PCSTATS     
[X]   Directory of
Guides & Reviews

Beginners Guides
Motherboards by Brand
Weekly Newsletter
Archived Newsletters

ECS Z77H2-A2X Black Edition Intel Z77 Motherboard Review
ECS Z77H2-A2X Black Edition Intel Z77 Motherboard Review - PCSTATS
PCSTATS has a real treat for you today - the ECS Z77H2-A2X Black Edition Golden motherboard! Every metallic surface on this board is gold plated so it's got quite the 'bling' factor going for it.
 84% Rating:   
Filed under: Motherboards Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: ECS Apr 24 2013   Max Page  
Home > Reviews > Motherboards > ECS Z77H2-A2X

Video Transcoding and Power Draw

Video Transcoding

In this test a 450MB 1080i high definition MPEG2 video is transcoded via Cyberlink MediaShow Espresso 6 to a 640x360 MP4 video format suitable for the Apple iPhone 4.

Video Transcoding Test
Without Intel QuickSync

With Intel QuickSync enabled

Intel Core i5 2500K /
ECS Z77H2-A2X

57 sec 14 sec

Using an Intel Core i5 2500K / ECS Z77H2-A2X test system this video transcoded in 57 seconds. Not bad, but with this same test platform reconfigured to run off the Intel HD3000 integrated graphics core and leverage Intel QuickSync, the video transcoded in 14 sec. Power Draw figures are next followed by PCSTATS final thoughts on the golden ECS Z77H2-A2X motherboard.

System Power Draw

PCSTATS measures total system power draw (watts) with the aid of an Extech 380803 AC Power Analyzer and A-PFC compliant Seasonic SS-760KM power supply. The meter is placed between the 120V AC outlet and the PC power supply and the computer stressed. Total system power draw is recorded and compared to the PC's idle state.

Total System Power Draw - ECS Z77H2-A2X
Idle

CPU Loaded

GFX Loaded

Intel Core i5 2500K
nVidia Geforce GTX470

83W 168W 247W

Intel Core i5 2500K
Intel HD 3000 IGP

35W 119W 69W

(Idel @ desktop)

(via Prime95)

(via 3DM06)

ECS' Z77H2-A2X motherboard draws 83W while idle with a videocard, just 35W on IGP. Likewise, when the CPU is loaded with Prime95 power draw is 168W with a VGA and 119W with IGP. The largest difference in power draw figures comes whe the graphics are stressed; 247W with a videocard, just 69W on the Intel IGP.

Gold, Gold, Everywhere, Not a Drop to Drink

The new Intel Z77 chipset + LGA1155 platform is compatible with both 32nm Intel 2nd Generation Core i7/i5/i3 Sandy Bridge and 22nm Intel 3nd Generation Core i7/i5/i3 Ivy Bridge processors.

However, from a PC upgraders point of view there's really no need make the leap if you currently have an Intel Z68 platform. The Intel Z77's most significant feature, native USB 3.0, is handled by third party controllers on previous LGA1155 boards so you're really not missing out on the feature front.

If you're assembling a new computer system with an eye on a PCI Express 3.0 videocard, an Intel Z77 platform makes a logical choice when paired with an 'Ivy Bridge' processor. However, as you've seen here, the general performance of ECS's Z77H2-A2X platform is essentially identical to previous Intel Z68/P67-B3/H67 platforms PCSTATS has tested. The CPU sets the pace, the chipset has negligible impact on system performance these days.

The ECS Z77H2-A2X motherboard obviously stands out from the crowd of Z77 boards with it's gold plated bling.

On top of that, ECS give users embedded Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and 802.11n/g/b wireless LAN, triple monitor capability with 'ivy bridge' CPUs, not to mention that full gold treatment on every metal surface.

A little 'Year of the Dragon' bling is a personal aesthetic, but at least the gold doesn't come at the sacrifice of useful connectivity. Furthermore, ECS Golden Boards are tested after leaving the factory line so you're also buying into a platform which has been "individually fine tuned and run in, including a cursory overclocking test."

More tangibly, the CPU socket and memory slot connector pins are gold plated to 15microns; about 3x times the industry standard.

Ultimately, the ECS Z77H2-A2X motherboard is a pretty good, but slightly price-premium Intel Z77 platform for new computer builders assembling a system around an 'ivy bridge' processor. The ECS Z77H2-A2X is priced at a small premium, $219 USD/CDN, but for that investment you get a well featured platform and a visual style unto itself. All that makes the ECS Z77H2-A2X a great motherboard to consider.

PCSTATS Recommended Product Award

Find out about this and many other reviews by joining the Weekly PCstats.com Newsletter today! Catch all of PCSTATS latest reviews right here.

Related Articles
Here are a few other articles that you might enjoy as well...
- Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H Intel Z77 Motherboard Review
- Gigabyte GA-X79-UD5 Intel X79 LGA2011 Motherboard In-Depth Review
- ASUS P8P67 Pro Intel P67 Motherboard Review
- ASUS P8H67-M Evo Intel H67 Express Motherboard Review
- ECS H67H2-M Black Edition Intel H67 Express Motherboard Review
- Biostar TH67XE Intel H67 Express Motherboard Review
- Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD7-B3 Intel P67 Motherboard Review
- Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD5-B3 Intel Z68 Motherboard Review
- Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3-iSSD Intel Z68 Motherboard & Intel 20GB SSD Review

< Previous Page © 2023 PCSTATS.com Motherboards Reviews...»

 

Contents of Article: ECS Z77H2-A2X
 Pg 1.  ECS Z77H2-A2X Black Edition Intel Z77 Motherboard Review
 Pg 2.  All That Glitters Isn't Really Gold
 Pg 3.  360-Degree Motherboard Gallery: Features and Layout
 Pg 4.  360-Degree Motherboard Gallery: Continued
 Pg 5.  Overclocking Report and BIOS Walkthrough
 Pg 6.  Test System Hardware and Specs
 Pg 7.  Sysmark 2012 - Workstation Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 8.  PCMark Vantage Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 9.  SiSoft Sandra: CPU Motherboard Benchmarks:
 Pg 10.  Sandra: Memory Motherboard Benchmarks:
 Pg 11.  3DMark 11 Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 12.  3DMark Vantage Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 13.  3DMark 06 Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 14.  IGP vs IGP Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 15.  IGP vs IGP Motherboard Benchmarks: PCMark Vantage
 Pg 16.  — Video Transcoding and Power Draw

 
Hardware Sections 


 
PCSTATS Network Features Information About Us Contact
FrostyTech
PCSTATS Newsletter
Tech Glossary
Technology WebSite Listings
News Archives
(Review RSS Feed)
Site Map
PCstats Wallpaper
About Us
Privacy Policy
Advertise on PCSTATS

How's Our Driving?
© Copyright 1999-2023 www.pcstats.com All rights reserved. Privacy policy and Terms of Use.