Test System

Initial Setup

Initial setup with the ASRock Z77 OC Formula was seamless with everything booting in normally. Both the memory and the CPU used default profiles: JEDEC for the memory and normal Turbo speeds for the CPU.


I hardly came across any issues with my new Coolermaster TP812 cooler. There was plenty of room left for installed VGAs with this large tower-style cooler. The fan on the CPU cooler is mounted to the opposite side because I like using the Corsair Airflow Pro Parametric Display with these Corsair sticks, which is very similar to the fan position for secondary fans on many tower coolers. I found it fouled up against the watercooling-fittings in the VRM cooler with the fan in that position, preventing proper installation of the fan. This caused the fan to sit a little higher than normal, which might affect some mounting clips that some of these tower-type coolers use. There were no issues at all with a waterblock.

Power Consumption

We measure CPU power consumption since one of our first tasks is to truly verify system stability. I isolate the power coming through the 8-pin ATX connector using an in-line meter that provides voltage and current readings, as well as total wattage passed through it. While this may not prove to isolate the CPU power draw in all instances, it does serve as a good indicator of board efficiency and effective VRM design. I also measure total system power consumption, allowing you to get an idea of how much power the board and installed devices draw.


The Z77 OC Formula's power consumption was very good at idle with just 1 W of power draw recorded. However, the entire system pulled 59 W, leaving a very different picture. I'm not sure why the board itself draws so much power here.


Under load, I found the exact opposite to be true with the CPU drawing slightly higher amounts via the 8-pin EPS connector while entire system power consumption was very good, weighing in at just 109 Watts, which is the second-best result. Puzzling results, about all of which are within more than acceptable figures, especially considering the extra drive controllers.