To test the ASRock Z87 Extreme9/ac, we paired it with an Intel Core i7 4770K processor and 8GB of 2133MHz memory from Patriot. We will be outlining the ASRock Z87 Extreme9/ac motherboard's performance with the Core i7 4770K CPU at its stock frequency of 3.5GHz and when overclocked to 4.5GHz.
We will be comparing the ASRock Z87 Extreme9/ac motherboard's performance to that of MSI's Z87 XPower. Both motherboards are partnered with identical hardware and software, so the results are directly comparable.
By default, the ASRock Z87 Extreme9/ac motherboard forces the 4770K to a constant 3.9GHz. This will be displayed as the ‘stock' setting.
Motherboard Test System:
- Processor: Intel Core i7 4770K 3.50GHz.
- Memory: 8GB Patriot Viper Xtreme Division 2 2133MHz.
- Graphics Card: nVidia GTX 760 2GB.
- System Drive: 500GB Samsung 840 Series SSD.
- CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i.
- Case: NZXT Phantom 630.
- Power Supply: Seasonic Platinum 1000W.
- Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit.
Compared Z87 Motherboard(s):
- ASRock Z87 Extreme9/AC (BIOS 1.70 – newest).
- MSI Z87 XPower (BIOS v1.0).
Settings:
- ASRock Z87 Extreme9/AC BIOS v1.70.
- GeForce 320.49 VGA drivers.
- Intel v9.4.0.1017 chipset drivers.
Software Suite:
- 3DMark
- 3DMark 11
- PCMark 8
- Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0
- SiSoft Sandra 2013 SP4
- Cinebench 11.5 64 bit
- Super Pi
- VLC Media Player 2.0.7
- CyberLink Media Espresso 6.7
- HandBrake 0.9.9
- ATTO
- Battlefield 3
- Metro 2033
- Sleeping Dogs