From $100 To $160: Five Z68-Based Boards, Compared
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Page 1:Almost Affordable
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Page 2:ASRock Z68 Pro3
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Page 3:Z68 Pro3 Firmware
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Page 4:Biostar TZ68A+
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Page 5:TZ68A+ Firmware
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Page 6:Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3
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Page 7:Z68XP-UD3 Firmware
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Page 8:Intel DZ68DB
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Page 9:DZ68DB Firmware
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Page 10:MSI Z68A-GD55
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Page 11:Z68A-GD55 Firmware
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Page 12:Test Settings
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Page 13:Benchmark Results: Crysis And F1 2010
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Page 14:Benchmark Results: Just Cause 2 And Metro 2033
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Page 15:Benchmark Results: Audio And Video Encoding
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Page 16:Benchmark Results: Productivity
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Page 17:Overclocking
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Page 18:Power, Heat, And Efficiency
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Page 19:Value Conclusion
Overclocking
BIOS Frequency and Voltage settings (for overclocking) | |||||
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ASRock Z68 Pro3 | Biostar TZ68A+ | Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 | Intel DZ68DB | MSI Z68A-GD55 | |
CPU Base Clock | 95-110 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 Multiplier | Up to 60x | Up to 100x | Up to 59x | Up to 255x | Up to 60x |
DRAM Data Rates | 1066-2133 (266.6 MHz) | 1066-2133 (266.6 MHz) | 800-2400 (266.6 MHz) | 1066-2133 (266.6 MHz) | 800-2133 (266.6 MHz) |
CPU Vcore | 0.723-1.52 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 Voltage | 0.77-1.63 V (9 mV) | 1.05-1.70 V (12.5 mV) | 0.86-1.53 V (5 mV) | Not Adjustable | 0.95-1.55 V (20 mV) |
PCH Voltage | 0.78-1.65 V (9 mV) | 1.05-1.20 V (50 mV) | Not Adjustable | Not Adjustable | 0.78-1.72 V (5 mV) |
DRAM Voltage | 1.20-1.80 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 Latency | 5-15 Cycles | 3-15 Cycles | 5-15 Cycles | 5-12 Cycles | 5-15 Cycles |
tRCD | 4-15 Cycles | 3-15 Cycles | 1-15 Cycles | 5-16 Cycles | 4-15 Cycles |
tRP | 4-15 Cycles | 3-15 Cycles | 1-15 Cycles | 5-16 Cycles | 4-15 Cycles |
tRAS | 10-40 Cycles | 9-63 Cycles | 1-40 Cycles | 15-75 Cycles | 10-40 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.
- Almost Affordable
- ASRock Z68 Pro3
- Z68 Pro3 Firmware
- Biostar TZ68A+
- TZ68A+ Firmware
- Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3
- Z68XP-UD3 Firmware
- Intel DZ68DB
- DZ68DB Firmware
- MSI Z68A-GD55
- Z68A-GD55 Firmware
- Test Settings
- Benchmark Results: Crysis And F1 2010
- Benchmark Results: Just Cause 2 And Metro 2033
- Benchmark Results: Audio And Video Encoding
- Benchmark Results: Productivity
- Overclocking
- Power, Heat, And Efficiency
- Value Conclusion
Do you stare into your case whilst computing, or do you look at the monitor?
Now I just wish Intel would do the same -- can't they just rip off Asus's UEFI implementation?
Do 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.
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.
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.
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.
Since you actually need to power your computer ON for it to Sync in the first place.....................................