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.
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goinginstyle - Thursday, August 23, 2012 - link
I tried the G1 Sniper 3 and returned it a few days later. The audio was a significant downgrade from the Assassin series, EFI is clunky at best and the board had serious problems with a GSKill 16GB 2666 kit, not to mention the lousy fan controls.Purchased a Maximus Formula V and never looked back as the EFI, Fan Controls, Clocking and Audio are much better in every way compared to the Sniper board. There is no way Gigabyte has brought better value than ASUS with the Z77 chipset. You get what you pay for and the GB is overpriced once you actually use the board and compare it to ASUS or even ASRock.
JohnBS - Thursday, November 1, 2012 - link
I am looking for a rock solid MB, so of course I turned to ASUS. However, the reviews from verified buyers showed multiple issues with 3.0 USB ports losing power, system instability after months of use, and multiple instances of the board not working in one or more memory slots. Bent pins from the factory and complete DOA issues as well. A few reports of complete failure when the Wi-Fi card was inserted, yet gone with the card removed. This was mainly the Maximus IV series. Then I thought I'd look into the Maximus V series, because I really wanted ASUS, and was kinda sad to read reviews. Same issues from verified buyers of the Maximus V, more so with the USB 3.0 problems and the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth add-on card failures. In common were multiple complaints about customer service.So I emailed the ASUS rep who was replying to everyone's post, with specific attention on the recurring problems and how I was concerned about buying a MB. I got the email back, stating they were aware of the recurring problems listed on the user reviews, but that they are isolated occurrences.
I really need a rock solid x16 x 2 pci-e mb right now, and that's why I'm still searching. I'm planning on overclocking an i7-2700k with an gtx 690 and a 120z monitor for high res gaming. The sniper 3 looks good, but the front audio plug reaching the board's bottom audio header might be something I can't work around.
Just want something reliable. If there's a known issue, I'm always in that percentile that gets hit with the RMA process. I'm trying so hard to avoid that.
(Went with 690 instead of dual 680 for heat, noise, power draw considerations).
jonjonjonj - Friday, October 26, 2012 - link
you mean gigabyte in the evga conclusion?"the EVGA does not keep pace with ASUS and EVGA even at stock speeds."
couchassault9001 - Friday, November 2, 2012 - link
So for gaming benchmarks is it correct that the cpu multipliers were at 40 on the g1.sniper and 36 on the evga? if so it seems to be a rather unfair comparison. Being that the sniper cpu is running 11% fasterI'd be amazed if someone was looking at these boards with no intent to overclock like crazy, as i'm trying to decide between these 2 boards myself, and i'm sure i'll be pushing my 3770k as far as it will go.
The evga consumed ~8% less power than the sniper under load.
dirt 3 showed a 9% frame rate drop in the frame rate going from g1 to evga. metro 2033 showed a 3.6% drop in frame rate going from g1 to evga. Both of these are on the 4 7970 benchmarks. the 3 and below the gap is much tighter with it being under 1% with one card.
I know this may be nit picking to some, but i plan on running 5760x1080 3d so 4 7970 performance on a i7-3770k is exactly what i'm looking at.