this CPU and memory combination
were the 4133MHz C12 settings but
with the CPU side of things pretty
much as one would have them under
regular operation, save for
a slightly higher VCCIO voltage of 1.4
to 1.45v which is necessary for
5.3GHz+ North Bridge frequency and
the limitations of Dry Ice cooling.
At every turn I was amazed at just
how solid the performance is on the
Z390 Dark. Despite the fact that I was
running an OS that needed cleaning
up along with little no tweaking, the
results were fairly good. (For the
given clock speed the efficiency was
better than it would have been on the
other boards under the same
conditions)
A single and slightly annoying
downside when overclocking the Z390
Dark is that despite the presence of
an additional ASMedia USB3.1
controller which is fortunately
Windows 7 compatible. EVGA doesn't
does not provide this driver at all and
when you do find one because only
one port is Type-A, you need
a hub of sorts to use both your
mouse and keyboard under this OS.
One would assume the additional
controller was added specifically for
Windows 7 and perhaps Windows XP
support (This motherboard actually
supports this OS via a BIOS on the
EVGA forums), but for some reason
you have one Type-A port to use as
the other is Type-C.
Overall, I’m more impressed at
what the Z390 Dark is capable of
delivering. As a result of the cooling
one couldn’t test the board with
a full pot and push the CPU and
board to the limits, but at the
temperatures and conditions that
were tested, I think this is easily the
fastest or rather most efficient Z390
board I’ve come across.
I’m not sure through what magic
EVGA has managed this, but it’s
mighty impressive and I do believe
this is likely the best board EVGA has
produced possibly ever.
IN-CLOSING
I had heard, read and seen videos
about the Z390 Dark, but prior to
actually using the board
I wasn’t convinced. On paper it
looked great, maybe even over spec’d
and the price was not compelling
whatsoever. After first hand
experience though directly against
the Maximus XI Apex, I’m convinced
that between these two there is a
valid claim for the best Z390 board
around, at least where overclocking
is concerned. I’m so thoroughly
impressed that despite the
needlessly high price, it is deserving
of my highest praises.
Even against the best
motherboards money can buy,
EVGA’s Z390 Dark is exceptional
deserving of all the praise it receives.
The Overclocker
Issue 47 | 2019 The OverClocker 19