ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer 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 CPU 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 Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard also focuses on another area under their control, the audio codec, to improve performance. The Purity Sound greatly enhances audio performance.

I like the look of the ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard. I understand that it is difficult to judge the appearance of a motherboard, considering that it is typically hidden away inside of a case. Even with a windowed case, the other components cover up a lot of the motherboard. That being said, I like it when motherboard manufacturers take the time to put some cosmetic features on their motherboards. The ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard’s gaming color scheme is mirrored on the heat-sinks. The heat-sinks also sport flashy designs, which I like.

As for construction quality, the ASRock does a lot to ensure the durability and stability on the Fatal1ty 990FX Killer. The ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard 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 Fatal1ty 990FX Killer, 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 Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard 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 ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard also offers enhanced functionality for gamers with the Atheros Killer E2200 NIC, the 2450MHz RAM support, and, of course, the m.2 Gen2 x2 slot. The ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard doesn’t leave out casual users, however, offering A-Style for sharing your stuff across all of your devices.

The ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer motherboard will cost you around $104.79 (Newegg / Amazon). That is a price that I can live with for a fully featured motherboard like the Fatal1ty 990FX Killer. The Purity Audio features, the high quality components, the E2200 NIC, the m.2 Gen2 x2 port, and more make the Fatal1ty 990FX Killer worth the price. As a gamer, I find the Fatal1ty 990FX Killer to offer all the features I need and a price I like.

Pros:

+ Purity Sound w/ 2 amplifiers
+ m.2 Gen2 x2 slot
+ Atheros Killer E2200 NIC for Gamers
+ Good, Competitive Price

Cons:

– 2 PS/2 ports taking up space on I/O

Ratings:

• Performance: 9.00
• Appearance: 9.00
• Construction: 9.00
• Functionality: 9.50
• Value: 9.50

Final Score: 9.20 out of 10.

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.