ECS H57H-MUS Black Series

Earlier this year we reviewed an Intel H55 motherboard and found it to perform well under Linux both in terms of compatibility with the latest Linux distributions at the time as well as the overall system performance with our slew of open-source benchmarks. Intel's H57 Chipset was launched at the same time, but with the very few differences between the H55 and H57 chipsets, its Linux support and performance is about the same. Today though we are reviewing the ECS H57H-MUS motherboard to see how this Intel H57 motherboard performs on Linux, which also offers a few extra features like USB 3.0 and Serial ATA 3.0 support.

Features:

Processor
- LGA1156 socket for Intel Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3
- DMI 2.5GT/s

Chipset
- Intel H57 Express Chipset

Memory
- Dual-channel DDR3 memory architecture
- 4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM socket support up to 16GB
- Support DDR3 1333/1066 SDRAM

Expansion Slots
- 1 x PCI Express x16 Gen2.0 slot
- 1 x PCI Express x4 slot
- 1 x PCI Express x1 slot
- 1 x PCI slot

Storage
- Support by Intel H57, 6 x Serial ATAII 3.0Gb/s devices
- Support by JMicron JMB360, 1 x eSATA

Audio
- Realtek ALC892 8-Ch High Definition audio CODEC
- Compliant with HD audio specification

LAN
- Dual RealTek 8111DL Gigabit Fast Ethernet with Teaming

System BIOS
- AMI BIOS with 64Mb SPI Flash ROM
- Supports Plug and Play, STR (S3) / STD (S4) , Hardware monitor, Multi Boot
- Audio, LAN, can be disabled in BIOS
- F11 hot key for boot up devices option
- Support over-clocking
- Support eJIFFY
- Support ECS M.I.B III Utility

Form Factor
- Micro-ATX Size, 244mm x 244mm

Contents:

The ECS H57H-MUS motherboard includes the usual Serial ATA data cables, I/O panel, driver CD, and user documentation just like other ECS Black Series motherboards, but this model also includes two PCI Express adapters. The Intel H57 does not offer integrated USB 3.0 and Serial ATA 3.0 support and there was not enough room on the motherboard's PCB to integrate the extra ASICs and connectors, so ECS Elitegroup ended up moving this connectivity to two PCI Express x1 cards.

The ECS U3N2 adapter provides two USB 3.0 ports via an NEC D720200F1 host controller. The ECS S6M2 adapter provides the Serial ATA 6Gb/s support via a Marvell ASIC with one eSATA port and one internal SATA connection.