To build a silent PC with neat power reserves was my goal - the Extreme 6 has this great support me.
As Rechenknecht serves with me on the Z97 Extreme 1150 CPU port also in price-performance ratio Xeon E3-1231 v3 outstanding (corresponds to about an Intel Core i7, but without implemented graphics unit).
The extra function "HDD Saver" ASRock turned on for me as a real added value out why I will describe in some detail here:
One can use this feature, convenient and space-saving 1 or 2 less used drives (hard drives, DVD / BD player or burner, etc.) installed in the PC case and as requested on or off and so additional smoothness for example in an SSD / HDD combi bring ,
By the way you can save with this solution a little power and can extend the life of this memory drives probably significantly, because they are less exposed to on / off switching operations and overall less (unused) are turned on.
To use the feature, a special cable is inserted which provides 2 SATA power connector for use anywhere so drives to the HDD Saver socket in motherboard.
Private, professional or otherwise sensitive data can be in this way about the ASRock "A tuning" software targeted on and off and so protect against unauthorized access or hide because for someone who does not know it, simply invisible.
This switching function can be additionally protected by a password.
One has here really thought about since you can also select whether the "HDD Save" power connector linked drives for PC reboot (or On Off) the selected option maintained, Always OFF or to be always on.
Do I need the hard drive it takes to software-based switching about 10-15 seconds until the drives in the Disk Map the Explorer appear.
Thus, the user can not accidentally shut down his operating system, ASRock has foresight locked the HDD Saver function for the OS drive ;-)
You can, for example, on the "A-Tuning" Software continue the housing LED status display off ("Good Night LED"), generate a USB Key, see at a glance system information such as CPU / MB temperature, fan speeds etc. Settings in the "FAN-Tastic Tuning" fan control are not included in the BIOS settings fan, so I better securing the fan settings the same in the BIOS.
In clearly structured UEFI BIOS, you can select a CPU temperature in a 5 stage fan control and, as usual, a percentage of the max. Assigning CPU fan power. Likewise, this is individually each with 1 to 3 case fans, here you can select the CPU or MB temperature as a reference.
In conjunction with the Nocuta NH-U12S CPU fan and 3 x 120mm Noctua NF-P12 PWM case fan so I have no audible in idle mode from the Silent PC case fan noise.
Among other things, I wanted the new board over the previously fully occupied 6 internal SATA III ports and MSI at the Extreme 6 provides those 10th
In addition, 2 internal USB 3.0 connectors are (for 2 external USB 3.0 ports) available and so I save myself cumbersome adapter solutions for my PC case, which has 4 USB 3.0 front-Aschlüsse.
The additionally built on the motherboard USB 2.0 connector has me already a great service (see below for commissioning), as simplified the LED display "Dr. Debug", and the built-up reset and power buttons handling before OS installation.
About the Purity Sound 2 chip or the entire audio unit I can not much written, only one significantly better sound vs.. The old MSI so far I could find. Once I have time and desire, I will try my music software in conjunction with a MIDI keyboard.
Numerous Overclocking features are present, due to the above hardly overclockable Xeon CPU will I be able to collect no experience in this constellation.
I have pasted below for a link in the comments section to a test with the OC functions.
For planning and subsequent installation:
The supplied driver CD I did not use. Most drivers on such discs included drivers are out of date until they arrive at the end user and I wanted to pick me exactly what's exactly in the new OS.
The latest driver I downloaded still on the site "old PC" directly from the ASRock "Z97 Extreme 6" (see link in the comment section).
I was also informed in advance what I want to have it and what not.
1) The "INF" drivers (chipset drivers) I installed the first by Windows. After that the order should be less important alleged.
2) Since 2 LAN ports are built by different manufacturers, you need the 2 different. LAN Driver (Intel, Realtek driver).
No problems I had with the then conducted BIOS update on 1:40 on the Intel-Fi Internet connection.
3) Most USB 3.0 and SATA ports run on the Intel chipset (Intel SATA 3 and USB 3.0 Intel drivers), however, are two of the four USB 3.0 and SATA III ports of "auxiliary controllers' controlled, which is why the Extreme 6 even here a 2nd pair of drivers needed (SATA3 and USB3 ASMedia driver).
4) Audio Realtek drivers
I have not installed Intel Rapid Start and Rapid Storage Driver as the more suitable for notebooks are supposed to make sense.
The VGA driver I had gone too (CPU Intel XEON without graphics unit) and have the latest drivers equal my graphics card installed.
After the first time I came straight into the clear UEFI BIOS, which you could use immediately via mouse and keyboard.
One problem I had but then with the Win7 Professional installation DVD and my USB wireless mouse and keyboard.
After booting the Win7 DVD neither mouse nor keyboard could appeal because the USB driver all external USB ports were not yet installed. Now here I division of the motherboard built internal USB 2.0 connection time since the mouse and keyboard functioned immediately.
At this point I would like the AS-rock praise customer service, which you can already contact over the UEFI BIOS, and then on Monday morning came forward with proposed solutions (PS2 mouse, internal USB port etc.).
Who get there 3.0 ports on the M.2 Ultra Slot and other extras (USB port, control knobs, Dr. Debug LED fault indicator) may waive the mainboard, and with 6 SATA ports and a USB 3.0 terminal block for 2 front USB (for USB 2.0 ports are there) who could be the ASRock Z97 Extreme 4 consider as about 40 cheaper alternative.
The motherboard runs with me so far very stable and I otherwise have no problems with the board, I am very pleased overall with the ASRock Extreme 6.
For those interested, I have deposited in the comment section links to downloads, drivers and more detailed tests (overclocking, Benchmarks, etc.).
Update August 2015:
So far, no problems, no breakdowns runs, with me still all clean and stable.
Meanwhile, I have also music software easily installed and a MIDI keyboard connected via USB, all is well.