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Trio of Z87 OC Motherboards Tested

Motherboards/Intel S1150 by leeghoofd @ 2013-07-26

Today we will be looking at 3 high end Overclock optimized mainboards for Intel's 4th generation processors. Madshrimps received the Z87-OC Formula sample from ASRock, the Gigabyte Z87X-OC and MSI's Z87 XPOWER flagship. Three boards, although all listed in total different price categories, targeted specifically at the enthusiast crowd. Fully equipped to squeeze the last MHz out of your Haswell. Due to the specific nature of these particular boards we have adapted the review method slightly to go more into the efficiency aspect instead of listing all of the onboard features/chips.

BCLK Tests

BClocking is essential for overclocking, allowing to maximize your CPU/RAM frequency regarding the benchmark run. We tested the three motherboards without going bonkers on voltages. The CPU was kept around stock speed by adjusting the CPU multiplier. Three gear ratios were checked: 1.00x, 1.25x and 1.66x. Note these are straight boot results from the Bios, no upping or whatsoever in the Windows operating system. Bclock stability was checked via a 1024 WPrime run.

The results for the ASRock Z87 OC Formula are:

1.00x: 125MHz

1.25x: 147MHz

1.66x: 187MHz

The Gigabyte Z87X-OC board:

1.00x: 115MHz

1.25x: 143MHz

1.66x: 183MHz

The MSI XPOWER board:

1.00x: 103.9MHz

1.25x: 140MHz

1.66x: 186.83MHz

I'm missing something here, while both the ASRock and Gigabyte boards got masses of headroom, the MSI doesn't even do 104 Bclock ? Either a flakey sample or unacceptable OCing behaviour. However it seems that the other MPOWER variants are plagued by similar behaviour. Luckily the 1.25 and 1.66 gear ratios allow some extra bclocking. BClocking is essential for an enthousiast to max out it's hardware. Unofficial we heard this statement from an MSI engineer saying that they don't think their users will need to adjust the BCLK, so its not supported. Oh really ?

Comment from Teemto @ 2013/07/26

Really like the editor's note

Comment from NordWolfe @ 2013/08/03

Finally somebody with the balls to tell it like it is. Now I would just like somebody to call-out Intel, for their woeful/unacceptable manufacturing quality control on their CPUs, and AMD, for their incompetence that permits these abuses from their rivals. At least, so it seems, AMD is now hiring the right people for their CPU division. Hope this pays off quickly so that Intel loses it’s arrogance, and total lack of respect for it’s customers. For that to happen we need many more true reviewers, such as yourself, and not Corporate Whores, such as we see in most sites, and youtube channels.
I salute your courage, integrity, and the knowledge you have on your mission.
Cheers.

Comment from leeghoofd @ 2013/08/04

Thx guys for the feedback. It's not what the manufacturers or people from the PR team want to read, but at least it's the truth based on hard facts... apreciated that my hard works is applauded

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