Z77 mITX Round-Up: Five of the Best – MSI, Zotac, ASRock, EVGA and ASUS
by Ian Cutress on December 31, 2012 7:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- MSI
- ASRock
- EVGA
- ZOTAC
- Asus
- Ivy Bridge
- Z77
- mITX
Metro2033
Metro2033 is a DX11 benchmark that challenges every system that tries to run it at any high-end settings. Developed by 4A Games and released in March 2010, we use the inbuilt DirectX 11 Frontline benchmark to test the hardware at 2560x1440 with full graphical settings. Results are given as the average frame rate from 4 runs.
For Metro 2033, the ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe rates highly under both an AMD and NVIDIA GPU. The Zotac and ASRock are found near the bottom, although one could argue that a top to bottom difference of 4.5% for AMD and 2.7% for NVIDIA might be within statistical variation.
Dirt 3
Dirt 3 is a rallying video game and the third in the Dirt series of the Colin McRae Rally series, developed and published by Codemasters. Using the in game benchmark, Dirt 3 is run at 2560x1440 with Ultra graphical settings. Results are reported as the average frame rate across four runs.
The differences in AMD results for Dirt3 are larger than for Metro2033, but still ASUS takes the top spot and ASRock/Zotac are near the bottom. Tables are turned with an NVIDIA GPU, but top to bottom the difference in NVIDIA results is 2.1%.
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Etern205 - Saturday, January 5, 2013 - link
Here is another model, that supports WiDihttp://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155...
zilexa - Friday, January 11, 2013 - link
Will the upcoming Intel CPUs with integrated GTe graphics chip fit on these mobo's? If so these mITX mobos are VERY futureproof and ideal for an HTPC.doubledd - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
I recently built a mini itx with the MSI Z77IA-53, Cooler Master Elite 120, Antec Kuhler 620, 16gb 1.35V ballistic memory, a 690GTX, a 3570k, default timings and a msata plextor SSD. Except the video card, the system was dirt cheap. With the card, 3D Mark 11 score of X6037.Removal of the HDD cage was all that was required to make room for the radiator to mount to the existing front fan on this $45 case. Folding 100% load processor is 64 degrees....not great, but manageable for this BEAST.
While I consider Anandtech to be one of my trusted sources in reviews, I find it disappointing that they could be reviewing mini itx systems and yet be so out of touch with what people actually use these for. These are lan boxes or HTPCs and are supposed to be small and quiet. Why anyone would want a 8" tall by 8" diameter fan is beyond me. These boards are hardly bigger than a post card. Things are gonna be tight. Think out of the box a bit huh? There are quite a few mini-itx cases that can run or be modded with little effort to run, quiet liquid cooling.
It reminds me of the Consumer reports worst cars of 2013. Half of them are off road vehicles. The complaints are about suspension, shifting and road noise......no kidding?
castl3bravo - Sunday, June 23, 2013 - link
I have found the Asus BIOS for my P8Z77-I Deluxe to be an abysmal mess. My CPU ratio is permanently stuck at 42. During some change of a setting or an upgrade to the latest BIOS, ASUS shoved a "hidden" ME upgrade as well. This process somehow corrupted my BIOS so now I can't overclock beyond ratio of 42.There are other ASUS P8Z77 based m/b's having the same issue. I would suggest Anand have his team research the forums first before writing such glowing reviews of the BIOS for a vendor. I bought this board based on, what appears to be, an inexperienced review last year. Reading this followup on the BIOS is laughable--perhaps even negligent.
Here is but one example of the drama people are going through with this messed up BIOS.:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=23143...