The Asus ROG Strix Z270G Gaming Motherboard Review
by E. Fylladitakis on October 3, 2017 8:15 AM ESTGaming Performance
Our 2015 gaming results are still relatively new, but the issue of FCLK settings might play a big role here. At launch, the default setting for the communication buffer between the CPU and PCIe stack was 800 MHz, even though Intel suggested 1000 MHz, but this was because of firmware limitations from Intel. Since then, there is firmware to enable 1000 MHz, and most motherboard manufacturers have this - but it is unclear if the motherboard will default to 1000 MHz and it might vary from BIOS version to BIOS version. As we test at default settings, our numbers are only ever snapshots in time, but it leads to some interesting differences in discrete GPU performance.
Total War: Attila
The Total War franchise moves on to Attila, another The Creative Assembly development, and is a stand-alone strategy title set in 395AD where the main storyline lets the gamer take control of the leader of the Huns in order to conquer parts of the world. Graphically the game can render hundreds/thousands of units on screen at once, all with their individual actions and can put some of the big cards to task.
For low-end graphics, we test at 720p with performance settings, recording the average frame rate. With mid and high range graphics, we test at 1080p with the quality setting. In both circumstances, unlimited video memory is enabled and the in-game scripted benchmark is used.
GRID: Autosport
No graphics tests are complete without some input from Codemasters and the EGO engine, which means for this round of testing we point towards GRID: Autosport, the next iteration in the GRID and racing genre. As with our previous racing testing, each update to the engine aims to add in effects, reflections, detail, and realism, with Codemasters making ‘authenticity’ a main focal point for this version.
GRID’s benchmark mode is very flexible and, as a result, we created a test race using a shortened version of the Red Bull Ring with twelve cars doing two laps. The car is focus starts last and is quite fast, but usually finishes second or third. For low-end graphics, we test at 1080p medium settings, whereas mid and high-end graphics get the full 1080p maximum. Both the average and minimum frame rates are recorded.
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DanNeely - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
Just to try and head the peanut gallery off at the pass. Based on something that either Ian or Ryan said a few days ago on twitter this should be the last board from the Z270 backlog.Gothmoth - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
take a look at the mainboard reviews here an anandtech and tell me anandtech is not biased.count the intel reviews then count the AMD reviews.
full reviews for intel boards and "overviews" for AMD boards.
and no, the reason is not that there are less AMD boards then intel boards.
why not at least review the few AMD boards that exist?
they rather preview Z270 boards then spending time on threadripper or AM4 boards.
while AMD sells better in europe than intel for the past 3 month.
Ian Cutress - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
We've got two AMD motherboard reviews being edited this week for next week. Our new motherboard review team, all of whom are in different corners of the world, is slowly coming up to speed. In case you didn't notice, E.Fyll has been doing our Z270 reviews this year and only Z270 - the other reviewers are taking on other chipsets - Joe for X299, Gavin for AM4. E.Fyll is likely to take TR4 now, and when Patrick gets back from his vacation, he's likely to take the Z370 content.MajGenRelativity - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
I'm looking forward to seeing more motherboard reviews :) I appreciate the quality contentFlunk - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
Since Anandtech doesn't buy the gear they review, they can only review whatever the manufacturer sends them. If ASUS sends them 4 Intel boards and one AMD board, that's what they review.smilingcrow - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
"while AMD sells better in europe than intel for the past 3 month."Is that based on the data for one webtailer or the whole of Europe?
For all CPUs or just a range?
I doubt that AMD currently have the capacity to supply that much of the retail market but if that's what they have done it's amazing.
Gothmoth - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
yeah i will buy Z270 now that Z370 is released in 2 days.....great job on doing timely reviews. tremendous job.
Ian Cutress - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
As per my tweet a few days ago, just getting the last ones out. The platform is still going to exist for a couple of years, with retail sales of both motherboards and processors. Reviews are still relevant.reckless76 - Tuesday, October 3, 2017 - link
Just wanted to chime in since you're being forced to defend yourself, that I appreciate all your reviews, whenever they're posted. I'm not in the market for new parts now, but I have in the past and will be again in the future. Your site has always been an invaluable resource, so thank you.notR1CH - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
I bought this board based only on the spec sheet when the 7700k came out as there were no reviews at the time. It's nice to know that I got a good board even if the review is late, in particular I had no idea the onboard audio was that good, I figured it was all just marketing.