Test Setup
We have put together what we would consider a good mid range gaming specification. We had the opportunity to set up RAID with two fantastic Samsung 840 Pro’s, so you could consider the storage results a little higher end.
- Operating System – Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
- CPU – Intel Core i5 4670K @ 3.40GHz
- RAM – Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB DDR3 @ 2666MHz (13-15-15-35)
- Graphics – PNY GeForce GTX 770 2Gb XLR Edition
- Storage – 2x 256Gb Samsung 840 Pro SSD’s in RAID 0
- Audio – On-board Realtek High Definition
- PSU – Thermaltake SmartSE 730W
Synthetic Tests
- PCMark 08
- AIDA64 Extreme
- Resident Evil 6 Benchmark Tool
- CrystalDiskMark
- LAN_SpeedTest
For the LAN_SpeedTest we used our HomeServer on a Gig-Ethernet network across Cat6. The file for the test transfer was created on the SSD’s which are in RAID 0.
Real World Tests
- Battlefield 4
- Titanfall
Test Results
CrystalDiskMark 64 Bit was used running sequential read/write tests. We ran the tests 9 times per benchmarks and spread them across 50Mb, 1000Mb and 4000Mb. The MSI Z97I GAMING AC Motherboard only came last on the 1000Mb read test, but not by much.
The 50Mb read/write tests are astonishing, we ran them several times to ensure it wasn’t a glitch and took the best results. The MSI Z97I performs better, giving your mITX build a bigger punch.
The 50Mb read/write tests are astonishing, we ran them several times to ensure it wasn’t a glitch and took the best results. The MSI Z97I performs better, giving your mITX build a bigger punch.
MSI Z97I GAMING AC Motherboard Review
Package - 9
Performance - 9.5
Price - 9
Consumer Experience - 9
9.1
This motherboard is aimed at gamers and it has all the right features excluding SLi. During our game tests we did not feel the need for SLi, justifying the little motherboard in its own right. You can get a GTX970 or 770, as we did, into most modern mITX Chassis, combing with this motherboard to make an excellent high end gamer rig or Steam Box.