HARDWARE

ASRock FM2A85X Extreme6 Socket FM2 Mainboard Review (Part 6)

6/24/2013 11:51:21 AM

Performance comparison

Just as usual, we will compare the mainboard’s speeds of the mainboard in two different modes: nominal mode and during overclocking all components of the system: processor, integrated graphics card, memory. The first mode brings many interesting things as it proves how well the mainboard works with other default settings. An obvious truth that most users do not adjust their system, they just simply choose the optimized BIOS settings and do nothing else. That is the reason why we run around checking for everything without encountering with any interference in the default mainboard settings. The results on the graphs have been sorted in the descending order.

Nominal mode

We used the Cinebench 11.5. All tests are conducted 5 times and the average results of those 5 times of testing were taken for the performance charts.

Cinebench 11.5

Cinebench 11.5

We used the Fritz Chess Benchmark utility for a long time and it also proved that it was such a visual tool. It creates repetitive results, in which the performances were recorded perfectly based on the involved computational threads.

Fritz Chess Benchmark

Fritz Chess Benchmark

Checking the x264 FHD Benchmark v1.0.1 (64bit) allows comparing the system performance with available results contained in a database. The average of 5 continuous passes is showed on the chart below:

The x264 FHD Benchmark v1.0.1 (64bit) allows comparing the system performance

The x264 FHD Benchmark v1.0.1 (64bit) allows comparing the system performance

We scaled the performance in the Adobe Photoshop CS6 by our own benchmark made from the Retouch Artists Photoshop Speed Test which is creatively adjusted. It includes editing four 24MP images from a digital camera.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 performance

Adobe Photoshop CS6 performance

In the storage testing, we used the LZMA2 algorithm to compress a 1GB folder, while other compressing settings are kept at the default value.

A 1GB folder is compressed by the LZMA2 algorithm

A 1GB folder is compressed by the LZMA2 algorithm

Just like in the compression test, the faster 8million of pi digits calculated, the better. The number of processor cores does not really matter only in this benchmark, as it creates a single-thread load.

Just like in the compression test, the faster 8million of pi digits calculated, the better

Just like in the compression test, the faster 8million of pi digits calculated, the better

The next chart shows the result of the 3Dmark11 CPU - Physics Score test. This score is recorded in special test that emulates the behaviors of a complicated game system operating with many subjects.

The result of the DMark11 CPU – Physics Score

The result of the DMark11 CPU – Physics Score

The benchmark integrated into the Hitman Absolution turns out to be so convenient. It can be launched directly from the game, from the game launcher utility or even from the command prompt. We have to use the lowest settings for the images and one of the lower resolutions in order to gain an acceptable result.

The Hitman Absolution turns out to be so convenient

The Hitman Absolution turns out to be so convenient

The Batman game: Arkham City also reacts positively to any change in CPU clock rate, but it uses DirectX 11. We run the integrated benchmark 5 times in the game with high-quality image setting and then take the average value to draw the diagram.

Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City

As we mentioned in our previous review, when 1333 MHz level is set for the memory frequency, ASUS F2A85-V PRO and Gigabyte GA-F285X Extreme6 use the timings of 9-9-9-24 instead of 9-9-10-24, which is written in the SPD of the memory modules. ASRock FM2A85X Extreme6 set a precise timing for the memory, but the benchmark results do not reveal this difference. Based on the particular test, one or another mainboard take the lead, but it cannot be pointed out on the chart. There exists a well-known fact that the similar mainboard which operates under the same conditions will provide the same performance, and that is what we can see here. It is only in the Batman: Arkham City that the difference is more or less noticeable, but only on the diagram: the fastest and the slowest just have a difference of 1 frame per second. You cannot really feel its existence while playing games.

Overclocked mode

In the overclocking tests, the clock rates of CPU, integrated graphics and memory are the same for each mainboard, so we hoped they will also provide the same performance once again.

They will also provide the same performance once again

They will also provide the same performance once again

The overall performance level for each mainboard

The overall performance level for each mainboard

Gigabyte almost always holds one of the lowest positions, and the gap becomes more obvious in apps like 7-Zip, 3DMark11 and games

Gigabyte almost always holds one of the lowest positions, and the gap becomes more obvious in apps like 7-Zip, 3DMark11 and games

In fact, the overall performances are the same for each mainboard, but we might notice some differences. Gigabyte almost always stays at the lowest position, and the gap becomes more obvious in apps like 7-Zip, 3DMark11 and games. ASUS almost always takes the lead while ASRock stays in the middle, and struggles to win in the Batman: Arkham City battle once again.

 

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