Biostar TZ77XE4 Review: Dichotomy by Default
by Ian Cutress on July 21, 2012 5:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- Biostar
- Z77
Overclocking
Note: Ivy Bridge does not overclock like Sandy Bridge. For a detailed report on the effect of voltage on Ivy Bridge (and thus temperatures and power draw), please read Undervolting and Overclocking on Ivy Bridge.
Overclocking on the Biostar TZ77XE4 was a mixture of disappointment followed by a brief respite of joy.
Automatic overclocking on this motherboard is flawed, resulting in shutdowns. As with some other motherboard manufacturers, the overclock is enabled directly from switch on - thus if it is truly unstable during POST, only a ClearCMOS will clear it (then you have to remember to enable AHCI again). Other manufacturers enable overclocks at the end of POST, which is preferable. I only experienced this when I adjusted the Load Line Calibration for the CPU, which essentially is best left on automatic.
During the manual testing, when a voltage was selected and we told the BIOS to make all cores the same multiplier, the operating system would remain at that speed and voltage constantly, not invoking any SpeedStep. This could result in high idle temperatures for users.
Our standard overclocking methodology is as follows. For automatic overclocks options, they are selected and tested for stability with PovRay and OCCT to simulate high-end workloads and catch any immediate causes for memory or CPU errors.
For manual overclocks, based on the information gathered from previous testing, starts off at a nominal voltage and CPU multiplier, and the multiplier is increased until the stability tests are failed. The CPU voltage is increased gradually until the stability tests are passed, and the process repeated until the motherboard reduces the multiplier automatically (due to safety protocol) or the CPU temperature reaches a stupidly high level (100ºC+).
Our test bed is not in a case, which should push overclocks higher with fresher (cooler) air. We also are using Intel's All-in-one Liquid Cooler with its stock fan. This is a 120mm radiator liquid cooler, designed to mimic a medium-to-high end air cooler.
Automatic Overclock:
For Automatic Overclocks, the only options available are found in OS Software through the TOverclocker program. This program gives three options - V6, V12 and Automatic (the naming suggests that Biostar are trying to emulate car engines in their overclock representations). Selecting these options allows the software to apply the overclock, which was not kept between reboots unless the TOverclocker software was loaded again. Here are our results:
For V6, the system boosted the BCLK to 102 MHz, giving 3978 MHz during single thread load. Unfortunately, the board also crashed after applying the overclock, suggesting instability.
For V12, the system boosted the BCLK to 104 MHz, giving 4056 MHz during single thread load. At this overclock, PovRay reported a peak temperature of 61ºC and OCCT had 63ºC. The system was very stable.
For the automatic setting, the board immediately reset itself, and loaded the OS. Nothing happened in the OS, and no overclock was applied. On loading TOverclocker, it acted as if nothing had happened.
Manual Overclock:
During the manual overclocking, PLL Overvoltage was left disabled and Load Line Calibration was left on automatic. To change the multiplier, the BIOS option 'Fixed CPU Ratio' was enabled and the CPU Ratio option was adjusted. Voltages were modified in the BIOS as well, using CPU VCore Fixed, which is gradated in 0.010 volt increments. Here are our results:
Starting at a 1.100 volt setting, the system was set at 44x on the multiplier. This gave a load voltage in the OS of 1.116 volts, and peak temperatures observed were 70ºC for PovRay and 75ºC for OCCT.
For 45x, a setting of 1.100 volts in the BIOS was required, which gave a load voltage of 1.116 volts in the OS. Peak temperatures observed were 73ºC for PovRay and 76ºC for OCCT.
For 46x, a setting of 1.130 volts in the BIOS was required, which gave a load voltage of 1.128 volts in the OS. Peak temperatures observed were 77ºC for PovRay and 80ºC for OCCT.
For 47x, a setting of 1.180 volts in the BIOS was required, which gave a load voltage of 1.188-1.200 volts in the OS. Peak temperatures observed were 84ºC for PovRay and 85ºC for OCCT.
For 48x, even at a setting of 1.280 volts in the BIOS, the system was not stable. At this voltage, the system would reach 97ºC during PovRay and then cause a hard crash.
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Epicac - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
I've heard horror stories from Biostar and ECS Motherboard owners. Even a cheap board from either of these manufacturers wouldn't tempt me.StevoLincolnite - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
Peace of mind goes a long way!Snotling - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
I deal toasted PC components every week... motherboards, videocards, DVD players, hard drives. As far as I know they (Biostar) are no worse than Asus or any other actually. for the exception of one biostar Mobo that was DOA I can't remember seeing one that was defective.They are great for repairs because you can usually get that 4 year old Biostar Mobo "new" at retailers when all other makers are only available used.
Olaf van der Spek - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
I've heard horror stories from Asus and Gigabyte owners.....yyrkoon - Sunday, July 22, 2012 - link
So basically, you're posting only to spread F U D ? I've heard lots of things. That I do not repeat because I have no personal experiences. But along those lines. I suppose any idiot who hasn't a clue how to build a system can relate many horror stories. Hell, when I first started building my own systems back in the early 90's. I completely destroyed a brand new hard disk. By low level formatting the drive from the BIOS.Not only that. When ABIT was still in the motherboard business. I had read many "stories" of how people had such a hard time with their boards. Yet . . . I've been a long time ABIT motherboard "fan". Why ? I always knew what to expect from their products, and they were always very stable .
@Snotling
Yes, I agree. Except my own personal experiences would leave me to believe that BIOSTAR > Asus. Like you. I received DOA parts. Except it was not just one. It was four in a row through two different dealers.
Then for personal parts. I will not even touch their budget brand sister company. The reason why is simple. Based on a review from this very same site. I went out and bought a system board for my budget PC. I experienced several problems. Some of which were correctable. Some which were fatal flaws. Such as the PC locking up after 2-5 days ( completely random ). Having spent two weeks on the phone and emailing tech support I called no joy, and started looking for another board. Then wouldn't ya know. when replaced with an ABIT board ( that even cost less ). All the problems went away. That was 6-7 year ago. The system still runs rock solid to this day.
The last system I built for myself was based on an ABIT IP35-E motherboard. This system is also running to this day. Zero crashes, unless I was doing something I should not have been doing. Such as pushing an overclock too far . . .
So yeah I am a bit biased when it comes to name brands. I would never touch asrock, unless a customer insisted. I do not use Asus motherboards in any of my own systems, and strongly recommend against customers using them( if asked ). However. My own personal laptop is branded Asus . . . and I love it. Go figure lol.
AVP - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
I've had better luck with biostar than abit or asus.Wixman666 - Monday, July 23, 2012 - link
I've sold plenty of every type of board under the sun over the years and Biostar boards are no worse than any other as far as QC goes. ECS are the worst however, historically speaking, on their budget line at least.najames - Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - link
I built an ECS AMD socket 754 system, sent it to my brother years ago, and they are still using it today.The best motherboard I've ever owned since the mid 80s has been a little Biostar T series board with a dinky AMD dual core, happily overclocked if asked. I reluctantly sent it to my nephew when his system crapped out and he is still using it today AFAIK.
My current collection of Asus, Gigabyte, and Intel boards are no better/worse. They likely just have some better features.
ggathagan - Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - link
While most motherboard makers have had periods of bad QC, the chipset involved always has to figure into the mix, whether you look at stability or flakiness.Without factoring that into the equation, one bad experience with a big name brand is no more indicative that a rock-solid experience with a lesser-known brand.
The fact that everyone (chip designers, fab work, motherboard makers and end-users) is always pushing for more performance in shorter spans of time does no one any favors, but we all persist in that approach.
As such QC history can vary widely at any company.
johnsmith9875 - Saturday, August 11, 2012 - link
I tossed my flaky, cranky genuine intel board and bought a biostar and haven't looked back since.I think Biostar has improved significantly over the years, its no longer down there in PCChips territory.