motherboard review | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Wed, 29 Mar 2023 22:28:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png motherboard review | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 SuperO C9Z590-CGW Motherboard Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/leo-waldock/supero-c9z590-cgw-motherboard-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/leo-waldock/supero-c9z590-cgw-motherboard-review/#respond Thu, 01 Jul 2021 10:30:11 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=521178 We check out SuperO's Z590 offering, priced at over £400 - it's interesting to say the least

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KitGuru has reviewed four motherboards from SuperO over the past four years with mixed results. Before you dive into our review of the SuperO C9Z590-CGW you might find it helpful to take a walk down memory lane and check out the C9Z390-PGW, C9Z390-CG-IW, C9Z370-CG-IW or C9X299-PG300 and you will get a feel for how SuperO goes about its work. The hardware is often very good while the finished product can be quirky or, occasionally, downright annoying.

Specification

  • Processor Support: 11th Gen Intel Core Processor Family LGA1200
  • Chipset: Intel Z590
  • Memory Capacity: up to 128GB non-ECC UDIMM Non-ECC DDR4-4000+ MHz(OC) in four DIMMS
  • PCI-Express: 2x PCIe 4.0 x16 + 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
  • M.2 Interface: 1 PCIe 4.0 x4 and 2x PCIe 3.0 x4 2260/2280/22110
  • On-Board SATA: 4x SATA3 ports (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10)
  • On-Board Audio: Realtek ALC1220 High Definition Audio
  • Network Controllers: 1x 1GB LAN (Intel i219V) 1x 10Gb LAN Port (Marvell AQC113C) Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.1
  • LAN: 1x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet LAN port 1x RJ45 10Gb Ethernet LAN port
  • USB:
    • 6x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear + 2 via headers)
    • 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 ports (2 via headers)
    • 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 ports (2 Rear Type A)
    • 3x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (2 Type C)
  • Audio: 7.1 HD Jacks Optical S/PDIF out
  • Display: 1x DisplayPort 1.4a + 1x HDMI 2.0b
  • Serial Port/Header: 1x COM port (header)
  • Fans: Total of 5 PWM fan headers supporting up to 5 fans with tachometer status monitoring
  • BIOS Type: 256Mb SPI Flash EEPROM with AMI BIOS
  • Form Factor: ATX 305mm x 244mm
  • Software: SuperDoctor V Watch Dog SuperO Booster

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Gigabyte X99-Ultra Gaming Motherboard Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/gigabyte-x99-ultra-gaming-motherboard-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/gigabyte-x99-ultra-gaming-motherboard-review/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2016 08:26:58 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=299059 Gigabyte has taken the Broadwell-E launch as an opportunity to update its X99 motherboard line-up. Today we will be examining the X99-Ultra Gaming – a feature-rich motherboard with premium offerings which include multiple PCIe storage interfaces, Intel USB 3.1, and user-customisable RGB lighting. Alongside the new LGA 2011-3 socket that features additional pins for improved …

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Gigabyte has taken the Broadwell-E launch as an opportunity to update its X99 motherboard line-up. Today we will be examining the X99-Ultra Gaming – a feature-rich motherboard with premium offerings which include multiple PCIe storage interfaces, Intel USB 3.1, and user-customisable RGB lighting.

GB-X99UG

Alongside the new LGA 2011-3 socket that features additional pins for improved overclocking potential, Gigabyte also qualifies the X99-Ultra Gaming for operation with 128GB of system memory and DDR4 frequency support of up to 3.6GHz. USB 3.1 Type-C connectivity derives from Intel’s well-received controller, while Killer’s E2400 NIC joins the usual Intel offering to give gamers a pair of options.

For storage buffs, Gigabyte offers a pair of PCIe 3.0 x4 links – one M.2 and one U.2 – for fast NVMe SSDs. There’s also slot spacing that’s beneficial to GPU cooling for users interesting in running multiple graphics cards in SLI or Crossfire. Aside from the core hardware offerings, Gigabyte has also outfitted the X99-Ultra Gaming with a revamped UEFI that addresses many user requests from the previous generation of motherboards.

Has Gigabyte’s mixture of features and new UEFI styling combined to form a tempting motherboard in the X99-Ultra Gaming?

Features:

  • Intel® USB 3.1 with USB Type-C™ Support
  • NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4 22110 M.2 Interface & U.2 Interface for Intel® SSD 750
  • SATA Express Connector for Up to 10Gb/s Data Transfer
  • Killer™ E2400 and Intel® GbE Gaming Networks
  • 115dB SNR HD Audio with Built-in Rear Audio Amplifier
  • Ambient Surround LED with RGB Multi-Color Choices
  • Ultra Durable Metal Shielding over PCIe and DDR Slots
  • Ultra Durable Anti-Sulfur Resistors for Longer Lifespan
  • Ultra Durable Anti-Rust Rear I/O Connectors
  • Dual Hybrid Fan Headers with Precise PWM / Voltage Control for Water Pump & Fan
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ASRock Z170 Extreme4 Motherboard Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/asrock-z170-extreme4-motherboard-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/asrock-z170-extreme4-motherboard-review/#respond Wed, 06 Jan 2016 08:53:44 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=278803 The availability of multiplier-locked Skylake chips has sparked an even greater emphasis on the need for low-cost motherboards to partner with such processors. ASRock's affordable Z170 Extreme4 utilises the Z170 chipset's host of worthwhile features but minimises add-on components in order to maintain aggressive pricing. Aside from the Z170 chipset's rich set of native offerings, …

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The availability of multiplier-locked Skylake chips has sparked an even greater emphasis on the need for low-cost motherboards to partner with such processors. ASRock's affordable Z170 Extreme4 utilises the Z170 chipset's host of worthwhile features but minimises add-on components in order to maintain aggressive pricing. Aside from the Z170 chipset's rich set of native offerings, a feature that ASRock is coining – ‘Sky OC' gives users the ability to overclock their multiplier-locked Skylake CPU by simply tweaking the BCLK.

Retailing for a little less than £110, ASRock makes strict decisions as to where corners should be cut in order to give the Z170 Extreme4 its affordable price tag. Native two-card CrossFire and SLI support is maintained, and there's also an additional full-length PCIe 3.0 slot for high-bandwidth devices such as PCIe SSDs. Keeping the focus on storage offerings, ASRock utilises the Z170 chipset's native characteristics by offering a trio of SATA-Express ports that can alternatively be used as six SATA 6Gbps connections. There's also a single ‘Ultra' M.2 connector which offers support for up to 32Gbps PCIe devices as well as SATA 6Gbps drives.

Other than the exclusion of a set of add-on USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gbps controllers, you may be hard-pushed to see where ASRock has cut costs. Redundancy is offered in the form of two BIOS chips, there are onboard power and reset buttons, the audio solution is of ASRock's Purity Sound 3 calibre, and 10Gbps USB 3.1 is offered in Type-A and Type-C forms.

Eager to find out if any of ASRock's strategies for meeting the aggressive pricing goal have affected under-the-hood performance, let's get started with a thorough analysis of the Z170 Extreme4.

Features:

  • ASRock Super Alloy
  • Supports 6th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors (Socket 1151)
  • Digi Power, 10 Power Phase design
  • Supports DDR4 3866+(OC) memory modules
  • 3 PCIe 3.0 x16, 3 PCIe 3.0 x1
  • NVIDIA® Quad SLI™, AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™
  • Graphics Output Options: DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2
  • Supports Triple Monitor
  • 7.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC1150 Audio Codec), Supports Purity Sound™ 3 & DTS Connect
  • 3 SATA Express, 6 SATA3, 1 Ultra M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4 & SATA3)
  • 2 USB 3.1 (1 Type-C & 1 Type-A), 8 USB 3.0 (2 Front, 6 Rear)
  • Supports Full Spike Protection, ASRock Live Update & APP Shop
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ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer Motherboard Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/asrock-fatal1ty-z87-killer-motherboard-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/asrock-fatal1ty-z87-killer-motherboard-review/#comments Mon, 02 Dec 2013 08:14:09 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=163918 Forming the entry-level Z87 board in ASRock's gaming-orientated Fatal1ty series, is the Z87 Killer able to prove itself as a good-value gaming motherboard? Designed to meet the requirements of gamers, ASRock outfits its Z87 Killer with a number of premium add-on components which it calls Gaming Armor. An audio upgrade is supplied in the form …

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Forming the entry-level Z87 board in ASRock's gaming-orientated Fatal1ty series, is the Z87 Killer able to prove itself as a good-value gaming motherboard?

Designed to meet the requirements of gamers, ASRock outfits its Z87 Killer with a number of premium add-on components which it calls Gaming Armor. An audio upgrade is supplied in the form of ASRock's Purity Sound which utilises the Realtek ALC1150 codec.

The high-end Killer E2200 series NIC is used to reduce lag and ping during games. Power components form the remaining features of ASRock's Gaming Armor.

Featuring underlying support for 3-way CrossFire and 2-way SLI, a red and black colour scheme, and premium add-on gaming components, can ASRock's Fatal1ty Z87 Killer deliver the performance that budget-conscious gamers will demand?

main-image

Features:

  • Hi-Density Power Connector.
  • 15μ Gold Finger.
  • SLI/CrossFireX™ Power Connector.
  • Qualcomm Atheros Killer™ E2200 Series LAN.
  • Purity Sound.
  • Key Master.
  • Free 3 Month XSplit Trial.
  • HDMI-In.
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ASRock 990FX Extreme9 Motherboard Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/asrock-990fx-extreme9-motherboard-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/asrock-990fx-extreme9-motherboard-review/#comments Mon, 18 Feb 2013 08:15:58 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=124510 ASRock's latest addition to their 990FX series of AMD motherboards, the 990FX Extreme9, aims to occupy the company's AM3+ top spot alongside the Fatal1ty Professional board. With premium power delivery components, compatibility with AMD's 8 core PileDriver processors and support for 3-way SLI and CrossFire graphics configurations, the ASRock 990FX Extreme9 sports an excellent set of features …

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ASRock's latest addition to their 990FX series of AMD motherboards, the 990FX Extreme9, aims to occupy the company's AM3+ top spot alongside the Fatal1ty Professional board.

With premium power delivery components, compatibility with AMD's 8 core PileDriver processors and support for 3-way SLI and CrossFire graphics configurations, the ASRock 990FX Extreme9 sports an excellent set of features which should impress the enthusiast market.

The board makes use of ASRock's new-and-improved power delivery components which include; Gold Capacitors, Digi Power VRM, Dual-Stack MOSFET, Hi-Density power connector, and a 12+2 power phase design.

Can this plethora of overclocking enhancements and an excellent feature set translate into enthusiast-grade performance potential?

Specifications:

  • Premium Gold Caps, Multiple Filter Cap
  • Supports Dual-Stack MOSFET (DSM), Digi Power, 12 + 2 power phase design
  • Supports AM3+ Processor, 8-Core CPU
  • Supports Dual Channel DDR3 2450(OC)
  • 4 PCIe 2.0 x16 Slots, Support NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI, AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™
  • 8 x SATA3, 2 x eSATA3, 8 x USB 3.0, 8 x USB 2.0
  • Supports Hi-Density Power Connector
  • Intel® Gigabit LAN
  • Supports ASRock X-Boost, XFast 555, Fast Boot, Restart to UEFI, Dehumidifier, OMG, Internet Flash, Easy RAID Installer
  • 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC898 Audio Codec), supports THX TruStudio™
  • Free Bundle : CyberLink MediaEspresso 6.5 Trial, Google Chrome Browser and Toolbar, 1 x Front USB 3.0 Panel with 2.5″ HDD/SSD Rack
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