MSI Z97 Gaming 5 Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. MSI Z97 Gaming 5: Packaging and Bundle3. MSI Z97 Gaming 5: Board Layout and Features4. MSI Z97 Gaming 5: BIOS & Software5. Testing Methodology6. Tests: System-related7. Tests: Processor-related8. Tests: Gaming-related9. Tests: Motherboard-related10. Overclocking: Frequencies11. Overclocking: Performance12. Technical: Power Consumption13. Closing Thoughts14. View All Pages

SATA

For SATA 6Gb/s testing we use a Kingston HyperX 3K (SandForce SF-2281) SSD.

By using ports routed directly from the Z97 chipset, performance of all SATA 6Gbps connections on MSI's board is limitless for modern SSDs operating from the interface.

M.2 connector

We use Plextor‘s ultra-fast M6e 256GB M.2 SSD to test the speed of a motherboard's M.2 connector. We reviewed the 512GB Plextor M6e (and its PCIe x2 adapter card) HERE.

Performance of the chipset-fed M.2 PCIe 2.0 x2 connector is strong. The Z97 Gaming 5 had no problem taking Plextor's fast M6e SSD to its maximum speeds.

USB 3.0

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

MSI does not provide a UASP-activating tool for Windows 7 users, hence USB 3.0 transfer rates on our test system suffer by a noticeable margin.

Unlike the Gigabyte and Asus boards that also appeal to professional buyers, it is not likely for a user purchasing MSI's budget Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard to be connecting a fast SSD to the USB 3.0 ports. Transfer rates of over 300MBps are perfectly adequate for even the speediest of portable HDDs.

Audio

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

MSI's Audio Boost 2 comprises a discrete PCB, Nichicon capacitors, and a pair of Texas Instruments OPA1652 headphone amplifiers. Heart of the scheme is Realtek's ALC1150 audio codec, hidden beneath an EMI shielding cover.

We tested the performance of Audio Boost 2 with power being delivered via the motherboard's 24-pin port, not MSI's additional audio power connector. This is because our testing procedure relies upon use of the rear audio jacks and is not sensitive to the voltage being fed to USB ports (as a USB headset or DAC may be).

RightMark Audio Analyzer outlines the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 as having Very Good overall audio performance. Stereo Crosstalk performance of the Z97 Gaming 5 is particularly strong, which is likely to be a result of the shielding and discrete path routing incorporated by Audio Boost 2.

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