MSI Big Bang Z77 MPower Generally Available

[btarunr]

MSI, one of the world's leading graphics card and mainboard manufacturers, is extremely happy to announce the availability of the MSI Z77 MPOWER, world's first OC Certified mainboard. With the Z77 MPOWER, MSI is changing the game for everyone looking to get the best performance out of their CPU without worrying about long-term stability. Thanks to the OC Essentials, Military Class III components and Twin Frozr IV based thermal design the MSI Z77 MPOWER can withstand extreme loads in long duration overclocking tests. All in all, the MSI Z77 MPOWER promises to be the best choice for gamers and overclockers alike.



OC Certified is MSI's overclocking testing procedure where MSI's Z77 MPOWER mainboard is tested for stability with a 24-hour Prime95 stress test. OC Certified tests a mainboard in three key areas:

• OC Performance
• Stable Power
• PWM Cooling

OC Performance means that all OC Certified tests are run at a 4.6GHz CPU speed, this simulates the high-end overclock range of today's 3rd Generation Intel Core CPUs. Stable Power is tested by running Prime95 for 24-hours in low airflow conditions. This ensures that the PWM is capable of supplying stable power to the CPU under extreme conditions. The PWM cooling is stressed in low-airflow conditions combined with high overclocks. Other motherboards might become unstable or fail under these conditions.

OC Essentials
With OC Essentials the MSI Z77 MPOWER provides all the essential overclocking tools for everyday and extreme overclocking. Easy Button III to provide on-board power and reset buttons, V-Check Points to accurately measure voltages for the CPU, integrated graphics, memory, and PCH. The two-digit Debug LED shows the exact system status while booting (for easy troubleshooting) and displays the CPU temperature when running in the OS. Multi-BIOS II is a safety feature that ensures a working BIOS even if it fails once. An Indicator light will always show which revision of the BIOS you are running. Finally, a Clear CMOS button resets your BIOS in case you pushed the settings a bit too far.

Military Class III
MSI's Military Class is the backbone of many overclocking records and also responsible for MSI's great power efficiency and overclocking stability. MSI's Military Class III components are certified to the MIL-STD-810G standard which demands the highest level of stability from components put through extreme conditions extreme heat and freezing cold temperatures, extreme temperature fluctuations and shock & drop tests.

The Z77 MPOWER is built with these Military Class III components:

• DrMOS II
• Hi-C CAP
• SFC (Super Ferrite Choke)
• Solid CAP

For more information, please visit MSI BIG BANG website.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[stinger608]

Sharp looking motherboard! Hopefully it is better than many of the recent MSI motherboards.

 

[TheLostSwede]

It's pretty much a tweaked version of the Z77A-GD55/65, the boards share the same basic PCB (even the same MSI model number MS-7751) with a slight upgrade to the VRM on this model and some other slight changes like an additional power input and of course the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi dongles (which is odd for an overclocking board imho).

 

[EarthDog]

I had a chance over the past week to review this board. Its a well rounded board for the price, no doubt.

http://www.overclockers.com/MSI-Z77-Mpower-review

EDIT: Neliz, beat me to the punch on the PCB thing (thats what I get for getting coffee!). LOTS of differences between the GD65 and this board.

 

[neliz]

It's pretty much a tweaked version of the Z77A-GD55/65, the boards share the same basic PCB (even the same MSI model number MS-7751)

Actually, The model number just refers to the layout of the top layer (revision 4.1), the PCB is as far from the GD65(2.1) as it can. (upgraded to 8 layers, Intel T-Topology memory layout, power is completely rewired, flattened weave 1080 grade PCB layers and a new production process that reduces the signal impedance by about 20%

Most obviously this is from the different layout of the CPU power connector, the memory modules are much closer to the edge of the board, not a single fan header is in the same position.

So yeah, it may look like a GD65 to the layman, but it shares not much with it when it comes to the PCB.

 

[EarthDog]

Neliz... when do you expect these to hit store shelves? Last I talked with Alex, I thought today was the day?

 

[neliz]

Neliz... when do you expect these to hit store shelves? Last I talked with Alex, I thought today was the day?

As of today yeah.

Depends a bit on the distribution, for US, I'll have to go with Alex words that they should pop up starting today and later this week for more remote locations.

 

[hhumas]

its very beautiful.... if i had z77 i would go for it

 

[pantherx12]

Wish manufacturers would stop using that type of heatsink for the fets....

Sure they look nice and everything but they get toasty as hell under-load I find. ( like sore fingers toasty! )

 

[neliz]

Wish manufacturers would stop using that type of heatsink for the fets....

Sure they look nice and everything but they get toasty as hell under-load I find. ( like sore fingers toasty! )

I assume you are not familiar with DrMOS?

Allow me to quote Earthdog:

I had a chance over the past week to review this board. Its a well rounded board for the price, no doubt.
http://www.overclockers.com/MSI-Z77-Mpower-review

I have to imagine regardless what is mounted on the CPU or if its on an open test bench, this heatsink setup will keep temperatures at an acceptable level. In my testing, at stock, these units barely got warm (open test bench, no fans). When overclocked to upper 4 GHz to 5 GHz range, they were warm to the touch…but that is all. So it seems to do its job with little airflow as described.

 

[pantherx12]

I assume you are not familiar with DrMOS?

Allow me to quote Earthdog:

Ahh, I forgot you guys used fancy ones, carry on!

But still, Gigabyte(and others) still use the regular kind as far as I'm aware. The heat-sinks on my board easily get to 80-90c which is just crazy.

 

[m1dg3t]

VERY nice MSi! Now cut it in half and make it iTX

24Hr Prime stable, I thought I was the only one with enough time to do that

 

[buggalugs]

I like what MSI is doing. Asus has been dropping the ball on quality for a while now.

Sounds like MSI is listening to what the customers want.

 

[m1dg3t]

I like what MSI is doing. Asus has been dropping the ball on quality for a while now.

Sounds like MSI is listening to what the customers want.

QFT! Asus = BALLZ

Ultimately customers make purchases, NOT advertisements.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

I saw some MSi MPower DDR3 memory on Newegg today.... hmmmmm



I want this board. Sexy as hell. Take the heatsinks off and spray paint the yellow to blue to match my rig

 

[SonDa5]

So yeah, it may look like a GD65 to the layman, but it shares not much with it when it comes to the PCB.

How will the differences in the MB effect the performance of CPU? Will a cpu over clock higher in this MB than a layman GD65?

 

[neliz]

How will the differences in the MB effect the performance of CPU? Will a cpu over clock higher in this MB than a layman GD65?

Yes, you should see better performance with the same CPU & memory in the MPOWER.

 

[Disruptor4]

Man looks so nice. I have a Gigabyte UD5H. I wonder how they compare!

 

[Munki]

MSI Z77 MPOWER Optimized DDR3 2666 16GB Kit (4 x 4...

Optimised?

 

[SonDa5]

If Micro Center stocks these I think I will buy one.

 

[neliz]

MSI Z77 MPOWER Optimized DDR3 2666 16GB Kit (4 x 4...

Optimised?

Optimized:

Every MPOWER Memory is 100% tested on MSI Z77 MPOWER motherboard

 

[dj-electric]

460$.... right.....

 

[SonDa5]

Optimized:

After some research I'm disappointed that the number of SATA ports was decreased from the Z68 and Z77 GD65 models.


I found out that it has 2xSATA 3 and 4xSATA 2.

That is the only weakness I can see for this MB. Z77 and Z68 GD65 models both have 4xSATA 3 and 4xSATA 2. I'm using 7 SATA ports on my Z68 GD65. Too bad the Mpower cut the number of SATA ports down on the Z77.


For me to buy this I'd have to upgrade my existing storage space configuration. Don't think I will be buying it any time soon. It does look like a great MB though.

 

[SonDa5]

2-3 week wait from Amazon? Only place in the USA that I have seen it for order.

Doesn't seem like it is "generally available".

$220 at Amazon. Seems kind of high.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0090Z39EA/?tag=tec06d-20