Linos801442169065 Δημοσιεύτηκε Φεβρουάριος 15, 2007 #1 Κοινοποίηση Δημοσιεύτηκε Φεβρουάριος 15, 2007 INTRODUCTION<O></O><O></O> <O> </O>REVIEW : ASUS STRIKER XTREME MOTHERBOARD REVIEWER : Linos80 (with support from PCT-O/CERS REVIEW TEAM thnx to Stelaras,Thorlite,dellman,deadlock & emnezia for the english version) PROVIDED BY: PLAISIO & ASUSTeK Sugg. Price for ASUS STRIKER XTREME : 329€<O> </O><O></O> <O></O> It is unquestionable that right now, Intel with its Core2 Duo CPUs is way ahead the competition. A good cpu must be supported by an equally fast, complete and most of all rock solid motherboard.<O></O> <O></O> Intel herself chose right away to support her CPUs with motherboards with Intel Chipsets on them, the well known 965 and 975x. On the other hand, Nvidia the last few years is into the business of chipset manufacturing on motherboards for Intel as for AMD CPUs. So Nvidia made her own proposition with 680i.<O></O> <O></O> The first 680i based motherboard was the EVGA. This tactic was followed by ASUS with a motherboard codenamed STRIKER XTREME, which we have reviewed it and we will present it to you.<O></O> At this point, we must say that ASUS in the past, also manufactured motherboards based on Intel's chipsets. These motherboards were marked for their rich features as for their records. Of course we are talking about the famous ASUS P5B Deluxe and P5WDH Deluxe.<O></O> Running through the past, ASUS built around her name a huge reputation regarding the quality and the stability of her motherboards. From the mainstream up to the ones regarding the overclockers club.<O></O> So does ASUS STRIKER XTREME stands for the name of the ASUS corp.?<O></O> Did it managed well on overclocking?<O></O> It's time for you to find out!!!<O></O> <O></O> Let us start for a detail view of the package.<O> </O> PACKAGE AND ACCESSORIES PACKAGE AND ACCESSORIES<O></O> <O></O> Most manufacturers show a great deal of care in the packaging of their products. Their aim is of course to make them more attractive to the buyer and more specific to the young ones.<O></O> ASUS all these years have spoiled us with very good packages for motherboards and graphics boards. So we couldn't expect anything less regarding STRIKER XTREME. The packaging comes in a box with a handle which makes easier the carrying. It also impresses with the wrapping in combinations of mat and glow surface, grey and black colours. Let us notice that STRIKER XTREME belongs to the motherboard family “The Republic of Gamers” (as CROSSHAIR and COMMANDO).<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> The impressive box, has lots of useful information written in logo type. One of the most important is the SLI support, the compatibility with dual core as for four core Intel's CPUs and of course the official support with drivers for Windows Vista. The last one combined with the motherboard's capabilities makes it just perfect for a Vista Premium PC.<O></O> <O></O> <O> </O>ASUS has shown extra care in warning the future buyer about the right decision of RAM sticks, regarding the use of the motherboard. For this reason, ASUS placed an all red sticker (on the contrary with the background's black) and warns the user about stability problems in case he doesn't choose one RAM manufacturer from the compatibility list.<O></O> Of course this is positive, specially now that the market is full of ram manufacturers.<O></O> <O></O> On the left side of the box, ASUS placed an opening so we can easily see the inputs and outputs of the motherboard and specially the unique lightened LCD screen which provides useful information during the system boot.<O></O> <O></O> All these are good. But where can someone search to find all the specifications of the motherboard and decide if it is suitable for him? But of course on the back of the box where everything is described in details. One important information listed on the back of the box, is the fact that ASUS provides 3 years of warranty for this product.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> The packaging of STRIKER XTREME hides a surprise which is revealed by opening the double front layer. Here are gathered all the important technologies that someone can find in STRIKER XTREME regarding the stability, the overclockability, the look and everyday use.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Finally, the box is also cut here so we can see the special sound card and the originally shaped microphone.<O></O> <O></O> Let as continue in the interior of the packaging.<O></O> <O></O> Inside the box we can find the motherboard, which is well wrapped in a transparent plastic cover cut in such a way, that the motherboard fits like in a glove for it. This way it is protected during the transport.<O></O> The rest of the space inside the package, takes up a carton box with all the accessories.<O></O> <O></O> The accessories that comes with the motherboard are listed below:<O></O> 1x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable. 1x FDD cable. 6x SATA cables. 3x pairs of converter cables from molex to SATA power cord.<O></O> 1x I/O Shield (with light ability).<O></O> 1x 3in1 Q-connector. 1x SLI adaptor. 1x USB2.0 port module. 1x Firewire 1394a port module. 1x fan for the chipset's cooler.<O></O> 3x temperature sensors. 7x wrappings for the cable “tied up”.<O></O> 1x leather key chain with “Republic of Gamers” logo.<ST1></ST1><O></O> 1x user manual 1x CD-ROM with InterVideo® Media Launcher (WinDVD Creator 2, InterVideo PhotoAlbum, DiscMaster 2.5 Platinum, DVD Copy 2.5 Platinum)<O></O> 1x CD-ROM with drivers<O></O> 1x CD-ROM the full version of “Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter<O></O> <O></O> <O>></O>> <O>> </O>> <O>></O>> <O>> </O>> <O>></O>> <O>> </O>> <O>></O>> <O>> </O>> <O>></O>> <O>> </O>> <O></O> <O></O> So the package is full and with small details that make the difference. To be precise, we were positively impressed by the 3 temperature sensors and the Q-Connector patent, that makes really easy and fast the connection of power on, reboot, HD led etc cables which was a constant problem for everyone that assembles a PC.<O></O> <O></O> Before we move on the motherboard, let us list the technical stuff for it.<O></O> TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TECHNICAL SPECS<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> The most important technical specs are these:<O></O> <O></O> <O> </O> Support for all LGA775 CPUs, including Pentium 4, Pentium D, Pentium Extreme Edition, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme. NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI chipset. Northbridge: NVIDIA C55XE. Southbridge: NVIDIA MCP55XE. Support of 8GB of DDR2-533, DDR2-667 or DDR2-800MHz RAM, with extra support for NVIDIA SLI-Ready rams until 1200MHz. Two PCI-Express slots x16 for SLI (coloured blue that use x16 transfer), one PCI-Express x16 slot (coloured white, that uses x8), one PCI-Express x1 slot and two PCI 2.2 slots. Asus SupremeFX sound card with support for 7.1 channels through ADI1988B HD decoder. Complete with jack sensing, multi-streaming, jack-retasking and noise filter, along with co-axial and optical S/PDIF out ports. <O> </O> Dual Gigabit Ethernet PHY through a pair of PCI-Express based on Marvell 88E1116-NNC1 network controllers.. Six SATA 3Gbps ports supporting RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 and JBOD. Two eSATA 3Gbps ports supporting SATA-on-the-Go (on rear I/O panel)<O></O> Support up to ten USB ports (4 on the classic back-panel, 6 on-board with pinned brackets) Two IEEE1394a Firewire ports (one on the back-panel, 6 on-board with pinned brackets) One ATA 133 and one floppy slot.<O></O> <O></O><O></O> But let us have a closer look. CLOSER LOOK<O></O> CLOSER LOOK<O></O> <O></O> STRIKER XTREME is built on a beautiful black pcb which can also be found on ASUS 8800 graphic cards.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> From the first look, we can see that everything is placed with extra care and organized. It is very easy to find the slots for the disks, usb, firewire, floppy etc. The only exception is the the ide connector. It is right behind the motherboard power supply connector. That causes the cable mess up in the particular point. If ASUS had a round cable than a classic one, everything would be much better.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Very impressive is the copper cooler of the Northbridge, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city w:st="on"><ST1>Southbridge</ST1></st1:city> and Mosfets. In default states it can provide the cooling needed for a proper and stable function. But ASUS provides a fan in the package, that fits easily and screw less on the cooler. That helps on keeping the temperatures down when FSB and the power are rising!<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Placing the default Intel cooler was quite easy. But if you take a closer look in the size and the placement of the motherboard's cooler, you will notice that there would be a problem if you tried an alternative lower and wider CPU cooler.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Small but important detail is the fact that sata's connectors are “facing” on the side and not upwards as usual. They have been rotated 90<SUP>ο</SUP><SUP> </SUP>from their usual position. So all the users that own lots of disk and/or SLI graphic cards will tie up the cables much easier, eg since they will not have problem with the oversized 8800.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Talking about 8800, as you can see STRIKER has 2 blue PCI Express slots. They state that they should be used for a SLI as they use a 16x transfer. There is also a 8x white slot and can be used for a PhysX or an equal future board for even better graphics.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> On the picture above the PCI Express slots differs from the PCI since their edges are on the same line.<O></O> <O></O> Something that we should also mention are the ram slots. There are four slots on the motherboard. Luckily the space between them is good enough so if the user decides to put four ram sticks with coolers on them (copper blankets) would have no problem at all.<O></O> One detail is that in pairs, the ram slots have different caps, with the white being stronger.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Let's take a closer look, where we can see the VIA firewire controller, ITE SuperI/O Controller, Southbridge with the “Republic of Gamers” logo on it and the 2 Gigabit LAN connectors controlled by Marvel PCI-E controller.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O>></O>> <O>> </O>> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> We should also point three buttons on ASUS STRIKER XTREME –POWER, RESET, CLEARCMOS- on the bottom part of the motherboard, that were really helpful during the “lab” test. Beside their functionality, specially during the night since they have light, they are also very impressive. Putting them together with the blue leds around the motherboard we are absolutely sure that case modders will love this motherboard. We should also mention the button under the LCD screen which “cuts off” all the power from the motherboard.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Practically, when the user have a complete set system with STRIKER XTREME won't have direct access neither on all these buttons if the case is closed nor the LCD boot screen since it is placed on the back. We must assume that ASUS thought that their use will not be daily, but mainly for test reasons. So the access to them shouldn't be direct on a complete PC system.<O></O> Let's pass the “looks” of the motherboard – which on our opinion is excellent – and move on to the options of the BIOS.<O></O> BIOS OPTIONS AND SETTINGS BIOS OPTIONS<O></O> <O></O> STRIKER EXTREME is a motherboard that best suits on gamers, overclockers and generally speaking on computer enthusiasts. We are sure that only a few would buy it and leave it on factory settings. And believe us, it is full of bios options!<O> </O>It has so many combinations that a user can try, that it would need hours or even days to find the best one for his system and reach the limits of this motherboard, depending of course on his CPU and RAM.<O></O> <O></O> BIOS has the classic “grey” colour that ASUS uses the last four years. Let's take a look on the most important options in it.<O></O> <O></O> Possibility of raising the CPU voltage power with steps of 0.00625 until 1.9V.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Possibility of raising the RAM voltage power with steps of 0.025 until the very impressive 3.425V ready for “burn in”.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> Possibility of raising the NB and SB voltage power with steps of 0.05 till 2.75V and 1.85V for each one.<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O> </O>The rest of voltage regulators.<O></O> <O></O> <O> </O><O> </O><O> </O><O> </O>And of course the screen for monitoring all the voltages.<O></O> <O></O> <O> </O>The onboard configuration is the classical one. On this screen the user can also choose if the LCD screen would be lighted or not and what it would show after the boot when the PC continues with the operating system.<O></O> <O></O> <O> </O>User can also deactivate the leds around the motherboard.<O></O> <O></O> The most important part of the BIOS is the one that lets you choose the timings for the CPU and the RAM. <O></O> The main options for the CPU and RAM ratio are three:<O></O> Auto, Linked και Unlinked.<O></O> <O></O> <O> </O>If we choose “Linked” then we have these four extra options:<O></O> 1:1<O></O> 5:4<O></O> 3:2<O></O> Sync Mode<O></O> <O></O> <O></O> but when we choose unlinked we allow the RAM to be completely independent from the CPU's fsb.<O></O> Notice that the values for the fsb range from 533 to 3000 and in real they are matching in steps of one Mhz from 133 to 750 (You can easily find it if you divide the value by 4). For the RAM we have 400 to 2600, and we also have real values of 200 till <st1:metricconverter w:st="on" productid="1300 in">1300 in</st1:metricconverter> steps of 1 Mhz also.<O> </O><O> </O><O> </O>On the overclocking menu we can find the RAM timing options.<O></O> Depending on the RAM stick(s) we can change the following options:<O></O> <O> </O> tCL (CAS Latency)<O></O> tRCD (Row Address to Column Address Delay) <O></O> tRP (Row Precharge), tRAS (Row Active Strobe) <O></O> Command Per Clock (CMD) <O></O> tRRD (Row to Row Delay) <O></O> tRC (Row Cycle Time) <O></O> tWR (Write to Read Delay) <O></O> tWTR (Internal Write to Read Command Delay) <O></O> tREF (Refresh Rate) <O></O> tRD (Read Delay) <O></O> tRFC (Row Cycle Refresh Time) και <O></O> Async Latency.<O></O> <O> </O><O> </O>We should mark that it supports 1T on CpC (Command per Clock) and also that we had difficulties with the “unlinked” options (at least with Micron Fatbody RAM sticks) when we raised the fsb, as it was not stabled. We hope that a future bios update will correct this.<O></O> <O> </O>TEST PC'S TEST PCs<O></O> <O></O> We read on many internet forums about the incompatibilities with RAM sticks. So we wanted to test STRIKER XTREME with many different hardware combinations.<O> </O>At first we will present you the results from benchmarks with default settings in two different hardware combinations. The first one using a kit of 2GB RAM sticks Micron D9DQT Fatbody ECC and the second one using 1066Mhz OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 SLI Edition in a kit of 2GB RAM sticks.<O></O> You can see the look of our friend Thorlite as he was holding these RAM kits – valued almost 500 euro - <O></O> <O> </O>The two different setups are described as follow:<O></O> <O></O> 1<SUP>st</SUP> Setup<O></O> MOBO : STRIKER XTREME<O></O> CPU : E6700<O></O> RAM : MICRON D9DQT FATBODY ECC<O></O> VGA : XFX 8800GTX<O></O> PSU : BLUESTORM II 500W + BOOSTER X3 300W<O></O> HDD : EXCELSTORE 80GB 7200RPM SATAII<O></O> <O></O> 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Setup<O></O> MOBO : STRIKER XTREME<O></O> CPU : E6700<O></O> RAM : OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 SLI Edition<O></O> VGA : XFX 8800GTX<O></O> PSU : BLUESTORM II 500W + BOOSTER X3 300W<O></O> HDD : EXCELSTORE 80GB 7200RPM SATAII<O></O> <O></O> <O> </O><O> </O>for our test we used these programs:<O></O> <O> </O> <!--[if !supportLists]-->SUPER PI 1M<O></O> <!--[if !supportLists]-->3DMARK 01<O></O> <!--[if !supportLists]-->3DMARK 03<O></O> <!--[if !supportLists]-->3DMARK 05<O></O> <!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->3DMARK 06<O></O> <!--[if !supportLists]-->AQUAMARK<O></O> <!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->WPRIME<O></O> <!--[if !supportLists]-->WINRAR<O></O> <!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->EVEREST<O></O> <O></O> and “tools” like: <O> </O> ΑΙ BOOSTER<O></O> CPUZ<O></O> MEMSET<O></O> <O></O> to show you the current setup settings.<O></O> <O></O> But let us see the results of the tests: <O></O> <O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O> </O><O> </O><O></O> <O> </O><O> </O><O></O> <O> </O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O> <O> </O><O> </O><O> </O>and from the second setup to notice the difference from the RAM kit: <O></O> <O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O> </O><O></O> <O> </O><O> </O><O> </O><O> </O><O> </O><O> </O>OVERCLOCKING AND RESULTS <O> </O>OVERCLOCKING AND RESULTS<O></O> <O></O> On the second part of our test, we wanted to see how well this motherboard behaves under overclocking conditions. So we used a quite different setup:<O></O> O/C SETUP:<O></O> MOBO : STRIKER XTREME<O></O> CPU : X6800 EXTREME<O></O> RAM : MICRON D9DQT FATBODY ECC<O></O> VGA : SAPPHIRE X550<O></O> PSU : BLUESTORM II 500W<O></O> HDD : WD RAPTOR 74GB 10000RPM SATA<O></O> <O></O> <O> </O>In this case we wanted to test the o/c possibilities according to the CPU – RAM and not the graphical benefits. So we used a mainstream graphics card and we didn't use any benchmarks for 3D.<O></O> Having seen the 3.45V (!!!) in the RAM voltage regulator and tempting to use it, we used a DELTA fan in case we wanted to “burn” them.<O></O> <O></O> Here are the results with the CPU running at 3600Mhz (10x360FSB) and the RAM bus at 266Mhz. <O></O> <O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O> </O>the same setup but with the RAM bus higher, at 360Mhz and not so tight timings <O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O><O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O></O> <O> </O>All the above results show some possible setups, according to the hardware equipment of each user, that we can use to achieve the best performance from the system.<O></O> Seeking the highest FSB that we could get from STRIKER without any mods, we reached (with ease) at 460. At 465 we couldn't even boot and we were forced to use clear cmos. Despite that we are sure that with the future bios updates and with a better “dig-up” on the voltages and all the options, we will achieve much better numbers. <O></O> <O> </O> <O></O><O></O> CONCLUSION CONCLUSION<O></O> <O></O> The taste that we had from the STRIKER XTREME is that we had a motherboard that overclockers and gamers (for the full SLI support) will just love it. With lots and lots of options, the software that comes with it and just a few minor cons, it is for sure on the top of the list.<O></O> <O></O> If ASUS reduces the price for about 50€ now that not only from the older choices(965-975Χ) we also have the RD600, things would be much better. With a value of about 330€, it is sure one of the most expensive motherboards in the market.<O></O> <O></O> We hope real soon to test it side by side with a different motherboard with 680i (from EVGA), but also with different motherboards from ASUS like COMMANDO and the older P5WDH DELUXE, but keeping the same setup so as we can see how well each one manages.<O></O> The results from the overclocking (mainly) are possible going to change since there are new bios updates. We read rumours about the possibility to “break” the barrier of the 500Mhz FSB.<O></O> <O></O> If we forget the price, it is sure that it would impress you with its look but also with its power and results and it would be, without any second thoughts the base for your next powerful system.<O></O> <O></O> Once more we would like to thank PLAISIO and ASUSTeK for giving us STRIKERXTREME.<O></O> We should also mark that in the time of writing this review, PLAISIO with online purchase sells the motherboard at the benefit price of 299€ compared to the rest of the market.<O></O> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.