MSI Z87I Gaming AC Mini-ITX Motherboard Review

To test the MSI Z87I Gaming AC, we partnered it with an Intel Core i7 4770K processor and 8GB of 2133MHz CL9 memory from the G.Skill RipjawsX (F3-2133C9Q-16GXL) kit. We will be outlining the MSI Z87I Gaming AC motherboard's performance with the Core i7 4770K CPU at its stock frequency of 3.5GHz (3.9GHz due to forced turbo). Overclocked performance will be outlined later in the review.

We will be comparing the MSI Z87I Gaming AC motherboard’s performance to that of five other Z87 parts. All motherboards are partnered with identical hardware and software, so the results are directly comparable.

By default, the MSI Z87I Gaming AC motherboard forces the 4770K to a constant 3.9GHz when XMP is enabled. This will be displayed as the ‘stock’ setting (and outlined in the charts' brackets after the non-turbo stock speed is displayed).

LGA1150 Motherboard Test System:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 4770K Retail (3.9GHz forced turbo).
• Memory: 8GB (2x 4GB) G.Skill RipjawsX (F3-2133C9Q-16GXL) 2133MHz 9-11-11-31.
• Graphics Card: Asus R9 280X Matrix Platinum 3GB.
• System Drive: 500GB Samsung 840 Series SSD.
• CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i.
• Case: NZXT Phantom 630.
• Power Supply: Seasonic Platinum 1000W.
• Operating System: Windows 7 Professional with SP1 64-bit.

Compared Z87 Motherboards:

• MSI Z87I Gaming AC (BIOS v1.00 – newest).
• ASRock Z87 Extreme11/ac (BIOS 1.10).
• ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer (BIOS v1.10).
• Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z87 (BIOS v1.0).
• MSI Z87-G43 Gaming (BIOS V10.3B6).
• MSI Z87M Gaming (BIOS v1.00).

Settings:

• MSI Z87I Gaming AC BIOS v1.00.
• Catalyst 13.11 Beta9.2 VGA drivers.
• Intel 9.4.0.1026 chipset drivers.

Software Suite:

• 3DMark
• 3DMark 11
• SiSoft Sandra 2013 SP4
• Cinebench R11.5 64 bit
• WinRAR
• HandBrake 0.9.9
• ATTO
• RightMark Audio Analyzer
• Totusoft LAN Speed Test
• Bioshock Infinite
• Metro 2033
• Metro: Last Light

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