MSI Z87i Gaming AC Mini ITX Review
Overview
Hardware: CPU & MotherboardsWHAT WE LIKED:
Features, Wireless AC, CPU and Memory Support, Overclocking, Design, Style, Quality, Warranty, PriceWHAT WE DISLIKED:
Connection layout may be an issue is some cases.
Introduction
PC gaming has been on a recent incline as more people learn to build their own systems. There is a feeling of pride and accomplishment you will never get being a console only gamer. You picked the parts and assembled them to make a working gaming rig. Since there are more gamers building their own systems, there is now more of a need for variety of size, shape, color, power and gaming capabilities. MSI has been at the forefront of this expansion of variety with industry leading boards, GPUs and peripherals covering every type from Quad GPU systems to tiny HTPC or LAN PCs. In this review we will be covering MSI’s latest offering in the tiny system segment, The Z87I Gaming AC Mini ITX main board.
Mini ITX has seen an explosion in popularity over the last few years. When the form factor was first introduced, it was limited to BGA CPUs and passive cooling which slowed its adaptation outside of specialty usage. With the introduction of mini ITX 2.0 which included a PCI-e 16x, gamers saw a new form factor to expand their creativity. HTPC could double as a game system or a really small LAN PC, because they now packed the same GPU power as a full sized system. Some board manufacturers like MSI saw an opportunity to fill in a gap by offering features usually reserved for larger boards in the smaller form factor. We have a chance to look into the newest member of the Gaming series, the MSI Z87i Gaming AC mini ITX board. MSI looks to bring serious Gaming and Overclocking to even the smallest of systems. Thank you MSI for allowing us the opportunity to review your products.
About MSi
Since its founding in 1986, MSI has been demonstrating continued success in digital age. To achieve the best user experience, every component is essential. In the past 25 years, MSI always strives to provide digital products based on its core values –“Innovation” and “Style”. The results are products with superior performance, trusted reliability, excellent user experience and expressive style.
Embracing years of experience in design and manufacturing, MSI motherboard and graphics card have achieved maximum productivity by becoming one of the top 3 in the world. Our hard work have led us to become one of the finest brands in the industry with accumulated sales in more than 120 countries, 150 million motherboard users and 100 million graphics card users worldwide.
MSI has won the world-renowned product design awards and nearly 8,000 award recognitions from 350 media in 50 countries worldwide. With the brand slogan of “Innovation with Style”, MSI will continue to pioneer in global market as a principal brand in digital era, as well as lead the world in innovation in the field of global fashion technology with the needs of consumers at its core.
