for that oddball purpose supply his own adapter.
  • joshyboy82
    I have been recommending this board based on other reviews and specs in the forum to people and I always get undermined by some guy who tells me he doesn't really like Gigabyte and z68 is just a fad. I am going to repost the shit out of this conclusion on my build recommendations.
  • cobra5000
    The Biostar is available for $99 @ the egg. Man, that is tempting..
  • Why_Me
    Yay for the little Asrock that could. Simple, cheap and yet effective. ;)
  • spookyman
    jerreddreddisn't it time we lost the PS2 port? and maybe even the DB15 VGA port also?


    Actually I like the PS/2 port for my keyboard. I have an old 1983 PS/2 IBM 101 keyboard that I still use. Still the most rock solid keyboard that is comfortable to use and its built like a tank. Best part of the keyboard, no "Windows" keys.
  • jerreddredd
    Anonymous said:
    Actually I like the PS/2 port for my keyboard. I have an old 1983 PS/2 IBM 101 keyboard that I still use. Still the most rock solid keyboard that is comfortable to use and its built like a tank. Best part of the keyboard, no "Windows" keys.



    Ok, I guess leaving the Keyboard PS2 port might be ok. I figured everyone moved to USB by now. I think I still have an old PS2 KB laying around. I do remember the feel of the full stroke keys and mechanical contacts. mmmm maybe I should dig it out on day.
  • torque79
    I read through the specs twice, and I still can't find Bluetooth mentioned. The ASRock board is listed as a "pro" version, does that have bluetooth? You know lots of people have cell phones that synch contacts and calendar using bluetooth right? I have a hard time beleiving none of the TH reviewers don't, so why is it never listed in your motherboard shootouts? In another recent (higher-end) motherboard shootout it was also missing.
  • davewolfgang
    Anonymous said:
    I read through the specs twice, and I still can't find Bluetooth mentioned. The ASRock board is listed as a "pro" version, does that have bluetooth? You know lots of people have cell phones that synch contacts and calendar using bluetooth right? I have a hard time beleiving none of the TH reviewers don't, so why is it never listed in your motherboard shootouts? In another recent (higher-end) motherboard shootout it was also missing.


    Actually "most" people (as you put it) sync using a USB cable, because then they can CHARGE the phone at the same time. You can't charge your phone using BlueT. So why charge using a USB cable plugged into a wall outlet converter plug (I haven't seen a phone that doesn't come with this in the past 2+ years), and then have to go the BlueT thing, when you can just plug that USB cable right INTO your computer and Charge and Sync at the same time.
  • torque79
    Because then you have to have your cell phone charging at your pc, and your pc must be turned on. Surely I'm not the only person in the world that finds both of these restrictions inconvenient.
  • davewolfgang
    Anonymous said:
    Because then you have to have your cell phone charging at your pc, and your pc must be turned on. Surely I'm not the only person in the world that finds both of these restrictions inconvenient.


    Since you actually need to power your computer ON for it to Sync in the first place.....................................
  • 1foxracing
    Gigabyte boards don't require the PC to be turned on for the charging function to work through USB.
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