Review: asrock x99x killer

ASRock, leader in the manufacture of latest generation motherboards, has sent us one of the most interesting motherboards on the market. This is the ASRock X99X Killer with ATX format, 12 power phases, support of up to 128GB DDR4, compatible with MultiGPU SLI and CrossFireX systems and a renewed UEFI BIOS. Best of all, it comes with a very competitive price. In this review we will show you everything about this fantastic motherboard

Product provided by ASRock Spain:

Technical characteristics

ASROCK X99X KILLER FEATURES
CPU	- Supports Intel ® Core ™ i7 and Xeon ® 18-Core family processors for LGA 2011-3 socket - Digi Power design - Power phase 12 design - Supports Intel ® Turbo Boost 2.0 technology - Supports Untied Overclocking technology
Chipset	- Intel ® X99
Memory	- DDR4 Quad Channel Memory Technology - 8 x DDR4 DIMM slots - Supports DDR4 3000+ (OC) * / 2933+ (OC) / 2800 (OC) / 2400 (OC) / 2133/1866/1600/1333/1066 non-ECC, un-buffered memory - Supports non-ECC RDIMM (Registered DIMM) - Supports DDR4 ECC, un-buffered / RDIMM memory with Intel ® Xeon ® E5 series processors in Socket LGA 2011-3 - Maximum system memory capacity: 128GB - Supports Intel ® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) 2.0
Multi-GPU Compatible	- 3 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots (PCIE1 @ x16 mode; PCIE3 @ x16 mode; PCIE5 @ x8 mode) * - 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots - 1 x mini-PCI Express slot
Storage	- 10 x SATA3 6.0 Gb / s connectors, Supports RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10 and Intel ® Rapid Storage 13), NCQ, AHCI, Hot Plug and ASRock HDD Saver Technology - 1 x eSATA Connector, Supports NCQ, AHCI and Hot Plug - 1 x Ultra M.2 socket, supported M.2 SATA3 6.0 Gb / s module and M.2 PCI Express module up to Gen3 x4 (32 Gb / s)
USB and ports.	- 10 USB 3.0 (4 Front, 6 Rear), 7 USB 2.0 (4 Front, 1 Back, 1 Fatal1ty Mouse Port, 1 Vertical Type A)
LAN	- 1 x Intel ® I218V (Gigabit LAN PHY 10/100/1000 Mb / s) - 1 x Qualcomm ® Atheros ® Killer ™ E2200 Series (PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb / s) - Qualcomm ® Atheros ® Wake On Internet Security Technology (on Qualcomm ® Atheros ® Killer ™ E2200 Series) - Supports Wake-On-LAN - Supports Lightning / ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection) - Supports 802.3az Ethernet Power Efficiency - Supports PXE
Audio	- 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1150 Audio Codec) - Supports Premium Blu-ray audio - Supports surge protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection) - Supports Purity Sound ™ 2 - Nichicon Fine Gold Series Audio Trainers - 115dB SNR DAC amplifier with differential - TI ® NE5532 Premium Headphone Amplifier (supports headphones up to 600 Ohms) - Direct Drive technology - Cover with EMI shielding - Insulated shielded PCB - DTS Connect compatibility
Connectors	- 1 x PS / 2 Keyboard / Mouse Port - 1 x SPDIF Optical output port - 1 x eSATA connector - 1 x USB 2.0 port (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) - 1 x Fatal1ty Mouse Port (USB 2.0) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) - 4 x USB 3.0 ports (ASMedia ASM1074 hub) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) - 2 x USB 3.0 ports (ASMedia ASM1042) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) - 2 x Ports with RJ-45 LAN LEDs (Activation / connection and speed LEDs) - 1 x Clear CMOS Switch - HD Audio connectors: Rear Speaker / Center / Bass / Line In / Front Speaker / Microphone
Format.	ATX format: 30.5cm x 24.4cm
BIOS	- 2 x 128Mb AMI UEFI Legal BIOS with Multilingual GUI support (1 x Main BIOS and 1 x Security BIOS) - Supports UEFI Secure Backup Technology - ACPI 1.1 according to Wake Up Events - Supports SMBIOS 2.3.1 - CPU, DRAM, PCH 1.05V, PCH 1.5V, VPPM multi-voltage setting

ASROCK X99X KILLER

ASRock presents the Fatality X99X Killer motherboard in a standard hard cardboard box. All the acquired certifications are recorded on its cover: Nvidia SLI, CrossfireX, x99 chipset, etc…

Inside we find the essential:

• ASRock X99X Killer Motherboard Instruction Manual

  Back plate SATAP cables Sticker Quick guide CD with drivers.

Like the entire Killer series, the dominant colors are black (PCB) and red (expansion ports and heatsinks).

In the refrigeration section, it has bulky and very efficient XXL heatsinks. It features “Super Alloy” technology that is equipped with Nichicon 12K Platinum, Dual Mosfet (UDM) and 60A Premium CHOKES solid state capacitors.

In the distribution of the PCI Express slots we find two PCIe slots to X1 and three to x16. Depending on the chosen processor (28 LANES or 40 LANES) we will have different configurations. For example:

• 3 way 28 LANES: X8 / x8 / x43 Way 40 LANES: X16 / X16 / X8

If you finally decide to mount three graphics cards, it is recommended to install the molex connector that we have at the top. This is responsible for providing a backup power to all PCI connections.

Among the PCI Express connections we find the M.2 connection. that works at 10 Gb / s. This is ideal for installing a high-end solid state drive in this small gap. Right now it is not a viable option, since the GB is almost at € 1. In a few years it will be a connection to take into account.

It has a total of 10 SATA III ports at 6 Gb / s drivers per X99 chipset. Next to it we have a "Debug LED" that will indicate at any time if we have an error or conflict with the hardware.

WE RECOMMEND AMD RX 590 GME: a GPU with less performance and cheaper

We also have an eSATA connector and two Gigabit connections controlled by Intel and the special Killer E2200 chipset for gaming.

The sound card is 7.1 HD with protection. The proprietary chip is the Realtek ALC1150 but with several enhancements called "Purity Sound 2": Premium Blu-Ray support, Nichicon gold-plated capacitors, 115dB SNR DAC amplifier and a 600 ohm NE5532 headphone amplifier.

In the lower area we have the USB 2.0, COM1 connections, fan connection, switch to choose which BIOS to use and the control panel of the ASRock X99X Killer.

To finish we describe the rear connections:

• 2 x USB 2.0.6 x USB 3.0.E-SATAClear CMOS. 2 x Gigabit LAN. 1 x Audio 7.1 HD.

Test bench and tests

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel i7 5820k
Base plate:	ASROCK X99X KILLER
Memory:	16 GB KINGSTON PREDATOR 3000 MHZ.
Heatsink	Noctua NH-D15
HDD	Crucial M500 250GB
Graphic card	GTX 780
Power supply	Antec HCP 850

To check the stability of the processor and motherboard, we have overclocked up to 4300mhz with Prime 95 Custom and air cooling. The graphics that we have used is an Nvidia GTX780, without further distractions let us see the results obtained in our tests with a 1920 × 1080 monitor:

TESTS
3dMark FireStrike	9991
Vantage	45141
tomb Raider	90 FPS
CineBench R11.5 / R15	13.71 / 1178 -
Metro Last Night	91.5 FPS.

Final words and conclusion

The ASRock X99X Killer is a high-end motherboard with excellent features. The cooling is very good with XXL heatsinks and the Super Alloy system with 12 feeding phases.

It also allows us to install up to 3 graphics cards compatible with SLI and CrossFireX technology. The equipment is perfectly equipped with a Killer E2200 network card and the Purity Sound 2 sound card.

In our tests we see that it is at the same level as its younger sister the ASRock X99M Killer, which we analyzed a week ago. We are very happy with the results offered and the Gaming experience.

The BIOS and new software are quite updated. In overclocking profiles the result is very good.

In short, if you are looking for a high-end plate at an attractive price (€ 260) with an ideal design. The ASrock X99X Killer is your motherboard.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ AGGRESSIVE DESIGN.	- NO WIFI AC CONNECTION.
+ 12 DIGITAL PHASES.
+ SATA EXPRESS AND M.2 CONNECTION.
+ GOOD OVERCLOCK OVERCLOCK
+ BIOS RENOVATED.
+ EXCELLENT PRICE.

The Professional Review team awards him the gold medal: