Z68 Motherboard Discussion...

[FordGT]

I picked up the Gigabyte D3H-B3 and I am impressed. No boot loop issues at all even with the latest BIOS update.


The only problem I'm having is that I cannot find the VCORE setting in the BIOS. It just isn't there and pressing CTRL+F1 doesn't seem to unlock it. An option called "Dynamic VCORE" is listed, perhaps because I have C1E and EIST turned on?

 

[dbrons]

Update:
Build complete
Fractal Designs Define R3
Corsair HX-650 power supply
Asus P8Z68-V PRO. motherboard
Intel 2600K cpu
8 gb GSkill 12800CL8D 1.5v
Corsair H-60 water cooler
34nm 120 gb Vertex 2 system drive
2tb Caviar Black, and several 2tb "green" storage drives
LG blu-ray burner

Really took my time putting this together this past week-end. The Asus mb is working perfectly. Not one problem installing drivers, or AI suite. The uefi BIOS is great.

Really like the Fractal case too. Shorter than my P182, but it seems better laid out. I can get at the SATA ports to add drives easily.

So far I've just tried the auto-overclock and it put the cpu to 4429 plus 30% gpu to 1650 plus 50%

I was able to run my wiring up the back and for the first time I have a neat looking system The only negative is that the Corsair H-60 which idles my cpu at 29C (haven't really stressed it yet) has a fan that is quite loud. I've ordered an 120mm Akasa Apache to replace it and also a 140mm Noiseblocker pk2 for the top exhaust.
Dave

 

[gramboh]

Update:
Really like the Fractal case too. Shorter than my P182, but it seems better laid out. I can get at the SATA ports to add drives easily.

So far I've just tried the auto-overclock and it put the cpu to 4429 plus 30% gpu to 1650 plus 50%

I was able to run my wiring up the back and for the first time I have a neat looking system The only negative is that the Corsair H-60 which idles my cpu at 29C (haven't really stressed it yet) has a fan that is quite loud. I've ordered an 120mm Akasa Apache to replace it and also a 140mm Noiseblocker pk2 for the top exhaust.
Dave

That is a nice setup, interested that you like the Fractal more than the P182. I've been using a P182 since 2007 and am contemplating what case to use for my next system. Right now, I'm looking at the R3, Corsair 650D or the Antec 280 when it comes out. I've read a few reviews that took issue with the R3's build quality and/or sound levels.

I like the P182 (aesthetics, build quality, noise levels), other than a few things like the air chambers (pain in the ass for PSU wiring), cheap Tricool fans. If the 280 fixes those things I might go for it. The Corsair 650D looks nice, but I really don't want a case window.

Sorry for the derailment.

 

[dbrons]

thanks gramboh, and you hit it right on with the plusses and minuses of the Antec vs the Fractal.

Yes my PS wires got in the way in the P182 and that's why I had a hard time getting at the sata ports.

The build quality of the Antec is superior, but it's got a few issues another one being the hard drive cages. Better than old school cases were but the newer cases like the fractal are much easier to work with. You do need to screw in the HDs but they screw in on the botom, not the sides, so no trouble at all aligning. you just lay your HD down bottom side up and lay the white drawer on top of it. Also, the HDs go in perpendicular, or across the case so you just slide the drive in and the SATA and power cables are right there on the back side where you want them to be.

The case is loud but it's really the Corsair fan and hopefully I'll get that fixed.
Dave

 

[you2]

Not to get into cases but I really like the lian pc-9f. In many ways it seems very similar to the fractal. One thing about the fractal that concerns me is how the foam will age over time. I've seen a lot of types of foam get really nasty after 5 or 6 years; esp with the heat cycle of the case internals.

 

[FordGT]

Can anyone with a Gigabyte Z68 board please try something?


I just updated my D3H-B3 to the latest BIOS which is F10 and Turbo Boost has changed. When I enable XMP, that sets my memory to 1600Mhz. It also, as of BIOS F10, adjusts the clock ratio from 34 to 38. It WILL NOT let me set it back to 34 no matter what I do. Turbo Boost doesn't seem to be working anymore because at idle it settles at 1.6Ghz and at load all four cores jump to 3.8Ghz with no in between. And besides with Turbo Boost only one core is ever allowed to reach 3.8Ghz, not all four.


I spoke with someone at Gigabyte and he spent the afternoon testing a D3H-B3 to see what was going on. He said the new BIOS ties XMP with clock ratio and that he did see the clock ratio go from 34 to 38 when XMP was enabled but that only the first core would reach 3.8Ghz, the rest would only go to 3.7, 3.6 and 3.5 like they should


Can someone please try this on their Gigabyte Z68 board if you have a new BIOS version? My sanity thanks you!