星期五, 12月 23, 2011

ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z高階Z68效能解析與超頻5.4G達成



Sandy
Bridge架構中功能最完善、效能也最高的晶片組第一時間就想到Z68
大約在今年五月底左右Z68上市,先前LGA
1155已有P67/H67/H61這三款晶片組
Z68整合P67 CPU超頻功能與H67 GPU輸出功能,再加ISRT混合加速與Lucid
Virtu技術
以上這幾項正是Z68的最大優勢,也是個人覺得在LGA 1155平台的最佳晶片組



大多數MB品牌推出不少Intel
Z68產品線,價格定位在中高階市場的MB產品
身為三大廠之一的ASUS,光是Z68型號在台灣網頁就有十款,對於此平台也提供眾多選擇
ASUS最高階產品線命名為Republic
Of
Gamers,簡稱ROG,中文名稱為玩家共和國
在用料、設計與效能上都屬於華碩MB之最高等級,價位自然會比入門或中階Z68還要高上許多

本回入手的是Maximus
IV Extreme-Z,屬於目前三款Z68 ROG中最高階的版本
先前P67 ROG版本型號為Maximus IV
Extreme,Z68版本在後頭加上-Z方便區隔
ASUS Maximus IV
Extreme-Z全貌,以下簡稱M4E-Z,配色是ROG系列的一項優勢
整體外觀看起來相當漂亮,近幾年有不少MB品牌也將自家產品跟進並開始使用類似的配色


其他兩款ROG型號都為Maximus
IV GENE-Z,差別在於有無支援GEN3,屬於uATX小尺寸規格
Maximus IV Extreme-Z採用Extended
ATX規格,長度為30.5 X 26.9cm
不是採用最大尺寸的XL-ATX規格,Extended
ATX可讓使用者較不用煩惱Case選擇問題


主機板左下方
4
X PCI-E 2.0 X16插槽,支援ATI CrossFireX/3-Way NVIDIA
SLI(NF200)技術
頻寬為單X16.雙X8+X8或是X8+X16+X16
1 X PCI-E 2.0 X4
1 X PCI-E 2.0
X1
Intel 82579 Gigabit LAN雙網路晶片
Realtek ALC889音效晶片,支援8聲道高傳真音效CODEC


主機板右下方
2
X 紅色SATAIII,Z68晶片提供,SATA3規格
4 X 黑色SATAII,Z68晶片提供,SATA2規格
可混合使用,並支援Intel
Smart Response技術與RAID 0, RAID 1,RAID 5及RAID 10
2 X 紅色SATAIII,Marvell
9182晶片提供,SATA3規格
下方內建紅色BIOS_SWITCH按鈕,雙BIOS設計可透過按鈕來切換想使用的該顆BIOS設定


主機板右上方
4
X DIMM DDR3,支援1333/1600/1866/2133/2220(OC),DDR3最高容量支援到32GB。
支援Intel Extreme
Memory Profile (XMP)記憶體,旁邊為24-PIN電源輸入


主機板左上方
M4E-Z在採用8相CPU加上4相iGPU供電設計,上方為黑色8Pin電源輸入


IO
1
X PS/2 鍵盤/滑鼠
8 X USB 3.0(藍色)
2 X eSATA 3Gb/s(紅色)
1 X USB 2.0(黑色並可切換為
ROG Connect )
1 X 光纖S/PDIF 輸出
1 X Clear CMOS 按鈕
1 X ROG Connect 開關
1
X RC 藍牙開關


M4E-Z散熱模組的材質比較特殊,不像常見的鋁擠拋光材質,摸起來反倒是有些沙沙的質感。
這樣的設計在MB產品上是很少見的材質,左邊為ROG系列專屬Logo,看起來有點像是眼睛的圖案
特別之處在於燈號會像呼吸般緩慢地一閃一滅,關機時還是可以看到此燈號繼續在運作


紅色Power與黑色Reset按鈕,左方四個黑色開關為檢查PCI-E
X16的通道使用
紅色小圓圈按鈕為GO_BUTTON,有助於超頻極限時測試或設定載入
底下提供8個黃色接點,讓使用者可以直接測量相關硬體的電壓狀況,右方為LN2_MODE開關


Z68使用黑色較大面積散熱片,經過設計的外觀裁切再搭配上不錯的質感


以下為M4E-Z
BIOS超頻設定分享,主頁面可以看到提供8種語系讓使用者切換
UEFI BIOS是ASUS產品線的主要特色,尤其在ROG版本中更為詳盡


Extreme
Tweaker效能調整頁面
將Intel Core i7-2700K倍頻更改為50,也就是100MHz X 50 =>
5GHz運作
DDR3設定為2133,這也是CPU在預設外頻下可以達到的最高時脈


Sandy
Bridge超頻方式比起以往平台簡單許多,使用型號末端有K之CPU再搭配P67或Z68即可
除了以上調整CPU倍頻與DDR3時脈外,再來就是依體質來調整CPU與DDR3電壓使其穩定
以下CPU
5GHz/DDR3 2133的電壓設定分別為1.415V/1.55000V
CPU Manual Voltage 0.800~2.155V
DRAM
Voltage 1.20000~1.80000V


其他更細部的電壓選項,對於空冷超頻的環境,大多數選項應該都不會使用到


DDR3參數設定頁面,主要設定為CL7
10-7-27 1T,其餘參數皆為Auto


此頁面可以看到目前PCI-E
X16與DDR3 DIMM的實際使用狀況


另一個可以快速調CPU倍頻的頁面


VCore
Load-line Calibration提供六種不同的模式讓使用者選擇


CPU細部參數頁面
Hyper-threading、可使用的核心數量或其他相關技術選項


超頻時建議將C1E與相關省電功能先關掉,比較好控制CPU的時脈與電壓


五項內建功能,對於超頻用途或更新較為便利


網路上資料顯示2600K最高只能達到56倍頻,上個月新推出的2700K已經增加到59倍頻
雖然一般空冷目前還無法達到此外頻,但59倍頻可以給喜愛衝極限的使用者更高的效能表現


測試平台
CPU:
Intel Core i7-2700K
MB: ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z
DRAM: CORSAIR
DOMINATOR-GT CMGTX3
VGA: msi N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II
HD: Intel 510
Series 120GB
POWER: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 1200W
Cooler: CORSAIR
Hydro Series H80
OS: Windows7 Ultimate 64bit


5G超頻效能
CPU
100 X 50 => 5000.1MHz
DDR3 2134.6 CL7 10-7-27 1T


可以進到OS跑些簡易的軟體只需要1.360V


Hyper
PI 32M X 8 => 12m 15.354s
CPUMARK 99 => 770


Nuclearus
Multi Core => 32611
Fritz Chess Benchmark => 39.13/18781


CrystalMark
2004R3 => 395933


CINEBENCH
R11.5
CPU => 9.84 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 2.03 pts


Windows體驗指數
- CPU 7.8


PCMark
Vantage => 26137


PCMark7
=> 6085


2700K超頻5GHz的效能與2600K幾乎一樣,兩者為同架構CPU,同時脈下的表現也相同
Sandy
Bridge架構的2600K/2700K只要體質不要太差,加強散熱後上5GHz穩定燒機的機率相當高
除了自家剛推出的Sandy
Bridge-E 6C12T在多工方面可以勝過之外,2700K目前在四核效能上還是第一。
以上大多數軟體在1.408V時都可以通過測試,但是要過PCMark
Vantage需要加到1.424V
Windows7體驗指數在RAM的數據偏低,不過在其他軟體的頻寬還是很正常也相當地高
DDR3
2133在此平台效能與其他Z68都應為7.9分才對,最近也碰到同樣CPU與同樣晶片組在不同品牌的MB上分數也有落差。
希望未來微軟可以推出SP1版來加強Windows7體驗指數的精確度...XD

DDR3頻寬
ADIA64
Memory Read - 25155 MB/s
Sandra Memory Bandwidth - 28099 MB/s
MaXXMEM
Memory-Copy - 27807 MB/s


DRAM效能表現也是Sandy
Bridge架構的優勢,以雙通道技術擁有如此高的頻寬實屬難得
只要DDR3的體質夠好,不管是使用入門Celeron、Pentium或是最高階2700K,搭配Z68超頻晶片組
都將有機會可以設定1866或2133時脈來使用,並達到DDR3高寬頻的平台

溫度表現(室溫約20度)
系統待機時
- 31~40


CPU全速時
- 65~78
Intel Burn Test v2.4,Stress Level Maximum


超頻到5GHz最主要的是需加強散熱系統,基本上依個人經驗來看,要5GHz可以燒機並非難事
不加壓的也可以達到4.5GHz左右的水準,這是Snady
Bridge超頻在高時脈下穩定的優勢
散熱加強能讓CPU全速溫度在80幾度以下,對於日常生活中的長時間使用應也不成問題


耗電量測試
開啟C1E在OS桌面下不使用任何軟體時
- 102W


關閉C1E在OS桌面下不使用任何軟體時
- 133W


CPU全速時
- 261W
IntelBurnTest v2.4


OCCT中Power
Supply測試項目時 - 458W


5GHz的環境下開啟C1E可以再降低31W左右的耗電量
2700K待機與全速的狀態下增加約128W,加上GTX560
Ti同時燒機也不超過460W
這樣高效能的平台,大約使用到550W Power
Supply就可以勝任
如果在不超頻的狀態下,CPU全速也不會超過200W,32nm耗電量表現稱得上相當不錯

VGA使用nVIDIA
GTX560 Ti
3DMark Vantage => P23942


StreetFighter
IV Benchmark
1920 X 1200 => 298.51 FPS


FINAL
FANTASY XIV
1920 X 1080 => 4692


CPU效能對於遊戲中的表現也相當重要,雖然說玩GAME時首重是GPU的3D效能
但如果搭配的CPU效能不佳時,將可能會有高達20%以上的效能落差
不僅像是在3DMark
Vantage測試軟體,在其他遊戲的實測軟體也可能會掉10~20%的頁數
Intel在這方面的表現都相當不錯,自家CPU效能表現高連帶也拉高遊戲中的頁數與順暢度

2700K
OC 5.4GHz達成
CPU 106 X 51 => 5407.0MHz
DDR3 2261.8 CL7 10-7-27 1T


Super PI 1M => 6.895s
CPUMARK 99 => 833


DDR3頻寬
ADIA64
Memory Read - 26915 MB/s
Sandra Memory Bandwidth - 29770 MB/s
MaXXMEM
Memory-Copy - 29743 MB/s


依個人使用過2600K/2700K的經驗來看,穩定燒機大概在5~5.1G左右
極限差不多5.3~5.4G左右進OS,也可以通過某些測試軟體,但長時間使用或燒機方面還是無法實現。
32nm製程推出時間也有2年左右,CPU的體質已經發揮差不多到極限,期待未來22nm會有更好的表現

ASUS
Maximus IV Extreme-Z
優點
1.Maximus IV
Extreme-Z在各方面設計都有Gaming風格,不失為頂級產品
2.UEFI
BIOS選項眾多,提供完整的超頻功能或細部功能調整
3.PCI-E支援ATI CrossFireX/3-Way NVIDIA
SLI技術
4.IO方面提供8個USB 3.0與Intel 82579 Gigabit
LAN雙網路晶片
5.特殊材質的散熱模組,體積不高與高度也不高,但外觀與質感都相當不錯

6.ROG在硬體或軟體方面都有許多特殊功能,讓提高效能的超頻動作更為便利

缺點
1.音效晶片如果使用X-FI等級以上會更佳
2.超頻時有時會抓不到手邊的USB鍵盤
3.啟動到Logo畫面的時間較緩慢一些

效能比
★★★★★★★★★☆
用料比 ★★★★★★★★★☆
規格比 ★★★★★★★★☆☆
外觀比 ★★★★★★★★★★
性價比
★★★★★★★☆☆☆



這是小弟windwithme第九篇有關於P67/Z68搭配K系列CPU的超頻分享
每家MB品牌的BIOS設計或功能不太一樣,需要調整的選項依然大同小異,有基礎概念的話並不難。
本篇Maximus
IV
Extreme-Z為ASUS最高等級代表作,主打用料、規格與超頻功能等幾大特點
效能當然不在話下,但屬於ROG系列價格也相當地高,高階市場的消費族群比一般市場還較小上許多
對於追求效能、有足夠預算的消費者來說,在此提供一個Sandy
Bridge高階Z68平台的實測分享

有關對於超頻來達到追求高效能的Intel產品線市場,入門平台就是中階Z68搭配i5-2500K
中階平台為2600K/2700K搭配中高階的Z68,如果這樣的四核效能還不敷使用的話
11月中剛推出不久的Sandy
Bridge-E平台將是現階段最高階的新組合
兩款六核CPU i7
3930K、3960X再搭配上X79,當然價格會比前兩種組合還要高上許多
windwithme未來將分享幾篇X79的測試文章,AMD方面也會有入門APU的超頻教學。
不管是入門還是中高階的平台,希望都能提供給有需要的消費者做為選購前的參考

如果小弟的分享文章對您有幫助,請幫我按個推,感謝

星期三, 12月 14, 2011

Custom Made for Gaming High End Z68 - GIGABYTE G1.Sniper2 Complete Review



GIGABYTE launched new series in early 2011 called G1-Killer with Intel chipset.
First series use X58 chipset and there are 3 models, G1.Sniper, G1.Guerrilla and G1.Assassin.
They are same as own high end model UD7, but have less power phases and PCI-E slots.
G1 uses high end product components and focus on Gaming which enhance audio and network design.

So far, Intel most popular product is Sandy Bridge.
It’s been launching less than 1 year, however, there are Z68, P67, H67 and H61 chipset can supports SNB CPU.
You can see Sandy Bridge can combine from entry to high end as users demand.
From LGA 1155 CPU and chipset quantity, you can see the product life cycle should be longer than LGA 1156.

This time, I got GIGABYTE 4th G1 product using Intel latest Z68 chipset with G1 series design concept.
This model name is G1.Sniper2. You can see the color tone is black with green.
It’s same as previous 3 G1 X58 series as focusing on war visual concept.


Sniper2 is ATX and the size is 30.5 cm X 26.4 cm.
It includes 5 Smart Fan controllable fan header which can adjust Z68 platform temperature more efficient.
This time the magazine heat sink has no G1.Killer print. It’s just whole black design.


Accessories
Product manual, Software installation guide, Driver CD, IO panel, SATA cables and SLI bridge.


Front Access Control Panel provides 2 USB 3.0 and 1 Power eSATA ports.
Left side Quick Boost button can let user switch to OC mode to increase system performance easily.
Bottom is G1-Killer poster and sticker.


Lower-Left Corner
2 X PCI-E X16 supports AMD CrossFireX/nVIDIA SLI as X8 + X8.
2 X PCI-E X1
2 X PCI
Very rare Bigfoot Killer E2100 LAN Chip.
Built-in Creative CA20K2 audio chip supports Dolby Digital Live, DTS Connect, X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity and EAX Advanced HD 5.0 technology.
It supports max 7.1 channels and High Definition Audio technology.
Design in Taipei


Lower-Right Corner
3 X Black SATA provided by Z68 supporting SATA2.
2 X White SATA provided by Z68 supporting SATA.
You can build hybrid RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10. The max performance depends on SATA devices.
2 X Grey SATA provided by Marvell 9182 supporting SATA3, RAID 0 and RAID 1.
2 X 32 Mbit flash Dual BIOS for dual protection.


Upper-Right Corner
4 X DIMM DDR3 support 800/1066/1333/1600/1866/2133 and DDR3 max capacity is 32GB.
It supports Extreme Memory Profile. DDR3 uses 2 phases PWM and next is 24-PIN power connector.


Upper-Left Corner
LGA 1155 CPU Socket. The cover is plating process for better quality.
G1.Sipner2 uses 8+2+2 phases PWM. DRAM and Chipset have individual 2 phases.
Behind the upper heat sink is an 8PIN ATX 12V power connector.


IO
1 X PS2 KB/MS
1 X HDMI
1 X O.C. Button
7 X USB 2.0(Red/Black)
2 X USB 3.0(Blue)
1 X eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo(Black)
1 X RJ-45 LAN
1 X S/PDIF optical fiber output


One of G1.Sniper2 key features is Killer E2100 LAN chip, called NPU.
It bundles 1GB DDR2 for network traffic control. It can help to offload the network traffic from CPU.
Another function is Game Networking DNA technology.
It offloads gaming data directly to the NPU by bypassing the Windows Network Stack to save time.


The other key feature is Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi audio processor, chipset code is 20K2.
It built in 128MB Memory cache for 20K2. It’s only for high end Creative sound card.
Nichicon MUSE ES(Green) and MW(Yellow) Japanese made audio caps with metal cover which is same as high end sound card design and components.


Next is G1-Killer series special design heat-pipe. The design concept is shooting game, also called Locked and Loaded Heat-pipe.
The part is a big heat sink. The center has 5 green LED which is on as booting up.


The shape is same as magazine. The top is a copper bullet. The heat sink dimension and quality are impressive.


VRM heat sink is similar to barrel.
CPU is 8 phases Driver MOSFETs design for better power efficiency and temperature control.


Booting Screen


Main BIOS Tuning Menu, called M.I.T.
It shows BIOS version, CPU/DRAM clock, DDR3 capacity, CPU temperature and CPU/DRAM voltage etc.


You can adjust CPU ratio, clock and DDR3 multiplier.
The screen is CPU 100.2Mhz/DDR3 2133 setup.


CPU Detail Items
2600K default ratio is 38, 37, 36 and 35. Turbo Boost 2.0 technology has more critical CPU boost mode.
Internal PLL Voltage Override items enhance CPU stability when OC to 5GHz. Z68 default is Enable.
When OC CPU Clock Ratio to 50, I like to disable Intel Turbo Boost and C1E for better stability.


Memory Setting Page
Sandy Bridge multiplier has 800, 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866 and 2133.


Advanced DDR3 Parameters Setup Page
The screen shows setting as DDR3 2133 CL7 10-7-27 1T


Voltage Page
Milti-Steps Load-Line Disabled/Level 1~Level10
CPU Vcore 0.750~1.700V
QPI/Vtt Voltage 0.860~1.530V
Systrm Agent Voltage 0.715~1.495V
Graphics Core 0.850~1.705V
CPU PLL 1.195~2.435V
DRAM Voltage 0.890~2.135V


Sniper2 built in one HDMI output. User can use for Intel built-in GPU.
It bundles with Lucid Virtu GPU Virtualization technology for user to switch high end 3D graphic card and Intel Quick Sync Video technology.


PC Health Status


UEFI is a very common word recently. It means 3TB support plus GUI.
GIGABYTE all Z68 BIOS support EFI 3TB HDD. For GUI, they still need to catch up.
This review I use Intel Core i7-2600K. As 2600K default performance, windwithme has test end of 2010.
Recently, the other Z68 OC guide can be reference. If you want to refer to the 2600K default performance, you can search my previous article.
The BIOS pics above are 2600K OC 5GHz setup. You may need to fine tune your system voltage and clock due to CPU and DDR3 quality.

Windwithme reviews are taking long time to fine tune for stable OC.
The OC ratio is passing stress burning which is my own requirement.
Maybe it’s just an easy performance pic, it takes me several hours for fine tune the most suitable voltage and CPU clock for stable running.
With DDR3 OC and fine tune parameters, finally, the CPU and DDR3 are all stable at highest performance.
Then I start to lower voltage to find the lowest value. It takes few hours to days.
I think the every MB best OC setup is worthy and really useful for users who are interested in OC.
I also hope the OC will bring the budgeted hardware into highest performance.

System Configuration
CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K
MB: GIGABYTE G1.Sniper2
DRAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT CMT4GX3M2B2133C9
VGA: msi N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II
HD: Intel 510 Series 120GB
POWER: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 1200W
Cooler: CORSAIR Hydro Series H80
OS: Windows7 Ultimate 64bit


Cooler is CORSAIR latest water cooling product.
Hydro Series has 4 models, H50, H60, H80 and H100 from low to high.
Below is H80 packing. It’s 5 years official warranty. The package is bigger than perviousH70.
All 4 models support all CPU sockets include future LGA2011.


Left hand is the all black radiator. The size is 120mm x 152mm x 27mm.
The shell is also metal delicate which is better than H70. The both sides can install 12cm fans.
The rotation rate can adjust by the button above cooler head.
There are 1300, 2000 and 2500 RPM. The fan airflow is 46~92 CFM and acoustic is 22~39dBA.
Hydro Series H80 advantage is can install in standard ATC chassis. This hydro cooling is very convenient for users.


H80 new design improves the cooler head. The first one, the new mounting bracket is more stable and durable.
The bottom still keeps the big dimension copper. Next is two 4-pin headers for 12cm fans.
Near the cooler head, there are one small 4-pin and one big 4-pin headers. They are for MB or PSU to supply power to cooler motor.


First of all, let’s test 2600K OC 4.5GHz performance. This setup is most ideal OC range for most suers.
CPU 100.0 X 45 => 4501.5MHz 1.250V
DDR3 1867.4 CL6 9-6-24 1T 1.610V

Hyper PI 32M X8 => 13m 40.699s
CPUMARK 99 => 693


Nuclearus Multi Core => 29030
Fritz Chess Benchmark => 35.31/16949


CrystalMark 2004R3 => 381995


CINEBENCH R11.5
CPU => 8.80 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 1.83 pts


PCMark Vantage => 24328


The CPU voltage will be various as different CPU quality.
Actually, if the cooling is good, 2600K no need to add too much voltage from 1.245V to 4.5GHz.

The above test is setting as 1.250V. It can pass most benchmark software and burning test stabile.
Sandy Bridge as Intel 2nd generation Core I structure. The CPU single thread performance is excellent.
4.5GHz clock to test all benchmark, the score and performance are very good.
Also, OC to 4.5GHz is a stage. You have to control voltage and temperature well.

DDR3 Test
ADIA64 Memory Read - 22282 MB/s
Sandra Memory Bandwidth - 24726 MB/s
MaXXMEM Memory-Copy - 24863 MB/s


Sandy Bridge DDR3 bandwidth improves a lot. It’s even same as LGA 1366 3-channel.
If DDR3 quality is good enough, even CPU clock is the same, you still can run at 2133.
Using CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT to test 1866 CL6, the bandwidth and performance are very good.

Temperature Test (Room Temperature 28℃)
Enter to OS Desktop - 33~38


CPU Full Speed - 56~64
Intel Burn Test v2.4,Stress Level Maximum


The temperature result is good. It owes to H80 water cooling system as well.
2600K OC to 4.5GHz won’t be a problem if you use mid-high end coolers.
This is also 32nm advantage. I am looking forward to Panther Point next year.

Power Consumption Test
Enter to OS Desktop - 100W


OCCT Power Supply Mode - 410W


For 2600K OC to 4.5GHz add GTX 560 Ti, the power consumption is very low.
For full speed, CPU full speed is around 200W and above test OCCT CPU and VGA is 410W.
This value just needs 550W PSU for whole system.

GIGABYTE hasn’t implemented UEFI interface, but it provides alternative solution called Touch BIOS software.
Users can adjust BIOS items in OS and also support touchscreen LCD.
This software also integrates many GIGABYTE features. It also provide multilingual interface. The screen shot is Traditional Chinese.


BIOS is not UEFI design, but it means user can use BIOS interface in OS?
When I see items called "Miscellaneous Settings", I can imagine how rich the settings are...


Clicking "Quick Boost" will enable "Smart Quick Boost" and “@BIOS" will enable "@BIOS".
These two are GIGABYTE exclusive applications. Touch BIOS integrates both for users easy to install.


Killer E2100 LAN Chipset SOftware - Bigfoot Networks Killer Network Manager
This network manager features are very rich. Users can know the network status through this software.
Upper left, EZ Smart Response, enable system HDD can switch to RAID model and enable ISRT under AHCI/IDE mode automatically.


Creative provides Entertainment, Game, Audio Creation modes.
The Game mode panel and items as right hand side. It includes rich fine tune items.


Entertainment mode panel interface is familiar to me as my X-FI audio card.


Audio Creation mode provides different panel and items.
It looks like Creative own EMU audio panel, but actually the items and features are different.


Previously, I tested the audio effect in G1 X58.
I would like to repeat some key points. X-FI audio is well benefit the video or gaming multimedia.
You can feel very good sound filed. No matter bass, fighting or demolish, it’s really shocked.
G1 builds in such high end audio chip and caps, it’s good C/P for gamers. You don’t need to buy an external sound card.

For who owns 2500K or 2600K, many people want to use at 5GHz.
However, for this high range OC, you need good quality CPU and high end cooler.
If you don’t set well, the system will be unstable and CPU will be in high temperature. 5GHz is love and hate setting.

Below is stable 5GHz OC Test
CPU 100 X 50 => 5001.4MHz 1.400V
DDR3 2134.2 CL7 10-7-27 1T 1.620V

Hyper PI 32M X8 => 12m 09.442s
CPUMARK 99 => 771


Nuclearus Multi Core => 31325
Fritz Chess Benchmark => 39.12/18776


CrystalMark 2004R3 => 400655


CINEBENCH R11.5
CPU => 9.84 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 2.03 pts


PCMark Vantage => 26169


From 4.5GHz to 5GHz, the CPU performance increase around 10~12%.
CPU performance enhance range is not much. However, 5GHz is an excellent feeling for most users.
2600K single core performance and OC range is the best in the market. The multi-tasking performance is only behind 6C12T 980X and 990X.
AMD will launch 8-core CPU in the future, called Bulldozer. Its multi-tasking performance may be higher than 2600K.

DDR3 Test
ADIA64 Memory Read - 24923 MB/s
Sandra Memory Bandwidth - 27863 MB/s
MaXXMEM Memory-Copy - 27807 MB/s


Z68 set DDR3 clock at 2133, the ADIA64 and MaXXMEM performance is over X58 DDR3 2000.
But, Z68 Sandra benchmark is lower than X58. After Sandy Bridge enhance the memory controller, the performance can compete with 3-channel.
If you want to OC LGA 1155 DDR3 to 2200~2300, you have to pull CPU clock to over 100MHz first.

Temperature Test (Room Temperature 28℃)
Enter to OS Desktop - 36~42


CPU Full Speed - 70~80
Intel Burn Test v2.4,Stress Level Maximum


Enter to OS desktop, the temperature is not big difference. 5GHz full speed max temperature is 80 which is also acceptable.
There are 2 issues in OC, one is CPU voltage too low and the other is temperature rise due to CPU voltage too high.
It takes your time to fine tune the best CPU voltage during OC.
Using CORSAIR H80 water cooling system, the temperature is good. If it’s winter, the CPU temperature will be even lower.

Power Supply is Thermaltake high end product, Toughpower Grand Series.
Toughpower Grand Series is 80Plus Golf Certificate which is excellent performance for power saving.
TPG-1200M is highest watt version in Toughpower Grand Series. Of course, all spec is the highest.


My first impression is the shell design which is curve design.
It’s dual 12V to support 40A and 85A. The max power output is 1200W.

14” dual ball baring flower shape fan is also special. The acoustic is very quiet.


Modulized design is the must for high end Power Supply.
It’s all Japanese made electrolytic and solid caps. The official warranty is 7 years.
You can be more confident with Thermaltake.


Power Consumption Test
Enter to OS Desktop - 116W


OCCT POWER SUPPLY Mode - 468W


CPU voltage pull to 1.4V when OC to 5GHz, the power consumption only increase 16W when enter to OS desktop.
Full speed is only 58W higher which is acceptable range.
2600K OC 5GHz can be run stable in safe temperature range.

Some users think bigger watt Power Supply will consume more power. It’s not a right idea.
Like the same test configuration, if I use 450W PSU, the power consumption will be 14W higher.
1200W means max output watt. The power consumption level is decided by 80Plus grades.
It’s like a big pipe. The water flow amount is decided by tap. 1200W doesn’t mean it always work under max power output condition.
Higher watt Power Supply is mainly for upgradability.
My friend used 550W in the beginning and he upgraded to 750W when he started to use SLi.
Recently, he upgraded to 850W due to buy more high-end VGA.
So if you would like to reserve some upgradability for game or VGA card, I suggest you better to get higher watt PSU.

VGA is nVIDIA GTX560 Ti
3DMark Vantage => P23771


StreetFighter IV Benchmark
1920 X 1080 => 305.18 FPS