Ode To The Z87M OC Formula From Asrock...

 The Asrock Z87M OC Formula 

The Lil' Monster

Lil' Monster & Big Bro Family Shot

And after updating the BIOS to the latest, I am greeted by this...

Gosh, I had received this test sample way way back in Sep. 2013 so it has to be one of the very early C2 stepping batches sent out. Guess the New C2 Version box stickers were not ready then. What a nice surprise! :)


Official website

Asrock

• OC Formula Power Kit
- 12 Power Phase Design

- Digi Power

- Dual-Stack MOSFET (DSM)
- Multiple Filter Cap(MFC) (Filters different noises by 3 different capacitors: DIP solid cap, POSCAP and MLCC)
- Premium Alloy Choke (Reduces 70% core loss compared to iron powder choke)

• OC Formula Connector Kit
- Hi-Density Power Connector (8 pin)
- 15μ Gold Finger (CPU sockets, memory sockets and PCIE x16 slots)
- Distortion-Free Slot
• OC Formula Cooling Kit
- 8 Layer PCB
- 4 x 2oz Copper
- GELID Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound

• Supports NickShih's OC Profile, Formula Drive, FAN-Tastic Tuning, USB Key
• Supports Fine-Tuning V-Controller, Interactive UEFI, Timing Configurator, Post Status Checker
• Free Bundle : 10 x OC Stands

Packaging

Bundle

The Mobo
featuring the beautifully done peekaboo 8 layers of PCB

Heatsinks
Black/gold heatsinks on Asrock OC Forumula Series signature pure black 8 layer PCB

Last shot also shows the very beautiful onboard buttons, dual BIOS and the forward SATA3 ports x 6.


CPU Socket
 Generously populated with ceramic caps both front and back unlike lower end models and brands

Intel GLAN

Purty Purity Sound

Plentiful Storage

Plentiful mini PCI-e Ports

Open Ended x4 Slot

Front USB3 Options

Debug LED Display

Makes for a very feature packed mATX powerhouse befitting its OC Formula Series status!




Test Rig Setup


 ★ Z87M OC Formula | i5-4670K@4.5GHz | NiCu HK 3.0-GTX360 | R9 290 | Toughpower Grand 850W Gold ★

 RAM sticks used - both sets at 1.55V ie. absolutely no need to pump high volts
 • unmatched KVR1333@1866 to show capability to overclock value non-XMP sticks
 • matched Corsair XMP 1866@2400 to show capability to overclock higher end sticks even higher @ non-XMP settings

 Ambient non-a/c
 Adaptive Vcore setting used




HyperPi 32M

AIDA64

WinRAR

7Zip

HWBot Prime

xvidPSP

3DMark 2013

And more than a week of varied stress testing and many video transcoding runs later - this Z87M OC Formula sample has been performing simply superb!

Definitely highly recommended. :)