If ASRock’s Z370 Extreme4 isn’t on your shortlist, then it definitely should be.
Choosing to play it safe, ASRock has adorned Extreme4 with a two tone theme using black and grey with a smooth matt finish. Overall this design is stylish and very desirable as it matches up with other key components allowing you to create a coordinated configuration.
It’s only when we look at the feature-set for Extreme4 that we realise how much ASRock has crammed into this motherboard to ensure it is extremely competitive. 4333MHz DDR4 is supported for those wanting to push the boundaries for memory bandwidth and there are lots of storage options including up to eight SATA 3 (6GB/s) ports and twin M.2 slots. Connectivity doesn’t have any compromises either, with a triple set up of USB headers forming two USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 for extensive front panel chassis support. We’re also very pleased to see the phasing out of USB 2.0 on the backpanel, in favour of USB 3.1. All of the brands we’ve looked at so far have used up valuable space and held onto USB 2.0, and so ASRock are to be commended for this.
The inclusion and quantity of the above features are not found on motherboards costing 30% more from the likes of GIGABYTE, ASUS and MSI. ASRock appears to have gone the extra mile with Extreme4 and they haven’t nudged up the price either – Extreme 4 is available to buy for £150 GBP - $175 making is a great value for money route to Coffee Lake.
Examining the performance figures we can see that the Extreme4 provides some consistently good results against the competition – even bettering other Z370 boards in our benchmarks. While our 5GHz overclock with the Intel 8700K was achievable, we did need to pump in more voltage than required for previously tested boards.
ASRock uncovers how overpriced some of the competition is by offering a superb option in the Z370 Extreme4. This motherboard boasts more features, better performance and costs 30% less!
Pros
+ Desirable theme/styling
+ Includes RGB features
+ Excellent performance
+ Reasonable overclocking abilities
+ Uses strengthened PCI Express & memory slots
+ Good amount of fan headers
+ Includes eight SATA 3 (6GB/s) ports
+ Arrives with two USB 3 headers AND one USB 3.1 header
+ Features dual-M.2
+ Good audio capabilities
+ Amazing value
Cons
- Big overclocks require considerably more voltage
+ Desirable theme/styling
+ Includes RGB features
+ Excellent performance
+ Reasonable overclocking abilities
+ Uses strengthened PCI Express & memory slots
+ Good amount of fan headers
+ Includes eight SATA 3 (6GB/s) ports
+ Arrives with two USB 3 headers AND one USB 3.1 header
+ Features dual-M.2
+ Good audio capabilities
+ Amazing value
Cons
- Big overclocks require considerably more voltage
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