MSI Z87I Gaming AC Mini-ITX Motherboard Review

We measured the power consumption with the system resting at the Windows 7 desktop, representing idle values.

The power consumption of our entire test system is measured at the wall while loading only the CPU using Prime95′s Small FFTs setting. The rest of the system’s components were operating in their idle states, hence the increased power consumption values (in comparison to the idle figures) are largely related to the load on the CPU and motherboard power delivery components.

Power consumption levels for the Z87I Gaming AC are the lowest that we have recorded for our updated LGA 1150 test system. This doesn't come as much of a surprise; the board's physically smaller form factor and strong power delivery system helps to minimise current losses and reduced efficiency.

Even when overclocked, the Z87I Gaming AC's six phase power delivery system continues to deliver low energy usage numbers.

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