ECS Z87H3-A2X Extreme

The Linux performance results for the ECS Z87H3-A2X Extreme were certainly interesting to say the least. While the same CPU and other hardware components -- along with the same Ubuntu Linux software stack -- between testing the Intel DH87RL and ECS Z87H3-A2X Extreme motherboards, there was certainly a performance difference. The Intel H87 motherboard performed much better for the OpenGL/graphics tests while the ECS Z87 motherboard ran much better for all the computational tests. We're exploring this a bit deeper and seeing if its some Linux interaction issues with the Z87/H87 chipsets, and talking to our Intel Linux contacts, and will update if we hear anything more.

In the past few days I have uploaded more Linux performance benchmarks of the ECS Z87H3-A2X Extreme on OpenBenchmarking.org for those interested.

Outside of the Linux performance, the hardware compatibility is fine assuming you're not using the integrated analog audio at this time. The Linux kernel driver will surely be fixed up in due time, but it doesn't seem to be working at the moment on Linux 3.10/3.11. The only other minor hardware compatibility caveat is there's no hardware sensors support at this time via the Linux kernel hwmon drivers and LM_Sensors' sensor-detect.

The price of the ECS Z87H3-A2X Extreme is $240 USD is decent compared to other enthusiast-geared Haswell motherboards. I'd have no problems recommending this motherboard to Linux desktop users once the integrated audio support is cleared up, or if you'll be relying upon HDMI audio, an external sound card, or audio isn't important to your purposes. It's a solid motherboard besides that and is home to many great features.