Msi Z97 Gaming 3 Motherboard Lga1150 Intel Z97 Ddr3 Review
[section characterization=i. Introduction]
All Around sub-$200 Gaming Motherboard
For those who've been closely following the Z97 launch these by couple weeks, you'll know that it hasn't been anywhere about the smoothest chipset launch in Intel history. Despite Intel'southward NDA prepare for May 11, we've literally known practically everything near Z97 for months and almost every motherboard maker has been either leaking their own products or breaking some sort of NDA to get their products some early media coverage.
With Intel's NDA now expired and Z97 chipset based motherboards now rolling out at major retailers (with Intel's new Haswell Refresh CPUs following adapt), today we'll be reviewing our first Z97 motherboard, the MSI Z97 Gaming vii.
Like MSI'southward Z87 series motherboards, MSI'southward strategy for the Z97 is similar in that they'll be producing three series of motherboards – channel, gaming, and overclocking. Today we'll be focusing on the gaming series, which as its name implies is focused towards gamers. Different previous generation MSI gaming motherboards, MSI is at present simplifying the naming conventions on their gaming motherboards past dropping the old G43, GD55, GD65 model names for a newer, easier to understand 3, v, 7, etc.
MSI Z97 Gaming 7 Specifications
Manufacturer | MSI |
---|---|
Model | Z97 Gaming seven |
FormFactor | ATX |
Socket | LGA-1150 |
Chipset | Intel Z97 |
Retentivity | 4x DDR3 DIMM Slots (Up to 32GB) Dual Channel, Up to DDR3 3300 (OC) |
Video | Intel HD Graphics Discrete Graphics |
Audio | Realtek ALC1150 7.one Aqueduct Sound 2x TI OP1652 Op Amp (Headphone support up to 600 ohm) |
LAN | Killer E2205 |
Slots | i x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot @ x16 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot @ x8 1 10 PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot @ x4 4 10 PCIe 2.0 1x slots |
Storage | half-dozen x SATA3 vi.0 Gb/due south connectors (Intel Chipset) two x SATA 3 6.0 Gb/southward connectors (ASMedia ASM1061 Chipset) |
Onboard Connectors | ane x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1 x viii-pin ATX 12V ability connector 8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors 1 x G.ii port 2 x USB 2.0 connectors (supports boosted 4 USB two.0 ports) 1 x USB 3.0 connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.0 ports) 2 x iv-pin CPU fan connectors 3 ten 4-pin system fan connectors one x TPM module connector 1 x Serial port connector one x Front end panel audio connector 1 x Direct audio power connector ii x Organisation panel connectors 1 x Chassis Intrusion connector 1 x Articulate CMOS jumper 9 10 Five-Check connectors i x Power push button 1 x Reset button 1 x OC Genie push 1 x Multi-BIOS switch one ten Audio power switch 1 x 2-Digit Debug Code LED |
Rear Panel I/O | i x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port 1 x Clear CMOS button 1 10 LAN (RJ45) port 2 x USB 2.0 ports 8 10 USB 3.0 ports i x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector 6 x OFC audio jacks two x HDMI port 1 x DisplayPort |
Warranty | three Years |
Check Pricing | Amazon |
As we'll exist reviewing the MSI Z97 Gaming 7, information technology's pretty much going to be one of MSI's most full featured gaming motherboards with everything you'd need for gaming plus a scrap more on top for the enthusiasts equally well. Being an Intel 9 series LGA 1150 motherboard, the Z97 Gaming seven volition not only support electric current generation Haswell processors, only as well upcoming Haswell Refresh, Devil's Canyon (Haswell Refresh Overclocking SKUs), and 14nm Broadwell CPUs. MSI has as well included tons of SATA and USB support, M.ii back up, support for 2-way SLI or 3-way CrossFire and more!
Let'due south take a closer look!
[department label=ii. A Closer Look]
A Closer Look at the MSI Z97 Gaming 7
Here's a look at the packaging for the MSI Z97 Gaming 7.
Included we go some documentation which interestingly enough includes an overclocking guide, a commuter disk, cablevision labels, instance badge, door hanger, 4x SATA cables, a rear I/O shield, a SLI span, v-bank check connector cables, direct audio power cable, and a forepart console adapter (q-connector).
Finally we also get the MSI Z97 Gaming vii motherboard. The Z97 Gaming 7 is an ATX form factor motherboard that employs the use of the Z97 Wildcat Point chipset then it'll back up Intel socket LGA 1150 processors. With Z97 Gaming boards, MSI is sticking with the ruddy/black dragon theme get-go introduced with the MSI's Z77 motherboards, simply dissimilar previous generation boards, MSI's latest motherboards hibernate the copper traces on the PCB much better than previous generation motherboards and now look completely blacked out rather than brown.
The MSI Z97 Gaming 7 sports an Intel LGA 1150 socket which will offer support for Intel's latest 4th generation Intel Core Haswell and "Haswell Refresh" processors. Additionally, it'll also back up Intel'south upcoming 14nm 5th generation Intel Cadre Broadwell processors which are expected to arrive either cease of this year or early side by side year.
For VRM cooling, MSI is using their new dragon claw inspired design rather than the dragon shaped heatsinks used in previous gaming motherboards. The heatsinks are no taller than typical low profile memory and there'south a expert amount of space around the CPU socket, and so larger air coolers shouldn't be an issue.
In total, MSI includes 5x 4-pin fan headers. 2x four-pivot fan headers (marked orange) are CPU fan headers while 3x iv-pivot fan headers (marked green) are organisation fan headers.
The power commitment on the MSI Z97 Gaming 7 is powered by an impressive 12+two stage system which employs the combination of Hello-c Caps, Super Ferrite Chokes, and Night Caps rated at up to 260ºC.
MSI's Z97 Gaming 7 supports a maximum of 4x DIMMs of DDR3 DRAM with overclocked frequencies up to DDR3 3300MHz. While the slots aren't color coded to preserve the stealthy black wait, MSI includes a small diagram adjacent to the DIMM slots to prove which pair of memory should be installed beginning.
At the border of the lath, nosotros've too got the usual 24 pin power connector, debug LED, and voltage check points.
What'southward cool about MSI's new debug LED is that it displays CPU temperature once the organisation is booted, which should exist useful for those who have instance windows or those who run their system on test benches.
For storage, MSI includes a total of 8x SATA 6Gb/due south ports with 6x ports running off the Intel Z97 chipset and 2x running off an ASMedia ASM1061 chipset.
New for the Z97 series is a M.2 slot located between the bottom two PCIe x16 slots. The M.2 slot is wired to support both SATA 6Gb/s and PCIe x2 based M.2 SSDs. It'south quite unfortunate even so that if y'all determine to run a Thousand.2 SSD, admission to SATA ports 5 and vi volition be disabled – irregardless of if you plan on running a SATA or PCIe 1000.2 SSD. MSI does not include a SATA Express port with their Z97 series motherboards; all the same, MSI expects to offer a Grand.2 to SATA Limited adapter downward the line.
Adjacent to the SATA ports is too a rotated USB 3.0 header. MSI is using dual ASMedia ASM1464 USB 3.0 redrivers to increase the length of the USB iii.0 cable you lot may use without any signal integrity bug.
MSI includes 3x PCIe three.0 x16 slots – ane wired for x16, one wired for x8 and one wired for x4. At that place's also four additional PCIe ii.0 1x slots for additional expansion options.
Since Haswell + the Z97 chipset only include a full of up to 20 PCIe lanes, the acme and middle PCIe x16 slot will operate in a x8/x8 configuration if ii graphics cards are installed. If 3 cards are installed, the cards will run in an x8/x4/x4 configuration. The Z97 Gaming 7 is capable of supporting either ii-fashion SLI or three-manner CrossFire.
In its usual position just right of the expansion slots is likewise the chipset along with MSI'south new chipset heatsink. The new heatsink is not merely styled in the gaming series black and reddish theme, merely the MSI logo also lights upwardly white when the system is on.
Near the bottom of the motherboard, we get two Winbond BIOS chips along with a DIP switch that allows switching betwixt the primary and secondary BIOS. This allows users to recover the primary BIOS in the event of a decadent BIOS.
Voltage and temperature monitoring is handled by the Nuvoton NCT6792D super I/O controller.
One of the MSI Z97 Gaming 7's biggest features is MSI'southward "Audio Heave ii", which is a series of features MSI has included to raise onboard sound performance.
The principal feature includes separating the analog audio portion of the motherboard from the rest of motherboard and shielding the onboard Realtek ALC1150 audio chipset. This greatly reduces interference and electrical noise from the analog components of the audio circuitry. Further, MSI is also employing the use of special, sound oriented Nichicon capacitors, an option to connect an external 4-pin Molex power connector (aka audio boost) to further isolate the audio circuitry equally well every bit deliver cleaner, more reliable power, and they've also included dual TI OP1652 headphone amplifiers on the forepart and rear outputs for those who wish to employ high impedance headphones.
Speaking of the rear outputs, MSI has also aureate plated their audio outputs for a improve sound connectedness and college durability while also colour coding the 3.5mm output as the headphone jack with back up for audiophile grade headphones up to 600Ω in red.
While I don't have specialized sound analyzer equipment, in some quick listening tests between the MSI Z97 Gaming 7 and the older MSI P67A-GD65, it was immediately apparent that sound quality is much better on the Z97 Gaming 7 as static noise along with electrical dissonance is greatly reduced specially when using headphones.
Here's a look at the bottom border of the MSI Z97 gaming vii. Starting from the left, we get the front panel audio header, external audio power header forth with the DIP switch to toggle between internal and external ability, onboard power/reset/OC Genie buttons (Easy Button 3), TPM header, COM port header, two USB 2.0 headers (header colour coded ruby-red features MSI super-charger), front panel header, system fan header, and a BIOS toggle dip switch.
All I/O ports on the Z97 Gaming 7 are as well protected by ESD protection ICs. This decreases the hazard of frying your board due to plugging/unplugging any external devices.
Looking at the rear I/O, we become a PS2 keyboard/mouse combo port, 2x USB 2.0 (gaming mouse/keyboard ports), 8x USB 3.0 ports (4x Intel Z87 chipset, 2x ASMedia ASM1074, and 2x ASMedia ASM1042), clear CMOS button, 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, Killer E2205 LAN port, seven.ane channel golden plated sound jacks, and optical out.
Flipping the board around the back, we can run across MSI'southward quality soldering and traces. Heatsinks are mounted via the preferred metal screws rather than cheapo plastic tabs.
[department label=iii. UEFI BIOS]
MSI Z97 Gaming 7 UEFI BIOS
Here's a expect at MSI's latest Click BIOS four UEFI implementation specific for the gaming series. Unlike some older Click BIOS implementations which were slow and unresponsive, the new Click BIOS 4 UEFI is quick and smooth. Settings can be accessed via tabs to the left and right side of the Gaming Series icon.
Probably the virtually important carte of course is the overclocking settings and MSI has made information technology so that it can either exist pretty simple or pretty advanced. By using simple way, yous tin can merely merely adjust the multiplier to the desired setting and with any luck, auto fashion volition take intendance of the rest of the settings, voltages, etc. needed to make that happen.
More than advanced users are able to go ahead and switch into advanced mode which allows users to manually input voltages and select different voltage regulation modes. MSI's featureset here is pretty all-encompassing, but definitely not beginner friendly every bit all voltage adjustments must be inputted manually rather than selected from a drop down menu. One thing that'southward dainty to see is that MSI has really made an effort to amend setting descriptions which tell you what happens when a sure setting is adjusted.
Unfortunately, one affair MSI seems to lack here is preset overclocking profiles (4.0GHz, 4.2GHz, iv.4GHz, etc.) that vendors such equally ASUS, ASRock and Gigabyte includes with their motherboards. While overclocking profiles aren't perfect, I discover them to be good for beginners who want higher clock speeds than the mild overclock OC Genie will practise, just nevertheless aren't too comfortable working around the BIOS to achieve the higher overclocks.
Here's a await at MSI's UEFI update utility, Yard-Flash. The UEFI can be updated via a USB drive, only unfortunately information technology doesn't appear that the UEFI can exist updated via internet through the UEFI.
Here'due south a look at the Hardware Monitor section of the UEFI which allows control of the onboard fans. Each onboard fan can be individually programmed to specific fan profiles via MSI's smart fan manner or the fans tin manually exist set to certain speeds every bit well.
The graphical implementation does make it easy to set profiles and manual mode works every bit expected; nevertheless, I don't like the fact that the fans defaulted to smart fan mode upon boot. Equally MSI lacks a special fan header designed for water pumps, those running AIO water cooling setups need to go into BIOS (or software) to specifically adjust the fan header for the pump to 100% or the cooler will non piece of work properly.
[section label=iv. Software]
MSI Z97 Gaming 7 Software
MSI Command Center
Like most other motherboard vendors, MSI also includes a utility, MSI Command Center, for adjusting motherboard settings within the Bone. The MSI Command Center allows users to adjust nigh overclock settings in the BIOS such equally CPU frequencies, voltages, DRAM frequencies, voltages, fan settings, etc.
Within the MSI Command Center, MSI also allows users to enable OC Genie, which automatically overclocks the CPU and sets the memory to XMP Contour #1.
Within MSI Command Center, MSI likewise includes software that enables users to create a RAMDisk. This allows users with actress of system retention to partition out a certain amount to use as ultrafast storage. To a higher place, we partitioned out one.5GB of our 8GB of organisation memory and was able to attain a blazing fast 8GB/s sequential read and 10GB/s sequential write. This is particularly useful for storing temporary files or enshroud files that aren't critical to the system, but could benefit from increased disk performance.
Audio Blaster Movie theatre 2
Although the MSI Z97 Gaming seven uses the Realtek ALC1150 audio chipset, MSI has gone the actress mile to also include Creative's Sound Blaster Cinema 2 software to enhance audio using Artistic's suite of audio processing algorithms. Unfortunately as MSI does not have a defended Artistic chip onboard the Z97 Gaming 7, sound processing volition require a slight CPU overhead.
Killer Network Manager
As MSI is using the Killer E2205 network bit in the MSI Z97 Gaming 7, information technology also comes with the Killer Network Manger, which is a pretty killer (no pun intended) QoS app. Those who already stone QoS on the router or modem may discover this unnecessary; however, Killer Network Manager is particularly useful for those who download a lot or use stuff like Bittorrent while trying to play games or use VoIP applications. By prioritizing game/VoIP traffic over all other types of traffic, this substantially reduces lag for prioritized applications when multiple applications attempt to access the internet.
MSI ECO Middle
MSI ECO Center is a pretty cool slice of software which allows users to disable certain subsystems on the motherboard to ameliorate energy efficiency. Users accept the choice of disabling a number of stuff such every bit USB ports, the M.2 slot, SATA ports, etc.
MSI Super Charger
MSI Super Charger allows users to deliver higher ability to sure USB ports to enable faster charging. This unfortunately disables the data portion of the port, and so once super charger is on, devices will cease syncing.
Fast Kicking
Fast Heave is a feature we first saw on Z87 motherboards where Windows viii (or above) systems running newer motherboards can streamline the boot sequence so that booting is extremely fast. Unfortunately as this makes accessing the BIOS quite difficult, MSI has as well included a GO2BIOS feature which basically sends you lot into BIOS on side by side boot. Pretty useful characteristic… even if fast boot isn't enabled to be honest.
Live Update
This one should be pretty self explanatory. MSI's Alive Update 6 simply checks for new updates (on a schedule you tin gear up) and notifies y'all when updates are available. Updates can then be either downloaded merely or tin can be downloaded and automatically installed.
X-Split
Equally a feature for MSI Gaming motherboards, MSI also includes a 6-month trial of X-Split, which is a premium software used for streaming games over services such equally Twitch.television set, Ustream, etc. This is a very high quality game streaming software that'southward quite popular with streamers as it's very easy to setup and very piece of cake to use.
More information most X-Divide tin can be found here.
[section characterization=5. Performance]
MSI Z97 Gaming seven Performance
Haswell Testing Setup
System | CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 4200 |
---|---|
CPU | Intel Core i7-4770K (Fixed at 3.6GHz for consistency) |
Motherboard | North/A |
Memory | Kingston HyperX 10th Anniversary DDR3 2400MHz 16GB (4x4GB) Kit (2x4GB used) |
Graphics | ASUS Radeon HD 7870 DC2 |
Storage | Corsair Force GS 240GB & Samsung 840 EVO 250GB & SanDisk A110 256GB |
Power Supply | Corsair HX650 |
Example | HSPC High Speed Tech Station |
Optical Bulldoze | ASUS OEM DVD Drive |
Operating Organization | Windows 8.1 64 flake |
Special thanks to CyberPowerPC, Kingston, Corsair and HSPC for sponsoring our test bench!
CPU Functioning
Cinebench R15
"CINEBENCH is a real-earth cross platform test suite that evaluates your computer's performance capabilities. CINEBENCH is based on MAXON's award-winning animation software CINEMA 4D, which is used extensively past studios and production houses worldwide for 3D content creation. MAXON software has been used in blockbuster movies such as Iron Man three, Oblivion, Life of Pi or Prometheus and many more."
Memory Performance
AIDA 64
"AIDA64 Farthermost Edition is a streamlined Windows diagnostic and benchmarking software for dwelling house users and enthusiasts."
Graphics Performance
3D Mark
3D Mark is Futuremark's latest benchmark utility used widely by gamers, enthusiasts, and overclockers to benchmark system operation and stability under consequent graphics loads.
Storage Operation
For storage performance testing, nosotros'll be using a fresh Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SSD for SATA and USB 3.0 testing. This will allow us to fully saturate the SATA 6Gb/s ports on the motherboards and for USB three.0 testing, we'll additionally be using the Thermaltake BlacX 5G USB 3.0 dock, which is one of the few USB 3.0 docks on the market that currently supports the UASP protocol. New for Z97 motherboards and beyond, nosotros'll also be using the SanDisk A110 M.2 PCIe x2 SSD, which will allow united states of america to test the capabilities of motherboards with the Thou.ii interface.
SATA Performance
M.2 Performance
USB 3.0 Operation
Performance Analysis
Since motherboard CPU, memory, graphics performance is mostly tied to other components every bit well equally the specific motherboard settings (frequency, BCLK, etc.), we're by and large looking for our motherboard to exist consistent in performance in comparison to other motherboards using the same components. Overall, the MSI Z97 Gaming 7 didn't have any glaring issues.
Additionally, this is our get-go time testing any motherboard with a native Yard.2 slot built in and I'm happy to say that it works out of the box without issue. Our single SanDisk A110 M.2 PCIe x2 SSD was capable of ~755 MB/s sequential reads and ~624 MB/due south sequential writes, exceeding the SATA 6Gb/s limit.
[section label=six. Overclocking]
MSI Z97 Gaming 7 Overclocking
Since the MSI Z97 Gaming 7 is based off of Intel'southward Z97 chipset, the motherboard fully supports overclocking of whatever Thousand series Haswell processor every bit well as the upcoming Intel Devil's Coulee processors that should arrive shortly.
OC Genie
The easiest method of overclocking on the MSI Z97 Gaming is through MSI's OC Genie. OC Genie can exist enabled either direct via the motherboard using the dedicated OC Genie push or through MSI's Command Center software. In our case, after enabling OC Genie, the motherboard automatically overclocked all cores on our Intel Cadre i7-4770K up to 4.0GHz and set the memory to XMP Profile 1.
Given the fact that OC Genie is very conservative in its overclocking (higher voltage than necessary, lower frequency than the processor is capable of achieving) OC Genie is definitely a proficient choice those looking for additional performance from their CPU, but aren't comfortable adjusting voltage settings, multipliers, etc. manually.
Adaptive + Offset Overclocking
After testing OC Genie, we decided to also exam the overclocking capabilities of the motherboard manually as well. For overclocking, MSI offers two modes in their new Click BIOS 4 – "Simple" and "Advanced" manner.
Simple mode simply asks for a frequency y'all'd like and it automatically adjusts the rest of the settings (voltage, ring, LLC, etc.) to accommodate the higher frequency. When setting the frequency to 46x (4.6GHz), the motherboard automatically set the voltage to 1.264v. While this was stable plenty to get into the Os, information technology wasn't stable enough to pass whatsoever sort of stability testing. (BSOD)
After failing to achieve results with simple mode, I decided to go into avant-garde mode, which offers a lot more options for overclocking. Later a bit of tinkering, I establish the easiest method to overclock was merely to set up the multiplier to 46x, gear up the vCore manner to Adaptive + Offset mode, and prepare the offset voltage to 0.10v. Doing this automatically set the voltage of the CPU at 1.272v, which was perfectly stable in testing although it does require a substantial cooler given that Haswell CPUs practise tend to run a scrap hot. Generally this specific Intel Cadre i7-4770K requires around 1.275v to exist stable at 4.6GHz, then given the fact that the Z97 Gaming seven is capable of doing and then at 1.272v is very impressive.
[section label=7. Power Consumption]
MSI Z97 Gaming seven Power Consumption
Hither nosotros'll be testing the maximum power consumption of each of the motherboards below. Idle power consumption is taken after the organization is left idle for a minimum of 5 minutes. Load ability consumption numbers are taken during a run of 3D Mark FireStrike, which will yield an accurate picture of how much power is drawn in a real world scenario.
In order to ensure that our power consumption measurements are equally comparable every bit possible, all motherboards apply out of the box settings in BIOS with the turbo multiplier locked at 36x and any power saving features such as C-states are turned on. The graphics carte is also removed and the system is running off integrated graphics only to eliminate a detached graphics card's bear upon on ability consumption.
All power consumption readings are taken using a Extech 380801 Power Analyzer connected via a Tripp-Lite LCR2400 Line Conditioner.
Performance Analysis
Since the MSI Z97 Gaming vii is a very full featured motherboard, slightly higher ability draw was expected. Interestingly enough, idle power consumption was about the same as you'd find off the comparable Gigabyte Z87X-UD5H; notwithstanding, load power draw was significantly higher. For those extra concerned about energy efficiency, MSI as well offers their ECO Center software, which is capable of shutting down various ports on the motherboard to save electricity. By shutting downwardly all subsystems available in the ECO heart app, the lath drew ~7-8w less power.
[section characterization=eight. Conclusion]
MSI Z97 Gaming 7 Conclusions
Over the past couple years, motherboard manufacturers have actually stepped up the value of their motherboards at each cost category and the $200 category is no exception. Whereas in the by the $200 category is where most people would find a motherboard that had all the features for a decent gaming organization, these days a $150 motherboard is the sweetness spot and the $200 category is where you'd get everything you'd demand plus some sweet bells and whistles. This is true of the MSI Z97 Gaming seven.
Starting with pattern and layout, the MSI Z97 Gaming 7 is most equally practiced every bit it gets. All headers/connectors are well placed at the edges to brand cabling easy, at that place's plenty fan connectors to allow users to put together a proper cooling setup, and in that location's a practiced corporeality of spacing between PCIe x16 slots for multi-GPU setups. MSI has also included more diagnostic/overclocker friendly features on the board as well such every bit onboard power/reset buttons as well as v-check points equally well. There's besides a One thousand.2 slot with support for both SATA and PCIe x2 based SSDs which will let users to upgrade to superfast Yard.two SSDs when they outset rolling out later this year.
Along with an fantabulous layout, the MSI Z97 Gaming seven is also packed to the brim with features that actually fix it apart as a gaming motherboard. Features such equally the Killer E2205 network chip, Audio Boost 2, as well as an included half-dozen month trial of X-Dissever definitely adds a lot of value for the gamers. Short of likewise dropping in some game codes, the Z97 Gaming 7 is actually an excellent foundation for a tiptop of the line gaming system and it doesn't even break the $200 barrier.
As far equally issues, I actually didn't have whatsoever problems with MSI'southward latest offerings. Initially I encountered some BSOD issues with the ASMedia USB driver that shipped with the motherboard; however, this was resolved with a driver update that was automatically downloaded via MSI's Live Update utility. All other issues are more convenience bug such as the fact that Z97 Gaming seven doesn't have a specific fan header for AIO water cooling pumps which could be a problem for those who don't realize that their pump is besides running in smart fan mode rather than at 100%.
The MSI Z97 Gaming 7 should be generally bachelor at various e-tailers for around $189.99 very soon, which is competitive with other ~$200 Z87/Z97 offerings on the market. Unfortunately for near gamers, I think MSI's Z97 Gaming 7 may exist a bit overbuilt for gaming only and the Z97 Gaming 5 coming in at ~$159.99 will be a better fit. Past stepping up to the Z97 Gaming 7 from the Z97 Gaming v, the master features y'all're getting is the 12 stage VRM, v-check points, and a couple more SATA/USB ports – features that are more oriented towards enthusiasts rather than gamers.
That said, the MSI Z97 Gaming 7 is a rock solid gaming/enthusiast motherboard with plenty of features and upgrade options downwardly the road. If you've already got a system with a Z87 motherboard, I'd probably concur off on upgrading for now, but those upgrading Z68 or older gaming systems, or those looking to build a new gaming system entirely should definitely check out MSI's Z97 Gaming series.
Sample provided by: MSI
Bachelor at: Amazon
Source: https://www.custompcreview.com/reviews/msi-z97-gaming-7-motherboard-lga-1150-review/
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