Biostar Gaming Z97X (LGA 1150) Motherboard Review

Introduction, Specifications and Packaging

Intel’s Z97 platform has been around with us for almost a year now, so the marketplace is slightly saturated with motherboards from a huge array of manufacturers. Offering full support for the Haswell Refresh CPU’s, it has really brought new performance levels to the consumer market. While still producing the Z97 platform, Intel are soon to release the newest CPU lineup, named Skylake; with that introducing the new LGA 1151 socket motherboards. Today we are going to be looking at a motherboard from Biostar, but first a little history lesson. Did you know Biostar has been around in the computer tech sector for as long as Gigabyte? That’s right, 29 years old and I bet some of you didn’t even know they existed. They’ve primarily stuck to OEM motherboards, which get bundled up into pre-built computers for high street retailers. Biostar has a rich history, being the first company to introduce Wi-fi on a motherboard back in 2003, the first manufacturer to offer an AM2 socket motherboard in 2007 and the first to offer a motherboard with USB 3.1 ports; today we will be looking at the board.

The motherboard in question is Biostar’s gaming motherboard, the Gaming Z97X. With more features than you could shake a stick at, it has more than enough wealth of knowledge built into it and with USB 3.1 as standard; it shouldn’t be a slouch either.

Key Features

Manufacturers nowadays need to find innovative ways to stand out from the crowd, Biostar is no different and bring a nice array of software

• CPU / System Temperature Monitoring
• CPU / System Fan Monitoring
• Smart / Manual CPU / System Fan Control
• System Voltage Monitoring
• Smart Ear headphone Utility
• BIO-Remote2
• Biostar MAGIX Multimedia Software Suite
• Smart Speed LAN

For more information on these functions, please visit the Biostar Gaming Z97X product page.

Packaging and Accessories

A nice style box, simple styling with the Biostar Gaming logo in the bottom right. Enlarged feature of the Killer E2201 networking chip.

In the box, we find 4x SATA cables, IO shield, manual, cable strap, screws, a 4GB USB stick/ card with all the drivers and utilities on and also the Gaming Commander.