Gigabyte Z87X-OC Preview
Category : Z87
Published by Marc Büchel on 06.06.13
One of the most interestinge boards, which is based on Intels new Z87 chipset might be this one, the Z87X-OC from Gigabyte. At a very attractive price point you get no less than four PCI-Express x16 slots as well as a lot of features like Gigabyte OC-Touch buttons as well as voltage read-out points. It will be very interesting to take a closer looks at this particular model.



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The Z87X-OC is Gigabyte's entry level overclocking motherboard regarding Intels latest Z87 chipset. Therefore we're really curious what they've come up with from the layout and design as well as feature perspective.

Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion



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Specs and Delivery

CPU Intel Socket 1150 3th Generation
Chipset Intel Z87
Memory Dual Channel DDR3, 4 x DIMM, Max. 32 GB DDR3, DDR3 3000(O.C.)/2933(O.C.)/1600/1333 MHz
Multi-GPU Support for AMD CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI technology
  • 2-Way x8/x8

  • 3-Way x8/x4/x4

  • 4-Way x8/x4/x4/x4
Slots
  • 4 x PCI Express x16 slots
  • 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots
  • 2 x Legacy PCI
Audio Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec
  • High Definition Audio
  • 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
  • Support for S/PDIF In
  • Support for S/PDIF Out
Storage
  • 6 x SATA 6.0 Gbps (Intel)
    		•
    LAN
  • 1 x Intel GbE LAN chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
    		•
    I/O internal
    • 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
    • 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
    • 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
    • 1 x OC PEG power connector
    • 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
    • 1 x CPU fan header
    • 1 x water cooling fan header (CPU_OPT)
    • 6 x system fan headers
    • 1 x front panel header
    • 1 x front panel audio header
    • 1 x S/PDIF Out header
    • 1 x S/PDIF In header
    • 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 headers
    • 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
    • 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
    • 1 x serial port header
    • 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
    • 1 x power button
    • 1 x reset button
    • 1 x Clear CMOS button
    • 1 x Gear button
    • 1 x OC Turbo button
    • 1 x OC Tag button
    • 1 x CPU BCLK Down button
    • 1 x CPU BCLK Up button
    • 1 x CPU Ratio Down button
    • 1 x CPU Ratio Up button
    • 1 x Memory Safe button
    • 1 x Settings Lock button
    • 1 x Direct to BIOS button
    • 1 x OC Trigger switch
    • 1 x OC PCIe switch
    • 1 x Clear Battery button
    • 2 x BIOS switches
    • 1 x onboard voltage measurement module
    I/O Back Panel
    • 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
    • 1 x OC Ignition button
    • 6 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports
    • 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
    • 2 x HDMI ports
    • 1 x DisplayPort
    • 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
    • 1 x RJ-45 port
    • 6 x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Rear Speaker Out/Side Speaker Out/Line In/Line Out/Microphone)
    Forfactor ATX (30.5cm x 24.4cm)


      



  • Motherboard driver disk
  • User's Manual
  • Quick Installation Guide
  • 4 x SATA 6 Gbps cables
  • I/O Shield
  • 1 x 2 Way SLI bridge
  • 1 x 2 Way CrossFireX bridge
  • 12 x voltage measurement cables
  • 1 x OC Brace


    Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
    Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
    Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion



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    Features

    8 Phase Power Design

    		 Since quite some time Gigabyte has been equipping its boards with digital power designs. With the Z87X-OC they are very proud about their solution which is using components from International Rectifyer (IR3553 and IR3563B) and each phase offers up to 60A. Additionally Gigabyte makes use of special black capacitors which are rated a 10'000 hours at 105°C.

     

    OC Ignition

    		 If you activate OC Ignition basically everything on the system turns on but the CPU. In this case for example iRAM is able to preserve memory states and also all fan are running. It can also be a practical features if you want to fill up a new custom watercooling solution.

     

    OC Touch

    		 OC-Touch enables overclockers to quickly and easily get more performance from their system. With onboard OC-Touch buttons, users are able to manually raise and lower the CPU ratio, change BCLK settings, and even change the BCLK stepping. These changes can be made at any time whether in the BIOS or Windows or in real-time without the need for rebooting, so users can quickly fine-tune to find their CPU’s maximum frequency. In the same area of the board you find voltage measurement points and connectors. Included in the delivery are twelve voltage measurement cables to easily connect a voltage read-out device.

     

    OC Brace

    		 Included in the delivery you find the so called OC Brace. In our opinion this is one of the most practical new features in a long time. If you attach the OC Brace to the motherboard, you can then safely install graphics cards using screws to attach them to the OC Brace.



    Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
    Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
    Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion



    Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]

    Layout

    At a first glance the Gigabyte Z87X-OC leaves a very good impression with its harmonic design. The manufacturer decided to go for a combination of black and orange which suites nicely and in the end you get an aesthetic product. The layout itself is well thought and there is for example plenty of space around the CPU socket to install even todays largest CPU coolers. The fact that there are SATA connectors which have been angled by 90 degrees allow an easy installation of oversized graphics cards. Another very practical thing are the two standard USB ports right next to the SATA connectors. Overclockers will love them but they're also practical if you own a case where the front USB ports have to be connected using a standard USB cable. Usually you have to rout this cable to the backside of the motherboard to connect it with a USB port located at the I/O panel.


    The Gigabyte Z87X-OC comes with a digital 8 phase power design. It's most important for the manufacturer to make sure that components of highest quality are being used. Each individual phase is equipped with chokes from International Rectifyer (IR3553 and IR3563B), which are able to withstand loads of up to 60A. Additionally there are special black capacitors which offer 100'000 hours lifespan at 105°C.


    Totally you'll find four DIMM-slots on the Z87X-OC. Officially supported are  DDR3 3000 (O.C.) / 2933 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz. There is engough space between the DIMM-slots and the CPU socket which means that you wont encounter compatibility problems with big coolers even when you choose to install RAM with big heatspreaders. Also supported are Xtreme Memory Profiles (XMP) in version 1.3.


    Southbrigde as well as the current converters are being held at adequate temperatures via individual passive heatsinks. The fact that the cooling blocks around the CPU socket aren't too big makes it comfortable to install a big aircooler. We also noticed the very good build quality of the cooling blocks and their weight which is quite immense.



    Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
    Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
    Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion



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    Connectors and I/O

    Totally Gigabyte equipped the Z87X-OC with six angled SATA ports. This is enough for any office setup, gaming system or overclocking setup. You'll also find practical onboard power- and reset-buttons in the top right corner of the board. There is even a debug display. Furthermore in this area of the board there are voltage read out points as well as Gigabytes OC-Touch buttons which allow an overclocker to change the multiplyer, BLCK as well as voltages on the fly.



    Totally you'll find eight fan header on the Z87X-OC which is more than enough, to provide a well equipped high-end or overclocking-system with fresh air. It is also very practical that six out of these eight fan headers are 4-pin PWM and only two are 3-pin headers. In this case it's really easy to change rotation speeds from within the BIOS or Windows. The fan headers are located around the CPU socket as well as spread over the motherboard.

      


    Looking at the external connectors directly at the back-panel Gigabyte equipped the Z87X-OC with a P/S2 connector, six USB 3.0/2.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one gigabit ethernet port, two HDMI connectors, a DisplayPort as well as an optical out and an analogue audio panel. Additionally you find the OC Ignition button, which we already presented on the features page.



    Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
    Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
    Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion



    Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]

    Conclusion

    Allgemein   + -
    The first impression the Z87X-OC from Gigabyte leaves, makes us want more. We like the individual design of this board, which actually follows the original X58A-OC as well as the Z77X-UD7.
    The Z87X-OC is a motherboard that really targets extreme overclockers, but nevertheless Gigabyte succeeded in crafting a product that is equally attractive to the guys handling LN2 or watercooling/aircooling setups. Both worlds will be able to squeeze the maximum out of their systems using this board.     		  - Design
    - 4 x PCI-Express 3.0 Slots
    - onboard standard USB ports    		  
           
    Layout   + -
    Basically the Gigabyte Z87X-OC's Layout has been very well thought. Once more practical are the angled SATA connectors as well as the power- and reset-buttons. There is also a debug display which is very useful in case you should have issues with a component in your system or the board itself. Right next to the SATA ports you find two standard USB ports which are very practical during overclocking. Should you own a case where the front USB ports are connected with a standard USB cable instead of an onboard USB 3.0 connector, then you don't have to route this cable to the I/O panel anymore. Even the placement of the PCI-Express x16 is well chosen. There is a total of four of these slots. Between two slots there is always one empty slot. We think this is a good number of PCI Express x16 slots for an overclocking/gaming motherboard altough most gamers will never use four graphics cards in their build. But still it leaves you with plenty of options if you want to plug in other expansion cards. Overclockers will also like the voltage readouts as well as the OC Brace.   - Angled SATA connectors- Power/Reset-Button onboard
    - Debug display
    - Space around the CPU socket - Voltage readouts- OC Buttons    		  



    Page 1 - Introduction Page 4 - Layout
    Page 2 - Specs and Delivery Page 5 - Connectors and I/O
    Page 3 - Features Page 6 - Conclusion


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    Author: m.buechel@ocaholic.ch