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Noticing the minor performance deficiencies provided to ASRock's Z87 Extreme11/ac by the PLX PEX 8747 switch, we couldn't help but show inquisitiveness towards the bypassed PCI-E x8 slot.
We repeated testing with our Asus R9 280X Matrix Platinum 3GB graphics card installed in slot PCIE1 and receiving its eight PCI-E 3.0 lanes directly from the processor, without passing through the PLX chip. While this is not necessarily a real-world scenario for a board designed with multi-GPU usage in mind, it does allow us to outline the minor performance differences (if any) that the PLX PEX 8747 switch may induce.
All test settings and procedures were identical to our previous tests, as outlined earlier in this review.
By using the native x8 lane, the Z87 Extreme11/ac motherboard's overall score jumps by more than 100 points, cementing it in the typical-Z87 performance region.
The CPU's native eight-lane link also helps to boost performance in 3DMark 11.
Moving from the PLX-fed sixteen-lane PCI-E Gen 3 link to the CPU's native x8 connection provides a performance improvement in our Metro: Last Light and Bioshock Infinite tests.
Metro 2033, on the other hand, shows a single-frame drop, indicating its affection for a x16 link.
Superb review and what a hell of a motherboard, out of my price range, but I agree, its a masterpiece of engineering prowess!
I hear a lot of negative press about asrock, being ‘cheap’ etc, but in recent years its completely changed. I own a Z77 asrock board and its been rock solid, and holds a good overclock. I would buy them again. This is a fully loaded mobo, thats for sure!
Its a good point, Haswell on a core per core basis and clock per clock basis is actually Intels’ ‘fastest’ chip. better than the 4960x etc.
I haven’t read all of the review yet, but it looks to be mighty impressive, with a price tag to match. Good review indeed Luke.
Z87 good chipset. Extreme mainboard