Intel S1150 by stefan @ 2014-08-01
The Z97 Machine motherboard from ECS takes part of their mainstream offerings and this particular model has been enhanced on the audio interface by including the ESS Sabre ES9010K2M DAC. A M.2 slot for SSD is also present and we can mount up to two video cards (AMD CrossFireX) for expanding the 3D performances even further.
At first we would like to thank ECS for offering me their Z97 Machine motherboard for testing and reviewing.
"ECS, the Elitegroup Computer Systems, was established in 1987, and is approaching its 23rd year of business. More than two decades, ECS has overcome a great deal of obstacles facing new businesses and has experienced the joy of significant growth and development. Her main focus has expanded to not only motherboards, but also desktop and notebook computers, graphics cards and other mobile products. ECS is strongly committed to develop cutting-edge technology in order to generate innovative products under environmental friendly designs. ECS comprehensive system of quality control provides our clients with reassurance and fosters long term cooperation.
Green Touch, Good Life
ECS commits to protect the Earth by reducing the global environmental loading as the priority of her corporate sustainable strategy. Confronting more and more global environmental impacts; climate change, natural resources depletion and the crisis of ecological imbalance, ECS devotes the Green Solutions for the Earth sustainable development without compromising customer satisfaction. ECS expects bringing people with more Green Touch for a Good Life.
Starting from 2006, ECS has been implementing the “ECS Green Competitive Advantage and Quality Plan” and introduced Green Products through 4-stages of non-toxic management; including non-toxic suppliers, non-toxic material, non-toxic manufacturing & processing, and, non-toxic quality controls. Besides, ECS is recognized under the IECQQC080000 Certification in her two major manufacturing sites in China; Golden Elite Technology at Shenzhen and ESZ at Suzhou. That empowers ECS desire of providing end users with HSF (Hazardous Substance Free) products to ensure a quality green life.
As a top-down decision, ECS dedicates to offering clean and environmentally friendly computer products for consumers through product design, purchase, production, sale and services to the 3R environmental objectives – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The ECS engineering teams are engaged to create products under a Green concept by size reduction, product longevity, easy disassembly, recycle potential, substance restriction and energy saving. For example, ECS green motherboards apply to the three environmental directives – the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) promoted by the European Union; RoHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substance Directive) and EuP (Eco design of Energy-using Products Directive).
Nowadays, ECS integrates Green concept in her daily operation. From the headquarters on Taiwan to worldwide branches, ECS practices energy saving, water recycling, Green data center, planting and so on to reduce greenhouse gas emission for mitigating the climate change. With continuous efforts to conduct business in a sustainable way, ECS recognizes that we are dependent on the Earth and strive to improve the quality of life for people everywhere!
Global Network
The headquarters of ECS is located in Taipei Neihu Technology Park. We have offices in major cities around the world. We are committed to product development and expanding the scale of our business. With our branches all over the Americas, Europe, and Asia, ECS localizes sales and retail in order to provide immediate and convenient service for our customers.
-Taipei, Taiwan
-Tokyo, Japan
-Seoul, Korea
-Wijchen, Netherlands
-Fremont, USA
-Moscow, Russia
-Sao Paulo, Brazil
Manufacturing Sites
ECS adopts a vertical integration structure of design, component manufacturing, and system assembly. At present, ECS has established two manufacturing locations; well-developed supply chain capabilities, and well-monitored production links; and the capacity to adapt to the needs of the ever-changing market.
-Golden Elite Technology (Shenzhen), China
-ESZ (Suzhou), China"
Windows® 8.1 Hardware Certification
Support the latest Windows 8.1 technology which provides touch-enabled control, Apps and can connect with the cloud to connect with your files, photos, people, and settings, wherever you sign in.
All Solid Capacitors
ECS’s All-Solid-Capacitors design brings the great benefit of better durability to users. Better conductivity and heat resistance can be expected as well thus the system stability can be assured under critical conditions.
Over-Clocking
Maximizes your system performance by selecting from these overclocking options:
(1) Flexible voltage adjustments
(2) Adjustable ratio and Freq
MIB X
ECS O.C profile offers O.C values for CPU and DRAM to reach higher performances in a quick, simple and safe way. It keeps users’ preferable BIOS settings to regain your last successful O.C configuration to create the most convenient O.C experience.
Multi-language BIOS
Multi-language BIOS allows you to see and set up the BIOS with your native language. It helps Non-English users to solve the problem of setting up the BIOS and achieve extra system performance easily.
Anti- Static Design(ESD Protection)
ESD protection design helps to avoid suffering permanent damage when subjected to momentary high voltages to increase the lifespan of motherboard.
Intel Rapid Storage Technology
Intel® Rapid Storage Technology offers new levels of protection, performance, and expandability for system. Whether using one or multiple hard drives, users can take advantage of enhanced performance and lower power consumption.
EZ BIOS
The most convenient tool to adjust BIOS in graphical interface. Designed with user-friendly interface including auto OC, boot priority, security function and windows 8 support. (Auto OC only for OC available models. )
Intel unlocked CPU
Support latest Intel unlocked processors to unlock better speed, smart performance and new flexibility. Users will be able to alter multipliers to increase frequencies without altering system out of spec.
Support 22nm processors
Intel new 22nm, 3-D transistor architecture enables support for new-generation processors which delivers unprecedented performance improvement, faster computing and graphics and power reduction.
ATI CrossFire X
The technology not only combines multi-GPU and motherboard power that soars into a new dimension of graphics capability, but also delivers the highest image quality and screen resolutions, even with the most demanding 3D titles.
Multi-Monitor
Multi-Monitor feature is the use of multiple display devices for increasing the area available for programs running on a single computer system. It is not only to increase larger screen viewing but also for improving personal productivity.
GPU OC
GPU O.C. is able to raise up graphics frequency boost through the BIOS setting to get excellent performance and enjoy outstanding multi-media experience.
DDR3 with XMP
Intel® XMP is a simple and robust high performance, DDR3 based memory solution for Intel based platforms. It enables users to take advantage of the fastest DDR3 memory, provides a mechanism for end users to easily performance tune Intel platforms and is designed specifically for enthusiasts as well as gamers.
4 DIMM Slots
Break the native limit of 2 DIMM slots supported by Intel chipset, ECS ingeniously devises 4 DIMM slots supporting up to the maximum of memory storage.
Dual Channel DDR3 3000(OC)
DDR3 3000 OC is able to raise processor and RAM clock up to 3000MHz through capable RAM in overclock mode.
PCI EXPRESS 3.0
The next generation of PCI Express 3.0 accelerates on 32 GB/s rate which effectively delivers double of PCIe 2.0 bandwidth. PCIe 3.0 enhances the encoding scheme to eliminate 20% overhead data to deliver higher transmission speed and better performance.
SATA 6Gb/s
Doubles the transfer speed of SATA 3G, running at speed up to 6.0Gb/s, and can connect with any other SATA 3.0Gb/s and 1.5Gb/s devices for backward compatibility.
RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
Supports RAID 0(Striped disk array), RAID 1(Mirroring disk array), RAID 5(Block Interleaved Distributed Parity), RAID 10 (A Stripe of Mirrors). Provides users the performance and protection.
8 Channel High Definition Audio
Integrated 8-channel HD Audio CODEC delivering advanced multi-channel audio and bringing you the experience of home theater-quality sound.
Sound Blaster Cinema2
Sound Blaster Cinema2 provides the latest groundbreaking technologies that delivers the fullest audio experience for music, movies and games, while remaining true to the source and intention of the artists who created it.
Giga LAN
Delivers transfer speed ten times faster than conventional 10 / 100 Ethernet connections, supporting a high transfer rate up to Gigabit/s. Gigabit LAN is the networking standards for the future and is ideal for handing large amount of data such as video, audio, and voice.
USB 3.0
The latest generation Super Speed USB 3.0 Card is able to transfer data 10 times faster than USB 2.0. An innovative power management system provide better energy saving and carry more power to recharge more USB rechargeable devices. USB 3.0 Card is compatible with USB 2.0 to add more convenience and excellent performance.
HDMI Output
The interface supports existing high-definition video formats(720p, 1080i, and even 1080p), plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. Combination with HDCP, provides a secure audio/video interface that meets the security requirements of content providers and systems operators.
DVI Output
A video interface standard designed to maximize the visual quality of digital display devices such as flat panel LCD computer displays and digital projectors. DVI transmits a digital signal from a digital location in the graphics card to a digital location on the display screen. So you get the full clarity and stability of liquid crystal technology — with sharp, clear pixels.
D-Sub output
D-Sub connection technology is used for connecting computer and monitor by analog signal. It is reliable and stable for signals transmit from point A to B.
eBLU - BIOS Live Update Utility
ECS eBLU utility makes updating BIOS fast and easy. eBLU saves time and hassle of searching for BIOS online and avoid complicated flashing steps. With simple and easy steps it checks for new BIOS version on-line and safely guides the user to flash the system BIOS.
eOC - Easy Over Clock Utility
Easy Over Clock Utility is a easy and simply overclocking tools that provides user-friendly windows operation interface for novices and overclockers, with clicking on your mouse only you can get much higher performance of CPU quickly. It is available for download and updated online to get the latest version. Combine with ECS MIB technology to challenge undiscovered extreme overclocking than ever before.
eDLU - Drivers Live Update Utility
ECS eDLU utility makes updating Drivers fast and easy. eDLU Saves time and hassle of searching for Drivers online and avoid complicated steps. With simple and easy steps it checks for new Drivers version on-line and let the user to update the Drivers.
eSF(ECS Smart Fan Utility)
ECS Smart Fan Utility provides smart and user friendly way to adjust fan speed depending on PCs system loading and temperature. It offers five modes to adjust fan speed within safe range without entering BIOS for smart, easy and silent environment.
EZ Charger
EZ Charger technology provides 3 times current than general USB port in off mode for USB devices. It’s useful and excellent, especially for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices that need a large amount of current for faster recharging within less time.
ROHS
Choose an environment-friendly, fully RoHS-compliant ECS product as the foundation for keeping harmful substances out of our ecosystem.
ErP Ready
ECS Motherboards have been certified by ErP of European Union. Stand-by mode and off mode not to exceed 0.50W consumption to save energy and maintain sustainable environment.
Full HD Display
16:9 Full HD wide screen shows the stunning crystal-clear image that brings an excellent visual experience for gaming or HD movie playback.
ECS is jumping into the Z97 field with the release of the Z97-Machine motherboard, which takes part of its L33T Gaming series of products, as we have seen beginning with last year. It is shipped inside a quite large cardboard box, with the usual logos of the supported technologies on top:
ECS reminds us that this is the first board to adopt ESS SABRE Premier amplifier, which is the highest quality audio DAC for high-fidelity gaming headsets. As we can also see on the back side of the packaging, the LAN interface is provided by Intel controller, 4K video output is available and the Dual Advanced MOSFETs are providing up to 90% power efficiency:
After removing the top packaging layer, we will end up with a black box, featuring the product logo in the middle:
On the top box layer, we will find the motherboard, which is also fully wrapped inside an anti-static bag:
The bottom layer includes the rest of the bundle along with the documentation:
Besides four SATA cables, we will also receive one User Guide, a general assembly guide along with the I/O shield:
An installation disk is located inside the User Manual, which also contains besides the drivers some bundled applications:
The GANK series is composed from the Domination segment, Machine and Drone; Domination is practically ECS high-end for the Intel platform but, as BIOSTAR, they have decided not to launch first a Domination motherboard so they have settled for Machine, which is practically mainstream. The board is not overcrowded and contains the essentials; a M.2(NGFF) slot is located on the bottom, but we really wonder why ECS has minimized the number of available SATA ports from six to four:
The ISL6376 Hybrid Digital 6-Phase Green PWM controller is located on the top left side of the PCB:
Nearby we have the ATX 12V 8-pin power connector along with a 3-pin fan header
If we travel on the left side of the PCB, we will notice the ASMedia ASM1442K (TMDS level shifter), which makes the 4K output possible:
The Intel I218-V Gigabit Fast Ethernet Controller provides the LA interface on this board:
The ESS SABRE ES9010K2M Premier DAC is a high-performance 32-bit, 2-channel audio D/A converter targeted for portable high-fidelity audio applications and digital music players:
Next to it we have the well-known ALC1150 from Realtek:
Between the first top PCI-Express x1 slot and the VRM heatsink we can find one 4-pin fan header:
Further down we will find two PCI-Express x16 slots but also two extra PCI-Express x1:
On the bottom side of the PCB we will be able to locate the F_AUDIO header, the Power and Reset buttons,, one SPDIF header, the diagnostic two-digit LED display, one Speaker header, a single USB 2.0 header, the Case Open header, one system fan 4-pin header but also the Front Panel header:
This time ECS has opted to install the SATA ports facing upwards, which is not too ideal when aiming for a pristine cable management:
The PCH is covered by a quite large heatsink which features the product logo:
Near the ROM chip we also have the CLR_CMOS jumper, along with the M.2 activity LED:
On the left side of the PCB we will get to see the USB 3.0 header, one 3-pin fan header but also the 24-pin ATX power connector:
The memory slots are all-black, not channel color-coded:
The VRM heatsink features the L33T brand and is pretty compact:
Two 4-pin fan headers are also located on the top side of the PCB:
On the I/O, we will be able to spot one PS/2 combo port, four USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI, one DVI and one VGA port, four USB 3.0 ports but also one LAN and the audio ports:
The UEFI interface of the ECS board is similar to the one we have found on their Z87 offerings and starts with the display of the EZ screen; here we will be able to see system monitoring information and perform some simple tasks; we always recommend going to the Advanced mode:
Here we will meet again with a simpler design, which has the menus organized on the top; from the Main menu we will be able to modify the system language, but also date and time:
The Advanced section has multiple sub-menus and through them we could remind LAN Configuration, PC Health Status, Power Management Setup, ACPI Settings, CPU Configuration, SATA Configuration, USB Configuration, Intel Rapid Start, Intel Smart Connect, or Intel Ethernet Connection:
LAN Configuration menu only allows us to enable or disable the onboard LAN controller:
PC Health Status shows the current temperatures, fan speeds and system voltages and at the same time we can configure the Smart Fan Function:
Power Management Setup comes with the usual options:
ACPI Settings menu allows adjusting the Sleep State:
The CPU Configuration menu displays some advanced information regarding the currently installed processor and here we will be also able to enable or disable certain CPU-related options:
The SATA Configuration menu shows the currently connected drives and we can also configure the controller mode:
USB Configuration menu allows tinkering with the USB controller, but we can always enable Legacy USB Support:
Intel Rapid Start and Smart Connect can be enabled from the next menus:
We can configure various Intel NIC options from the next menu:
Chipset is another section with multiple sub-menus: System Agent Configuration, PCH Configuration but also ME Configuration:
System Agent Configuration has options to select the first graphics adapter to be initialized, enable or disable the IGD multi-monitor or the CPU SA Audio Device:
PCH Configuration menu allows configuring the Restore AC Power Loss function, enable onboard audio or reset Case Open status:
The ME Control menu only welcomes us with a single option:
M.I.B. X menu is the place where we can modify most of the system performance options; here we have CPU Overclocking Configuration, Memory Configuration, North Bridge Configuration (empty menu), Over Voltage Configuration or Profile Configuration menus:
The CPU Overclocking Configuration menu allows setting the multiplier, enable Turbo mode, adjust the Internal PLL Overvoltage function, adjust the BCLK and more:
Plenty of memory timings can be altered from the next menu:
Next we can adjust the respective voltages from the Over Voltage Configuration section:
Our settings can be saved to one of the available profile slots:
The Security menu allows setting an Administrator password, along with the possibility to enable Secure Boot:
The Boot menu is pretty self-explanatory:
Finally, we have the Exit menu, from where we will be able to save, discard or load factory defaults:
CPU: Intel I5 4670K Retail
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14
Motherboard: Currently tested board
RAM: GeIL Black Dragon 2x4GB DDR2133 (@1600)
Video: HIS 280X
Power Supply: Cooler Master 850W
SSD: OCZ Vector 150
Case: Cooler Master ATCS 840
Stability could be obtained as on the same conditions as we did with the ECS Z87 Gank Drone board (ignore the reported 4.3GHz speed by CPU-Z in the initial screenshot, check out the validation down below):
With the latest version of AIDA64 utility, we can reveal more information regarding the motherboard, the CPU IMC and the Z97 chipset:
Motherboard
Haswell IMC
Z97 Chipset
On the installation DVD we will find Sound Blaster Cinema 2 enhancement software, which seems to work well only when installing the Realtek drivers from the same disk. Here we will be able to select different profiles depending on the audio material we are listening to at the current moment:
We can also configure Advanced Settings and check some of the pre-defined profiles, as we have also seen with the Razer Surround software:
The usual SBX ProStudio effects can be tuned but also turned on or off:
On the disk we also have eBLU, which simplifies the BIOS update task:
eDLU will redirect us to the respective driver page:
eSF is in charge of custom fan profiles:
eOC software has not been modified a lot since the last iteration and is not as feature-rich as the offerings from other manufacturers:
By using a KingFast E-Drive 2.5'' SATAIII SLC 120GB SSD, we have performed ATTO runs in order to find the performance differences between the two motherboards:
In our RMAA test, the board scores impressive results, which tells us that the advertised ESS Sabre solution is not only marketing.
Despite the user base the Z97 Machine is oriented at, ECS has succeeded again to build a solid board, but without including a lot of bells and whistles. Only the essentials are present on this board and the Z97 Machine also supports dual video card setups (AMD 2-way CrossfireX). Thanks to the ESS Sabre DAC, we can see a notable enhancement in RMAA tests, while using the Realtek ALC1150 8-channel High-Definition Audio CODEC.
Unlike the BIOSTAR board, which had dual NICs and also supported Link Aggregation for doubling the throughput, ECS presents itself with a single Intel Gigabit Fast Ethernet Controller, which features WOL.
Plenty of USB 3.0 ports are available on the board, but we feel that the board feels a little light regarding the number of included SATA III ports (only four), which minimizes the number of storage devices we can have active on this bus at the same time.
ECS did not bring any new elements when compared to the Z87 era and we will need to work with the exact same UEFI interface as before. When performing light to moderate overclocking, it seems that the 4+2 VRM is quite enough since we were able to keep the board stable at the proposed 4.5GHz speed, while working with temperatures on the safe side and no throttling has occurred while running one hour of Prime95.
The bundled EZ utilities haven’t been updated by ECS and do not seem very useful; however, ECS has also bundled Creative Sound Blaster Cinema2 software which enhances the audio content quality by adding several filters.
The board can be found online for about 107 Euros, which is decent considering what is offered.
We would like to thank again to ECS for making this review possible!