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ECS HDC-I Motherboard Review - PAGE 1

Carl Poirier - Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 Like +my favourites

We've got another ECS board on the test bench today. It's so easy to write an introduction when the previous one didn't turn out well! Talking about it makes an interesting yet simple paragraph. In fact, the previous couple of AMD boards from ECS were all disappointing. What's frustrating is that the team seems to put much more effort into its offerings on the Intel side.

The last offering for the AMD side had been a pretty interesting review, as it simply burned out during the reasonable overclocking session that is part of the Neoseeker testing procedure. Today's ECS test subject has an onboard processor however; it's the popular AMD E-350 APU. It would be tough to ask too much out of such a low power platform, especially considering that the overlocking options are likely to be limited; even on the Gigabyte board, the maximum performance increase allowed is 20%.

However, looking at the packaging, the hope that this might finally be a decent AMD board from the Elitegroup once again hits me. It does seem great; the words USB 3.0, Bluetooth and Wifi can be read on the box.

Specifications
CPU	- AMD Dual-Core Processor E-350
Chipset	- AMD Hudson M1 FCH
Graphics	- On APU(ATI Radeon HD6310 graphics) - Integrated DirectX 11 graphics processor - Support UVD 3
Memory	-2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM socket support up to 8 GB - Support DDR3 1066/800 SDRAM
Expansion Slots	- 1 x PCI Express x16 slot (@ x 4 bandwidth) - 1 x Mini PCI Express x1 slot
Storage	Support by Hudson M1: - 4 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s devices - 1 x eSATA 6Gb/s port
Audio	- VIA® VT1708B 8-channel High Definition audio CODEC
LAN	- Atheros AR8151 GIGA LAN - Atheros AR8152 10/100 LAN (Optional) - Wireless card IEEE 802.11b/g/n (Optional)
Rear Panel I/O	- 1 x RJ45 LAN connector - 1 x Audio port (Line-in,4x Line-out, SPDIF out) - 1 x D-sub(VGA) - 1 x DVI Port - 6 x USB 2.0 ports - 2 x USB 3.0 ports compatible to both USB 3.0/2.0 devices (blue) - 1 x Bluetooth - 1 x HDMI Port - 1 x eSATA 6Gb/s port
Internal I/O Connectors & Headers	- 1 x 4-pin CPU_FAN connector - 1 x 3-pin SYS_FAN connector - 1 x Clear CMOS header - 1 x Case open header - 2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 Ports - 1 x F_Audio header - 1 x F_Panel header
System BIOS	- AMI BIOS with 16Mb SPI Flash ROM
Form Factor	- Mini ITX 170x170mm

Specifications are courtesy of ECS @ http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=1259&CategoryID=1&MenuID=106&LanID=9

next: Closer Look: The motherboard »

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Article Index

1.	Introduction & Specifications
2.	Closer Look: The motherboard
3.	Test Setup & Benchmarks Used
4.	Overclocking
5.	SiSoft Sandra
6.	Handbrake & POV-Ray
7.	7-Zip & Cinebench
8.	3DMark06 & Vantage
9.	PCMark Vantage & HDTune
10.	Street Fighter IV & World in Conflict
11.	Youtube Playback & Power Consumption
12.	Conclusion

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0 thumbs! ^

The Smith Nov 20, 11

That's a good question. I would try to run a stability test overnight to see if it is completely stable.

0 thumbs! ^

foster12345 Nov 20, 11

The smith, I should mention that for example Windows Media Player (12) works perfectly without any hitch and freezing ... I'll try other programs, but maybe is something with the settings of VLC player. Perhaps it is also problem with my 64 bit Windows 7 and 32 bit VLC? So it would be good if the owners of this motherboard try VLC player and other similar programs in Turbo mode, and say the results. I'll also try some more and get back results.

Sincerely, Bojan (foster12345)

0 thumbs! ^

dakky21 Nov 20, 11

quote foster12345
The smith, I should mention that for example Windows Media Player (12) works perfectly without any hitch and freezing ... I'll try other programs, but maybe is something with the settings of VLC player. Perhaps it is also problem with my 64 bit Windows 7 and 32 bit VLC? So it would be good if the owners of this motherboard try VLC player and other similar programs in Turbo mode, and say the results. I'll also try some more and get back results.

Sincerely, Bojan (foster12345)

I'm guessing they had "manual" testing of each board and disabled Turbo mode on purpose, on those which were not stable enough to handle that much overclock...

0 thumbs! ^

foster12345 Nov 20, 11

I tried, Media Player Classic (64 bit version) -> works perfectly, GOM Player (32 bit, 64 does not exist) -> works perfectly, POT player (64 bit version) -> works perfectly, KMPlayer (32 bit) -> works perfectly! Only VLC player does not work and freezes. I tried reinstalling, no change. I do not know what it might mean, but the fact is that the other video players in turbo mode are stable. I think it's something with VLC. But...

Dakky Why are you think so? The board, which does not pass the tests is corrupt, and must not be sold with the same price.
ECS must have an explanation for this!
Dakky, have you tried the Turbo BIOS update?

0 thumbs! ^

The Smith Nov 21, 11

quote dakky21
I'm guessing they had "manual" testing of each board and disabled Turbo mode on purpose, on those which were not stable enough to handle that much overclock...

Or probably the entire lineup. Here, it works on mine. This is the 1080P LoTR excerpt we use for the Handbrake tests, in .mp4.

I really suggest you run a stability test overnight. VLC might be digging up issues that other programs don't.

0 thumbs! ^

foster12345 Nov 22, 11

Ok, I'll make a test of stability, but with which program to do it? And another question; I used the new vlc 1.1.12, which you used? And in which OS you're doing the test, windows 7 32 bit or 46 bit like me?

Sorry to disturb Smith, but it's important to me to figure out the exact problem...

0 thumbs! ^

The Smith Nov 22, 11

quote foster12345
Ok, I'll make a test of stability, but with which program to do it? And another question; I used the new vlc 1.1.12, which you used? And in which OS you're doing the test, windows 7 32 bit or 46 bit like me?

Sorry to disturb Smith, but it's important to me to figure out the exact problem...

VLC 1.1.11 I believe. We use Windows 7 64bit for the reviews.

0 thumbs! ^

foster12345 Nov 22, 11

Ok I noticed that the ECS somehow suddenly gave a new BIOS update. Version: 06/07/2011. But this update has no change, no turbo mode. I put it just to check it.
My conclusion is that the ECS provides you a stable motherboard with turbo mode bios to test and review. Of course all other sales without a new BIOS and stability. Their main goal is to attract the rest of us and sell us the waste. It is not fair and should be someone to contact them for explanation!

0 thumbs! ^

The Smith Nov 22, 11

I finally got a reply from ECS. Turbo Mode was removed for the mass production units because there were instability symptoms. That was to ensure end-users' system stability. I was told "they aggressively intended to work out the Turbo Mode". It's your opinion to believe it or not.

The article was updated with the information.

0 thumbs! ^

foster12345 Nov 22, 11

Thank you, Smith. So I made a mistake buying this board. I diedent got what I wanted. I needed to buy asus or another with at least a little overclocking possibilities.

Now it be fair from the ECS to provide at least a small possibility of overclocking like the other e350 boards! We should send them a suggestion, because many left disappointed!

Now I'm sad, I'm not angry. It will be better :-)
P.S. I believe you, none of you not guilty. Blame the ECS!

Bojan (foster12345)


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