EVGA X58 Classified - Trophy Board
by Rajinder Gill on May 8, 2009 3:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Testbed Setup
| EVGA X58 Classified Overclocking / Benchmark Testbed |
|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-920 D0 - Batch 3850A796 Quad-core, 2.66GHz Cache, 20x Multiplier (21x Turbo). 4X256K L2 Cache 8M L3 Cache |
| CPU Voltage | Various |
| Cooling | Dtek Fuzion CPU cooler, 2 x PA120.2 Radiators, 3X Noctua NF-P12 120MM fans, DDC Ultra with Petra top. Dual Cascade cooling 2x1.5HP rotary compressors |
| Power Supply | PCP 1200W |
| Memory | Corsair Dominator GT 7-8-7-20 2000MHz 6Gb kit. |
| Memory Settings | Various |
| Video Cards | MSI 4870X2 |
| Video Drivers | Catalyst 9.4 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital 7200RPM 250GB SATA 3/Gbps 16MB Buffer |
| Optical Drives | Plextor PX-B900A, Toshiba SD-H802A |
| Case | Open Test Bed - Dimastech Benching Station, Lian-Li V2110 |
| BIOS | IX58S21R |
| Operating System | Vista 64 Bit SP1 |
| . | |
Base gaming benchmarks are located here. All other system benchmarks follow the same X58 board trend - nothing more than a 0.5%~1% difference between each board. Our focus today is aimed at the heavy overclocking side, which is what the Classified is all about.
Since the preview, we have received a number of BIOS releases with each adding a touch more functionality and addressing problems that were brought to light since the launch. Functionality wise, the board is 99.5% complete. The remaining fix addresses S3 fan speed resume which works fine for some users and not others. Overclocking enhancements have also been made to earlier BIOSes, with individual adjustments to memory timing functions like Round Trip Latency available for user manipulation to help maintain system stability at higher memory clock speeds.
On the overclocking front, we have found the Classified offers a little more stability at lower system voltages when compared with the EVGA X58 SLI or other boards in its price range. In 24/7 systems, the differences are relatively small and not something we'd pinpoint as a clear win, although any gains in this department are always desirable. The real test comes when the boards are pushed under subzero cooling, which is where the Classified is head and shoulders above the pack in our testing to date. So let's see where things get truly interesting for those who love to benchmark....
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TA152H - Saturday, May 16, 2009 - link
You're really an idiot if you don't see any difference here.PCI-Express can, in rare, situations offer additional performance to AGP, or the AT-Bus (ISA is properly called the AT-Bus, IBM invented it, so they get to name it).
USB gives no additional benefits for keyboards or mice, and in fact cost performance.
There's no parallel here. If you admit they use clock cycles, then what system you use is irrelevant. They waste clock cycles for no reason. As I mentioned, it's very, very slight, but why pay for it at all? Especially with a board geared for performance, why waste clock cycles on USB? It makes no sense. If USB keyboards or Mice did something PS/2 port versions couldn't, I'd at least see some point. But, they don't, so there's no point. This is different from the moronic examples you gave, where there can be some advantages.
takumsawsherman - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - link
I completely agree. This unit forces you to use a USB mouse, which is ridiculous at $450. I was being sarcastic. Personally, I use all PS/2 input devices, because they just work. Every time. That can't even nearly be said about USB.TA152H - Sunday, May 10, 2009 - link
You make $450 sound like a real lot of money for people. I remember when the 386 was out, you'd pay over a grand for it, if you wanted the 82385 and 32K cache. That's when a grand was worth almost twice that now. $450 is nothing, I'd buy it just so I got a warm fuzzy feeling, if it were actually worth it.For that price, throw some SRAM on the motherboard, and get a few extra percentages of performance at any speed. Why sell a half-rate motherboard for $450, when you could slap a nice L4 cache on the motherboard, for not too much more, and then boast real performance improvements no matter how you run it? Seems silly to me.
Besides, who would get a warm fuzzy from buying a motherboard from a EVGA? It's a stupid name, it sounds like a video card of the late 80s that ran VGA resolutions on an EGA, digital card. Supermicro, yes, or a killer Intel motherboard, or even IBM if they still made them. EVGA????? Well, I guess they have to start to build a reputation somewhere, and maybe this is a good move by them to get some press, and become known as a high end motherboard maker. So, I guess I understand it. Just add some SRAM and make it a real killer!
bob4432 - Saturday, May 9, 2009 - link
weak. evga is for the Microphallus crowd.i wouldn't own one of their items and really wonder why anandtech is wasting the time on this that 99% of the readers wouldn't even give too looks at.
Screammit - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - link
I like to see a company raising the bar, even if it is ridiculously priced. Someone has the cash and the will to buy it, which hopefully will prompt other manufacturers to compete with similar devices, eventually driving prices down. It may be a microphallus product, but it has only positive effects on the market as a whole. What could be wrong with that?Rajinder Gill - Sunday, May 10, 2009 - link
As I stated on page 1 of the comments, this is a perf product and generally speaking these reviews fall under my duristiction for the audience these products are aimed at (nobody said they were the majority). We're in the process of introducing someone new to take over the more mainstream stuff. The perf review will continue as is, while the lower-mid market stuff gets a boost in article frequency by adding somebody else to the mix.later
Raja
Rajinder Gill - Sunday, May 10, 2009 - link
*jurisdiction*..lolhemipowered - Saturday, May 9, 2009 - link
For absolute OC'ing I haven't seen any better. But I bought mine for looks and its ability to OC, it is a shame Anandtech didn't report/show screenshots of what the board does when running with the Lights on itrazorsimon - Saturday, May 9, 2009 - link
I'm really disapointed that you guys have given EVGA the free marketing on this board. Thier treatment of us in Europe over supply is so shamefull that I will always look to buy another brand from now on.The Classified is unique and the only EVGA product worth waiting for. I really hope another manufacturer comes up with something better and blows the Classified and EVGA where they belong.
Just to clarify the situation - my supplier in the UK gets told every week by EVGA europe that they are due this week. This has been going on for 2 months and so far about 20 boards have come through... yet they are in stock with suppliers in USA.
EVGA are not being honest and stringing us poor customers and thier retailers along.
EVGA's credability in Europe has been destroyed.
Fluxcored Arcweld - Sunday, May 10, 2009 - link
Made me laugh cause at the same time I'm unable to get the German watercooling I want for my i7 build here in the US. Low production products in a niche market segment trans Atlantic; we have to be realistic about availability methinks...Shout out to watercool.de !!