ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer: Packaging and Bundle3. ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer: Board Layout and Features4. ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer: BIOS5. Testing Methodology6. System: 3DMark 117. System: 3DMark8. System: SiSoft Sandra9. Processor: Cinebench R11.5 64 bit10. Processor: WinRAR11. Processor: HandBrake12. Motherboard: Storage Performance13. Motherboard: Audio Performance14. Gaming: Bioshock Infinite15. Gaming: Metro 203316. Gaming: Metro: Last Light17. Overclocking: Frequencies18. Overclocking: Performance19. Technical: Power Consumption20. Closing Thoughts21. View All Pages

Firstly, we are pleased to report that our Roccat Kone XTD mouse worked to its usual standard in the ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer motherboard's UEFI BIOS. This is a positive point as we have experienced problems when using certain mice in the UEFI BIOS of other motherboards in the past.

The UEFI BIOS interface's main page displays system information such as memory capacity and processor speed.

ASRock provides users with a good amount of frequency tweaking options. Automatic CPU and memory overclocking profiles are built into the motherboard, but whether or not they operate with stability will be hardware dependent.

ASRock's Z87 Killer supports the relevant dividers for memory frequencies in the 4GHz region, although it is unlikely that an LGA 1150 chip's IMC will reach those levels without extreme voltages (and henceforth cooling).

Many of the main system voltages (such as CPU VCore, Cache, Input, and DRAM) can be configured to either fixed values or offsets. Some of the voltage settings deemed less important are limited to offset configurations which is slightly disappointing. For example, a user with fast RAM who wants to increase the CPU System Agent voltage is forced to use an offset rather than simply key in a value. It isn't a major issue, but it does given the feeling that some control is being taken away from the end-user.

A number of useful tools are included in the Fatal1ty board's interface. The pick of the bunch is ‘system browser' – a tool which can be effectively used to diagnose faulty hardware. Only three overclocking profiles are provided on the Z87 Killer. This isn't enough for many users; ASRock would have been wise to supply five or more so that gamers can use their system in a number of states without unnecessary hassle.

Temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds can be checked in the H/W Monitor page. ASRock's fan control settings allow pre-defined profiles to be selected. If preferred, fan speeds can be customised to a user's requirements with a good degree of adjustment available.

While the Z87 Killer's UEFI interface is generally good, ASRock definitely needs to provide more slots to save overclocking profiles. The ability to save three different BIOS configurations is not enough on a gaming motherboard.  The range of adjustable voltage, power, and frequency parameters is perfectly adequate, although a greater emphasis on user-led control would have been preferred with some of the voltage settings.

Gone are the days where a graphic of Fatal1ty himself would stare at you from behind the BIOS options. Instead the interface uses a far better looking red and black colour scheme.

Overall, ASRock has implemented a solid BIOS on the Z87 Killer motherboard. The red and black interface is attractive and easy to use, even if its functionality is limited in certain areas.

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