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Unfortunately Sapphire have yet to move to a UEFI configuration, settling for a traditionally designed BIOS.
It is split into easy to understand tabs, dealing with all aspects of the performance and configuration.
Many of the most used options are straightforward to access and easily changed to suit individual demands. It isn't the prettiest of BIOSES we have used, but it was stable during our review period.
Overclocking is all handled from the performance section of the bios, which is split into three separate sections.
We used ADATA 2,133mhz performance gaming memory in this system build, but the Sapphire Pure Platinum Z68 board failed to automatically detect and configure the memory, unlike the ASRock Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen 3 which we reviewed last week.
There is a dedicated voltage section, which is self explanatory and well laid out.
Validation is available here.
At the default validation, the system decided it was best to run the 2133mhz memory at 1333mhz, which isn't ideal.
We tried using the XMP profile, which was correctly detected by the system to run at 2133mhz. Unfortunately the system wouldn't post properly.
We manually tried downclocking the memory to 1866mhz with timings as shown in the image above. The system posted and booted fine, passing our stress tests. We used other GSKILL 2133mhz+ memory and the bios wouldn't post at the highest settings either.
By using one of the new Intel air coolers, we managed to get the system stable at 4.6ghz. With more powerful air cooling 4.8ghz+ was possible, in a similar fashion to the ASROCK Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen 3 which we reviewed last week. We are trying a few reviews without using our favourite Noctua NH D14 air cooler as we have received many emails from people recently saying they won't be spending £70 on a cooler.
Hopefully our reviews published within the last couple of weeks have highlighted just how easy it is to overclock the i7 2600k, with very modest (and inexpensive) air cooling.
OC Validation is available over here.
ALways a shame their products dont support SLI.
Very fair review. It seems more aimed at enthusiast users with a little more knowledge of the bios. When I read the reviews of ASROCK and asus boards, there are settings basically which take out all of the work. Just one setting for a clock speed for the processor installed. This is a great idea.
I wouldnt have a problem with the sapphire ;’slightly old fashioned’ bios settings, but for a newbie,. they would be better investing in a different board with UEFI, kiddie proof settings.
DIdnt Sapphire poach some of the engineers from ASUS or something? probably why they are doing so well with the board designs.