ASRock Z97X Fatal1ty Killer RRP: $157.99 | Website: www.asrock.com
MSI Z97 Gaming 7 RRP: $189.99 | Website: www.msi.com
MSI uses two TI OPA1652 two
channel op-amps. These are
general purpose units that
can drive headphones up to
600ohms much like most other
motherboard headphone amps
these days. The two amps
allow you the option of plugging
your high impedance headset
to either the front or rear of
your computer. An admirable
little feature that doesn’t make
the MSI board sound any better
but does mean it’s a more
flexible solution. ASRock on
the other hand uses two TI
NE5532 op-amps. This op-amp
is cheaper than the 1652 and
in general of a slightly lower
quality. The difference in audio
quality is negligible at least
with the average set of gaming
cans. You’ll need something
in the premium range to
appreciate the difference as
they both use EMI shielding
and PCB isolation. MSI goes
the extra mile by providing
you with a special USB port
that can deliver a constant 5V
which supposedly helps when
using dedicated USB powered
DACs. How useful that is on a
gaming board is debatable but
it doesn’t hurt that it’s there.
As for the sound quality
differences, there really isn’t
any to be honest. RightMark
Audio Analyser also rates them
the same, as when we listened
to the two motherboards in
how they delivered audio, they
were near identical. The only
difference that came about
is through the use of Sound
Issue 30 | 2014 The OverClocker 27