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Huananzhi X99-CD4 Motherboard Review: A Disappointing Budget OptionThis video reviews the Huananzhi X99-CD4 motherboard, highlighting its limitations and issues, particularly regarding its PCB quality, memory channels, and PC Express slot functionality. The reviewer advises against purchasing it, suggesting the Qiyida X99-H9S as a better alternative.
1. 🚫 Overview: Why to Avoid the Huananzhi X99-CD4
- ❌ The reviewer strongly advises against purchasing this motherboard.
- ❌ It features only two memory channels.
00:00 - 00:13
1. 🚫 Overview: Why to Avoid the Huananzhi X99-CD4
- ❌ The reviewer strongly advises against purchasing this motherboard.
- ❌ It features only two memory channels.
00:14 - 00:26
2. ⚙️ Key Limitations: No Overclocking, Sleep Mode, and Limited Fan Control
- ❌ No support for sleep mode or overclocking.
- ⚠️ Standard Chinese limitations apply, including smartphone function limited to 4 P&PWM fans.
- ⚠️ Basic VRM, though decent with active cooling.
00:27 - 01:27
3. ⚠️ PCB Quality Issues: Problems with PC Express Slots
- ❌ The motherboard suffers from poor PCB quality and insufficient layers.
- ⚠️ Issues with PC Express routing and power delivery when using two graphics cards:
- System locks up with a black screen.
- One graphics card fails to initialize.
- ✅ Works fine with one graphics card and NVME M.2 SSD.
01:28 - 01:42
4. 🤔 Recommendation: Avoid Buying This Motherboard
- ✅ If you already own it and it works, continue using it.
- ❌ If considering a purchase, choose an alternative to the Huananzhi X99 CD4.
01:57 - 02:58
5. 📋 Technical Specifications Overview
- ✅ Intel C612 or X99 chipset provides more USB and SATA ports.
- ❌ Only two memory channels despite having four DDR4 memory slots.
- ✅ Three physical PC Express x16 slots, but only the blue ones are PC Express 3.0 x16 connected to the CPU. The black ones are PC Express 2.0 x1 connected to the chipset.
- ✅ Dedicated TPM header that accepts MSI TPM 2.0 modules.
02:59 - 03:10
6. ✔️ TPM 2.0 Module and Windows 11 Compatibility
- ✅ The motherboard comes with a dedicated TPM header.
- ✅ The included TPM module was detected, and Windows 11 was fully compatible.
03:11 - 03:34
7. ✔️ USB, SATA, and Fan Header Functionality
- ✅ USB and SATA ports work correctly, even under load.
- ✅ Two four-pin PWM fan headers with smartphone function control in the BIOS.
03:35 - 04:08
8. ⚠️ PC Express and Audio Performance
- ⚠️ PC Express x16 and x1 slots have issues when two graphics cards are connected.
- ✅ M.2 slot works fine.
- ✅ No complaints about audio, but manual driver installation is required for full Realtek codec features.
04:09 - 04:46
9. 🛠️ BIOS and VRM Details
- ✅ The BIOS chip is fully unlocked for reading and writing.
- ⚠️ Basic VRM with six phases and two MOSFETs per phase.
- ✅ VRM temperatures are acceptable with active cooling.
04:47 - 05:27
10. 🌡️ VRM Temperature Testing and Cooling Fan
- ✅ VRM temperature sensor seems to work accurately.
- ✅ Active VRM cooling implemented with a 30x10 mm 5V DC fan.
- ⚠️ Replacement of the cooling fan may be problematic due to its size.
05:28 - 05:57
11. ✔️ Features: Sleep Mode, Headless Boot, and BIOS Options
- ❌ Does not support sleep mode.
- ✅ Headless boot works.
- ✅ RAM timings and resizable bar options are available and functional.
- ✅ ECC mode and PC express bifurcation work.
- ✅ Clear CMOS works.
- ✅ Restore on power loss works but settings are hidden by default.
05:58 - 06:12
12. ✔️ CPU and RAM Compatibility
- ❌ CPU power consumption sensor does not work properly.
- ✅ Tested CPUs: Xeon E5-2697 v4, E5-2697 v3, and Core i7-5820K.
- ✅ All three CPUs work with no issues, achieving maximum supported RAM speed.
06:13 - 07:12
13. ⚠️ PC Express Routing Issues with i7-5820K and Overclocking Limitations
- ⚠️ Inefficient PC Express routing with i7-5820K, requiring the graphics card to be installed in the second PC Express x16 slot.
- ⚠️ If the graphics card is only PC Express x8, it will not be detected in the first slot.
- ❌ Overclocking is not possible without modified BIOS.
07:13 - 07:33
14. ✔️ Turbo Boost Unlocking and Voltage Reductions
- ✅ Support for turbo boost unlocking for E5-2697 v3 added to Mi899 application.
- ✅ Voltage reductions available, with -50mV as a safe option.
07:34 - 08:10
15. 👎 Poor Customer Support Experience
- ❌ Poor customer support from Quantre, including demands for an unboxing video that couldn't be sent due to file size restrictions.
- ❌ Lack of helpful responses and ignored questions.
08:11 - 08:58
16. Alternative Recommendation: Qiyida X99-H9S
- ✅ The reviewer recommends the Qiyida X99-H9S as a better alternative.
- ✅ It fits into microATX chassis and has four memory channels.
- ✅ It doesn't have power delivery issues.