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Best Z77 mATX board? Overclocking in mind.

C

CHAoS_NiNJA

[H]ard|Gawd
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May 26, 2005
Messages
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I'm going to (hopefully) be upgrading soon, and want to make a small powerhouse, as hauling around my huge full tower to various places is a pain. I'm looking to get a i5-3570K and plan to overclock. I'm also working on a slight budget, so 200+ dollar mATX boards are not an option. Whats caught my eye is the ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M, because of its features and the hearty heatsinks over the MOSFETs, however it features 4+2 phase instead of the 8+4 phase of its big brother. With half the phase of the ASRock Z77 Extreme4, will I encounter any issues overclocking my 3570k? I'll be using a Scythe Ninja3 heatsink in a very well ventilated case.

Does anyone have any experience with this motherboard, or suggestions of one better for a similar price point?
 
If you are looking for something in the ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M price range, pick the Gigabyte GA-Z77MX-D3H. It was better than the full sized 8+2 Extreme4 in Anand's testing. From their review of the GA-Z77MX-D3H:

"From our previous reviews, the Gigabyte's main competition is the ASRock Z77 Extreme4, .... while you may not get the unique styling of the ASRock for your money, Gigabyte offers better performance and the smaller size as a bonus."​
 
Sadly those first two are in the high price range I'm trying to keep away from. My budget for this will be quite strict. That said, the Asus looks incredibly attractive except it lacks a PS/2 port, and as a fan of mechanical keyboards, I like to keep that for NKRO.

The Gigabyte board looks good, but is still 4+2. Does anyone know the differences between 4+2 and 8+4 for overclocking?
 
CHAoS_NiNJA said:
S
The Gigabyte board looks good, but is still 4+2. Does anyone know the differences between 4+2 and 8+4 for overclocking?
Click to expand...
Differences will be based on the quality of components which varies by board and manufacturer. Phases can be a good indicator but not the ultimate factor in quality power delivery especially now that we have newer digital regulation versus older designs. That is why Anand found the full digital Gigabyte 4+2 outperforming the 8+2 (Digi lie) AsRock. For additional information about MOSFETs and VRM you can read this http://www.overclock.net/a/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-high-tdp-processors

Gigabyte and Asus ( and possibly Intel) use full digital VRM on certain models. AsRock still markets "Digi" but is using analog for Z77 along with nearly everyone else. Analog is slightly faster adapting to voltage changes but worse at fine tuning. Digital offers the best user controls and fine regulation. New tech vs old tech. While the old tech can certainly get the job done the new tech is doing it better with less phases.
 
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Prav said:
Differences will be based on the quality of components which varies by board and manufacturer. Phases can be a good indicator but not the ultimate factor in quality power delivery especially now that we have newer digital regulation versus older designs. That is why Anand found the full digital Gigabyte 4+2 outperforming the 8+2 (Digi lie) AsRock. For additional information about MOSFETs and VRM you can read this http://www.overclock.net/a/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-high-tdp-processors

Gigabyte and Asus ( and possibly Intel) use full digital VRM on certain models. AsRock still markets "Digi" but is using analog for Z77 along with nearly everyone else. Analog is slightly faster adapting to voltage changes but worse at fine tuning. Digital offers the best user controls and fine regulation. New tech vs old tech. While the old tech can certainly get the job done the new tech does it with less phases.
Click to expand...

Great read, thanks. :)

On the subject of the ASrock being analog, it claims outright its digital, not analog, even comparing its superiority over analog.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157294

By adopting digital pulse-width modulation (PWM), the ASRock motherboard can provide CPU Vcore voltage more efficiently and smoothly. Compared to analog PWM, digital PWM can optimize the CPU power solution and provide a proper and stable Vcore for the processor. Premium Gold Caps are luxury capacitors.
Click to expand...


Do you have any sources of ASRock using analog despite claiming otherwise?
 
CHAoS_NiNJA said:
Do you have any sources of ASRock using analog despite claiming otherwise?
Click to expand...

http://sinhardware.com/index.php/vrm-articles/101-digital-vs-analog-pwms

ASRock Z77 board use Intersil (Analog) STMicroelectronics (Analog)

There are also forum thread pics and reviews where the non digital AsRock parts are clearly identified. I believe they intended to go full digital for Z77 and marketed all the boards as such but later changed parts and conveniently forgot to correct their marketing.
 
Ah you're right, I even found the chip on the motherboard pictures and it is indeed the analog model. Goes to show you can't believe everything you read!

Certainly puts the Gigabyte in the lead for me now, but I am still open to other possibilities. :)
 
Prav said:
http://sinhardware.com/index.php/vrm-articles/101-digital-vs-analog-pwms

ASRock Z77 board use Intersil (Analog) STMicroelectronics (Analog)

There are also forum thread pics and reviews where the non digital AsRock parts are clearly identified. I believe they intended to go full digital for Z77 and marketed all the boards as such but later changed parts and conveniently forgot to correct their marketing.
Click to expand...

I just verified on my z77 exteme4-m, it's using the STMicro pwm. I wasn't aware of this discrepancy on Asrocks. Good to know! It doesn't affect my opinion about the board since I didn't buy it to push huge overclocks, but the marketing scheme is definitely suspect now.
 
By the way, overclocking k series ivy's is the easiest it's ever been regardless of motherboard. Unless your looking to clock to the upper boundaries of your chip I really don't see the point in spending too much this time around.
 
It always seems to come back to ASRock, I just wish I knew which PWM this board used, its one thats really got my attention and has all the features and design I want. ASRock z77 Professional-M.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157300

If anyone can find if this is analog or digital PWM I would be very happy, I know ASRock uses both kinds but I'm not sure which one this has. It seems to feature 8+2.

All that said, The Asus Maximus V Gene does still look to be the best bet, but I will have to try to readjust my budget for it. Sadly it lacks PS/2 so I'll need to find a new mechanical keyboard. :(
 
GIGABYTE G1.Sniper M3 is now only $155 with promo code GIGABYTEGESL at Newegg and it also includes an additional year on the warranty.

edit: going to start a new thread D good luck with your purchase
 
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I vote Sniper or Gene. Worth the extra cost, IMO. Make it happen, capt'n.
 
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