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#MSI Z97 GAMING 5 NETWORK DRIVER INSTALL#
If you want something more powerful, you’re free to install whatever GPU you want as long as the chassis you’re using supports its length. Because it’s sometimes hard to find a GPU that fits into a mini-ITX chassis without issue, MSI offers a couple of different models that are designed for that specific purpose, such as the R9 270X Gaming 2G ITX. Like all mini-ITX boards, this one includes just a single x16 PCIe slot. It might be a small board, but the Z97I Gaming AC is loaded to the brim with features. Internal: 2x USB 3.0 (Intel), 2x USB 2.0 (Intel)ġx 1Gbps LAN, 4x USB 3.0, 4x USB 2.0, 2x eSATA, 1x Optical S/PDIF, 6x Audio Jacks, 2x HDMI, DisplayPort, Wi-Fi connector, PS/2Īudio Boost 2, “SteamOS Ready”, USB Audio Power, Killer E2200 Gamer Networking, Guard-Pro, OC Genie 4, Click BIOS, MSI Command Center, Smart Fan Control I’ll cover the board design and layout on the following page, but to help you gain an immediate understanding of what this board offers, you can refer to this specs table:īack-panel: 4x USB 3.0 (Intel), 4x USB 2.0 (Intel)
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In particular, the design of the heatsink over the MOSFETs is attractive, as is the “G Series” emblem at the other end. MSI’s Z97I Gaming AC has a proper gaming aesthetic, one that I think looks great overall.
#MSI Z97 GAMING 5 NETWORK DRIVER LICENSE#
Further, a six-month license of XSplit Gamecaster is included for those that like to stream their games. The Z97I Gaming AC, on the other hand, has gamers (surprise!) in its sights.Īside from the board’s great-looking aesthetics, MSI caters to the gaming audience here with a robust networking and audio solution, and because a mini-ITX board would be a great base for an HTPC gaming rig, the company even touts SteamOS support. While it’s not fair to compare these two boards in all respects, it’s still interesting to see how they differ.ĪSUS’ Z97I-PLUS is targeted at the mainstream audience, much like MSI’s Z97I AC that I’ll talk a bit about later. In the same article, I made multiple comparisons to MSI’s Z97I Gaming AC, as it was the only other mini-ITX Z97 I had around. A couple of weeks ago, I took a look at ASUS’ Z97I-PLUS, its flagship mini-ITX motherboard for its mainstream series.