ASRock Z97 Extreme6 (LGA 1150) Motherboard Review

Software Overview

A-Tuning

The main hub of ASRock’s software is the A-Tuning utility, on Fatal1ty series products this same software is called F-Stream and given a different colour scheme. This is the almost-unifying piece of software that allows you to access most the other main software programs through the tools tab. It also allows you to monitor and overclock your system as well as update your motherboard drivers, UEFI and even directly contact ASRock tech support. This piece of software is fairly nice to use although it does feel a little fragmented in that most of the links to other software and tools merely launch in separate windows, not within A-Tuning. It would be nice to see ASRock unify all their software programs within the interface of A-Tuning so that users only need to install one centralised ASRock software.

XFast LAN

One of the selling points of ASRock’s LAN implementation is the XFast LAN software. Explained simply this is just CFOS traffic management, prioritisation and shaping software that has been OEM produced for ASRock but it does give you a staggering number of internet management options and if you’re someone who likes this kind of stuff then it’s great.

ASRock App Shop

Next up is the ASRock App Shop which actually disappointed me a little. The range of apps are fairly mediocre, it doesn’t even have all the ASRock software available and what’s more half of it is in a foreign language. ASRock have always struck me as one of those brands who are a bit too Asian for the Western market and it’s software like this that create that impression. I think the ASRock App Shop needs a redesign, a better selection of apps and more effective language controls dependent on the user selected language. I chose English but I am still bombarded with Asian apps and languages which is slightly menacing.

OrbwebME

ASRock claim to have given their cloud management software a huge overhaul by moving their software to Orbweb.ME developed by Kloudian instead of using their previous ASRock Cloud software. ASRock go over and explain the features on their website here. Yes, the explanatory video is fairly cringe with its interesting mix of chinglish and bad dub-overs but you get the idea. ASRock claim the three year subscription to Orbweb.ME that they offer is worth $150 USD ($50 per year) based on current pricing. Some of the features the software includes are:

• Remote desktoping
• Wake on WAN
• File explorer and transfer
• Browser based access
• Media library sharing

This kind of software is a great value add for this motherboard particularly because it has dual gigabit LAN ports and is more geared to the type of user who will be able to make use of such software.