Zap's Mini Review: ASRock Z68 PRO3-M

[Zap]

Zap's Mini Review: ASRock Z68 PRO3-M

I just got in this board for upgrading someone's rig, so I'll be doing one of my mini-reviews. Any feedback on what you guys want to know about this motherboard?

For those who haven't read my other mini-reviews from years ago, my point is to take a product that doesn't have many reviews out on the web (such as cheaper motherboards) and report on whether or not it is worth using as a low cost alternative. I won't be benchmarking because once you've read one review on that chipset, you've read them all. I will be reporting on what the motherboard is actually like to use. Any major issues? Can it overclock (used to be a big issue with cheap boards)? Any interesting features?

Without further ado, here are a couple of crappy pictures I took. I will update this thread as I find out more about this motherboard.

Parts used. Some Corsair RAM, a Scythe heatsink, Core i5-2500K and the motherboard in question. I like the art on the motherboard box. Really minimal and clear. Scythe box, not so much. That thing is so busy, just like all the other Scythe retail boxes that I hate.

Motherboard. Want a better pic? Look for it on Newegg.

I expect to be working with this motherboard for at least the next two days. To be continued...

 

[Zap]

Zap's Mini Review: ASRock Z68 PRO3-M

INTRODUCTION

The ASRock Z68 PRO3-M is a Z68 chipset micro ATX motherboard for socket 1155. It is relatively inexpensive for all the features. I purchased it from Newegg for $109.99 with free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157252

FEATURES

Intel Z68 chipset
micro ATX form factor
LGA 1155 socket
4 DDR3 slots
1 PCIe x16 slot
1 PCI slot
2 PCIe x1 slots
3 SATA 3Gb/s ports
2 SATA 6Gb/s ports
Realtek 8111E gigabit NIC
4 USB 2.0
2 USB 3.0
1 optical SPDIF
D-Sub, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort video outputs
Realtek ALC892 HD audio
LGA 775 heatsink mounting holes

MISSING
(what common higher end boards have that this doesn't)

internal USB 3.0 headers
extra SATA ports
extra USB ports
SLI/Crossfire support

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

This motherboard has a reasonable number of features, but nothing much extra beyond that. Basically, everything supplied by the chipset has been implemented, plus there is a 3rd party USB 3.0 chip. Beyond that, nothing.

The blue/white on near-black is a pleasant and common combination of colors. Nothing too glaring, and nothing too boring.

This board is well outfitted for the integrated graphics, with all known computer monitor outputs.

They layout is reasonable with SATA ports configured such that they will not interfere with a dual slot graphics card.

I like the fact that the motherboard has mounting holes for socket 775 coolers.

I do not like all the fancy covers over the motherboard heatsinks. They can't be doing anything useful.

BIOS

The UEFI BIOS does not disappoint. My first impression is that it is snappier than on Asus boards. My second impression is that it doesn't have an "easy mode" that Asus implements. Seriously, who uses easy mode? My second impression is that the BIOS seems tuned to boot up really fast. If not using RAID or a discrete graphics card, it can probably start booting Windows after around 2 seconds. I'll find out more once I install Windows on it.

The UEFI BIOS has what looks like a reasonably complete array of enthusiast features. There are voltage adjustments for just about anything, plus your usual SpeedStep, Turbo Boost, current and power limits and DRAM timing controls. There is even BCLK adjustments, little good that does with this platform.

There are a couple of "optimized OC settings" for one-stop overclocking. One is to increase the GPU clock in a few set speeds while the other is to increase the CPU clock in a few set speeds. I think it had 200MHz increments from 4GHz all the way to 4.8GHz. I tried 4.4GHz and it seems successful but then it also bumped Vcore to 1.40v, which is a bit above what I am comfortable with at such an average overclock. I suppose this is fine for those who are just getting their feet wet with overclocking, but I'll pass.

The rest of the settings are fairly pedestrian, with the typical array of available adjustments. I do want to point out a couple more items that I found of interest. There are fan controls for all three headers. The CPU header is a 4-pin and can only control PWM fans. The other two are 3-pin. If there is no CPU fan detected, the board seems to shut off. The other point of interest are the settings for the onboard SATA ports. You can specify particular ports to be eSATA mode. I'll find out for sure after Windows goes in, but I think this is for allowing AHCI mode without Windows thinking every drive in your computer is a removable disk.

 

[Zap]

GALLERY

Here are the rear ports. Quite an impressive array of video outputs.

A look at the CPU area. Note the three motherboard heatsinks in this picture. They are all covered by an aluminum shield who's whole purpose seems to be for branding. I'm going to try removing them. I now have the RAM and CPU installed.

Success! The VRM heatsinks are covered by these thin aluminum branding shields that were just stuck on with double sided tape which didn't even hold them very secure. Second picture shows a better profile of the heatsink.

The heatsink I am using for this is a Scythe Katana II. It has three heatpipes and an oddball sized 100mm fan. The fan is unfortunately NOT a PWM fan, but a 3-pin with sleeved cable spinning at 1500RPM. Not super noisy, but could be quieter. Note how the heatsink seems to be twisted a bit. That is because I am using the socket 775 mounting holes (with push pins). The second set of holes are arranged a touch clockwise from the normal socket 1155 mounting holes. Also note that the shield is still on the chipset heatsink. I was unable to remove it and did not want to risk damaging anything through using too much force. The VRM heatsinks came off with almost the force of opening a lid on a plastic container, meaning not much force at all.

A side shot of the heatsink. The slanted fins of the heatsink is to direct airflow to the VRM area. In the back is the Corsair CX430 X2 that I just got from a recent hot deal.

Here is the last shot of the board set up and ready to turn on for initial testing. I always test boards outside of cases first, in case there is a problem. And yes, there was a problem. Notice something different in the picture? That is not a Corsair CX430 X2 power supply, but an old and trusty Antec True Power Trio 430. With the Corsair PSU, the motherboard would not POST. Oh, the fans would spin up, but no picture and no beeps. Swapped to the Antec PSU and it turned on just fine. That means the Corsair PSU is DOA... or does it? Nope! I tested it on an MSI socket AM3 board and it POSTed just fine. Seems to be some compatibility issue between the ASRock board and the Corsair PSU. Looking at Newegg end user reviews for the original CX430 and this newer CX430 V2, I see lots of claims of DOA. I wonder if most of the PSUs were fine, except for a compatibility issue.

 

[Zap]

My experience with this motherboard is at an end. I went to install it into the system that I was upgrading, which was in a Silverstone TJ08 case (original, not new one) and... the heatsink wouldn't fit. That Silverstone case is really short front-back, and the 3½" drive bays overlap the motherboard. I even tried an old LGA 775 heatsink from a Conroe retail box, and it wouldn't fit by a few millimeters. Ended up using the stock heatsink for the 2500K. I still ran a fan profile, so it probably goes between 1500-2000RPM as needed. I also still overclocked, but only to a mere 4GHz on all 4 cores at stock voltages. Temperatures got to just under 80ºC under full load. Again, that's 4GHz for all 4 cores using stock heatsink. And yes, stock heatsink was still quieter than the case and GPU fans. I was hoping for more, but without better cooling this is as good as it will get for now.

CONCLUSION

This ASRock board is IMO a great value for those on a budget who wants an overclockable mATX motherboard. I'm sure the Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z is a better board all-around, but it also costs $70 more. For a budget build, $70 can put you up a notch or two in graphics cards, or be the difference between a fast Core i3 and the Core i5-2500K. This board has no frills beyond USB 3.0 and what is provided with the Z68 chipset, but it gives value.

 

[Zap]

Q&A

StrangerGuy commented on SATA cables being blocked by a graphics card.
That will not happen, unless the graphics card has something sticking out the back of it.

MrTransistorm commented on a graphics card blocking RAM installation/removal.
That is true. However, srsly? Oh the hardship! How many times do you swap out or add RAM in your system? I'm lucky if I do it once in the life of a system.

 

[StrangerGuy]

I can already tell from the pic that a long video card like the 6950 is gonna somewhat block SATA cables going into the white SATA3 ports.

 

[MrTransistorm]

I can already tell from the pic that a long video card like the 6950 is gonna somewhat block SATA cables going into the white SATA3 ports.

It looks fine to me, though a long GPU may have to be removed into order to remove the RAM.

 

[Zap]

Updated!

My next big update will probably be after I get it installed into a system and get Windows installed, plus some overclocking.

Keep commenting or ask questions. Answers if I have them.

 

[pauldun170]

...edited

 

[MrTransistorm]

MrTransistorm commented on a graphics card blocking RAM installation/removal.
That is true. However, srsly? Oh the hardship! How many times do you swap out or add RAM in your system? I'm lucky if I do it once in the life of a system.

I'm not complaining at all. I rarely swap RAM myself. I was just following up on StrangerGuy's comment.

 

[Zap]

Last update. I'm still impressed with the motherboard, but was unable to stretch its capabilities due to cooling limitations in the case I put it in.

 

[arredondo]

A few questions:

What's an example of a good case that would have allowed a better heatsink to fit? Would the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO work with this board? In another thread you said this board would max out a OC at around 4.5 GHZ. Does this mean that (theoretically) if a new processor came out that was able to hit stock 5.0 GHz this board would not work well with it (i.e. there is a hard ceiling for CPU performance)?

Thanks.

 

[Skott]

A few questions:

What's an example of a good case that would have allowed a better heatsink to fit? Would the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO work with this board? In another thread you said this board would max out a OC at around 4.5 GHZ. Does this mean that (theoretically) if a new processor came out that was able to hit stock 5.0 GHz this board would not work well with it (i.e. there is a hard ceiling for CPU performance)?

Thanks.

A case that has two 120mm in front, a 140mm or larger on top, and a 120mm fan on the back would cool better. An Antec 300 for example. It is a ATX case though. It would certainly cool better than the old TJ08. IIRC the TJ08 only has a 120mm fan in front and a 120mm fan in back and its a mATX case.

 

[Zap]

What's an example of a good case that would have allowed a better heatsink to fit? Would the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO work with this board? In another thread you said this board would max out a OC at around 4.5 GHZ. Does this mean that (theoretically) if a new processor came out that was able to hit stock 5.0 GHz this board would not work well with it (i.e. there is a hard ceiling for CPU performance)?

Did I say that? I don't remember. I always say 4.5GHz is the practical limitations of Sandy Bridge overclocking due to voltage concerns. I don't know what limits the motherboard has. It should be able to get near 4.5GHz. Above that, who knows?

The Silverstone TJ08 is different than most cases because it is very short front-rear. Thus, most coolers on most motherboards will interfere with the cables coming off the HDDs. A case like the Antec NSK3480 will work fine, because most people will use the single 3.5" slot near the motherboard for a card reader, and there are still two more 3.5" HDD bays which won't interfere. Most other mATX mini towers are deeper front-rear, so they won't have that big of an issue.

A case that has two 120mm in front, a 140mm or larger on top, and a 120mm fan on the back would cool better. An Antec 300 for example. It is a ATX case though. It would certainly cool better than the old TJ08. IIRC the TJ08 only has a 120mm fan in front and a 120mm fan in back and its a mATX case.

The use of the old TJ08 was because it was an upgrade for an older system. Yes, plenty of cases "cool better." However, heat was not an issue other than having to use the stock cooler (and still was overclocked).

Seriously, since Sandy Bridge came out, heat has become a non-issue.

 

[arredondo]

Just so I understand, it is best to get a micro case for a micro board, correct? Of the cases mentioned here, the mid-tower Antec 300 is cheaper by $40 than the micro-NSK3480. I'd like to get away with spending only $60 at most for a case if possible.

And again about the heatsink-not-fitting issue in the review; was that mainly because of the TJ08 case or something to do with limitations of micro boards to be aware of? For example, if I got a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO and the Antec 300 case (mid tower), would everything fit ok?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Just so I understand, it is best to get a micro case for a micro board, correct? Of the cases mentioned here, the mid-tower Antec 300 is cheaper by $40 than the micro-NSK3480. I'd like to get away with spending only $60 at most for a case if possible.

And again about the heatsink-not-fitting issue in the review; was that mainly because of the TJ08 case or something to do with limitations of micro boards to be aware of? For example, if I got a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO and the Antec 300 case (mid tower), would everything fit ok?

I don't see any reason why you would be limited to using a mATX case on a mATX mobo.

 

[Skott]

Did I say that? I don't remember. I always say 4.5GHz is the practical limitations of Sandy Bridge overclocking due to voltage concerns. I don't know what limits the motherboard has. It should be able to get near 4.5GHz. Above that, who knows?

The Silverstone TJ08 is different than most cases because it is very short front-rear. Thus, most coolers on most motherboards will interfere with the cables coming off the HDDs. A case like the Antec NSK3480 will work fine, because most people will use the single 3.5" slot near the motherboard for a card reader, and there are still two more 3.5" HDD bays which won't interfere. Most other mATX mini towers are deeper front-rear, so they won't have that big of an issue.



The use of the old TJ08 was because it was an upgrade for an older system. Yes, plenty of cases "cool better." However, heat was not an issue other than having to use the stock cooler (and still was overclocked).

Seriously, since Sandy Bridge came out, heat has become a non-issue.

I know. I was just answering his question of what case, as an example, would cool better as far as case cooling goes. I gave one example. The Antec 300. It was the first case that popped into my head at the time.

 

[Zap]

Just so I understand, it is best to get a micro case for a micro board, correct? Of the cases mentioned here, the mid-tower Antec 300 is cheaper by $40 than the micro-NSK3480. I'd like to get away with spending only $60 at most for a case if possible.

It doesn't matter. The NSK3480 comes with a decent quality EA380 PSU with customized cables. That's worth $40 as long as your graphics card doesn't need more than one PCIe power plug, or you are using IGP. The Antec 300 does not come with a PSU.

And again about the heatsink-not-fitting issue in the review; was that mainly because of the TJ08 case or something to do with limitations of micro boards to be aware of?

AFAIK there are zero issues fitting a big heatsink on the motherboard itself.

It was a combination of the TJ08 layout (HDD bays overlapping motherboard), plus the position of the CPU on the motherboard (really close to RAM slots).

 

[arredondo]

Thank you for the write up and answering my questions. I will keep all of this in mind for when I decide.

 

[Zap]

Thank you for the write up and answering my questions. I will keep all of this in mind for when I decide.

You are welcome. Note that I haven't used any other LGA 1155 motherboards in that price range to know if this is a better choice than any other board. I just know it wouldn't be a bad choice.

 

[86waterpumper]

I used this exact board on my last build. It has some nice features, and is a good value for sure, the board has a nice color combo and looks good without being too flashy. The display port option is really nice to have. I was sort of bummed about no front usb 3.0 but that's about the only option I have really missed. One feature that is nice is the xfast usb. I do think it improves usb 2.0 transfer times but not by quite as much as they claim. I have had mine o/c to 4.2ghz without problems, but haven't gone further than that because for what I do I prefer quiet fan with decent power draw etc. The main complaint I have with this board is the fan settings. I am running a artic cooler freezer 13 pro, and I have the smart fan settins on 1 (slowest) and target temp at like 70c or whatever is highest. Even with these meager settings the fan runs 1,000 rpm. Considering the fact that the TOP rpm on this fan is 1350 and the lowest 300 this is pretty much crap. The thing is very audible, which pretty much makes my fanless x-400 psu worthless For some reason the other headers are running the two identical case fans at different rpms one is at 600 I believe. I may can try swapping the cpu fan header with one of the case fan headers and maybe this will work does anyone know of another work around? I guess it's time for a fan controller with a knob, but I wish the bios would handle it. By now we should have way more fan options than we do in the bioses, but to be fair to asrock this is a issue with other boards not just this one.