ECS Z77-Based X77H2-A3 Motherboard

Elitegroup Computer Systems has a new motherboard on its website, one that has yet to be listed up for sale anywhere, but which shouldn't take too much longer to arrive. 

Then again, it isn't really accurate to say that the mainboard has its own product page, because it does, in fact, not have one that we've been able to find. 

We did manage to spot the BIOS though. In fact, the software has been available since mid-April. 

What's more, the specs have been uncovered, and they are largely similar to those of the Z77H2-A3. 

That means that the 4+1 phase CPU VRM, the single PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot and the storage options are the same. 

For those who want an elaboration, the product reportedly boasts a pair of SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, four SATA 3.0 Gbps connectors and four USB 3.0 ports, though these last ones qualify as I/O connectors as much as they count as storage plugs. 

Two of the USB 3.0 connectors are on the back panel and the other two are links meant to go into the front panel of cases. 

Moving on, the company settled for the same DVI and D-Sub ports when implementing video outputs. 

And now we reach the assets that put the X77H2-A3 a bit ahead of the Z77H2-A3, and we mean besides the piano-black PCB (not that the color isn't nice). 

The CPU VRM's uses Super Alloy Chokes and heatsinks colored gold. The PCH has a similar cooling implement. 

Couple that with the all solid-state capacitor design of the platform and you have a motherboard just waiting to overclock the living and unliving lights out of whatever Ivy Bridge CPU happens to land in its socket. 

Unfortunately, we don't know what price ECS's X77H2-A3 motherboard will sport. Hopefully online stores will list it soon.

Posted in: Hardware, Preview