ECS Golden Board Z77H2-AX LGA 1155 Performance Review

cadaveca · Apr 27, 2012, 08:48 PM

To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ECS/Z77H2-AX_review/

TheMailMan78 · Jun 6, 2012, 12:07 PM

Needs more gold!

Dj-ElectriC · Jun 6, 2012, 12:20 PM

At least they have finally updated their BIOS after 2 months

and guess what? ECS haven't even bothered to mention what they have changed in the new BIOS

If it wasn't for the looks, this board is a 7.5 IMO.

TheMailMan78 · Jun 6, 2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dj-ElectriC

At least they have finally updated their BIOS after 2 months

and guess what? ECS haven't even bothered to mention what they have changed in the new BIOS

If it wasn't for the looks, this board is a 7.5 IMO.

Well the bios might have issues but it performs pretty damn good.

AthlonX2 · Jun 6, 2012, 12:33 PM

dave did you have issues with the 1866 memory divider on your board?

Dj-ElectriC · Jun 6, 2012, 12:42 PM

I have problems with the memory voltage here. A kit of 1.5V but works either on 1.42V or 1.55V, god knows why...

cadaveca · Jun 6, 2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AthlonX2

dave did you have issues with the 1866 memory divider on your board?

Nope. If you do, it's probably a combination of the board's BIOS, and the DIMMs. Also, as noted, BIOS-listed votlages are false, so when it says 1.65 V, it might actually be just 1.55 V.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dj-ElectriC

I have problems with the memory voltage here. A kit of 1.5V but works either on 1.42V or 1.55V, god knows why...

Your board didn't have the gold card in it, i think it's a second-hand sample.

Should be 1.55 V, not 1.42 V, that's an odd one. Lowest mine goes is 1.55 V, perhaps this is something to do with memory instlled, and how the board reads SPD values. Hopefully new BIOS will fix these problems, because otherwise, the board is pretty good for an ECS!

I'll have a build log for rig with this board in the coming months, just need to tighten up the final details of the other parts!

brandonwh64 · Jun 6, 2012, 03:01 PM

I could imagine this board with a gold PCB

TheMailMan78 · Jun 6, 2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadaveca

I'll have a build log for rig with this board in the coming months, just need to tighten up the final details of the other parts!

Looking forward to the "PIMP MY RIG" pics!

Major_A · Jun 6, 2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Its BIOS is broken, and overclocking isn't easy at all, but....

You still give it a 9.5? The BIOS is the most fundamental piece of the hardware. Without good software (BIOS) the board can't be good (see ABIT uGuru). The scores you guys give out continues to baffle me.

Dj-ElectriC · Jun 6, 2012, 06:12 PM

Major_A, i tried believe me. Dave insist that this board is a 9.5er, god knows why. As soon as im getting a new ASRock board... you know the rest.

cadaveca · Jun 6, 2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major_A

You still give it a 9.5? The BIOS is the most fundamental piece of the hardware. Without good software (BIOS) the board can't be good (see ABIT uGuru). The scores you guys give out continues to baffle me.

It's just the voltage monitoring that is broken. Everything else worked just fine for me, and no aspect of that "broken" feature affected the board's ability to overclock, or the stability.

If it affected functionality, then OK, there'd be a big issue, but I found no other problems, even when running triple 6950's(barring AMD driver issues), and that's with both a 2600K and a 3770K.

As to scoring, market segment is considered. I don't compare mATX products to full ATX, and vice versa. I actually like that this board is a bit harder to overclock with...as the end result is the same.

reverze · Jun 6, 2012, 08:15 PM

for such an expensive board on a limited run they could at least include intel onboard nic and the best realtek onboard soundchip

pokazene_maslo · Jun 6, 2012, 08:25 PM

Typo: There are jsut three fna headers total, and only one can be controlled from within the BIOS.

...and still no mention about fan headers in specification table.

But thanks for a nice review!

cadaveca · Jun 6, 2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokazene_maslo

Typo: There are jsut three fna headers total, and only one can be controlled from within the BIOS.

...and still no mention about fan headers in specification table.

But thanks for a nice review!

Thanks. Look for number of fan headers a few reviews from now, maybe the next one.

The best info I can provide, while keeping things looking neat is the number and type( 3- or 4-pin).

Maxforcess · Jun 9, 2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadaveca

Nope. If you do, it's probably a combination of the board's BIOS, and the DIMMs. Also, as noted, BIOS-listed votlages are false, so when it says 1.65 V, it might actually be just 1.55 V.

Your board didn't have the gold card in it, i think it's a second-hand sample.

Mine has

How Do I fell?? Like number 3

Disappointed I wasn't the first

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Looking forward to the "PIMP MY RIG" pics!

My is finished.

NIce motherboard. No problem to overclock 2600K@ 5Ghz+ 24/7 4.8GHz with offset

Dj-ElectriC · Jun 9, 2012, 03:07 PM

I see what you did there, very similar to what im building now

Maxforcess · Jun 9, 2012, 03:20 PM

all pictures
http://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/3378.html
I use this board from April 15, stable like rock.Better than Gigabyte Z68 UD5 and Asus P67 PRO

cadaveca · Jun 9, 2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxforcess

all pictures
http://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/3378.html
I use this board from April 15, stable like rock.Better than Gigabyte Z68 UD5 and Asus P67 PRO

Thanks for sharing. Mine is A004. Good to hear you got a good one as well.

Maxforcess · Jun 9, 2012, 04:03 PM

I'm just curious who got 001/002 to review motherboard.Mine 003 yours 004.
In new bios they disabled spread spectrum option. Now there is no choice.Always is on.

cadaveca · Jun 9, 2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxforcess

I'm just curious who got 001/002 to review motherboard.Mine 003 yours 004.
In new bios they disabled spread spectrum option. Now there is no choice.Always is on.

Yeah, I am curious too!!!

I leave that one option on always anyway. I try to not disable anything when overclocking, which means that my clocks might be a bit lower than some others might get with the same hardware, slightly, but I am not one to give up a feature for an extra 100 MHz.

I don't use "PLL overvoltage" option either. That can kill "sleep".

What memory are you using with the board?

Maxforcess · Jun 9, 2012, 04:37 PM

Now I'm using AMD Entertainment Edition PC3-12800 8GB previously I had 4GB of g.skill eco 1600 cl7 @ 2133 CL9
I have no need to use PLL overvoltage up to 51x multiplier for 24/7 is 48x

fast memory is only needed in synthetics benchmark

Dj-ElectriC · Jun 9, 2012, 04:56 PM

Thats some high voltage though... (1.43-1.44V~)

Maxforcess · Jun 9, 2012, 06:09 PM

1.344V isn't high

Dj-ElectriC · Jun 9, 2012, 06:13 PM

Use the multimeter to read the actual voltages and you might be disappointed

Apr 27, 2012, 08:48 PM	#1
cadaveca My name is Dave Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Great White North Posts: 10,770 (4.14/day) Thanks: 4,485 Thanked 5,202 Times in 3,201 Posts System Specs	ECS Golden Board Z77H2-AX LGA 1155 Performance Review To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ECS/Z77H2-AX_review/ __________________ Gadgets, Phones, Tablets, Cameras, TVs, HiFi...NextPowerUp -Only real men play games THIS way. Last edited by cadaveca; Jun 6, 2012 at 08:35 PM.

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Jun 6, 2012, 12:20 PM	#3
Dj-ElectriC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trollithia Posts: 1,580 (1.56/day) Thanks: 141 Thanked 643 Times in 300 Posts System Specs	At least they have finally updated their BIOS after 2 months and guess what? ECS haven't even bothered to mention what they have changed in the new BIOS If it wasn't for the looks, this board is a 7.5 IMO. __________________ Unreal Tournament mod - 85% progress Sponsored by MSI and Antec Battletag: HolyDiver#1664

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Jun 6, 2012, 12:07 PM	#2
TheMailMan78 Banstick Dummy Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Crystal River, FL Posts: 15,109 (6.93/day) Thanks: 1,337 Thanked 6,829 Times in 3,739 Posts System Specs	Needs more gold!

Jun 6, 2012, 12:33 PM	#5
AthlonX2 Better Than You Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toledo,Ohio Posts: 5,449 (2.24/day) Thanks: 729 Thanked 1,572 Times in 994 Posts System Specs	dave did you have issues with the 1866 memory divider on your board?

Jun 6, 2012, 12:42 PM	#6
Dj-ElectriC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trollithia Posts: 1,580 (1.56/day) Thanks: 141 Thanked 643 Times in 300 Posts System Specs	I have problems with the memory voltage here. A kit of 1.5V but works either on 1.42V or 1.55V, god knows why... __________________ Unreal Tournament mod - 85% progress Sponsored by MSI and Antec Battletag: HolyDiver#1664

Jun 6, 2012, 03:01 PM	#8
brandonwh64 Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 13,562 (10.02/day) Thanks: 2,146 Thanked 5,341 Times in 3,696 Posts System Specs	I could imagine this board with a gold PCB __________________ Cruncher's: All GPU's GPU's: 7970 3GB Unlocked = 8 Threads 5770 1GB OCed = 2 Threads

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Jun 6, 2012, 06:12 PM	#11
Dj-ElectriC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trollithia Posts: 1,580 (1.56/day) Thanks: 141 Thanked 643 Times in 300 Posts System Specs	Major_A, i tried believe me. Dave insist that this board is a 9.5er, god knows why. As soon as im getting a new ASRock board... you know the rest. __________________ Unreal Tournament mod - 85% progress Sponsored by MSI and Antec Battletag: HolyDiver#1664

Jun 6, 2012, 08:15 PM	#13
reverze Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,271 (0.64/day) Thanks: 86 Thanked 132 Times in 102 Posts System Specs	for such an expensive board on a limited run they could at least include intel onboard nic and the best realtek onboard soundchip

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Jun 6, 2012, 08:25 PM	#14
pokazene_maslo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Slovakia Posts: 41 (0.02/day) Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts System Specs	Typo: There are jsut three fna headers total, and only one can be controlled from within the BIOS. ...and still no mention about fan headers in specification table. But thanks for a nice review!

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Jun 9, 2012, 03:07 PM	#17
Dj-ElectriC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trollithia Posts: 1,580 (1.56/day) Thanks: 141 Thanked 643 Times in 300 Posts System Specs	I see what you did there, very similar to what im building now __________________ Unreal Tournament mod - 85% progress Sponsored by MSI and Antec Battletag: HolyDiver#1664

Jun 9, 2012, 03:20 PM	#18
Maxforcess Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 8 (0.02/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	all pictures http://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/3378.html I use this board from April 15, stable like rock.Better than Gigabyte Z68 UD5 and Asus P67 PRO

Jun 9, 2012, 04:03 PM	#20
Maxforcess Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 8 (0.02/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	I'm just curious who got 001/002 to review motherboard.Mine 003 yours 004. In new bios they disabled spread spectrum option. Now there is no choice.Always is on.

Jun 9, 2012, 04:37 PM	#22
Maxforcess Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 8 (0.02/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Now I'm using AMD Entertainment Edition PC3-12800 8GB previously I had 4GB of g.skill eco 1600 cl7 @ 2133 CL9 I have no need to use PLL overvoltage up to 51x multiplier for 24/7 is 48x fast memory is only needed in synthetics benchmark Last edited by Maxforcess; Jun 9, 2012 at 04:51 PM.

Jun 9, 2012, 04:56 PM	#23
Dj-ElectriC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trollithia Posts: 1,580 (1.56/day) Thanks: 141 Thanked 643 Times in 300 Posts System Specs	Thats some high voltage though... (1.43-1.44V~) __________________ Unreal Tournament mod - 85% progress Sponsored by MSI and Antec Battletag: HolyDiver#1664

Jun 9, 2012, 06:09 PM	#24
Maxforcess Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 8 (0.02/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	1.344V isn't high

Jun 9, 2012, 06:13 PM	#25
Dj-ElectriC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trollithia Posts: 1,580 (1.56/day) Thanks: 141 Thanked 643 Times in 300 Posts System Specs	Use the multimeter to read the actual voltages and you might be disappointed __________________ Unreal Tournament mod - 85% progress Sponsored by MSI and Antec Battletag: HolyDiver#1664

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