Testing Methodology
Comparison Motherboard Configurations |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Aorus Z370 Gaming 7 |
MSI Z370 Carbon Pro Gaming AC |
Asus ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming |
|
| Reviewed Price | £270 |
£190 |
£190 |
|
| Firmware Version | F4a |
A13 |
0410 |
|
| Chipset | Z370 |
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| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K |
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| CPU Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 |
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| CPU Base Clock / Turbo | 4.8GHz / 4.8GHz |
3.7GHz / 4.7GHz |
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| CPU Cache | 12MB |
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| CPU TDP | 95W |
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| Memory | G.Skill 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3,200 |
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| Memory Speed | DDR4-3200 |
DDR4-2666 |
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| Memory Timings | 16-16-18-36-2T |
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| Graphics | EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW |
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| Graphics Driver | GeForce 376.19 |
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| Storage Device(s) | SK hynix Canvas SC300 512GB
Samsung 950 Pro 256GB M.2 256GB |
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| Power Supply | be quiet! Dark Power Pro 10 (1,000W) |
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| Operating System | Windows 10 Home AE (64-bit) |
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CPU Benchmarks |
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|---|---|---|---|
| HEXUS PiFast | Our number-crunching benchmark stresses a single core by calculating Pi to 10m places. | ||
| Cinebench R15 | Using Cinebench's multi-CPU render, this cross-platform benchmark stresses all cores. | ||
| Handbrake 0.10.5 | Free-to-use video encoder that stresses all CPU cores. | ||
Storage Benchmarks |
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| CrystalDiskMark | Popular free-to-use storage benchmark, used to gauge read and write performance via M.2 (256GB Samsung 950 Pro NVMe), SATA (512GB SK hynix Canvas SC300) and USB 3.1 (512GB SK hynix Canvas SC300). | ||
Memory Benchmarks |
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| AIDA64 v5.80.4283 | Benchmark that analyses memory bandwidth and latency | ||
Gaming Benchmarks |
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| 3DMark Time Spy | Graphics test run using the Time Spy default test | ||
| Deus Ex: Mankind Divided | 2,560x1,440, ultra settings | ||
| Hitman | 2,560x1,440, ultra settings | ||
Miscellaneous Benchmarks |
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| Power Consumption | Noted at idle, while running the HandBrake video-transcoding test and when playing ROTTR. | ||
Notes
As we did in the Aorus review earlier this week, we have decided to increase the speed of the CPU to an all-core 4.8GHz at 1.25V and see how the board performs once we have a decent overclock in place. What's more, following the same tack, the memory speed is increased to DDR4-3200, as well.
It is more important to evaluate the speed of the MSI in a state that most enthusiasts will put it in. The Asus Z370-F Gaming, meanwhile, will show you what to expect if running at stock speeds.
