Search for drivers by ID or device name

Known devices: 165022367

Latest known driver: 23.12.2020

Ad

Обзоры devid.info

Overclocking-Oriented ASRock Z170 OC Formula Mainboard Review

ASRock Z170 OC Formula is a flagship motherboard with a bunch of intriguing features. Along with an internal perfection, the model boasts a set of options for extreme overclockers. The latter are given a chance to enable LN2 Mode or Slow Mode to achieve the targeted performance results. Moreover, there are facilities for adjusting different parameters in real time. What else can the Z170 OC Formula offer? Let’s find it out.

ASRock Z170 OC Formula Highlights

The motherboard features the following specifications:
— chipset & CPU: Intel Z170, support for Socket 1151, Skylake-S Celeron, Pentium, Core i3/i5/i7;
— memory: 4x DIMM slots, DDR4 SDRAM, up to 64 GB, 2133-4500 MHz frequency;
— GPU: integrated Intel HD 510/530;
— form-factor: ATX, 305x244 mm dimensions;
— expansion: 3x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4), 3x PCIe 3.0 x4, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1, 1x PCIe 2.0 x1, 1x mini-PCIe 2.0 x1;
— audio: Realtek ALC1150 controller, 2x Texas Instruments NE5532, 7.1-channel Purity Sound 3;
— network: Intel I219V gigabit Ethernet;
— video interface: HDMI, DisplayPort;
— cooling: 6x 4-pin connectors;
— USB connectivity: 6x USB 2.0, 9x USB 3.1 gen 1, 2x USB 3.1 gen 2 (Type-A, Type-C, based on ASM1142 controller);
— storage: 3x SATA Express, 6x SATA III (Z170), 4x SATA III (ASM1061);
— additional options: POST-indicator, CMOS, voltage measurement points, Thunderbolt header, CPU & DRAM overclocking profiles (NickShin), dual UEFI;
— delivery contents: multi-language user’s manual, disc with drivers and signature software, UEFI & Formula Drive manual, 4x SATA 6 Gb/sec cables, a bridge for SLI configurations, plug for a chassis, three screws for M.2 devices; a stand and two screws for the installation of mini-PCIe expansion card.

Design & Layout

Despite a complexity of layout, ASRock Z170 OC Formula has managed to preserve standard ATX dimensions. The PCB is based on an 8-layer textolite fabric; the reverse side houses 6 white LED lights. Upon the whole, a set of electronic parts has been moved to the reverse side of the PCB: a second multicontroller, an external reference frequency generator, an integrated GPU, 8 drivers for CPU and power supply operation.

One of the most noteworthy peculiarities is the integration of a huge chipset heatsink, fixed by screws. The main group of SATA sockets is located lengthwise the PCB; four connectors are monitored by two ASM1061 controllers. The other two SATA ports are joined into a single SATA-E. The bottom-right corner accommodates Power & Reset buttons, UEFI activation button, and a switch between two BIOS chips.

From above the heatspreader there is USB Type-A port as well as two blocks for the connection of cables. The bottom section features a pair of USB 2.0 connectors and COM port. The top-right corner brags about the incorporation of a block with a possibility to fix the gauges in order to measure six groups of voltages. Four red LED lights are soldered on this block; they signalize about the initialization of the key system components. Additionally, there is POST-indicator on the board.

To continue, the power regulator consists of two heatsinks & a single heatpipe. It is based on 8-channel IR35201 PWM controller (International Rectifier); 6 channels serve for the needs of CPU, while the other 2 lines – for the in-built GPU. The chip is accompanied by IR3598 drivers-duplicators, each of which is adjoined to Texas Instruments CSD87350Q5D. The board also accommodates CPU SA stabilizer which entails a single choke and power elements. Additional power is provided via EPS12V socket.

UEFI Provisions

The update of the firmware was realized with the help of Instant Flash tools. The menu offers a variety of settings and options to boost the motherboard’s performance & efficiency. The OC Tweaker section provides for ready-made system adjustments; individual settings might be saved in five profiles or on the external drive.

It should be mentioned that extreme overclockers are free to enable different memory options. The list of additional facilities/utilities includes Microcode Update, MEI rollback, temperature sensors, Restart to UEFI, Rapid OC, Fast Boot, AppCharger, Rapid SATA, XFast LAN, etc.
  • 0
  • 15 November 2016, 16:09
Only registered users can comment.