Biostar TZ77XE4 Review: Dichotomy by Default
by Ian Cutress on July 21, 2012 5:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- Biostar
- Z77
Gaming Benchmarks
A foreword regarding the game tests: due to the TZ77XE4 not enjoying my normal memory configuration, the gaming tests were run mostly at DDR3-2000. During several setups however, memory was reduced to default SPD due to instability and the Biostar motherboard refusing to run with memory during the benchmark. These were:
NVIDIA, single GTX-580, Dirt3
NVIDIA, dual GTX-580, Dirt3
AMD, dual HD 7970, Metro2033
AMD, tri HD 7970, Metro2033
In addition, the Biostar enables three-way CrossFireX through the third PCIe slot. This slot is limited to four PCIe 2.0 lanes, as it comes from the chipset rather than the CPU. As a result, this third GPU will not provide optimum scaling, but results are shown here for comparison to similar Z77 boards we have tested.
Civilization V
Civilization V is a strategy video game that utilizes a significant number of the latest GPU features and software advances. Using the in-game benchmark, we run Civilization V at 2560x1440 with full graphical settings, similar to Ryan in his GPU testing functionality. Results reported by the benchmark are the total number of frames in sixty seconds, which we normalize to frames per second.
Unfortunately, the coupling of Civilization V with the Biostar and AMD does not give the best results, perhaps due to the reduced memory. We have seen how Civilization V loves memory speed in AMD, and it shows here with the Biostar results.
However, if you have a single GTX 580, it seems that the Biostar is the board to have, amazingly coming out top of the single NVIDIA card test.
Dirt 3
Dirt 3 is a rallying video game and the third in the Dirt series of the Colin McRae Rally series, developed and published by Codemasters. Using the in game benchmark, Dirt 3 is run at 2560x1440 with full graphical settings. Results are reported as the average frame rate across four runs.
Out of the Z77 boards we have tested with three AMD GPUs, the Biostar seems to be the one to get. The single and dual GPU numbers are also on par with other motherboards in this test.
In contrast, with NVIDIA cards the Biostar TZ77XE4 seems reach the top of the charts in Dirt3.
Metro2033
Metro2033 is a DX11 benchmark that challenges every system that tries to run it at any high-end settings. Developed by 4A Games and released in March 2010, we use the inbuilt DirectX 11 Frontline benchmark to test the hardware at 2560x1440 with full graphical settings. Results are given as the average frame rate from 10 runs.
The TZ77XE4 seems to like Metro2033, even with the memory speed disadvantage.
Chalk up another good performance under NVIDIA for the TZ77XE4.
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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.