ASRock Z77 OC Formula Motherboard Review

Motherboards/Intel S1155 by stefan @ 2013-02-04

The Z77 OC Formula is one of the high performance motherboards from ASRock, was built in cooperation with the well-known overclocker Nick Shih and features a 12 + 4 VRM design covered by a massive waterblock/heatsink, an 8-layer PCB, measuring points, plenty of thermal sensors and more. What we also like about this board is the fact that they have removed the legacy components like Floppy/IDE interfaces along with the PCI slots, in order to have a clean motherboard PCB design in the end.

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Product Features

12 + 4 Power Phase Design

 

ASRock Z77 OC Formula is designed with a 12 + 4 Power Phase design. It features sturdy components and completely smooth power delivery to the CPU. Plus, it offers unmatched overclocking capability and enhanced performance with the lowest temperature for advanced gamers as well.

 

Premium Alloy Choke (PAC)

 

Compared to iron powder choke, the new Premium Alloy Choke technology on ASRock OC Formula Motherboard Series highlights a special alloy formula which is able to reduce up to 70% core loss. The revolutionary choke construction features a highly-magnetic and heat-resistant design, increasing the board’s lifespan as well.

 

Dual-Stack MOSFET (DSM)

 

DSM is an innovative new design of MOSFETs. The silicon die area is increased by stacking two dies into a MOSFET. The larger the die area, the lower Rds(on). Compared to traditional discrete MOSFET, DSM can provide larger die area and lower Rds(on), so the power supply for CPU Vcore is more efficient.

 

Digi Power

 

Z77 OC Formula is equipped with CHIL 8328 silicon which features a new digital PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) design, providing CPU Vcore voltage more efficiently and smoothly.

 

Multiple Filter Cap (MFC)

 

The ASRock Z77 OC Formula features a new capacitor design called MFC (Multiple Filter Cap), which includes a combination of highly conductive MLCC, DIP caps and POSCAP. MFC helps the system filter noise from high-freq, mid-freq to low-freq noise, delivering enhanced and higher current to the CPU. With the combined power of three capacitors, MFC allows users to overclock their PC rig to extreme levels without worrying about the hardware components.

 

Twin-Power Cooling

 

Twin-Power Cooling combines active air cooling with water cooling. The ultimate heatpipe cooling design maximizes the system’s convection to expel hot air out, providing great air flow and faster heat dissipation.

 

8 Layer PCB, 4 x 2oz Copper

 

Brilliantly designed to boost performance with the lowest temperature, ASRock Z77 OC Formula is built on an 8-layer-PCB design. It comes with 4 sets of 2 ounces copper inner layers, using only carefully selected copper materials for PCB layers, delivering lower temperature and higher energy efficiency for overclocking.

 

GELID Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound

 

GELID Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound is an added bonus included in ASRock Z77 OC Formula which allows overclockers to stabilize the CPU’s temperature. Created for extreme users on highest level, the GC-Extreme Thermal Compound achieves the best heat conductivity from your CPU, VGA or even Chipset to your cooler. Not only keeping your rig cool, the GELID GC-Extreme can also make the compound non-freezing even at low temperatures when doing LN2 extreme overclocking.

 

Hi-Density Power Connector

 

Hi-Density Power Connector features a solid square-pin design. ASRock Z77 OC Formula is equipped with two High-Density Power Connectors, one for the CPU Power connector, and one for the 24-pin ATX power connector. The optimized design supplies current to the power more efficiently and achieves better electric conduction. Overall, Hi-Density Power Connector can reduce 23% power loss and decrease power connector temperature up to 22?.

 

15μ Gold Finger

 

ASRock has embedded 15μ Gold Finger for both CPU sockets and DRAM slots. Compared to other boards that come with only 3-4μ, ASRock Z77 OC Formula provides 15μgold components within the sockets, delivering triple performance than usual. With the unprecedented 15μ gold-inside design, overclocking the CPU and memory is easier than ever.

 

NickShih’s OC Profile

 

Have you ever wondered how the global OC champion overclocks his motherboards? Now you’ve got a chance to learn a few tricks from the champion with NickShih’s OC Profile. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using a K-Series or No-K Series CPU, NickShih’s OC Profile will automatically detect your CPU and offer you different levels of overclocking. Have a taste of Nick’s secret recipe for overclocking this motherboard instantly.

 

Formula Drive

 

ASRock Formula Drive is an all-in-one software to fine-tune different features in an user-friendly interface, which includes Hardware Monitor, FAN-tastic Tuning, Overclocking, OC DNA, IES, XFast RAM and Multi Thermal Sensor.

 

Multi Thermal Sensor

 

Multi Thermal Sensor is a new feature specially designed for ASRock Z77 OC Formula. It provides users the temperature of various parts of the motherboard graphically in ASRock UEFI Setup Utility, so that users may precisely keep track and control of the temperature of each parts of their motherboard when overclocking.

 

Rapid OC – Quick & Fast Adjust OC Frequency

 

The onboard Rapid OC button allows novice overclockers to manually raise and lower the CPU ratio, BCLK frequency and CPU VCore voltage, while serious OC enthusiasts can use it to get the highest level of overclocking performance from their system and find their CPU’s best margin.

 

FAN-Tastic Tuning

 

FAN-Tastic Tuning offers the flexibility to adjust the fan speed (RPM) relative to the system temperature. Users are able to adjust the setting by clicking the "+/-" and confirm by "APPLY" afterwards.

 

PCIe ON/OFF

 

For those who constantly need to remove then reinstall their PCIe cards back into the PCIe slots and fear of damaging the motherboard and its components, ASRock has added three PCIe ON/OFF switches to enable or disable the PCIe slots in a flick of your finger.

 

Fine-Tuning V-Controller

 

Fine-Tuning V-Controller is a new collection of voltage fine tuning options in ASRock UEFI Setup Utility. It provides more than enough voltage configuration options for overclockers who wish to pursuit extremes.

 

V-Probe™

 

V-Probe™ is a 7-set of detection points laid on this motherboard. It allows overclockers to easily and quickly get the accurate voltage readings via the multitester.

 

Timing Configurator

 

Timing Configurator is a fast and easy tool that provides users with an abundant collection of subtle DRAM settings for professional tweaking. You won’t even have to waste time on entering into the UEFI or restarting the system, Timing Configurator is an independent application that runs under Windows® OS and your changes will take effect immediately.

 

OC Stands

 

Free gift includes 10 pcs of OC Stands. Those small, portable OC Stands help overclockers to easily setup an OC Formula system without chassis. Plus, it ensures greater airflow for extreme overclocking as well.

 

Interactive UEFI

 

ASRock Interactive UEFI is a blend of system configuration tools, cool sound effects and stunning visuals. The unprecedented UEFI provides a more attractive interface and brings a lot more amusing.

 

Virtu Universal MVP - Uncompromised Game Response Performance

 

ASRock motherboard support Lucid Virtu Universal MVP technology that improves your PC’s visuals, with faster response times, improved video processing and smoother media playback, all with low power consumption. Brilliantly designed for gaming, Virtu Universal MVP™ switchable graphics software assigns tasks dynamically to the best graphics resource and features two exciting techniques – HyperFormance™ and Virtual Vsync™.

 

Dehumidifier

 

Users may prevent motherboard damages due to dampness by enabling “Dehumidifier Function”. When enabling Dehumidifier Function, the computer will power on automatically to dehumidify the system after entering S4/S5 state.

 

ASRock OMG (Online Management Guard)

 

Fast, Easy and Free – ASRock OMG technology allows you to establish an internet curfew or restrict internet access at specified times. Administrators are able to schedule the starting and ending hours of internet access granted to other users. Normally, ISPs (Internet Service Provider) will charge for internet curfew service. The service controls “all” the PCs connected at home through network remotely but all the PCs in that network will be restricted to access the internet at pre-setup times. However, ASRock OMG is a free tool for controlling internet access of each single PC. Parents can easily control internet access through BIOS setup to protect their kids from using Internet at inappropriate time, and meanwhile, enjoy their own internet space.

 

Internet Flash

 

Internet Flash searches for available UEFI firmware updates from ASRock servers. System can auto-detect the latest UEFI from our servers and flash them within UEFI setup without entering Windows® OS.

 

Free Bundle - Cyberlink MediaEspresso 6.5 Trial

 

CyberLink MediaEspresso 6.5 trial now supports hardware transcoding and is optimized to accelerate conversion of all your favorite media files for your favorite portable players. Now you can easily display your favorite movies, songs and photos on iPhone, iPad, PSP, Xbox, Youtube, Facebook etc. Compile, convert and enjoy images and songs as much as you want and enhance your videos to new levels with TrueTheater Technology. Try it today!

 

MAGIX Multimedia Suite

 

The ultimate solutions to enhance your media experience. From music management, music creation, video editing to photo management. Simply do more with your media than you ever thought possible.

 

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