Overclocking Results:

stock max. oc cpu multiplier: x33 x47 motherboard blck: 1100 mhz 1600 mhz if you're new to Overclocking and not sure what to do, check out these two excellent Guides for some pointers: Overclocking the CPU and Memory Overclocking the Videocard

Since Sandy Bridge CPUs hit the streets overclocking has taken a bit of a strange turn... If you were savvy enough to buy an unlocked Intel Core i5 2500K or 2600K CPU from the get-go, you probably already know the unlocked CPU multiplier will let you push these chips into the mid-4 GHz range with little effort. Owing to the integrated graphics on Sandy Bridge processors however, overclocking via the processor BCLK beyond about 105MHz isn't very practical.

Gigabyte's GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 motherboard offers up a full range of CPU and IGP overclocking controls in the BIOS and from within Windows 7 via TouchBIOS. Since BCLK overclocking is generally limited to 105MHz, PCSTATS left memory settings alone and focused on the CPU multiplier.

Starting from the default x33, PCSTATS pushed the multiplier to x39, x42, x44 and x48 where the system crashed like a brick through a window. The Core i5 2500K chip PCSTATS tests with seems to max out around x47 , so that's where the overclocking stopped.

Since the Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 motherboard is equipped with onboard video outputs PCSTATS had a go at overclocking the Intel HD 3000 IGP as well. From the stock IGP speed of 1100MHz, PCSTATS was able to overclock the Intel HD 3000 graphics core to 1600MHz without any aparent issues.

In addition to the standard benchmark set, for this review PCSTATS has gone the extra step of comparing Intel's HD 3000 IGP graphics core against six different integrated graphics solutions, including AMD's powerful new socket FM1 APU-based Radeon HD 6550D - don't miss those results!

Test System Hardware

PCSTATS has relied on Crucial memory for its servers for years, so it was only logical to install 4GB's of high end Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1600 8-8-8-24 memory into the Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 test system. This is some good quick DDR3 RAM and it features thermal monitoring too!

Storage devices have changed dramatically in recent years, you'll notice PCSTATS to retired the faithful old Western Digital Raptor's for a super quick OCZ Vertex 2 SSD (120GB, SATAII). The effect on system-wide benchmarks is dramatic!

Thanks to Crucial Memory, OCZ Technology and Intel for help outfitting this test platform.

Details on how the Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 motherboard was configured for benchmarking - including specific hardware, software drivers, operating system and benchmark versions - is listed in the Test System Spec chart below. Please take a moment to look over PCSTATS test system configurations before moving on to the individual benchmark results.

PCSTATS Test System Specs

test system processor: intel core i5 2500k (32nm) amd fusion a8-3850 (32nm) intel Core i5 750 (45nm) AMD Phenom II X6 1090T (45nm) Intel Core i7 920 (45nm) Clock Speed: 33 x 100 MHz = 3.3 GHz 29 x 100 MHz = 2.9 GHz 20 x 133 MHz = 2.66 GHz 16 x 200 MHz = 3.2 GHz 20 x 133 MHz = 2.67 GHz Socket: Socket LGA1155 Socket FM1 Socket LGA1156 Socket AM3 / AM2+ Socket LGA1366 Motherboard: - Intel Z68 - Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD5-B3 Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3-iSSD - Intel P67 - Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD7 Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD4-B3 Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD4 ASUS P8P67 Pro MSI P67A-GD65 ECS P67H2-A - Intel H67 - ASUS P8H67-M Evo Biostar TH67XE ECS H67H2-M Intel DH67BL - AMD A75 - Gigabyte GA-A75-UD4H Gigabyte GA-A75M-UD2H - Intel P55 - Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD6 Gigabyte GA-P55-UD6 Gigabyte GA-P55-UD5 Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4P Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R ASUS P7P55D Premium ASUS P7P55D Deluxe ASUS P7P55D-E Pro - AMD 990FX - Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD7* - AMD 890FX - ASUS Crosshair IV Formula Biostar TA890FXE MSI 890FXA-GD70 Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD7 - AMD 790FX - Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P - AMD 785G - MSI 785GM-E65 - Intel X58 - Gigabyte G1.Assassin* MSI Eclipse Plus Videocard: Gigabyte GV-N470SO-13I (Geforce GTX470) ASUS ENGTS250 DK (Geforce GTS250) Memory: 2x 2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1600 8.8.8.24 2x 2GB Corsair XMS3-1600C9 2x 2GB Corsair XMS3-1600C8 3x 2GB Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D DDR3 Memory Speed: DDR3-1333 DDR3-1333 DDR3-1333 DDR3-1066 *DDR3-1333 DDR3-1066 120GB OCZ Vertex2 SSD (3GB/s SATA II) Intel SRT Tests: 74GB Western Digital Raptor WD740 & 20GB Intel Larson Creek 311 SSD 74GB Western Digital Raptor WD740 (3GB/s SATA II) *120GB OCZ Vertex2 SSD (3GB/s SATA II) Optical Drive: Plextor PX-B310U Blu-Ray ASUS BC-1205PT-BD Power Supply: Seasonic SS-760KM (760W) PC Power & Cooling TurboCool 750W Heatsink: Intel Reference LGA1155 Heatsink AMD Reference Heatsink Intel Reference LGA1156 Heatsink AMD Reference Heatsink Intel Reference LGA1366 Heatsink Monitor (1080p): ASUS MK241 24" HD LCD Software Setup: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit Intel 9.2.0.1025 nVIDIA 266.58 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit AMD Catalyst 8.86RC2 nVIDIA 266.58 Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit Intel 9.1.1.1019 nVIDIA Forceware 190.62 Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate AMD Catalyst 9.12 nVIDIA Forceware 195.62 Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Intel INF 9.1.0.1012 nVIDIA Forceware 182.08 Benchmarks: System Benchmarks: SYSmark 2007 PCMark Vantage SiSoft Sandra 2011 Gaming B/M: 3DMark 11 3DMark Vantage 3DMark 06 FEAR