Product Showcase

Product Showcase

The MSI Z87M Gaming is a Mini ATX motherboard (not to confuse with ITX), typically intended for entry level to mainstream products. This however is a high-end grade product. It has as much features as its 24x24CM surface area allows it to mount even dual graphics cards. This Gaming version comes equipped with that Killer Bigfoor NIC and also has an optimized audio solution run over the ALC 1150 Realterk audio codec.

Let's have a quick peek at the box first shall we? Below is the packaging and bundle. As you'll notice the motherboard is certainly a good looking motherboard alright, in that gaming black/red style.

Included with the Z87M Gaming are the regulars including manuals, driver CDs, SATA cables and a rear IO plate. This motherboard strangely enough does not come with Bluetooth or a WIFI adapter. A bit of a miss, as AC WIFI is hip, up and coming.

• CPU support: 4th Gen Intel Core™ / Pentium / Celeron processors
• Chipset: Intel Z87 Express Chipset
• Network: Killer E2205 Gigabit Ethernet,
• Storage: 6x SATA 6Gb/s, 2x ASMEDIA eSATA 6Gb/s
• Display Interface: 1x DisplayPort, 2x HDMI
• Connectivity: 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots

The I/O back panel reveals two USB 2.0 ports with another six USB 3.0 ports. A Realtek ALC1150 high definition audio codec is the source for audio and we spot one 10/100/1000 fast Ethernet jack (KillerNIC E2205) There is even a single PS/2 combo port that can be used for either a keyboard or a mouse, optical SPDIF in/out port and six OFC (oxygen free) audio jacks.

Then monitor connectors wise:

• 1 x DisplayPort with max. resolution up to 4096x2160@24Hz, 24bpp/ 3840x1600@60Hz, 24bpp
• 2 x HDMI ports  with max. resolution up to 4096x2160@24Hz, 24bpp/2560x1600@60Hz, 24bpp/ 1920x1080@60Hz, 36bps.

Can you see the small dark button? That is a clear CMOS button. The integrated audio comes from Realtek, but does have a dedicated amplifier chip in addition to special capacitors, isolated PCB traces, some EMI shielding. 
 

As small as it really is, the motherboard is just gorgeous to look at really. The Z87I Gaming AC has a 6 Phase Digital Power Design. The board features one full PCIe x16 Gen 3.0 expansion slot, that's it. But yeah, you do have the the maximum available bandwidth for your testosterone filled benchmark runs with a high-end dedicated graphics card. MSI applied their Military Class IV components on the motherboard with updated DrMOS MosFETs and aluminum colored dark caps that are going to increase the motherboards lifespan.

The board even has a full 8-pin power feed for the processor located just behind the rear IO panel. Interestingly enough we reached an overclock of 4800 Mhz stable with this few power phases and power leads. Sometimes you do wonder what the 32-phase motherboards are all about, eh? The Z87M Gaming is built with Military Class IV components that entails DrMOS 4 - Hi-c CAP - SFC (Super Ferrite Choke) and usage of Solid capacitors, now Dark Capacitors, with their aluminum core design. Dark CAP's have been a staple in high-end motherboard design and provides lower Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) as well as its over-10-years lifespan. These boards survive a military class burn-in test for motherboards and that means it has been tested vigurously.