Intel Core i7-2600K結合GIGABYTE Z68X-UD7最新高階平台超頻教學

Intel在五月份推出支援Sandy Bridge第四款晶片組，代號也就是許多網友所熟悉的Z68
Z68晶片組可以說是目前Sandy Bridge最高階的等級，同時擁有超頻與GPU輸出兩大功能
Z68簡單來說就是整合先前P67超頻定位與H67多顯示輸出的兩種路線
雖然Z68沒有先前網路傳言中會擁有更強悍的CPU外頻能力，但證實增加兩個新技術，對於傳輸或是影音效能上也有明顯的幫助。
第一就是Intel Smart Response技術，運用小容量的SSD來為主HDD中OS軟體做加速的動作
第二種則是Lucid Virtu推出GPU虛擬化技術，使用者可以在內建GPU與外接VGA之間做動態切換

此外在市場價位方面，Z68 MB也是當下價位最高的Sandy Bridge產品
不過與P67價差並不大，基本上同等級的P67/Z68產品，約只有台幣500元(折合美金約18元)的價差。
對於預算在中高階Sandy Bridge MB的消費者來說，考慮Z68應該會是C/P較佳的選擇

CPU使用LGA 1155腳位中最高階的Intel Core i7-2600K
K系列代表有著不鎖頻的功能，此平台現在僅有2500K/2600K兩款超頻專用CPU
Intel新Logo圖案的包裝，外盒比以往的產品還小上一些，這樣設計會比較環保


內容物有CPU本體、原廠散熱器、產品說明書與品牌小貼紙


Intel對於4 Cores CPU幾乎都是採用銅底設計的散熱器
2600K總時脈為3.4GHz，支援新一代Turbo Boost 2.0技術，最高可達到3.80GHz效能
實體4 Cores並有Hyper-Threading技術，一共可達到8執行緒，簡稱4C/8T
32nm製程，功耗95W，L3 Cache共有8MB，為目前LGA 1155中最高階規格的CPU


GIGABYTE Z68X-UD7-B3本體
從LGA 1155腳位開始，GIGABYTE在中高階產品的外觀配色上做重大改變
圖中的全黑色路線，將PCB、DRAM與PCI插槽都改為黑色，特別是在PCB上用特殊的霧面材質，質感加分。


目前GIGABYTE全黑化版本，型號從UD3R、UD3P開始，進而到較高階UD4/UD5/UD7都是
其他像是D3、UD3或DS3或更低階的產品線都還是維持傳統的藍色PCB
當然個人覺得藍色PCB也不錯，用料與設計方面才是我比較在意的環節
有些使用者覺得高階MB要用黑色，外觀看起來會較有質感，黑化版出現也算符合更多消費族群的喜好


內附配件
產品說明書、軟體說明書、驅動軟體CD、IO檔板
CrossFireX/SLI橋接器


SATA線材、前置3.5吋 USB 3.0擴充面板、外接eSATA擴充Port


主機板左下方
4 X PCI-E 2.0 X16插槽，支援2Way/3Way ATI CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI技術
代號PCIEX16_1與PCIEX16_2頻寬為X16，代號PCIEX8_1與PCIEX8_2頻寬為X8
1 X PCI-E 2.0 X1
2 X PCI
2 X Realtek RTL8111E網路晶片，支援Teaming線路匯整與Smart Dual LAN功能
Realtek ALC889音效晶片，支援7.1聲道與Dolby Home Theater杜比環繞音效技術


主機板右下方
2 X白色SATAIII，P67晶片提供，SATA3規格
4 X黑色SATAII，P67晶片提供，SATA2規格
可混合使用，並且達到支援 RAID 0， RAID 1，RAID 5及RAID 10等規格
2 X灰色SATAIII，Marvell 88SE9128晶片提供，SATA3規格
支援RAID 0及RAID 1功能
右下方內建除錯燈號，提供使用者在開機時更快了解硬體狀況


主機板右上方
4 X DIMM DDR3，支援1066/1333/1600/1866/2133，DDR3最高容量支援到32GB。
支援XMP (Extreme Memory Profile)記憶體，旁邊為24-PIN電源輸入
Sandy Bridge在DDR3安裝有做改良，已經不需要像LGA 1366或LGA 1156強制要先安裝DIMM1才可以開機使用。
LGA 1155平台不需要限定是先安裝DIMM1或DIMM2，隨意安裝一組DIMM都可以開機運作


主機板左上方
UD7採用最頂級的24相供電，再以雙電源切換技術來達到最大供電與低使用率時較節能的轉換平衡點
CPU金屬蓋使用電鍍設計更添質感，左上為8Pin電源輸入


IO
1 X PS/2 鍵盤/滑鼠
2 X USB 2.0(紅色)
6 X USB 3.0(藍色)
2 X eSATA 同時支援USB 3.0(藍色)
2 X IEEE 1394a
2 X RJ-45網路孔
1 X S/PDIF 光纖/同軸輸出


Z68X-UD7沒有一般Z68會有的GPU輸出介面設計
反而是提供更多種類的擴充介面來取代原本該有的輸出介面
猜測應該是對於高階產品的市場，會認為使用者會用內顯為主力的機率相當地低
提供Intel內建的GPU輸出功能，還不如提供更多USB 3.0、eSATA或其他介面來的更為實用
這樣的取捨當然有好有壞，端看每個人的觀感不同，此外其他品牌的高階Z68也有拿掉內顯輸出的設計

供電方面使用Intel最新VRD 12 (Voltage Regulator Down)
同時也搭載Driver MOSFETs設計以求達到更好的效率表現


兩個USB 3.0晶片使用NEC D720200AF1，Made In Japan
最高可支援達十個USB 3.0裝置


GIGABYTE散熱片也做新版款式，霧面材質的處理讓質感更好
UD7身為該品牌高階版本，所使用散熱模組體積更大，加強晶片組與PWM的散熱能力


開機畫面


主要BIOS調效選單，簡稱M.I.T.


時脈設定頁面
有CPU外頻/倍頻、DDR3時脈可以選擇


2600K在預設值倍頻為38、37、36、35，Turbo Boost 2.0技術有更精細的CPU加速模式
Internal PLL Voltage Override為P67/Z68所擁有的特殊選項，可以有效加強CPU超頻5GHz的穩定度
不過P67預設值是關閉、Z68預設值為開啟，超頻時對於兩種晶片組的差異需要注意


Memory設定頁面
在設定比例上有800、1066、1333、1600、1866、2133等六種


進階DDR3參數設定頁面
底下設定為DDR3 2133 CL7 10-7-27 1T


電壓頁面
Milti-Steps Load-Line Disabled/Level 1~Level10
CPU Vcore 0.750~1.700V
QPI/Vtt Voltage 0.800~1.700V
PCH Core 0.840~1.940V
CPU PLL 1.520~2.520V
DRAM Voltage 0.900~2.600V


PC Health Status


Z68在BIOS內的超頻調法其實與P67完全一樣，沒有不同的差異
CPU方面大多只需要直接調整倍頻，再配合CPU本身的體質來加電壓即可
而DDR3超頻設定，只需要配合自身體質調整時脈與CL等參數，再設定可以穩定的電壓
Sandy Bridge的BIOS超頻技巧比以往簡化許多，當然要大幅度超頻CPU效能也限定要挑選2500K/2600K兩種CPU。
以上是windwithme使用2600K的BIOS超頻設定，CPU/DDR3分別為5GHz/2133兩種時脈，提供給有需要的網友做為參考。

測試平台
CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K
MB: GIGABYTE Z68X-UD7-B3
DRAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT CMT4GX3M2B2133C9
VGA: msi N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II
HD: Seagate Momentus XT 500G/ CORSAIR CSSD-F40GB2
POWER: Thermaltake TR2 450W
Cooler: CORSAIR Hydro Series H70
OS: Windows7 Ultimate 64bit


測試的散熱器使用特殊的CORSAIR Hydro Series H70水冷
Hydro Series網路上查到已有五種型號，最新推出的是H80與最頂級H100兩款


大多數使用者對於水冷的印象是安裝不容易，但散熱效能表現會較佳
不過CORSAIR推出的一系列水冷系列，都是強調容易安裝，使用水冷不會額外增加空間
測試中H70也可以直接裝在一般尺寸的ATX Case內部，使用上算是相當地方便
全黑化設計讓水冷排質感更佳，兩側各可以安裝一個12cm的風扇，轉速由溫控設定約為1600/2000轉


底部採用大面積銅底散熱片，能更有效加強導熱能力
原廠所附的散熱膏品質相當地好，建議使用者直接安裝使用即可
像小弟常在拆裝CPU，後來改用Arctic Sliver或其他高等級的散熱膏
溫度表現卻比H70原廠所附的散熱膏還要高3~5度以上，這點是使用時需要多注意的地方

GIGABYTE在OS下提供許多工具軟體，部份軟體大多數使用者也已經很熟悉
此回挑選較新的兩款軟體做介紹，首先就是剛推出沒多久的Touch BIOS
此軟體提供多國語言的介面，照片中使用繁體中文為範例


最大特點在於可以在OS下直接調整BIOS，雖然並非將選項100%完整移值
有關超頻或是一般設定的選項都可以在Touch BIOS中找到，也就是約有80%以上的BIOS選項都可以在Touch BIOS中使用。
如果有目前最熱門的觸控式LCD的話，使用Touch BIOS軟體會更加得心應手


Touch BIOS同時也整合GIGABYTE其他幾款工具軟體
例如點選”更新BIOS”後，會跳出@BIOS軟體，安裝Touch BIOS後就不用再加裝部份軟體


Z68特有的Intel Smart Response技術，使用HDD與SSD設定為Raid0模式，讓SSD做為加速系列的快取空間
這樣的新功能，需要一開始BIOS在Raid0的狀況下才可以使用，再安裝Intel軟體開啟此功能
普遍使用者的HDD都是為AHCI或IDE模式，如果要加裝SSD開啟加速功能，難免躲不過重灌OS的命運
技嘉 EZ Smart Response主要可以簡化這種步驟，讓使用者可以在HDD為IDE或AHCI模式下，直接加裝SSD再開啟SRT加速功能。
圖片中HDD為AHCI模式安裝完成的Windows7介面，SATA3再接上CORSAIR F40 SSD，最後開啟EZ Smart Response後會跳出視窗要求重新開機。


重新開機一次再進OS後，會再跳出視窗要求再重新開機一次
總共要重開機兩次之後，此時BIOS模式變更為Raid0，可以使用Intel SRT軟體來選擇自己想要的加速模式


首先以預設值範圍的CPU電壓進行超頻測試
也就是CPU OC 4.5GHz、DDR3 1600 CL6的設定來分享效能與其他方面的表現

不加壓超頻效能
CPU 100 X 45 => 4501.5MHz 1.240V
DDR3 1600.6 CL7 7-7-21 1T 1.460V

Hyper PI 32M X8 => 13m 31.029s
CPUMARK 99 => 693


Nuclearus Multi Core => 28266
Fritz Chess Benchmark => 35.00/16798


CrystalMark 2004R3 => 349880


CINEBENCH R11.5
CPU => 8.78 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 1.82 pts


Windows體驗指數 - CPU 7.8


PCMark Vantage => 14594


2600K在BIOS下的預設電壓為1.245V超頻到時脈4.5GHz，設定為1.240V可以穩定通過以上所有測試
雖然不算是範圍很大的CPU超頻，不過同時兼顧電壓、溫度與耗電量的平衡點
算是較為實用的超頻設定，另外在整體效能方面也讓人有很滿意的表現
比較Sandy Bridge平台在同時脈CPU效能，大約比LGA 1156還要高10%左右
在4C8T CPU導入32nm製程後，可超頻的範圍也大幅增加不少

DDR3測試
ADIA64 Memory Read - 19727 MB/s
Sandra Memory Bandwidth - 21183 MB/s
MaXXMEM Memory-Copy - 22166 MB/s


Sandy Bridge DDR3頻寬在很多軟體上也有比以往LGA 1156平台有20~30%的效能增進
採用更先進Memory Controller技術不僅讓DDR3安裝上沒有限制，也讓頻寬效能幾乎與老大哥LGA 1366平台的三通道可以平起平坐。

溫度表現(室溫約28度)
系統待機時 - 37~44


CPU全速時 - 55~70
Intel Burn Test v2.4，Stress Level Maximum


超頻4.5GHz的CPU溫度表現還在可以接受的範圍內
畢竟現在已經是夏天，台灣室溫已經拉高不少，超頻CPU後全速時只達到最高70度
如果要以此設定長時間使用，穩定性是沒有問題的，當然這也是使用H70水冷的功效

耗電量測試
OS桌面下不使用任何軟體時 - 114W


CPU全速時 - 198W


平台中為高階Z68 MB搭配頂級的2600K CPU，VGA也使用中高階的GTX 560 Ti
在OS下不動作的耗電量只有114W，CPU在4.5GHz全速下也只有198W
Sandy Bridge平台在CPU與晶片組的功耗比起以往都有明顯的進步

Z68特有的Intel Smart Response Technology技術測試，以下簡稱ISRT
需要安裝Smart Response Technology 10.5以後的版本才可以開啟此技術
HDD使用Seagate Momentus XT 500G，規格為2.5吋、7200轉、內建4GB SLC SSD

效能測試
ATTO DISK Benchmark超過32k以上測試時就接近最高讀取101.6 Mb/s，寫入103.6 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Seq Read - 99.97 MB/s Write - 94.57 MB/s


HD Tune Pro 4.60 Benchmark
File Benchmark
超過2048k以上測試時就開始有90MB/s以上的讀取效能
Read - Average 84.1 MB/s Access Time 0.661ms
ADIA64 DISK Benchmark
Buffered Read Avarage - 217.2 MB/s


Momentus XT為特殊式混合HDD，以上測試讀取/寫入沒有明顯的效能提升
但是內建4GB SSD在Access Time/ Buffered Read的效能擁有SSD水準
由於搜尋時間非常快速，在開機或是軟體間的應用也有明顯的效能提升

HDD本身加速後，再安裝CORSAIR F40 SSD開啟Intel ISRT做第二段加速測試
F40規格為尺寸2.5吋，最高效能可達到280/270 MB/s，Random 4K寫入效能可達50000 IOPS

加速模式 - 增強(加速為資料保護而最佳化)
ATTO DISK Benchmark超過32k以上測試時就接近最高讀取242.9 Mb/s，寫入101.4 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Seq Read - 149.0 MB/s Write - 49.98 MB/s


HD Tune Pro 4.60 Benchmark
File Benchmark
超過128k以上測試時就開始有230MB/s以上的讀取效能
Read - Average 118.8 MB/s Access Time 0.076ms
ADIA64 DISK Benchmark
Buffered Read Avarage – 222.2 MB/s


增強模式下，讀取幾乎變成F40 SSD的效能，在以上測試可以達到很高的數據
寫入與4K這兩方面與HDD本身的效能差不多，並沒有明顯的效能增加
ISRT技術將常用的軟體丟到SSD中當緩衝快取使用，有些測試軟體需要多測幾次就能發揮到最佳傳輸效能

加速模式 - 最大化(加速為輸入/輸出效能而最佳化)
ATTO DISK Benchmark超過64k以上測試時就接近最高讀取275.6 Mb/s，寫入262.9 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Seq Read – 148.8 MB/s Write - 49.55 MB/s


HD Tune Pro 4.60 Benchmark
File Benchmark
超過256k以上測試時就開始有250MB/s以上的讀取效能
Read - Average 133.0 MB/s Access Time 0.080ms
ADIA64 DISK Benchmark
Buffered Read Avarage - 240.2 MB/s


最大化模式下，在寫入與4K的最高效都能有大幅度的增加，也可以說整個效能就是SSD F40的完整表現
增強模式效能增加沒有最大化模式多，但使用立即寫入式快取方法，同步將資料存入SSD與HDD中，資料上不會遺失
最大化模式則是使用回寫式快取方法以固定的間隔將資料寫入磁碟，如果發生不可存取或者中斷連線時，資料有可能會遺失。
該選擇哪一個模式，就由使用者自己去評估想要SRT對於作業系統有何種加速的效果

5G超頻效能

CPU 100 X 50 => 5001.7MHz 1.400V
DDR3 2134.2 CL7 10-7-27 1T 1.600V
Hyper PI 32M X8 => 12m 06.212s
CPUMARK 99 => 770


Nuclearus Multi Core => 32868
Fritz Chess Benchmark => 39.25/18837


CrystalMark 2004R3 => 404509


CINEBENCH R11.5
CPU => 9.73 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 2.04 pts


Windows體驗指數 - CPU 7.8


PCMark Vantage => 15068


Sandy Bridge架構上市後，開始出現在網路上的名詞，也就是新5G俱樂部
要達到這個水準的超頻，除了自身2600K體質要好外，散熱器也是一個重要的因素
4.5GHz拉到5GHz後，CPU的相關分數效能也有增加近8~10%左右的分數
2600K在5GHz的單核心效能在市場上已經難有敵手
多工效能的敵手大概只有自家老大哥990X OC 4.5GHz以上或是未來Llano的表現而定

DDR3測試
ADIA64 Memory Read - 24955 MB/s
Sandra Memory Bandwidth - 27908 MB/s
MaXXMEM Memory-Copy - 27807 MB/s


LGA 1155平台在DRAM頻寬表現主要取決於時脈高低
DDR3 2133比起上面測試的DDR3 1600的效能明顯高上不少
當然CL值等參數較佳也可以提升一些頻寬，不過主要還是要取決於DDR3時脈的高低

溫度表現(室溫約28度)
系統待機時 - 37~43


CPU全速時 - 72~81
Intel Burn Test v2.4，Stress Level Maximum


待機時溫度表現與4.5GHz時差不多，全速時就高上約11~17度左右
這方面主要是由於CPU同時拉高的電壓與時脈這兩種數據有關
也就是5GHz所要付出的額外代價之一
如果是用先前個人常用的Mega Shadow Deluxe Edition，全速的表現會接近90度左右
此篇測試中改用CORSAIR H70水冷，在散熱能力上還是有明顯優勢

上一篇文章使用2500K OC 5G/FOXCONN P67/nVIDIA GTX590的平台，Power Supply 規格為550W都還足夠供應電量
此回搭載2600K OC 5G/GIGABYTE Z68/ nVIDIA GTX560 Ti，改用W數更低的450W觀看是否足夠供電這個效能高階等級的平台。
Thermaltake TR2 450W，Active PFC與80PLUS銅牌認證


散熱風扇尺寸為12公分，轉速約2200轉靜音風扇
原廠提供五年保固，一年內換新的服務
以450W這樣的規格，觀察在市場上的價位算是C/P還不錯的產品
如果未來可以用料再更好的話，那將會是非常超值的一款PSU


耗電量測試
OS桌面下不使用任何軟體時 - 135W


CPU全速時 - 261W


耗電量狀況與溫度方面有點類似，待機時耗電量與4.5GHz時只增加21W，範圍不算太大
5GHz全速下的耗電量為261W，比起4.5GHz的全速耗電量增加約63W
這是5GHz所要付出的額外代價之二，但對效能狂熱者來說，可以看到5GHz這個數據，又可以長時間運作的話，獲得的爽度將會是無價。
TR2 450W在這個高階平台下也可以應付自如，搭配上GTX560 Ti全速也很不容易超過400W以上的耗電量
Sandy Bridge架構的推出有助於使用者搭配更低W數的PSU或是讓PC更加節能省電

GIGABYTE Z68X-UD7-B3
優點
1.Z68X-UD7使用全黑化設計，搭配新設計的散熱模組，質感相對提升
2.BIOS選項豐富，電壓範圍高，超頻能力也很優秀
3.VGA方面同時支援最高3Way ATI CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI技術
4.雙網路、兩個eSATA，內建4個SATA3與8個USB3等等規格
5.全日系固態電容，內建POWER/RESET/CMOS Reset按鈕與除錯燈號
6.搭配Z68特有的SRT功能對於系統效能上有顯著的幫助，GIGABYTE自家研發的EZ Smart Response可以免去重灌OS的困擾。

缺點
1.為了更豐富IO介面，沒有內顯輸出的設計，也無法使用Lucid Virtu技術
2.CPU電壓只能用BIOS或自家軟體正確顯示，有些軟體顯示都非正確的CPU電壓



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


UD7型號為GIGABYTE中最高階的型號之一，搭載該品牌最好的用料與規格
因為是高階最頂級的產品，價格也是在Z68市場裡的高階定位
面對金字塔頂端的MB產品，在C/P值方面往往不會有太好的表現，適合於預算高也追求頂級配備的消費者族群。
CPU方面如果是追求效能的使用者，建議2500K/2600K兩款CPU會是較佳的選擇
超頻後可以大幅提升效能，搭配Sandy Bridge多種新技術，讓整個新平台的執行效率與支援度更高

Z68身為Sandy Bridge架構中唯一整合P67完整超頻功能與H67輸出顯示的晶片組
在與P67同規格的Z68 MB產品，市場價位上也只比P67高上一點
如果原先預算內考慮目標為P67，那剛推出不久的Z68就相當值得列入考慮
目前台灣Z68產品線並不像P67那麼豐富，希望未來各大MB品牌可以推出更多系列的Z68產品，讓消費者在超頻需求上有P67/Z68更多元化的選擇。



本篇文章為Intel LGA1155平台最頂級的搭配組合，文中有多方面的效能測試與新技術效能分享
應該是小弟windwithme今年最長的一篇文章，過程中有超頻、調效與測試的時間，所花費的時間應該有兩個星期跑不掉。
下一篇將分享平價路線Z68或是AMD A75新平台的效能，感謝撥空觀賞

如果小弟的分享文章對您有幫助，請幫我按個推，感謝

More Enjoyable Audio for Game - CORSAIR SP2500 2.1 channel speaker review

Most Gamers use game console or computer to play many games.
For PC game users, 3D games’ video and audio effects are very important.
First of all, for better visual effects, the users need good VGA and large LCD monitor.
For the audio, I suggest hi-end audio chips and Gaming speakers for better audio.

If you use computer long time every day, I think LCD, Keyboard and Speaker are worth to invest.
Many people use their monitor, keyboard and speaker for 5~10 years.
Investing better quality peripherals can let you feel more comfortable and longer life.
These peripherals contact your sense directly. Better equipment can avoid your uncomfortable feeling.

USA CORSAIR recently launched several audio devices. You can find the headset and speaker product line in their website.
This review is Gaming Audio Series. The model is SP2500 High-power 2.1 PC Speaker System.
You can clear understand it focus on gaming market. It should be a good option for gamers.

SP2500 is official 2 years warranty.
The box dimension is 57(Length) X 49(Width) X 40(Height) cm
As the box is bigger, the space and protection are quite good.


SP2500 is 2.1 channel PC speaker system. The pic below is Subwoofer.
8 inches 120W. It bridged dual 60 Watt class-D amplifiers with integrated DSP for 120 Watts of power.
Fourth-order closed bandpass design with durable rubber surround.
The dimensions are 46 x 25.8 x 29.7 cm. It’s quite big size which we consider to computer speaker.
The manual has notice that user should allow 25cm clearance from Subwoofer to object.


SP2500 is one Subwoofer and 2 satellites.
It also has 1.8” LCD wired desk controller. Users can adjust the volume easily.


Accessories
Multi-lingual installation guide and other information


Cables
Start from Left, Power Cord/3.5mm, Stereo Cable/RCA, Audio Cable /ATX4, Satellites Speaker wire


1.8" TFT controller and satellites base


The desktop controller has 2 jacks.
One is 3.5mm auxiliary inputs and the other is mini USB.
Lower-Right is a 3.5mm headset output.


2-Way Satellite Speakers
The dimensions are 10.8 x 12 x 15.9 cm. The actual weight is 924g. The case is made from good quality plastic.
Front bottom with block up part, the sound can surround the room more widely.


The satellite speaker has round cushion in 4 bottom corners.


Close look to satellite speaker front
Central blue circle is 3” and official spec is 40W.
Upper left circle is 1” and official spec is 16W..
56 watts per satellite, so the continuous power is 112W .
Total output of the speaker system includes subwoofer is 232W RMS which is bridged 6 Class-D amplifiers.


Subwoofer backside IO design
Upper Left “Remote” is for desktop controller.
Upper Right red/white ATX4 jack is for satellite speakers.
ATX4 is a really good design that can avoid oxidation after long time use.
Lower Left green AUX1 jack is for audio card 3.5mm connector.
Lower Right red/white RCA jack is for high end stereo devices to connect.


Power Input
They list the certificate and caution list.


System Configuration
CPU: Intel Core i7-990X Extreme
MB: GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER
DRAM: CORSAIR VENGEANCE CMZ12GX3M3A1600C9
VGA: msi N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II
HD: Intel 320 SERIES 160GB
POWER: be quiet! STRAIGHT POWER GOLDEN 550W
Cooler: Mega Shadow Deluxe Edition
OS: Windows7 Ultimate 64bit


I separate 2 parts to test the audio quality.
One is using MB built-in audio chip. Currently, the most top built-in audio is GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER.
Furthermore, G1.SNIPER and SP2500 are positioning for Gaming market.
This combo can make audio quality be better.


G1.SNIPER changes their audio and network chips comparing to past high end boards.
It also supports multi-VGA technology. The users can have more expandibility.


GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER built-in Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi audio processor, model is 20K2.


Built-in 128MB Memory cache for 20K2. This design is for Creative high-end audio card only before.
Yellow and Green Caps are special for audio only.
This is the first time I saw such high end audio chip, capacitors and cache design in MB.
There are some threads in internet to discuss this design as well.
Some users think the caps will cause audio be too thin and hard.
I hope G1.SNIPER can consider the hiend components on audio card to enhance their audio quality level.


Creative X-FI software provides Entertainment/Game/Audio Creation modes.
Entertainment mode provides highest quality for audio and movie playback. I use this mode for movie test after.


Game mode panel optimizes the game soundstage.


Audio Creation mode. I don’t test mix or recorder this time, so I won’t use this mode.


Select Entertainment Mode for Watching Movie
High frequency tone is very good. You won’t hear grating sound.
Mid frequency is mid-high level. You can discern human voice clarity clearly.
I think the weak point is the rich sense of mid frequency. X-FI chip needs to improve in the future.
Low frequency is the key part of this combo.
Accent is not to strong. You can hear the fat and extension. For computer speaker position, this is very high level one.
Basically, it’s very average. SP2500 and X-FI build very good soundstage.
The sound exquisite and reproduction is mid-high level. This combo is suitable for gaming and movie.

Select Game Mode for Playing Game
Surrounding sense is very strong, especially the character walks on the plank.
The “wide open space” sound is very good due to 2 channels mutual act.
In the fighting game, the effect is from characters fight and the background music.
Accent and surrounding soundstage make you feel being on spot.

This platform is also rare top end LAG 1366 system.
CPU is Core i7-990X Extreme which is just launched 2 months.
I also would like to share you some air cooling OC performance.
CPU 200 X 21 => 4199.8MHz 1.400V
DDR3 1600 CL7 8-7-21 1T 1.600V

Hyper PI 32M X 12 => 14m 47.891s
CPUMARK 99 => 720


CINEBENCH R11.5
CPU => 11.76 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 1.60 pts


Windows Experience Index - CPU 7.8


PCMark Vantage => 22787


Intel 990X review is not many in internet, I just share some OC performance with G1.SNIPE.
990X OC range is better than my previous 980X, air cooling 4.2G at 1.4V
Some benchmark software seems don’t support 6C12T.
So some CPU test performance is only a little bit higher than 4C8T structure.
I suggest you can refer to CINEBENCH R11.5. The multitasking score of 990X 4.6GHzis 11.76 and 920 4.2GHz is 7.23
In full support 6C12T software, 990X can have wider CPU performance improvement.

Back to audio again, next is desktop controller and 4 setup pages.
Volume, normally over 5 levels is very loud.


Subwoofer, I recommend to adjust to second level, the green zone, to have better low frequency.
However, low frequency is depending personal like, you can adjust by yourself.


Program items
LATE NIGHT/STADIUM/CONCERT HALL/CLUB/THEATRE/KARAOKE/DYNAMIC POP/WIDE
Input items
LINE/AUX1/AUX2
Eq items
REFERENCE/CLASSICAL/POP/JAZZ/Mod X/ACTION/DRAMA/FPS/ACTION GAMING/HEADPHONES。
User can fine tune program/eq items to pick the most suitable soundstage effect.


It provides 9 languages for choice. It includes Chinese(Simple) and Japanese, etc.
The backlight background screen displays the time, dividing into 5/10/30/60 seconds.
The colors can choose Day and Night. The LCD color will change to the suitable one.


The desktop controller has very rich items. You can optimize your soundstage in many options.
It also provides 9 languages to choose and the background can display “seconds” and also can choose Day or Night mode.
SP2500 desktop controller is very exquisite. It’s hard to see in normal PC speakers.

In order to make CORSAIR SP2500 sound be more clear, I use ONKYO SE-200PCI to test.
It’s VIA Envy24HT series and the model is VT1724.
This sound card is very suitable for listening music. The patch is more clean and pure.
Some audio vendors also use VIA chipset for recorder card. The reputation in internet is very high.


The high caps on card shows ONKYO high intention for the professional audio card.
Some internet rumors said next generation SE-300PCI will move to X-FI chipset. I guess it might cater to game or movie hobbyist.


SE-200PCI interface is same as VIA driver software.
As my personal experience with several VIA 1723/1724 audio cards, this interface is very familiar.
VIA interface is pretty simple. You can use default for all.
I think it because Envy24HT is audio quality oriented, it doesn’t have many soundstage setups.


Conclusion after watching movie
High frequency tone is very good. It’s mellower than X-FI, but the difference is small.
Middle frequency is very good. You can hear all the human sound detail and the clarity is much better.
Low frequency is also mid-high level. Even it’s not such powerful as X-FI, however it’s not far away.
Overall, I found the human sound is clear and you can feel the levels as background music or special effects.
The accent is not so strong. The sound is a little bit weak, but the stretch is very good. The overall is more balance than X-FI.

In game, it’s similar to movie
Comparing to X-FI, you still can hear some detail, but the surround sound is a little weak. The difference is not big gap comparing to music.
However, it’s not a big problem. You can adjust the soundstage mode in desktop controller to enhance the accent and surrounding.

Using SE-200PCI can leverage SP2500 sound clarity and restoration to another level.
It’s more suitable for users who need lossless audio. The mid and high frequency is enhanced very much.
SE-200PCI comparing to X-FI, the soundstage and accent is a little bit weak.]
For the diversity factor, if you like stronger accent, you can use controller to adjust the soundstage to enhance the low frequency.
BTW, X-FI uses analog 3.5mm jack, but SE-200PCI uses digital RCA jack. It may be the reason to cause the difference.
For built-in X-FI audio has such good quality, G1.SNIPER use high level audio caps is the key factor.



I have been using 5.1 channels speaker for years, because I thought only 5.1 channels speaker has better surrounding stereo.
After comparing with few friends’ 2.1 channel one, I found the audio detail and human sound are better than 5.1 channels.
2.1 channels speaker is more suitable for my demand.
This CORSAIR SP2500 is high end 2.1 Gaming PC speaker.
CORSAIR also has mid-end SP2200.
SP2200 price is only 40% of SP2500. The position is par price PC speaker.
The first sight of SP2500, I feel the outlook and quality are good level. The desktop controller is also very fine.
Even though it position at Gaming segment, the sound in move is also very good.
It’s a very competent for multimedia PC speaker. Combining with 2 high end audio chips, the overall performance is very good level.
Good gaming speakers need good audio cards to bring it into full play.
I hope this review can be your reference for gaming speaker. :)

The audio quality test above is subjective. Everyone has your own feeling for audio.
The sense range is PC speaker level. I set up in default values to avoid the environment affect.