Gigabyte Z97X-SOC Force Motherboard Review

Manual CPU Overclocking:

We typically outline automated overclocking options as part of our motherboard analysis. With an overclocking-orientated motherboard such as the Gigabyte Z97X-SOC Force, automated overclocking capacity is largely irrelevant to the target audience.

To test the Gigabyte Z97X-SOC Force motherboard’s CPU overclocking potential, we first increased the CPU VCore to 1.30V, Cache voltage to 1.275V, CPU Input Voltage to 1.900V, and PCH voltage to 1.10V. ‘Extreme' load-line calibration was applied. The Uncore ratio was maintained at 40x.

While these voltage levels are relatively conservative for an overclocking-geared motherboard, they represent settings that will be safe for 24/7 usage. We do not have access to extreme CPU cooling methods so we would rather stick to voltage levels that will be relevant for users interested in this board for day-to-day usage.

We managed to hit 4.7GHz and maintain stability at the frequency. Due to time limitations we were only able to certify stability by running 1 hour of Prime95, but the system was also perfectly stable through our overclocked benchmark tests.

Gigabyte's board sends the CPU 1.32V under load using the ‘Extreme' LLC setting. We feel that a 20mV overshoot is a fair level and helps maintain stability at 4.7GHz.

With better cooling equipment, we would be confident increasing voltages and pushing the Gigabyte Z97X-SOC Force and Intel 4790K CPU even further than 4.7GHz.

Our CPU-Z validation at 4.7GHz can be viewed here.

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