Supermicro C7Z170-SQ Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. Supermicro C7Z170-SQ: Packaging and Bundle3. SuperMicro C7Z170-SQ: Board Layout and Features4. Supermicro Z170 UEFI & Software5. Testing Methodology6. Tests: System-related7. Tests: Gaming-related8. Overclocking: Frequencies9. Overclocking: Performance10. Tests: Motherboard-related11. Closing Thoughts12. View All Pages

Intel's Skylake processors are just the latest Intel CPU architecture to see many of the critical system operations handled by the processor. As such, benchmarking a motherboard becomes more of a test to certify that the part operates correctly and meets the anticipated performance levels.

We will be outlining the Supermicro C7Z170-SQ motherboard's performance with the Core i7-6700K CPU at its stock frequency (4.2GHz due to forced turbo). Overclocked performance will be outlined later in the review.

The C7Z170-SQ motherboard allows users to apply multi-core turbo (MCT) and force the 6700K to a constant 4.2GHz. This will be displayed as the ‘stock’ setting.

The memory being used in this review is rated at 3000MHz via XMP settings; however, throughout meticulous settings changes the highest stable speed attainable was 2800MHz on this motherboard.

Z170 Motherboard Test System:

• Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K (4.2GHz forced turbo).
• Memory: 16GB (4x4GB) Panram Ninja -V 3000MHz 16-16-16-37 DDR4 @ 1.35v.
• Graphics Card: Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 970.
• System Drive: Chronos Deluxe SATA3 120GB.
• CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60.
• Case: Corsair Carbide 500R.
• Power Supply: EVGA P2 750W.
• Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit.

This particular test bench differs from previous tests in the following ways, only components that would impact performance have been listed:

• Memory: 16GB (4x4GB) Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200MHz 16-18-18-36 DDR4 @ 1.35V. – This memory has a higher rated memory speed, this would produce different results in the archiving tests where RAM becomes an important component.
• Graphics Card: Nvidia GTX 980 Ti. – In the graphical performance orientated tests, the new test system will have much lower results.
• System Drive: 250GB Crucial BX100 SSD. – This SSD has similar performance figures but features a different memory controller. In the tests we perform, this shouldn't be an issue.
• Power Supply: Seasonic Platinum 760W. – We endeavour to utilise the highest performing power supplies in our test benches to remove possibilities of poor power delivery. In this case, both power supplies used are of extremely high quality and shouldn't impact power delivery tests.
• Operating System: Windows 7 Professional with SP1 64-bit. – Windows 8.1 plays little importance to the performance tests we implement apart from USB performance. In this particular test, Windows 7 doesn't feature USB Attached SCSI Protocol (UASP) which helps increase the read and write speeds of USB storage devices.

Compared Z170 Motherboards:

• ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K6+.
• Asus Maximus VIII Hero.
• Asus Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1.
• Gigabyte Z170XP-SLI.
• Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 7.
• MSI Z170A XPower Gaming Titanium Edition.
• MSI Z170A Gaming M7.

Software:

• Supermicro C7Z170-SQ BIOS v 1.1.
• GeForce 361.43 VGA drivers.

Tests:

• Cinebench R15 – All-core CPU benchmark (System)
• HandBrake 0.10.2 – Convert 1.23GB 1080P game recording using the High Profile setting and MP4 container (System)
• 7-Zip 15.05 beta – Manual video archival (System)
• 3DMark 1.5.915 – Fire Strike Ultra (Gaming)
• Grand Theft Auto V – 1920 x 1080, near-maximum quality (Gaming)
• Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor – 1920 x 1080, ultra quality (Gaming)
• ATTO – SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.0 transfer rates (Motherboard)
• RightMark Audio Analyzer – General audio performance test (Motherboard)

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