Four Multi-GPU Z77 Boards from $280-$350 - PLX PEX 8747 featuring Gigabyte, ASRock, ECS and EVGA
by Ian Cutress on August 22, 2012 9:15 AM ESTConclusion: ASRock Z77 Extreme9
The ASRock Z77 Extreme9 comes in following a good performance from the G1.Sniper 3. This is compounded by the fact that the ASRock motherboard comes in as the most expensive motherboard in this roundup, some $70 more than the Gigabyte at $350. Any way you slice it, $350 is a lot of green to be laying down for a Z77 motherboard.
For the cash, ASRock offers a straight forward 4-way GPU setup. As part of the additional functionality, we have access to a total of 10 SATA ports (six SATA 6Gbps) and 12 USB 3.0 ports, more than any other product. The only video output onboard is HDMI, which contributes to the extra space in the IO panel being filled with USB, IEEE1394, and eSATA. For this price we also get dual gigabit Ethernet from Broadcom controllers, with the added bonus that can be teamed. If that was not enough networking functionality, we also have an integrated WiFi card from a mPCIe slot, and a dual receive/transmit antenna box which fits into a large drive bay slot.
When examined in isolation, the Z77 Extreme9 would come across as a nice board to play around with – the BIOS is easy to navigate, and the combination of XFast USB, XFast LAN and XFast RAM offer a good software package. But in comparison to other products on the market, it is let down by the not-so-great fan controls, the use of only a Realtek ALC898, no Intel NICs, and the performance at stock settings.
While the ASRock took like a fish to water with my tight memory XMP profile, the same cannot be said for the benchmark results. ASRock had ample time before my review to release a public BIOS with MultiCore Enhancement, giving the CPU increased performance at heavy loading in exchange for heat and power consumption. However they did not, and the Z77 Extreme9 actually has a poor multithreaded showing.
Much of the CPU performance is moot if you overclock, and the ASRock has a few automatic overclock settings which work straight away. Overclocking options for manual adjustment are readily available to the user in a single screen. ASRock have a BIOS update planned which modifies the look of the BIOS a little in the near future.
ASRock have unfortunately been caught unawares by the competition, which have both undercut them in terms of price and value. The Z77 Extreme9 would have to price match the G1.Sniper 3 in order be the slightest bit competitive in terms of value – then the question of performance may rear its head. ASRock also have the Z77 OC Formula in the wings, which may solve some of these issues, although it is aimed more at aggressive and competitive overclockers.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
24 Comments
View All Comments
Namesblank - Tuesday, July 26, 2022 - link
10 years later, people be looking for how to build system with 20+ GPUs lmaomayankleoboy1 - Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - link
Where are the GPGPU benchmarks? AFAIK, those are affected by the PCIE 3.0 bandwidth, as shown in the HD7970 review.Games are more or less happy with a PCIE2.0 x8 .
MrSpadge - Thursday, August 23, 2012 - link
A few GP-GPU apps are affected, most aren't. Even PCIe 3 is slow as hell from the perspective of the GPU, so you try to avoid external communication as much as possible.TimoKyyro - Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - link
I was hoping to see some GPU rendering too. I'm using CUDA on Blender and I really need more GPU power. It would be nice to know if there is a difference between 4x 680 or 2x 690 on different PCIe setups.extide - Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - link
Thanks for providing the diagrams of lane routing. I wish ALL manufacturers would supply a diagram with their boards so you know how to set it up when you are building a system. Sadly, these diagrams are the exception, not the rule. :(processinfo - Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - link
For me only EVGA seems worth consideration (I don’t like a fan on chipset though).I have few requirements that others do not meet.
I want PS/2 keyboard port (don’t care about mouse). I don’t see it as legacy. It is still superior to USB for keyboard. Works on interrupts instead of pulling, allows as many keys pressed without ghosting as you wish (know it probably does not matter in real life but I like that anyway).
Display port output is mandatory for me these days. While it is true that this kind of mobo will run dedicated graphics card (or more than one for that matter) I like to have output here for possibility to use it with CPU graphics if my graphic cards breaks and needs replacement (I had that happen and waited almost two weeks for new one). HDMI is no go because does not support high enough resolution.
Gigabyte is out for me because audio chip. Maybe it is better but it does not do 7.1 and I will lose two channels in my Tiamat 7.1 headset.
rwpritchett - Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - link
You should check out some of the newer USB keyboards. I don't know how they do it, but some of them can now do full NKRO without PS/2. My Nighthawk X9 can do full NKRO over USB.processinfo - Thursday, August 23, 2012 - link
Interesting but this is not possible with standard USB keyboard protocol. If it does that it has to use some tricks and most likely custom keyboard driver.Also I have Thermaltake Meka G1 that I like and I purchased because I got tired replacing membrane keyboards so I rather buy motherboard with PS/2 then new keyboard.
My point is that at this price point and clearly meant for gamers (who else is using more than one graphic card in non-workstation pc) they should think about such details especially when they go overboard with other ports, e.g., who needs all 4 kinds of display output on gaming mobo, or 10 USB ports on back plate alone (if you need plenty you can have them on bracket connected to header).
MacGyverSG1 - Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - link
I loved the review. The G1.Sniper 3 was on my short list for a while. Could get back on, though.I'm waiting for the ASUS Maximus V Extreme to get tested next.
I only need a motherboard to complete my new build. I plan on running this new rig for 6+ years so I want a board that can keep up with the times.
just4U - Thursday, August 23, 2012 - link
I am staying away from the Rampage/Maximus lines from Asus this time out as Gigabyte has pretty much brought better value accross the board on their gamer boards. I don't expect Asus to catch up till the next chipset..