ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ Conclusion

IMPORTANT: Although the rating and final score mentioned in this conclusion are made to be as objective as possible, please be advised that every author perceives these factors differently at various points in time. While we each do our best to ensure that all aspects of the product are considered, there are often times unforeseen market conditions and manufacturer changes which occur after publication that could render our rating obsolete. Please do not base any purchase solely on our conclusion, as it represents our product rating specifically for the product tested, which may differ from future versions.

Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary for each of the areas that we rate. Performance is a difficult thing for a motherboard manufacturer to improve on when the APU and the chipset control almost everything. There are some things a manufacturer can control, however. One of those things is the power management, and ASRock uses a digital PWM and an 8+2 power phase design to allow for stable and consistent power performance. The ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ also focus on another area under their control, the audio codec, to improve performance. The Extreme6+ Purity Sound greatly enhances audio performance.

I am a little underwhelmed by the visual appearance of the ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+, however. The gold capacitors are cool, but they are scattered, of course. I’m not a big fan of the plain old black components on a black PCB with very little to break up the monotony. The flashiest part of the motherboard is the LED display showing the boot codes for troubleshooting. I know the motherboard is usually destined to be closed up in a case and not seen, but I still like a little flare.

As for construction quality, the ASRock does a lot to ensure the durability and stability FM2A88X Extreme6+. The ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ starts off with a digital PWM. It also uses premium gold caps that last longer and operate more stably. Perhaps the best construction feature on the FM2A88X Extreme6+, though, is the high density glass fabric PCB designed to help the motherboard to deal with moisture and avoid short circuits.

If you are audiophile, the ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ offers all the functionality you could want. The Purity Sound system offers EMI shielding, a differential amplifier in addition to a headset amplifier to offer improved frequency response and better base. The FM2A88X Extreme6+ also offers enhanced functionality for gamers/overclockers with a dual BIOS filled with tuning features, X-Boost, and A-Tuning, not to mention three PCI-E x16 slots. The FM2A88X Extreme6+ doesn’t leave out casual users, however, offering A-Style for sharing your stuff across all of your devices.

The ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ will cost you $114.79 (Newegg / Amazon). That is a price that I can live with for a fully featured motherboard like the FM2A88X Extreme6+. The Purity Audio features, the high quality components, three PCI-E x16 slots, the many many tuning features, and more make the ASRock FM2A88X Extreme6+ worth the price. You can find less expensive A88X motherboards, but you’d be hard-pressed to find one for less with as many features.

Pros:

Cons:

– Very Skimpy on the Accessories
– Visually Boring

Ratings:

• Performance: 8.00
• Appearance: 7.00
• Construction: 8.75
• Functionality: 8.75
• Value: 9.00

Final Score: 8.30 out of 10.