VR Features

On the Software

Optimising 3-Way SLI, or SLI for that matter, involves a fair few tricks from a fair few places. First of all, software has to be up-to-date for SLI to run nicely. Get the hotfixes for Vista and install them. Keep updated with the latest chipset and graphics drivers.

The PCIe Overclock

When you're shifting triangles all around the Striker II, you've got to ensure that textures are running on the expressways and not banging into alley walls. In theory, there should not be any bandwidth bottlenecks on the PCIe system. In truth, you can improve graphics performance via higher PCIe frequencies.

Look carefully at the GPU scores, and see how the frequency boost has improved the 3-Way SLI setup. On GT2, the fireflies flew some 6FPS faster with the PCIe frequency raised. Free framerates, anybody? =P

Overclocking

The RoG series of motherboards are designed to be overclockers' salvation. The Striker II is no exception, with an extensive range of BIOS options and some really thoughtful engineering behind it. We took it for a centrifugal spin to separate the cream-of-the-crop from the rest of the losers.

BIOS Options

Throwing in every BIOS page is boring, so here's just the overclocking options.

I know it looks cool, but the VR-Zone watermark isn't part of the BIOS background. =P

The Actual Process

Yes, that's 456MHz FSB on the QX9650. On the X38 Maximus Extreme, only 440MHz FSB was reached. Much of the vast difference could be attributed to the GTLref voltage adjustment for the CPU. It actually works on the Striker II where it didn't on the Maximus Extreme. The overclock put the CPU on enough steroids to break the 20K mark in 3DMark06 without a single tweak or graphical overclock.

Indeed, the Striker II is a fuss-free overclocking motherboard. One which could hold the RoG tag high and proud where other RoG boards fall short.