Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1: Packaging and Bundle3. Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1: Board Layout and Features4. Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1: BIOS & Software5. Testing Methodology6. Tests: System-related7. Tests: Processor-related8. Tests: Gaming-related9. Tests: Motherboard-related10. Overclocking: Frequencies11. Overclocking: Performance12. Technical: Power Consumption13. Closing Thoughts14. View All Pages

We measured the power consumption with the system resting at the Windows 7 desktop, representing idle values.

The power consumption of our entire test system (at the wall) is measured while loading only the CPU using Prime95′s in-place large FFTs setting. The rest of the system’s components were operating in their idle states, hence the increased power consumption values (in comparison to the idle figures) are largely related to the load on the CPU and motherboard power delivery components.

Representative of its large number of add-on controllers, idle power consumption of Asus' Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 motherboard is higher than the options it is plotted against. Load power consumption is in the same region as the other Z97-based systems.

Analysing the jump from idle power consumption to load would also suggest that Asus is using a comparatively high average CPU voltage during idle conditions. Unfortunately that is not a claim that we can certify due to the aforementioned CPU-Z reading issues – treat it as an interpretation of data to suggest possible occurrences.

Become a Patron!