OC Certified is a military class burn-in test for motherboards. Running Prime95 for over 24 hours with a highly overclocked CPU is already a stressing endeavor, but removing all airflow from the motherboard ensures that only the best motherboards survive. If a motherboard can survive this, it can survive any overclocking situation.
MSI Overclocking motherboards are equipped with all the necessary features to make sure you get the most out of your system. From the Enhanced PWM with a large amount of power phases and Thermal Design that give you the best stability, to all the easy features that ensure that you don't have to perform a lot of tricks to get great stability in your quest for performance.
The OC PCB used for the MSI overclocking motherboards has a completely new design in which 50% more layers are used compared to standard motherboards. This allows us to optimize all traces for overclocking. Power and signal traces are isolated, resulting in higher efficiency and performance and more features can be installed relatively close to each other without causing interference. Every MSI overclocking motherboard is tuned for better stability under extreme circumstances:
- Increased number of PCB layers
- Increased humidity resistance
- Tight weave Fiberglass PCB
- Increased ESD protection
DigitALL Power PWM
DigitALL Power digitally steers and receives feedback through a DigitALL PWM controller. This allows for pinpoint voltage delivery and lower power consumption.
Thermal design
Besides inspiring visual awe the MPOWER Thermal Design was developed to deliver the highest cooling potential in the worst situation. Because it is optimized to work in low-airflow situations, it is the ideal cooling to use with your liquid cooling setup.
- MPOWER thermal design
- SuperPipe
- Low airflow
- Optimized design
- Clear CPU space
- Metal screws
Extreme OC Socket Design
What is more frustrating than not being able to properly fit your cooling solution on your motherboard? Through feedback from professional overclockers, extensive research, unique design and the use of Military Class 4 components, we were able to create a lot of space around the socket making sure you can fit any cooling solution you want. Having this much space also makes it easier to insulate the motherboard for use with LN2 or other extreme cooling solutions.
8PCB LAYERS
Water Cooling Heatsink
Featuring a new unique heatsink design, MSI Z97 overclocking motherboards ensure the best cooling performance. Saving water cooling enthusiasts having to buy a waterblock for our motherboards, new generation overclocking models feature a no compromise built-in solution within the heatsink. So whether you choose a traditional air cooling or enthusiast water cooling solution, be sure to expect the lowest temperatures and maximum performance under the most extreme conditions.
OC Engine
Run into unstable situations when pushing your CPU to the limit? This occurs because the internal clocks are linked through the 100 MHz BCLK strap. Thanks to a integrated Clock Generator, MSI Z97 Overclocking motherboards support more flexible BCLK adjustments, from 100 / 125 / 167 MHz straps. Using these straps prevents system crashing while overclocking on the edge and opens doors to achieve the absolute maximum.
OC Essentials
A small set of tools that are essential to get the best performance out of your motherboard. These features increase stability, assist in trouble shooting, allow you to keep your complete system in check and allow for simple management. This way you can keep your mind on overclocking.
Multi-BIOS II
Easy Button 3
Debug LED
V-Check Points 2
Clear CMOS
GO2BIOS
V-Check Points 2
After MOA feedback we enhanced the V-Check Points with 2 extra ground connectors. This way overclockers can use 3 multi-meters at the same time.
Do not use CPU-Z to measure voltages!
The increased switching frequencies and incompatibilities lead to large deviations.
CPU Input Voltage
IMC Voltage
Core0 Voltage
iGPU Voltage
Ring Bus Voltage
System Agent Voltage
Ground
Ground
Ground
Push your SSD to the limit
Enjoy a blazing fast system boot up and insanely fast loading of applications and games with MSI Overclocking motherboards. We offer the next generation of high speed storage support through M.2 and SATA Express. M.2 and SATA Express transfer data through a PCI Express 2.0 x2 interface up to 10 Gb/s, making it 67% faster than SATA 3.0 solutions.
Faster storage solutions with M.2
M.2 is the successor to mSATA, offering a 67% performance increase up to 10 Gb/s. M.2 is packed in a small form factor and is compatible with 3 different sizes to fit most storage solutions. All latest generation Intel based MSI Overclocking motherboards feature M.2 storage.
Flexible fast storage with SATA Express
SATA Express introduces a new solution in high speed storage through PCI Express, providing more bandwidth for the latest generation SSDs. We offer flexible solutions with an M.2 to SATA Express converter for more convenience.
Data transfer speed 6 Gb/s 10 Gb/s 10 Gb/s SATA M.2 SATA EXPRESS
M.2 to SATA Express (Optional)
Military Class 4
Military Class 4 is the next step in high quality components. The Hi-C Cap, Super Ferrite Choke and Solid Caps will make sure that your PC runs more stable under extreme conditions.
Hi-c CAP
A Hi-c CAP is a very small, but super-efficient capacitor. Besides ensuring enough spacing around a CPU socket to install large coolers, it also allows for 93% energy efficiency. Thanks to Hi-c CAP`s MSI mainboards are the most energy efficient in the market.
Super Ferrite Chokes
Super Ferrite Choke uses a Ferrite core that is Super-Permeable. This allows the Super Ferrite Choke to run at a 35 degree Celsius lower temperature, have a 30% higher current capacity, a 20% improvement in power efficiency and better overclocking power stability.
Dark CAP
With their aluminum core design, Dark CAP's have been a staple in high-end motherboard design and provides lower Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) as well as its over-10-year lifespan.
Focus on quality
We put extra effort in increasing customer satisfaction. Our RMA rate has drastically decreased in the last few years. To achieve the highest quality the MSI Overclocking motherboards are developed by our most senior engineers on the most advanced production lines.
We are continuously improving our customer services, so in case you might run into a problem you can be assured we offer a fast response to your questions and hand you in depth information on the subject.
Circuit Protection
Carefully selected materials, multiple PCB layers and shielding result in the best circuit protection for our overclocking motherboards.
ECO Power
With MSI ECO Center you can physically cut the power to unused chips to save up to 29% power usage.
Humidity Protection
10% Reduction in moisture absorption helps prevent "Conductive Anodic Filament". Untreated PCB's can have 10x higher failure rate.
High Temperature Protection
All key components used in MSI motherboards have all passed military testing ensuring stable operation in the harshest environments.
ESD Protection
Each and every I/O port is protected against the hazards of Electro Static Discharge.
EMI Protection
All MSI motherboards comply with stringent American FCC regulations and reduce the impact of Electromagnetic Interference.
Optimized for multiple graphics cards
MSI Overclocking motherboards feature perfectly aligned PCI-Express 3.0 slots with enough space for an optimal airflow when using multiple graphics cards. That way, you will never have to worry about an overheating PC, while you are enjoying the best graphics jumping off from your monitor when running a NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire gaming setup.
CeaseFire Lite
When you are overclocking with LN2 and 4 VGA cards and simply want to benchmark using 3 or less VGA cards you don't have to physically remove one or more cards thanks to CeaseFire Lite, saving you a lot of time. With MSI CeaseFire Lite it is very easy to disable one of the PCI-E x16 slots with a simple switch in the BIOS.
Click BIOS 4
The MSI Click BIOS 4 is the latest UEFI BIOS with optimizations for Windows 8. Not only that it also reacts faster, runs smoother and has better mouse support. And this all comes with many cool features. Click on the button on the right to visit our dedicated BIOS page and learn more.
Overclocking software
MSI Overclocking motherboards are equipped with advanced overclocking software tools to fine tune even the most in-depth OC settings with ease.
MSI Command Center
MSI's Command Center software is a very powerful tool to push your motherboard to the max. With a very intuitive touch ready interface, Command Center allows users to tune settings to increase system stability, maximize overclocking performance and adjust cooling features.
MSI Command Center Lite
This lightweight overclocking tool doesn't need installation and doesn't occupy unnecessary system resources lowering system benchmark scores. With a single mouse click you have access to the most important overclocking features.
RAMDisk
MSI Command Center integrates an unlimited RAMdisk with the retail value of $35. With a RAMdisk you can create a virtual drive from your system memory enabling speeds 20x faster than a modern SSD. There are options to load complete game images, you can speed up your browser or your page file which increases your whole game system performance.
Audio Boost
Reward your ears with true quality. Get ready for ear-drum shattering sound, with MSI Audio Boost! With Audio Boost we're delivering the highest audio quality so you can enjoy crystal clear sound and music in games.
Because the complete audio circuitry is isolated from other features, you'll enjoy less interference and more stability.
The built-in headphone amplifier allows you to use studio-grade headgear and get the most amazing sound quality out of your PC.
- Studio level integrated 600 headphone amplifier
- Golden audio jacks for pure audio signals
- EMI shielded audio codec
- High quality audio capacitors
- Illuminated audio PCB separation
Unamplified signal
Dual AMPs
Nippon Chemi-con Filtering Capacitors
Amplified & Filtered signal
Gold plated connectors
OC Genie 4
We have implemented the revolutionary OC Genie 4 button on the MSI Overclocking motherboards. Just press the OC Genie button, on the motherboard or in Click BIOS 4, to achieve a stable overclock in just one second, giving your system a nice performance boost.
CPU Overcurrent Protection
When the MSI Overclocking motherboard detects a failure from hardware such as the CPU, it will shut down, prevent booting and protects other hardware from damage by disconnecting power to it. A red LED let's you know that overcurrent protection is active.
GO2BIOS
Entering a BIOS can be a frustrating job. Because nowadays motherboards boot Lightning fast, we added the GO2BIOS button. Simply push it before you start or restart your system and you'll go straight to the system BIOS when your motherboard powers on.
Intel Ethernet
Always connected with Intel Gigabit LAN networking. Optimized for multimedia and gaming use to deliver a stable and fast network connection. Even when using LN2, to make sure you can upload your record-breaking scores.
Intel Wi-Fi AC & Bluetooth
The MSI Overclocking motherboards come with an easily unpluggable Intel Wi-Fi / Bluetooth module which also supports Intel WiDi (Wireless Display). This way you can easily connect to other wireless devices in your home.
The support of 802.11 AC and Bluetooth 4.0 ensures that you have the fastest available transfer speed. With Intel WiDi and a WiDi receiver (not included) you can watch movies on your TV without the need for any cables.
867 Mbps 25 Mbps Comes with 2 antenna
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n & Bluetooth 4.0 Clear CMOS button USB 3.0 ports Intel ethernet / USB 3.0 ports Optical S/PDIF-Out HDMI port / DisplayPort USB 3.0 Ports 8 ch. analog audio with AudioBoost PS/2 port USB 2.0 ports
Package content
What's in the box? Check it out for yourself! Besides a plethora of necessary cables and connectors you also get a cool Do-Not-Disturb door-hanger, a slick MSI OC series case badge, a set of cable labels and the stylish all black M-shield.
Front side of I/O panel
- I/O Panel Ports Label
- Dark coating
Back side of I/O panel
- Force Absorbing Layer (NEW)
- Aluminium Interference Shielding
- Steel Shielding
Case badge
Door hanger
Cable labels
Specifications
Socket
1150
CPU (Max Support)
i7
Baseclock/Hyper Transport
100MHz
Chipset
Intel® Z97 Express
DDR3 Memory
DDR3 1066/1333/1600/1866*/2000*/2133*/ 2200*/2400*/2600*/2666*/2800*/3000*/3100*/3200*/3300*(*OC) MHz
DDR3L Memory
Y
Memory Channel
Dual
DIMM Slots
4
Max Memory (GB)
32
PCI-Ex16
3
PCI-E Gen
Gen3 (16, 0, 0), (8, 8, 0), (8, 4, 4)
PCI-Ex1
4
SATAIII
8
M.2 port
1
RAID
0/1/5/10
LAN
10/100/1000*1
USB 3.0 ports (Front)
4
USB 3.0 ports (Rear)
8
USB 2.0 ports (Front)
4
USB 2.0 ports (Rear)
2
Audio ports (Rear)
6+Optical SPDIF
DisplayPort
1
HDMI
1
VGA Max Share Memory (MB)
512
DirectX
DX11
Form Factor
ATX
SLI
Y
CrossFire
Y
Detail
CPU
Supports 4th and 5th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors, and Intel® Pentium® and Celeron® Processors for Socket LGA1150
Please refer to CPU Support for compatible CPU; the above description is for reference only.
Chipset
Intel® Z97 Express Chipset
Main Memory
Support four DDR3 DIMMs 1066/1333/1600/1866*/2000*/2133*/2200*/2400*/2600*/2666*/2800*/3000*/3100*/3200*/3300*(OC) DRAM, 32GB Max
Supports Dual-Channel mode
Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
