This mainboard is a flagship product from
ECS. It is proud of its expanded functionality and a lot of unique
characteristics. Our review of today will discuss all of the advantages and
challenges of this product that users may face if they have to decide to buy
the "Golden" mainboard.
If you decide to look for an Elitegroup
mainboard that suits your needs best, it may be a big challenge for you. It is
quite easy to view a website of a company and then go to a page with a list of mainboard
models, but how can you find the right one for your need? The choice is even
more difficult to make because of the complexity in naming ECS’s mainboards.
Well, you can rely on certain rules; for example, the first three letters in
the model name indicate that Z77H2-A4 is based on Intel Z77 chipset, while the
H77H2-M3 is based on Intel H77 Express chipset. Moreover, you should pay
attention to the first letter in the second part of the model name as it always
represents the form-factor: "A" for ATX, "M" for micro ATX,
"I" for mini-ITX.
Sometimes, you may see a "D", which
represents the quite rare form-factor, which is DTX. Unfortunately, all of the other
letters in the model names are somewhat difficult to demystify. In addition,
the method to reasonably name devices that we proposed previously will completely
be invalid once you have realized that there is no way to talk about the chipset
of the X77H2-A3 mainboard, or the form-factor of the H61H-G11.
However, for so long, we have known that
besides usual mainboards, Elitegroup also provides the "Black" series
with a list of unique features. It seems to be a good way if we limit the
choices of products in this series, but it also points out that the
"Black" series has many features. For sure, it depends on your selection
of chipsets, but six of Intel Z77 Express’s nine mainboards, that is, 2/3 of
the nine, belong to the “Black” series.
The model designs immediately catch our eyes
with a "Deluxe" image in their names. One of those boards might definitely
be most suitable for all of your needs, but the model comparison system which
is shown on the company's website will not at all be able to help you
distinguish between the Z77H2-A2X Deluxe version 1.0, 2.0 or 5.0. I am sure you
will be surprised to figure out that the mainboard with a not-stand-out name,
Z77H2-A2X, has more functions and features than other "Deluxe" models
with the same name. It sounds strange, but there is an argument on this. The boards
from the secondary "Black Deluxe" series have a "Deluxe" in
their model names, while the boards from "Black Extreme" series do
not have an "Extreme" in their model names. And this is a pity, as it
can help much in making a good decision. For example, it will mean more if you choose
the key models by using the term "Golden Board", because it will make
clear that these are the unique products that stand out from other products.
However, today we intend to introduce to you the ECS Z77H2-A2X (v1.0). Although
the name is quite modest, this is one of the most high-end mainboards of the
"Black Extreme" series and is one of the Golden boards, which you
will see shortly later.
Packaging and accessories
Even if you are far away and cannot read
the "Gloden board" phrase printed on the ourside of the package or even
recognize the "Black Extreme" series logo, you can’t help realzing
that these are the “golden” mainboards, since they rest in a yellow box.
The
golden box
The front and back of the mainboard box on
the outside are identical. In fact, so far it is the first time we have seen a
box with its front and back attached with a Velcro and can also be opened. Like
most of the other mainboards, the front of the box can be opened to reveal the
board inside through a clear and large window. If you open the back of the box,
you will find some information on this board design with some illustrations. Moreover,
everything is very easy to understand. This is a hard box made of a piece of thick
cardboard on the top of the “golden” box. The board is protected with an
anti-static bag and coated with cardboard, and all the accessories are tied and
arranged in a smaller box staying underneath the mainboard:
·
Six SATA cables with metal connector locks and
only with straight connectors
·
A module with two USB 3.0 ports is added to the
front and rear panels of the chassis;
·
A set of slot covers for the USB slots and video
outputs;
·
An I/O shield for the rear panel;
·
A user guide;
·
A colorful poster with a brief user manual in multiple
languages;
·
Guidelines on LucidLogix Virtu MVP technology
·
A DVD disc with software and drivers.
The
accessories
We have already seen many mainboards that
come with some extra brackets with USB 3.0 ports on the back of the system
case. Other models sometimes come with a module that can bring these ports to
the front of the system case. However, Elitegroup provided the most common and
user-friendly solution. The bracket which was packaged with the board was originally
designed to allow adding two more USB 3.0 ports to the front of the system
case, but it also comes with an additional bracket and a set of screws that
will enable you to move these ports to the back of the system case, too. Only
ASRock mainboards come with a similarly common component, which also has a
chassis for a 2-inch drive built into it, but the solution from Elitegroup is
proud of the longer connecting cable. Another unique feature of Elitegroup
mainboards is a set of plastic caps for the USB ports and Video Outs, which
will protect them from being damaged and getting dust. They are not present in
the photo above, but as you can see there is an antenna on that photo, which
must accidentally have been put into the box with our board.
