Intel Non-Z Overclocking - Still Alive & Kicking Today, Yippee!

[MacClipper]

Yes, even on the latest revised C2 B85 Mobos. At least, that's what being claimed so let's investigate if this is true...



OK, The BIOS Says So Right Here...

C1 or C2 stepping?
Rev. 05 is C2 while 04 is C1, get the retail box with the New Version sticker

Features To Kill For...
• Jet black PCB normally reserved for the highest end OC Formula Series models
• Non-Z Overclocking for both core as well as uncore
• ?iGPU overclocking - not tested in this run as a discrete card is used
• RAM Overclocking (chipset limitation so DDR3-1600 max)


Egg Price Shootout
It's actually one of the lowest budget overclocking boutique mobos around, sub-USD100!

USD95 Fatal1ty B85 Killer
Newegg.com - ASRock Fatal1ty B85 Killer LGA 1150 Intel B85 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

USD100 Fatal1ty H87 Intel GLAN
Newegg.com - ASRock Fatal1ty H87 Performance LGA 1150 Intel H87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

USD115 Fatal1ty Z87 Killer
Newegg.com - ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard




Official Website
ASRock > Fatal1ty B85 Killer

• Supports AMD Quad CrossFireX™, CrossFireX
• VGA Output Options : D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI
• 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1150 Audio Codec), Supports DTS Connect
• Qualcomm Atheros Killer™ E2200 Series Gigabit LAN

...

 

[MacClipper]

Bundle

B85 Killer
With fully screwed down heatsinks, audio isolation

...

 

[MacClipper]

Heatsinks
All black with red white Fatal1ty style lettering on Asrock OC Formuia Series signature jet black PCB (nice!)

Killer GLAN

Purty Purity Sound

CPU Socket

...

 

[MacClipper]

Test Rig Setup

★ B85 Killer | i5-4670K@4.5GHz | KVR@1600 | NiCu HK 3.0-GTX360 | R9 290 | Toughpower Grand 850W Gold ★

Ambient non-a/c
Out of the box P1.10 BIOS used ie. no back flashing needed (it's also the latest final BIOS available)

Note
Vcore Settings - strictly either Over-ride (ie. fixed) or Auto ie. no adaptive mode




HyperPi 32M

AIDA64

WinRAR

7Zip

HWBot Prime

xvidPSP

3DMark 2013

So yes, it's indeed joyously true that somehow non-Z overclocking lives on despite the sabre rattling and threats from the big blue bully monster to clamp down on it since the day someone discovered the non-Z loophole.

In other words, if you are looking for a cheap overclocking boutique mobo, better grab one and enjoy the ride while it lasts!

 

[Hailgod]

Wow, 4.5ghz at 1.183 volts. Seems like you got a very good processor.

 

[kashix]

the board damn chio my god ...

 

[muddle]

Mac,

As a conclusion, K cpu overclocking is still thriving on non Z motherboards from asrock?

 

[shadow84]

Are the components able to handle OC since its nt designed for it?

 

[MacClipper]

Mac,

As a conclusion, K cpu overclocking is still thriving on non Z motherboards from asrock?

Just read the results posted above closely.

Are the components able to handle OC since its nt designed for it?

Non-Z overclocking reported June 2013
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/h...ties-h87-b85-boards-4274203.html#post77435796


Non-Z overclocking H87 C1 stepping tested June 2013 ie. 6 months ago amidst fears of Intel clampdown
ASRock Fatal1ty H87 Performance Tested


Quite many months since, afaik doesn't seem to see any rampant outbreaks of non-Z Haswell mobos dying so far.


This thread just serves to inform that despite the threats, non-Z overclocking lives on with new C2 mobos! But for how much longer, who knows?
Non-Z overclocking B85 C2 stepping tested Jan 2014 ie. now, today!
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/h...icking-today-yippee-4557905.html#post83125123


Component Quality For Overclocking...
For a sub-USD100 build, you get

• Premium Gold Caps
This motherboard uses Premium Gold Caps that are 100% made in Japan. These solid capacitors are sleek, high gloss caps with a premium gold coating that represents its long lasting durability and ultra stable performance.

• 6 Power Phase design Digi Power

More Precise, More Efficient

Unlike traditional motherboards that use analog power, this motherboard uses a next generation digital PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) design, which provides CPU Vcore voltage more efficiently and smoothly, so that the stability and lifespan of the motherboard is greatly enhanced.

• Properly heat-sinked and cooled

Both power mosfet and Southbridge are cooled by large sinks which are well anchored by screws

Haswell is a low power FIVR platform, doesn't require too much of the motherboard hardware. Just check out the max. load temps. of all the components recorded above.

Having said that, all overclocking is considered non-kosher by manufacturers. Just becos' the possibility is there doesn't mean that they support or stand by it ie. by all means, you can live dangerously but at your own personal comfort levels.

If you are not comfortable with a budget build for overclocking, maybe spend more to buy some peace of mind. OC Formula Series with 5 year warranty and conformal water resistant coating for the overkill?
OC Formula Tested, USD265 at the Egg


HTH

 

[devilwahaha]

Holyshit this b85 board is way much sexier than my z77 e4m

And is that finally a real black PCB I see?

 

[MacClipper]

Holyshit this b85 board is way much sexier than my z77 e4m

And is that finally a real black PCB I see?

Yes.

• Jet black PCB

Are the components able to handle OC since its nt designed for it?

This one is built for the kill, out of the box geared for > 6GHz... running 24/7 clocks should be easy peasy.

The OC Formula Series costs more, of course.

 

[MacClipper]

Web Reviews


ASRock Fatal1ty B85 Killer Review | ChipLoco

Final Words:

ASRock has been long known for providing excellent value for money. It is one of the main reasons why their motherboards started getting traction a few years ago...

All in all, the Fatal1ty B85 Killer is probably the best motherboard in its price range. You can’t really find a better option for $100.

ASRock Fatal1ty B85 Killer Review | eteknix

“If you’re looking for a fully equipped Haswell gaming motherboard that pretty much does it all, but you aren’t prepared to pay the premium for Z87, then ASRock’s Fatal1ty B85 Killer gaming motherboard is a game-changing option...

Kudos to ASRock for bringing a gaming quality motherboard to the market at such an attractive price point.”

 

[MacClipper]

Holyshit this b85 board is way much sexier than my z77 e4m

Your Z77 gen mobo is no longer stocked by Newegg but Google cache says it was priced at USD135

ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

So your current mobo was actually priced over 40% more than the B85 Killer ... that's amazing progressive pricing for the Killer!

 

[xboxer]

If you update the BIOS in future then the OC features would be gone, right?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

If you update the BIOS in future then the OC features would be gone, right?

The significance of this motherboard and thread implies you that either Intel didn't properly hard-remove the OC feature even on their newer revision of non-Z87 chipsets, and/or ASRock is proactively overcoming the limitations on these chipsets. Hopefully all other motherboard makers will follow suit and bring back the fun once stopped by Intel.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

So Mac shushu, this or MSI B85-G43 GAMING?

Any faceoff fight?

 

[MacClipper]

Mac,

As a conclusion, K cpu overclocking is still thriving on non Z motherboards from asrock?

If you update the BIOS in future then the OC features would be gone, right?

For now, non-Z overclocking works great for the C2 version of this mobo so enjoy while it lasts.

If future BIOS updates disable this then the knowledgeable informed user should know better than to update the BIOS unnecessarily.

Intel does not support B85 as an overclocking chipset, not now not ever. Just remember that by buying an overclocking non-Z mobo, you did not pay the Intel Z tax at all so it is an extra gifted bonus which should not be there in the 1st place.

It's a similar situation with unlocked AMD cores, any support from the mobo makers had always been an unofficial hack. Didn't stop me from enjoying those nice unlocked cores for the last 4 years though.

So Mac shushu, this or MSI B85-G43 GAMING?

Any faceoff fight?

No experience with MSI mobos for quite sometime already so no comments on that till MSI/Corbell is kind or generous enough to throw the mobo over...

Sorry.

 

[MacClipper]

Non-Z Overclocking lives on and on...
Hurray!


Pentium G3258
Unlocked Anniversary Edition - no problem POST and boot with factory stock BIOS*

Devil Canyon i7-4790K
Unlocked Haswell Refresh - no problem POST, boot and overclock with P1.30 BIOS

HTH


*Note - already emailed Asrock support for the newer BIOS (stated as P1.40) for proper support

 

[MacClipper]

Just got the latest B85 Killer beta BIOS B85KlR_1.31 for handling the Pentium AE from Asrock, let me know if anyone needs it cos I have already moved onto testing the Pentium on another mobo meanwhile.


FYI

 

[morgankell]

Thanks bro. Much appreciated... Hahaha... I may just make that leap