ASRock Z77 Extreme4 Review (With Ivy Bridge)

[marsey99]

yea, thought it was someone else who posted

[Naota]

Looks like a great board and am close to buying one, but I'm a little concerned about it being thinner than usual, mainly for HSF, I assume the gap between CPU and DIMMS is smaller? or is it ok on this board?

[BurningFeetMan]

The z68 e4g3 is the same also. It looks thinner than it is in the flesh. I wouldn't worry about the issue

[Cutshaw]

I'm having a serious think about this board, it's much cheaper than the GA-Z77X-UD5H I was looking at. The dimensions are off putting, but seeing as I've never used a thin board before, it's more a knee-jerk reaction than anything else. If the only downside is supporting the outer edge of the board when putting in ram and 24 pin power, it's not much of a downside at all?

[dexta211]

The Pro3 that I have is an inch slimmer.

This is a sexy looking board though...

[Mishima]

I'm having a serious think about this board, it's much cheaper than the GA-Z77X-UD5H I was looking at. The dimensions are off putting, but seeing as I've never used a thin board before, it's more a knee-jerk reaction than anything else. If the only downside is supporting the outer edge of the board when putting in ram and 24 pin power, it's not much of a downside at all?

It isnt a huge problem - just as you say. Its more of a slight inconvienience. If you are on a tight budget go for it!

[Cutshaw]

I took the plunge and thought I could spend the difference on getting a better cpu cooler. I nearly got the z68 e4 on the strength of the vortez review, but held off for ivy bridge, so this seems like the Z77 to go for and I managed to find it for £109.99, cheapest board I've ever had. A shame Aria never had any in stock.

I just need to make my mind up on the cooler now. If the mount doom from the review was ok with that tall ram, I should manage most coolers. Black or white seems like the order of the day, so a mount doom or phanteks sounds good. I've some mild interest in a closed loop, but I suppose that's another thread.

[Cutshaw]

I thought I would post back and say that I got my extreme4 all set up and with a phanteks dual tower facing the "normal" way, luckily the mushkin ram I have isn't super tall. No bother at all with the unsupported edge, but after getting it on the centre post of the 600T, I was hard pushed for matching risers and screwholes. I got in enough to make it secure. It's definitely a budget package, compared to the Crosshair V I was left with a bit of a "is that all they are giving me!" but it's hardly a fair comparison given the massive price difference.

I've still not had a proper go at overclocking it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

[Supermoose]

Mind taking a photo of it unsure of how well it will hold up with a large cooler.

[Cutshaw]

Aye, no bother. I'll get a photo or two up tomorrow. Is there something in particular you are looking for? Just so I get pictures that will help.

[Supermoose]

Not really just wonder how the thinner board will affect a large cooler. Wether it will put a lot of strain on the board.

[Mishima]

Good to hear you got everything setup mate!

[Cutshaw]

Close up, further away and underneath. If you look at the top right of the first picture you can see an empty screwhole and there's still no warping or pulling. Either way, it must have just needed some time to settle, because I got a screw it the top right no bother, so I'm glad I pulled it out for the pictures. If you click them you can get through to the bigger versions.

[Supermoose]

Thanks

It doesn't look like I would have a problem with a large cooler. Seems to have enough support.

[Cutshaw]

Nah, it's absolutely fine. I think the Phanteks is the biggest and heaviest of the big coolers, if not there isn't much in it.