The BIOSTAR Hi-Fi Z77X 5.x is a great foundation for your next PC build supporting the state-of-the-art Intel 3rd generation Core processors. Based on Intel Z77 chipset, this board continues proven design such as 13-phase power phase, 100% solid capacitors, and embraces a wealth of new features including USB 3.0 SuperSpeed connectivity, Rapid Response, Smart Connect, Virtu Universal MVP and more.
This Hi-Fi motherboard is specifically optimized for premium auditory experience with a host of Hi-Fi orientated designs and technologies, such as Hi-Fi Power, Hi-Fi Ground, Hi-Fi Amp and more. THX truStudio PRO also provides the latest groundbreaking technologies*, the products of years of collective experience and research by Creative and THX, bringing you music, movies and game audio to a new level with full range, true-to-life sound. (*Such as THX truStudio PRO Surround, THX truStudio PRO Crystalizer, THX truStudio PRO Speaker, THX truStudio PRO Dialog Plus and THX truStudio PRO Smart Volume)
THX truStudio PROCombining the latest groundbreaking technologies that are products of years of collective experience and research by Creative and THX, the THX TruStudio Pro bring the same great audio experience found in live performances, films, and recording studios - to the PC. Your music, movies and games come to life with fullest audio experience, while remaining true to the source and intention of the artists who created it.
Hi-Fi Power & Hi-Fi Ground & Hi-Fi 192/24Audio power is key to audio quality, so most high-end AV equipment adopts separate the power supply for each analog and digital signal to gather high-quality sound reproduction. Equipped with BIOSTAR Hi-Fi Power technology, it will utilize audio components with independent power design for a significant reduction in electronic noise and superb sound quality. BIOSTAR Hi-Fi Ground presents noise-blocking multi-layer PCB design which isolates analog audio signals from digital sources. This innovation improves sound quality beyond the regular motherboard designs, helping produce exceptional clarity and high fidelity sound. 192kHz/24-bit sampling rate delivers high quality audio through an analog connection to your home theater system, multi-channel speakers and high-end headphone, so you can enjoy real Blu-ray grade high-definition sound that you've never experienced before.
MCC & Smart Ear & Hi-Fi 110dB+Multi Channels Calibration (MCC) automatically calibrates your audio performance according to the dimensions of your room, transform your room into an perfect listening environment. Simply place the speaker and setup the microphone at your usual listening spot, position the speakers and connect them. The users can set up the speaker settings easily by using a free bundle MCC software. Smart EAR is a windows-based audio utility which allows you to easily adjust system volume. With its user-friendly GUI, you can also increase or decrease impedance setting (Low/High Gain) to optimize your headphone performance. You can easily enjoy high-quality and awesome sound. Embrace exceptional sound quality for the win with 110dB SNR and stylish and efficient EMI shield blocks electromagnetic interference to help provide cleaner audio. It has achieved a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 110dB, yielding almost loss-less audio form rear audio connectors.
High Quality ESD & Hi-Fi AMP & Hi-Fi Resistor & Hi-Fi CapThe high quality ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) solution on front I/O panel prevents static electricity and minimizes motherboard damage caused by plugging and unplugging your headphone. The built-in amplifier can drive major high-end headphones with over 100dB loads and offer wide band-width, low noise, high slew rate and low distortion audio source from front panel I/O. Gaming enthusiasts can enjoy a fuller range of dynamic sound with crisper details and less distortion. Metal-oxide film resistors, commonly used in applications with high endurance audio demands, are made of metal oxides such as tin oxide to provide greater stability and reliability than regular metal film resistors when operating in an extremely broad working temperature range. Non-Polarized Electrolysis Electric audio capacitors deliver low noise, low distortion and wide bandwidth to achieve the highest sound resolution and sound expansion, guaranteeing the most realistic sound effects to gaming enthusiasts.
BIO-Remote 2BIO-Remote2 Technology delivers users a better Home Theater environment. Users who own either Android mobile or Apple goods are able to access and control your PC remotely. At this moment, your smart device became an intelligent and functional remote controller; more than that, BIO-Remote2 also includes both function of mouse pad and power point presentation mode.
T-OverclockerT-overclocker presents a simple Windows-based system performance enhancement and utility management. It features several powerful yet easy to use tools such as overclocking for system performance enhancement, CPU and memory special enhancement, a smart-fan control for managing fan speed control of both CPU cooling fan, north-bridge chipset cooling fan, PC health for monitoring system status, and pre-set OC modes for easy OC.
Pros: I did not get this from Newegg. I actually won this in a giveaway and had one of the first releases of this board. I was worried I would have problems with the lack of any BIOS patches and being an early release but everything went off without a hitch. The soundcard sounds excellent. Absolutely no background noise. It easily rivals any external sound card and it comes with some great software to begin with. The board looks very good. z77 chipset, great OC capabilities, UEFI BIOS. Overall, I am very happy with the board. Running 24/7 for the past 3 weeks and it runs very cool (85F) in my phantom 410 case.
Cons: Whoever designed this board needs to plan a little better. The one major issue is the location of the USB 3.0 header. Look at the pictures and you will see it literally sits right over top of the lower PCIex slot. That will make it quite difficult to utilize the front USB 3.0 headers if you are running SLI or Crossfire. Second issue is a severe lack of chassis fan headers onboard. I really prefer to have a chassis fan header at the top of the board, and this one doesn't. It only appears to have two total. Lastly, 2 Sata III connectors?? Why? Such a good board and you give us only 2 Sata III?
Overall Review: Overall, the board works. But I didn't pay for mine. I won it. I wouldn't buy this board personally unless they added at least one more chassis header up top and they HAVE to move that USB 3.0 header away from the PCIex slot.