EVGA X58 Classified - Trophy Board
by Rajinder Gill on May 8, 2009 3:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Testbed Setup
| EVGA X58 Classified Overclocking / Benchmark Testbed |
|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-920 D0 - Batch 3850A796 Quad-core, 2.66GHz Cache, 20x Multiplier (21x Turbo). 4X256K L2 Cache 8M L3 Cache |
| CPU Voltage | Various |
| Cooling | Dtek Fuzion CPU cooler, 2 x PA120.2 Radiators, 3X Noctua NF-P12 120MM fans, DDC Ultra with Petra top. Dual Cascade cooling 2x1.5HP rotary compressors |
| Power Supply | PCP 1200W |
| Memory | Corsair Dominator GT 7-8-7-20 2000MHz 6Gb kit. |
| Memory Settings | Various |
| Video Cards | MSI 4870X2 |
| Video Drivers | Catalyst 9.4 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital 7200RPM 250GB SATA 3/Gbps 16MB Buffer |
| Optical Drives | Plextor PX-B900A, Toshiba SD-H802A |
| Case | Open Test Bed - Dimastech Benching Station, Lian-Li V2110 |
| BIOS | IX58S21R |
| Operating System | Vista 64 Bit SP1 |
| . | |
Base gaming benchmarks are located here. All other system benchmarks follow the same X58 board trend - nothing more than a 0.5%~1% difference between each board. Our focus today is aimed at the heavy overclocking side, which is what the Classified is all about.
Since the preview, we have received a number of BIOS releases with each adding a touch more functionality and addressing problems that were brought to light since the launch. Functionality wise, the board is 99.5% complete. The remaining fix addresses S3 fan speed resume which works fine for some users and not others. Overclocking enhancements have also been made to earlier BIOSes, with individual adjustments to memory timing functions like Round Trip Latency available for user manipulation to help maintain system stability at higher memory clock speeds.
On the overclocking front, we have found the Classified offers a little more stability at lower system voltages when compared with the EVGA X58 SLI or other boards in its price range. In 24/7 systems, the differences are relatively small and not something we'd pinpoint as a clear win, although any gains in this department are always desirable. The real test comes when the boards are pushed under subzero cooling, which is where the Classified is head and shoulders above the pack in our testing to date. So let's see where things get truly interesting for those who love to benchmark....
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takumsawsherman - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - link
Which video cameras have a better interface than firewire? Which audio recording devices? Even removable hard drives benefit from the extremely sturdy Firewire 800 connector. eSATA shows it was designed as an afterthought. As to why bother, they obviously bothered with Firewire 400, but couldn't spend the extra $5 to give the board everything. The same reasoning seems to be why there is no PS/2 mouse port.Of course, you are coming from a perspective of someone who doesn't know people who dabble in audio or video unless they own a mac. But there are plenty of audio people who use a PC. Why should they get the short end of the stick if they buy a $450 motherboard when the lowliest Mac buyer does not?
Rajinder Gill - Sunday, May 10, 2009 - link
The fact remains that most people game and overclock are not intrested in Firewire. If there were a demand for such things on boards like these it would already have been 'upgraded'. Fact is most people who are serious about music editing/development will prbably not be spending $400 on a overclocking or sub-zero cooling oriented motherboard - they'd excercise far better intelligence by looking at a dedicated solution.takumsawsherman - Sunday, May 10, 2009 - link
Well, this board has firewire. It just has the cheap version. Again, considering the difference in cost (minimal) and considering the huge price of this board, why cheap out when it comes to peripherals?In my opinion, this board is useless whether or not it as FW800. I just find it disturbing that some are willing to accept paying a premium and getting a product that doesn't even upgrade to the port that's been around for 5 years and is found on $600 computers aimed at Grandma. It's shameful and cheap.
Rajinder Gill - Sunday, May 10, 2009 - link
The people that would buy this board care about sub-zero and i7 over 5GHz the way you do about Firewire..lolRajinder Gill - Friday, May 8, 2009 - link
hi,We're in the process of intorducing someone new to that segment of reviews. The frequency of articles has been a bit lop-sided at times simply becasue we've been spread a little thin. The high-end perf stuff is my end of things so you've see stuff going up a little more frequenctly as a result (there's less of this stuff in general making it a little easier). Hopefully we should be up to speed on the more everyday stuff soon. I know Gary's working on another round-up, so please beare with us.
regards
Raja
Busboy2 - Friday, May 8, 2009 - link
I think you should see how far you can push an i7 965 on liquid nitrogen.... I really want to see those results... I figure if someone is spending this much on a board they are going to get the best processor.bupkus - Friday, May 8, 2009 - link
Will newegg carry it? I want to enter an automated notification for when the price reaches $79. ;)hemipowered - Friday, May 8, 2009 - link
If you are talking about the classified, It is already there bought mine like a month ago.Elenseel - Friday, May 8, 2009 - link
You might have to wait a while for this one...hemipowered - Friday, May 8, 2009 - link
I bought a Silver Stone ST850 power supply, It worked very well with my X58 Classified