OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-OC Force review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£110CPU socket:LGA 1150Chipset:Intel Z87Form factor:E-ATX

GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-OC Force Review: Compare 109 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-OC Force
6.3/10

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components

40%

5.1

Technical score

20%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

20%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

5.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 75% of motherboards
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 73%
5.1

Technical score

Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components

19%

4.0

Memory

16%

7.0

Platform

16%

3.2

Storage

15%

5.3

Network

13%

3.7

Ports

8%

5.2

Expansion

8%

7.3

Power & Cooling

5%

8.1

Audio

â–¼Worse than 72%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.8.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
No expert tests yet
5.1

User score

User score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models

5.1

Mark 7.2 is below the typical mark 8.4 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

70%

7.4

Rating

30%

6.7

Popularity

â–¼Worse than 83%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • gigabyte-ga-z87x-oc-force
  • gigabyte-ga-z87x-oc-force
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  • gigabyte-ga-z87x-oc-force
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  • gigabyte-ga-z87x-oc-force
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-OC Force

Technical score
Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components:

19%

4.0

Memory

16%

7.0

Platform

16%

3.2

Storage

15%

5.3

Network

13%

3.7

Ports

8%

5.2

Expansion

8%

7.3

Power & Cooling

5%

8.1

Audio

5.1
Reviews score
7.8
User score
5.1
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.4
CPU socket
LGA 1150
This motherboard uses LGA 1150, which is less up-to-date than 90.2% of Motherboards and the same as 6.5% of Motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
Chipset
Intel Z87
This motherboard uses Intel Z87, which is less capable than 80.2% of Motherboards and as capable as 2.9% of Motherboards.
Form factor
E-ATX
Integrated graphics support
yes
This motherboard supports integrated graphics. 10.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR3
This motherboard uses DDR3, which is less modern than 86.9% of Motherboards and the same as 13.2% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.9% of motherboards and equal to 72% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
32 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 32 GB of memory, which is less than 87% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
Memory channels
2
Maximum RAM speed
3,000 MT/s
Market range: <2.1k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 3,000 MT/s, which is lower than that of 74.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 1% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 0 M.2 sockets, which is fewer than 88.5% of motherboards and equal to 11.5% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
N/A
N. of SATA 3 connectors
10
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 10 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 96.6% of motherboards and equal to 3.3% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/5/10, which is more flexible than 32.5% of Motherboards and the same as 67.5% of Motherboards.
secondary Marvell controller has different RAID limits
NVMe RAID support
no
This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID. 59.9% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.6% of motherboards and equal to 68.4% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 44.8% of motherboards and equal to 55.2% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
5
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 5 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 97.4% of motherboards and equal to 2.1% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x0/x16/x0/x16, x8/x8/x8/x8/x4
This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes as x16/x0/x16/x0/x16, x8/x8/x8/x8/x4, which is more generous than 98.3% of Motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
8
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 8 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 40.6% of motherboards and equal to 30.3% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
16
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 16 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 61.3% of motherboards and equal to 10% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
0
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 0 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 64.2% of motherboards and equal to 35.8% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
0
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 0 USB-C ports (including headers), which is fewer than 69.5% of motherboards and equal to 30.5% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18% of motherboards and equal to 82% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
1 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is lower than that of 51.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 48.9% of motherboards.
dual 1GbE ports
LAN controller
Intel I217-V
This motherboard has a Intel I217-V LAN controller, which is faster than 53.8% of Motherboards and equal to 1.3% of Motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 RJ45 ports, which is more than 85.6% of motherboards and equal to 13.3% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This motherboard uses Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is older than 50.3% of Motherboards and the same as 1.2% of Motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC898
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC898, which is higher-end than 50.5% of Motherboards and the same as 1.8% of Motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
110 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 110 dB, which is lower than that of 54.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 5.4% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 41.2% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
6
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 6 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 87% of motherboards and equal to 13% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
16
This motherboard has 16 VRM phases, which is more than 79.6% of motherboards and equal to 3.4% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.9% of motherboards and equal to 44.8% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
11
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 11 fan headers, which is more than 99.5% of motherboards and equal to 0.3% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
0 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 0 A on the pump header, which is lower than that of 76.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 23.8% of motherboards.
Show more

GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-OC Force vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This motherboard has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more PCIe x8 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x8 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe x8 slot/s.
    2 vs 0
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    2 vs 1
  • Includes dual BIOS
    This motherboard has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • 5.5 more fan headers
    This motherboard has more fan headers than the average motherboard (11 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    11 vs 5.5
  • Includes POST code display
    This motherboard has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 26.7% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (16 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    16 vs 10
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • Includes dual BIOS
    This motherboard has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • Includes POST code display
    This motherboard has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 26.7% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • 6 more SATA 3 connectors
    This motherboard has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (10 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    10 vs 4
  • 2 more PCIe x8 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x8 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe x8 slot/s.
    2 vs 0
  • More generous lane split
    This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes more generously than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x16/x0/x16, x8/x8/x8/x8/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4).
    x16/x0/x16/x0/x16, x8/x8/x8/x8/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 4 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (5 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    5 vs 1
  • 1 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    6 vs 4
  • 1 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (16 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    16 vs 15
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This motherboard has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Intel I217-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    Intel I217-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 49% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
    Included Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card.
  • 3 more 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has more 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (6 vs 3). The average motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks.
    6 vs 3
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC898 vs Realtek ALC897).
    Realtek ALC898 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    2 vs 1
  • 5.5 more fan headers
    This motherboard has more fan headers than the average motherboard (11 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    11 vs 5.5
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (16 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    16 vs 10
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z87 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z87 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    dual 1GbE ports
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • 75% less maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    32 GB vs 128 GB
  • 2 fewer M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    0 vs 2
  • No NVMe RAID support
    This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.9% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • More dated memory type
    This motherboard uses a more dated memory type than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4).
    DDR3 vs DDR4
  • No BIOS flashback support
    This motherboard does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 51.3% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 31.1% lower user score
    User score
    5.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 83% of models

    5.1

    Mark 7.2 is below the typical mark 8.4 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    70%

    7.4

    Rating

    30%

    6.7

    Popularity

    5.1 vs 7.4
  • 4% worse value for money
    GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-OC Force has worse value for money than the average motherboard (7.4 vs 7.7).
    7.4 vs 7.7
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z87 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z87 vs Intel B860
  • No BIOS flashback support
    This motherboard does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 51.3% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • More dated socket
    This motherboard uses a more dated socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1150 vs LGA 1151).
    LGA 1,150 vs LGA 1,151
  • Not ready for Windows 11
    This motherboard is not ready for Windows 11, while the average motherboard is. 77.4% of motherboards are ready for Windows 11.
  • Fewer BIOS update methods
    This motherboard offers fewer BIOS update methods than the average motherboard (UEFI utility, Windows app, DOS vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app).
    UEFI utility, Windows app, DOS vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app
  • Narrower Windows support
    This motherboard supports a narrower range of Windows versions than the average motherboard (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10).
    Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10
  • 75% less maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    32 GB vs 128 GB
  • More dated memory type
    This motherboard uses a more dated memory type than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4).
    DDR3 vs DDR4
  • 36.2% lower maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (3,000 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    3,000 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • 40% lower overclocked RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (3,000 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 5,000 MT/s.
    3,000 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s
  • 2 fewer M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    0 vs 2
  • No NVMe RAID support
    This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.9% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has fewer total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    0 vs 1
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    dual 1GbE ports
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Less recent Bluetooth version
    This motherboard has a less recent Bluetooth version than the average motherboard (4 vs 5.4).
    4 vs 5.4
  • Less recent Wi-Fi standard
    This motherboard has a less recent Wi-Fi standard than the average motherboard (Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)).
    Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 5 dB lower audio SNR
    This motherboard has a lower audio SNR than the average motherboard (110 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    110 dB vs 115 dB
  • Noisier chipset cooling
    This motherboard uses noisier chipset cooling than the average motherboard (Active vs Passive).
    Active vs Passive
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer RGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer RGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 2 A lower pump header current limit
    This motherboard has a lower pump header current than the average motherboard (0 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
    0 A vs 2 A

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Brand video
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-OC Force

  • Exceptional overclocking potential with robust 16-phase digital power delivery for CPU and memory stability.
  • Extensive connectivity including 10 SATA 6Gb/s ports and 5 PCI-Express x16 slots supporting up to 4-way graphics configurations.
  • High-end cooling solution featuring an active fan-cooled heatsink and integrated water cooling support for the VRMs.
  • Includes a rich accessory bundle with a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 4.0 card, OC Brace for open testbeds, and multiple SLI/Crossfire bridges.
  • Dedicated 'OC Touch' onboard buttons for real-time frequency and voltage adjustments without entering the BIOS.
  • Dual Intel Gigabit LAN ports and high-quality Realtek ALC898 audio with 110dB SNR.

What customers don't like about GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-OC Force

  • High retail price compared to other Z87 motherboards, making it a significant investment.
  • Integrated VRM water cooling barbs are fixed at 3/8 inch, which may not fit all custom liquid cooling loops.
  • The 3D BIOS/Dashboard Mode can be 'flaky,' with some users reporting mouse lag or issues rendering in HD resolution without removing dedicated GPUs.
  • The chipset cooler can run quite hot, primarily due to the heat generated by the PCIe bridge chip.
  • E-ATX form factor requires a larger case, which may limit compatibility with standard mid-tower chassis.

Verdict

The Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC Force is a flagship Extended ATX motherboard designed for extreme overclocking on the Intel LGA1150 socket, supporting 4th Gen Haswell processors. It features a robust 16-phase digital power delivery system, 10 SATA 6Gb/s ports, dual Intel Gigabit LAN, and five PCIe 3.0 x16 slots supporting 4-way SLI and Crossfire configurations. Performance is bolstered by exclusive 'OC Touch' onboard buttons for real-time frequency adjustments, an 'OC Ignition' feature for testing cooling setups without powering the CPU, and an 'OC Brace' for securing multiple graphics cards. While its advanced 'Ultra Durable 5 Plus' components and integrated water-cooling heatsink are significant pros for enthusiasts, notable cons include its high power consumption, BIOS mouse-related performance issues, and fixed 3/8-inch water cooling barbs that limit customization for modern liquid loops.

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