Biostar TZ77XE4 Review: Dichotomy by Default
by Ian Cutress on July 21, 2012 5:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- Biostar
- Z77
Motherboards can relatively straightforward and a joy to work with, or the biggest level of frustration and anguish a system builder or tester can experience. The Biostar TZ77XE4 invokes quantum mechanics in its actions - being either a delight or a terror depending on what you want to do with it.
In terms of performance, for variable threaded loads the Biostar TZ77XE4 is to be found with its trousers around its ankles. However, in gaming, especially with GTX580s, it comes out on top even with a memory disadvantage. For overclocking, steer clear from any automatic overclocking settings. For manual overclocking, we end up with a fixed voltage at idle, but nice temperature readings at load in our 4.7 GHz overclock.
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 sequential performance is middle of the pack when compared to our other Z77 motherboards we have tested, but our copy tests show that the Biostar comes out near the top when using default drivers. The BIOS has an odd range of choices by default, including IDE as standard rather than AHCI, as well as NumLock not being enabled. Nevertheless, visually it is inviting and easy to navigate.
Users have access to all three full-length PCIe slots for AMD tri-GPU action, but this is a little bittersweet as that last slot is limited to four PCIe 2.0 lanes from the chipset. The system does not add anything extra in the way of USB 3.0 apart from those on the chipset, but there is an extra SATA 6 Gbps controller from ASMedia.
Visually, very few motherboards are in orange, so for an orange-based system build there is no other real choice apart from Biostar unless you get the spray cans out. The USB 3.0 header is in an odd place, and having the ClearCMOS button right next to the power/reset could lead some enthusiasts to reach for the profanity jar should they press the wrong button by accident.
The Biostar TZ77XE4 comes in with an MSRP of $170, but is currently on Newegg for $150. At this price, the Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H, the ASUS P8Z77-M Pro, the ASRock Z77 Extreme4, and the ASRock Z77E-ITX all come into play as competition. These boards all have their plus points and their minus points - the Biostar could certainly use a polish and have some of the usage scenarios behave seamlessly in order to improve its standing.
As I mentioned back at the beginning of this review, the Biostar TZ77XE4 is a hard motherboard to recommend given the issues and the competition. If Biostar truly want to build more than budget products in the future, they have to have the software backbone and rigorous testing methodology that all the bigger manufacturers have in the enthusiast arena.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
28 Comments
View All Comments
Epicac - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
I've heard horror stories from Biostar and ECS Motherboard owners. Even a cheap board from either of these manufacturers wouldn't tempt me.StevoLincolnite - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
Peace of mind goes a long way!Snotling - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
I deal toasted PC components every week... motherboards, videocards, DVD players, hard drives. As far as I know they (Biostar) are no worse than Asus or any other actually. for the exception of one biostar Mobo that was DOA I can't remember seeing one that was defective.They are great for repairs because you can usually get that 4 year old Biostar Mobo "new" at retailers when all other makers are only available used.
Olaf van der Spek - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
I've heard horror stories from Asus and Gigabyte owners.....yyrkoon - Sunday, July 22, 2012 - link
So basically, you're posting only to spread F U D ? I've heard lots of things. That I do not repeat because I have no personal experiences. But along those lines. I suppose any idiot who hasn't a clue how to build a system can relate many horror stories. Hell, when I first started building my own systems back in the early 90's. I completely destroyed a brand new hard disk. By low level formatting the drive from the BIOS.Not only that. When ABIT was still in the motherboard business. I had read many "stories" of how people had such a hard time with their boards. Yet . . . I've been a long time ABIT motherboard "fan". Why ? I always knew what to expect from their products, and they were always very stable .
@Snotling
Yes, I agree. Except my own personal experiences would leave me to believe that BIOSTAR > Asus. Like you. I received DOA parts. Except it was not just one. It was four in a row through two different dealers.
Then for personal parts. I will not even touch their budget brand sister company. The reason why is simple. Based on a review from this very same site. I went out and bought a system board for my budget PC. I experienced several problems. Some of which were correctable. Some which were fatal flaws. Such as the PC locking up after 2-5 days ( completely random ). Having spent two weeks on the phone and emailing tech support I called no joy, and started looking for another board. Then wouldn't ya know. when replaced with an ABIT board ( that even cost less ). All the problems went away. That was 6-7 year ago. The system still runs rock solid to this day.
The last system I built for myself was based on an ABIT IP35-E motherboard. This system is also running to this day. Zero crashes, unless I was doing something I should not have been doing. Such as pushing an overclock too far . . .
So yeah I am a bit biased when it comes to name brands. I would never touch asrock, unless a customer insisted. I do not use Asus motherboards in any of my own systems, and strongly recommend against customers using them( if asked ). However. My own personal laptop is branded Asus . . . and I love it. Go figure lol.
AVP - Saturday, July 21, 2012 - link
I've had better luck with biostar than abit or asus.Wixman666 - Monday, July 23, 2012 - link
I've sold plenty of every type of board under the sun over the years and Biostar boards are no worse than any other as far as QC goes. ECS are the worst however, historically speaking, on their budget line at least.najames - Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - link
I built an ECS AMD socket 754 system, sent it to my brother years ago, and they are still using it today.The best motherboard I've ever owned since the mid 80s has been a little Biostar T series board with a dinky AMD dual core, happily overclocked if asked. I reluctantly sent it to my nephew when his system crapped out and he is still using it today AFAIK.
My current collection of Asus, Gigabyte, and Intel boards are no better/worse. They likely just have some better features.
ggathagan - Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - link
While most motherboard makers have had periods of bad QC, the chipset involved always has to figure into the mix, whether you look at stability or flakiness.Without factoring that into the equation, one bad experience with a big name brand is no more indicative that a rock-solid experience with a lesser-known brand.
The fact that everyone (chip designers, fab work, motherboard makers and end-users) is always pushing for more performance in shorter spans of time does no one any favors, but we all persist in that approach.
As such QC history can vary widely at any company.
johnsmith9875 - Saturday, August 11, 2012 - link
I tossed my flaky, cranky genuine intel board and bought a biostar and haven't looked back since.I think Biostar has improved significantly over the years, its no longer down there in PCChips territory.