ECS Black Extreme Series P67H2-A Motherboard

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ECS motherboard is designed for demanding enthusiasts and therefore has packed just about everything on this motherboard. You can go through the most highlighted features of this motherboard. I found a bit complex to read on the website, so I divided them in different categories which can properly put highlight over the extreme features it offers. The package includes the ATX panel, six SATA cables, the manual and the DVD with software and drivers. In addition, a black front panel is for 3.5-inch bays, with which one gets two USB 3.0 ports on the front panel.

You will notice a very impressive motherboard loaded with features and options, the beast P67H2-A even comes with not one but two NEC 4-port USB controller allows, Hydra is a chip built to allow you to share and mix the graphics and all, there is much more to do well. Take a look below, also note that extreme measures before ECS did for a short time, promising to be a real competitor in the segment of enthusiasts motherboards.

The power connector ATX motherboard is the correct position, with above DDR3 DIMM slots. the motherboard can take up to 16 GB of memory clocked at 1333 MHz. Overclocked BIOS settings options to 1600/1866 and 2133 MHz as well. When preparing to board one more time around we see low-level connectivity as additional USB 2.0, audio headers and so on. Audio is himself manipulated by Realtek 892 codec for 8-channel audio. For those wondering if you want to go with three multi-GPU cards, this is possible in a configuration 4:08:08 p.m. PCIe lane, we are now sure about the SLI certification right away, if so, you may be required to Lucid Hydra use the road. But this should be a lot of bandwidth for even the most modern high-end graphics cards.

Highlighted Features :

What is new in Chipset

1. 15μ Gold Contact : ECS 15μ gold technique contains 15μ gold contact on CPU socket and Memory slot pins. It offers 3 times extra anti-oxidation, temperature resistant and scrape protection to ensure motherboards longest lifespan, better reliability and excellent contact.
2. 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.

What is new in CPU & RAM Support

1. Intel 2nd Gen Core Processor : Supports latest Intel LGA 1155 CPU-socket interface processor which is built on 32 nm technologies to provide smart performance and responsiveness on executing tasks, It combines the CPU and GPU to offer fantastic HD media and graphics, especially on 3D gaming experience.
2. Hydra Core Technology : The most advance technologies of multi-graphics processing, support Hydra core technology to deliver amazing (2-way: up to 140%, 3 way: higher) performance over a single GPU system.
3. LGA1155 : Motherboard Supports LGA 1155 CPU-socket interface, which is designed for 2nd Gen Intel Core Processors, and built on 32 nm technologies to provide high smart performance and responsiveness on executing tasks.

What is new in Storage Technology

1. 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.
2. eSATA 6Gb/s : eSATA III with 6Gb/s data transfer rate can promise substantial performance gain to a new hard drive enclosure. The data transfer rate is double than previous SATA II(3Gb/s) and also supports external HDD hot plug and keyed connector end for fool-proof.

What is new in Networking

1. Dual Gigabit Lan with teaming : The dual Gigabit LAN with Teaming allows 2 single connections to act as 1 single connection for double bandwidth. In addition, it prevents network downtime by transferring the workload from a failed port to a working port and balances the network traffic load evenly between 2 CPU cores in order to improve performance.

What is new in BIOS & Boot Time Management

1. eJIFFY : ECS eJIFFY is a Linux based interface for a fast boot application which is compressed in a CD to install on the hard drive. Within 8 seconds after the computer boots up, eJIFFY is ready to provide users the total enjoyment for web browsing, photo reviewing and on-line chat. Instead of waiting for the regular OS to start up, eJIFFY serves a convenient center to have quick fun or a glance at the hot news in today’s fast pace world where nothing can be too quick.
2. 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.
3. 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.

What is new for Overclocking

1. 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 III technology to challenge undiscovered extreme overclocking than ever before.
2. 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.
3. Intel Turbo Boost Technology : Intel Turbo Boost Technology automatically allows processor cores to run faster than the base operating frequency if it's operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits. Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 delivers intelligent and energy efficient performance on demand.
4. Easy Button : One of ECS 4"E" Design which is especially a great plus that brings users remarkable convenience while overclocking or tweaking system performance.( 4"E" Design : Easy button; DebugLED; Clear CMOS; Right-Angled SATA Slots)
5. Dual Channel DDR3 2133 OC : Dual DDR3 2133 O.C. is able to raise processor and RAM clock up to 2133mHz through capable RAM in overclock mode. It assists system to obtain optimal performance to meet the O.C. enthusiast needs.

What is new in Power Management& Cooling

1. VRD 12 Compliant : Voltage Regulator Down (VRD) 12 is the newest(2010 release) power standard that provides better energy efficiency for Intel processors by advanced power supplying. The energy can be greatly saved during idle operation or other low load conditions.
2. Qooltech III : An excellent and unique silent cooler with dual copper pipe to boost super heat dissipation by providing dual heat conduction, an efficient design to calm down system temperature.
3. eGS (Easy Green Saver) : eGS (Easy Green Saver) is a simple and easy-to-use interface for efficient power saving solution. It is based on computer loading to automatically adjust CPU frequency to reduce power consumption. eGS benefits not only by saving personal pocket money but also save environment.

What is new in Connectivity

1. 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.
2. 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.

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Specification Summary

CPU Support (2nd Generation )

• Intel Core i7 series
• Intel Core i5 series
• Intel Core i3 series
• Pentium processors
• Intel Celeron processors

Chipset : Intel P67 Express Chipset

Graphic Support : Lucid Hydra Core Technology Support / Support ATI CrossFireX Technology

RAM : DDR3 memory (Dual Channel / 4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM socket support up to 32GB (Read the ram specification in detail on official web site for more incompatibility issue.)

Storage : 4 (Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s) / 2 (Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s) / RAID0, RAID1, RAID5, RAID 10 / 2 (eSATA 6.0Gb/s - External Ports)

Network : Dual RealTek RTL8111E Gigabit Fast Ethernet Controllers with Teaming

Others : Intel Turbo boost 2.0 technology / Hyper-Threading Technology CPU / 12 Phase Power Design with VRD 12 Compliant DMI 20Gb/s

The Chipset :

The new motherboard is interesting not only support "fresh" processors Sandy Bridge, the presence of the new chipset Intel P67, but the chip and Hydra. This chip is designed to work together virtually any two, three or four cards on one motherboard, has long been known, but the motherboard with it first arrived at our test lab. In this review we describe in detail not only about a new motherboard, but also about the chip itself is Hydra. Along with the new processors were two sets of logic: Intel P67 and Intel H67.

At first glance, innovations in Intel P76 is not as much as many expected. The new chipset has not added support standard USB 3.0, which has been around for years. The fact that the new chipset support disappeared ports PCI, does not mean that we no longer see the familiar good old jack. For his work will meet the special bridge "PCI Express - PCI". Looking ahead, we say that under consideration in this review, the motherboard has two ports PCI, which work by a similar bridge. In addition, Intel P67 does not support Intel Quick Sync and output graphics card Intel GMA HD 3000, which is now integrated into each processor Sandy Bridge. Instead of integrated graphics Intel P67 offers more overclocking options than c H67.

In the Intel P67 is finally standard full support for PCIe 2.0. The chipset supports eight full lines of PCIe 2.0. Bandwidth PCI Express bus has been increased from 2.5 Gb / s per port, up to 5 Gb / sec. Along with PCIe 2.0 adds support for Serial ATA III. True, out of 6 SATA ports supported by the chipset only 2 belong to high standard. On the one hand, it might seem that this is not enough. But, with SSD-drives, which can fully take advantage of SATA-III, now are very impressive. And count on the fact that their prices will fall seriously in the coming months, is not necessary. If you casually compare chipsets Intel P67 and H67, it becomes clear that the first is designed for power users, enthusiasts and fans disperse, and the second - for those who want a regular office PC with integrated graphics.

Integrated Graphics

Intel's P67 chipset is apparently ready for graphics cards only 16 lanes, which can be split across two cards. ECS, this is insufficient, so that the manufacturer has built a hydra-chip that enables operation of up to three graphics cards. The Hydra-controller provides either 16 +16 or 16 +8 +8 PCIe lanes for graphics cards and even allows the simultaneous use of graphics processors from different manufacturers (i.e. from AMD and NVIDIA). Right next to the Hydra chip. In comparison to other boards in the delivery P67H2 ECS-A is short, but adequate. The lack of SLI or CrossfireX bridges can be built by the Hydra chip declare, so they are not needed for a multi-GPU mode. Since the board advertises at least a CrossfireX Certified, at least one corresponding bridge could have been there.

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Performance

The four DIMM slots are available, according to ECS DDR3 bars of up to 8 GB in size, so that the P67H2-A should be theoretically equip with up to 32 GB of memory. Currently, however, such large bars are still not available. Supports a speed of up to 2133 MHz, in addition to the lower levels of 1866 MHz, 1600 MHz, 1333 MHz and 1066 MHz XMP profiles are supported in principle, but will work with the BIOS available to us and not our Corsair Dominator GT.

The power supply of the P67H2-A by a 24-pin ATX connector and one 8-pin EPS connector. Other manufacturers have to help block the 12V supply to the motherboard in the multi-GPU mode, one or two 4-pin Molex connectors, but refrained from ECS. The CPU socket surrounding the heat sinks are high on the inside about 32 mm, its maximum height is 35 mm compared to the platinum surface.

The Lucid Hydra technology represents an interesting approach, but it also has several limitations. Mainly they are on the software side, because the interplay between voting graphics card drivers, software and applications must Hydra, which apparently is unfortunately not always the case. We see the technology at the Hydra-A P67H2 not as a bonus, since the advantages and disadvantages of keeping the balance. A high flexibility in terms of usable graphics cards are faced with the higher purchase price and number of bugs and limitations.

Conclusion :

To create a successful in all respects upper-class motherboard, many different aspects is needed to be considered. A large part of the success already decided during the optical design of the motherboard, because in times when many users, the casing is also a kind of showcase for the built-in hardware function, a cheap look is deadly to the buying decision. ECS has done in terms of optics at P67H2-A, but a good job, because the mainboard a quality image. The black on the board with standard ATX dimensions of parts used are all in gray and white, so the motherboard has a very balanced overall.

After reviewing the features and support on this board, it is found that this board is best suitable for gamers and overclockers. If you are planning to afford a high end gaming system, then this board can be a part of it. Again going through an short summary of specification below, it is easy to get an glimpse of what you usually look for an high end board. There are three PCI-Express 2.0 x16 on it, which helps to run SLI/Crossfire gpu's. The list of compatible gpu's are quiet large here. Other than this the board works smoothly with Sandy Bridge cpu’s. LGA 1155 Socket did all the job here. There are other extreme boards in the same, but as per this newly launched comes with more extra updates that you will not really found anywhere else. It is more than enough to have a Audio 7.1 support with dual Gigabit Ethernet controllers and 6 SATA ports. Almost a beast.

Price Approx :

• 15,700.00 INR
• $170.00 to $190.00