ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer Motherboard Review

To test the ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer, we partnered it with an Intel Core i7 4770K processor and 8GB of 2133MHz CL9 memory from the G.Skill RipjawsX (F3-2133C9Q-16GXL) kit. We will be outlining the ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer motherboard's performance with the Core i7 4770K CPU at its stock frequency of 3.5GHz (3.9GHz due to forced turbo). Overclocked performance will be outlined later in the review.

We have recently updated some of our test system's components to represent the typical hardware that is likely to be used with an LGA 1150 motherboard. As such, we do not have performance figures (using identical components) from any other Z87 motherboards to compare against the ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer. As we build up our Z87 motherboard performance database using the updated test system, we will include comparison figures to outline performance differences.

By default, the ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer motherboard forces the 4770K to a constant 3.9GHz when XMP is enabled. This will be displayed as the ‘stock’ setting (and outlined in the charts' brackets after the non-turbo stock speed is displayed).

When XMP is utilised, ASRock's Z87 Killer automatically applies the maximum turbo ratio to all cores of our 4770K (called the multi-core enhancement setting in the BIOS). In itself, this isn't an issue. But given that ASRock's board defaults to a CPU VCore of 1.280V, issues start arising.

The setting isn't specific to the Z87 Killer – we have outlined its occurrence with the Z87 OC Formula and Z87-M8 motherboards, to name just a few. Without a beefy CPU cooler, a 1.280V VCore results in a high CPU temperature.

While decreasing the voltage to something in the region of 1.15 – 1.20V is easy for even a novice overclocker, it shouldn't be required. We hope that ASRock will address this issue and opt for a lower voltage with future BIOS updates; 1.280V is nothing more than wasted heat and power for a 3.9GHz 4770K.

Z87 Motherboard Test System:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 4770K (3.9GHz forced turbo).
• Memory: 8GB (2x 4GB) G.Skill RipjawsX (F3-2133C9Q-16GXL) 2133MHz 9-11-11-31.
• Graphics Card: Asus R9 280X Matrix Platinum 3GB.
• System Drive: 500GB Samsung 840 Series SSD.
• CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i.
• Case: NZXT Phantom 630.
• Power Supply: Seasonic Platinum 1000W.
• Operating System: Windows 7 Professional with SP1 64-bit.

Settings:

• ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer BIOS v1.10 (latest).
• Catalyst 13.11 Beta9.2 VGA drivers.
• Intel 9.4.0.1026 chipset drivers.

Software Suite:

• 3DMark
• 3DMark 11
• SiSoft Sandra 2013 SP4
• Cinebench R11.5 64 bit
• WinRAR
• HandBrake 0.9.9
• ATTO
• RightMark Audio Analyzer
• Bioshock Infinite
• Metro 2033
• Metro: Last Light

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