MSI Z87-G43 Gaming Motherboard Review

For SATA 6Gb/s testing we use a Kingston HyperX 3K SSD. We tested USB 3.0 performance using the same Kingston HyperX 3K SSD connected to a SATA 6Gb/s to USB 3.0 adapter powered by an ASMedia ASM1053 controller.

Storage performance is as we would expect from Z87-fed SATA 6Gb/s ports. Enough throughput is provided for a modern, SATA 6Gb/s SSD.

Considering its lack of a UASP-activating tool for the Windows 7 OS, it comes as no surprise that MSI's Z87-G43 Gaming sits near the bottom of the pile in our USB 3.0 speed chart.

In reality, speeds of almost 300MB/s and over are almost certainly going to be sufficient for this motherboard's target audience. I would be surprised to see a user purchase a sub-£100 motherboard and then use a portable SSD storage drive that will saturate the board's USB 3.0 throughput.

Nevertheless, a simple speed-boosting tool would be welcomed, even if only for ‘future-proofing'.

We use RightMark Audio Analyzer to analyse the performance of the motherboard’s onboard audio solution. A sampling mode of 24-bit, 192 kHz was tested.

Audio Boost consists of a Realtek ALC1150 audio codec which sends the raw signal through a Texas Instruments OPA1652 operational amplifier and a series of audio capacitors before outputting it to the audio jacks. The process takes place on an isolated circuit and outputs the signal to gold-plated audio jacks, both of which help to reduce signal interference. Sound Blaster Cinema is also supported by the Z87-G43 Gaming.

According to RightMark Audio Analyzer, the Audio Boost system implemented on MSI's Z87-G43 Gaming delivers ‘Very Good' performance. Audio Boost is definitely one of the better onboard audio solutions that we have tested.

Proof that budget motherboards can be equipped with a strong onboard audio solution is displayed by the fact that MSI's Z87-G43 Gaming delivers an almost identical audio performance result to the company's higher-priced Z87M Gaming.

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