MSI Launches the Z170I Gaming Pro AC Mini-ITX Motherboard

btarunr · Aug 27, 2015

MSI launched its premium socket LGA1151 motherboard for the mini-ITX form-factor, the Z170I Gaming Pro AC. The board offers a premium feature-set, including support for dual-channel DDR4 memory, with MSI's DDR4 Boost technology. It draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, and conditions it using a 5-phase VRM. Expansion slots include a PCI-Express 3.0 x16, an mPCIe (for the WLAN card), and an M.2 (reverse side of the board), with PCI-Express 3.0 x4 wiring.

Storage connectivity includes an M.2 slot (reverse side of the PCB), with 32 Gb/s PCIe bandwidth, and four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, two of which convert to a SATA-Express 16 Gb/s connector. Display outputs include one each of DisplayPort and HDMI. Networking features include a gigabit Ethernet interface (Intel controller), 802.11 ac, and Bluetooth 4.0. The onboard audio solution packs an 8-channel 115 dBA SNR CODEC. There's also a USB 2.0 port specialized for USB headsets. Six USB 3.0 ports make for the rest of it.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

TheLostSwede · Aug 27, 2015

Actually, the Wi-Fi card is using an M.2 slot as well.

Not a bad looking board though, for what it is. Been years since I used MSI though.

Nokiron · Aug 27, 2015

What's up with that 8-pin connector though?

jboydgolfer · Aug 27, 2015

great looking board, im guessing it will run in the $110++ area...weird 8 pin location.

yun4l · Aug 27, 2015

Nokiron said:
What's up with that 8-pin connector though?

+1

and where's SYSFAN2 ?

RMX · Aug 27, 2015

Looks awesome! Found that it also has M.2 on the back which rocks;

MakeDeluxe · Aug 27, 2015

Man, I really hope that is just a bad picture of the mobo. I mean, how could they screw up with the 8-pin's placement like that :confused:

Lionheart · Aug 27, 2015

I know many ppl are over the black & red colour scheme but man that looks sexy as f..k!

GhostRyder · Aug 27, 2015

This board...Man that is a good looking MITX board!!!

I really want one, but I need to see first if it has the voltage for the CPU unlocked before I would be interested.

Fx · Aug 27, 2015

In general, I don't like the color red, but this board would look pretty sweet with an AMD R9 Nano.

deemon · Aug 27, 2015

MakeDeluxe said:
Man, I really hope that is just a bad picture of the mobo. I mean, how could they screw up with the 8-pin's placement like that

and you think they re-touch only ugly celebrities?

it's called "photoshop fail motherboard edition"

PLAfiller · Aug 28, 2015

That is some sick board....gj MSI.

micropage7 · Aug 28, 2015

MakeDeluxe said:
Man, I really hope that is just a bad picture of the mobo. I mean, how could they screw up with the 8-pin's placement like that

yeah, they should give more space for than pins, or simple way just move the heatsink left a little or cut it to make more room

but anyway i like that board, small form factor, many satas, and simple (no add on board)

RMX · Aug 28, 2015

seems they released the wrong photos, I got this from their forums;

deemon · Sep 3, 2015

RMX said:
Looks awesome! Found that it also has M.2 on the back which rocks;

ONLY PROBLEM with this is, that... the only currently available fast M.2 SSD (Samsung SM951) is 2280, but the slot on the MSI board supports only 2242 and 2260 cards. So it's like ... what? Why?

Fx · Oct 7, 2015

deemon said:
ONLY PROBLEM with this is, that... the only currently available fast M.2 SSD (Samsung SM951) is 2280, but the slot on the MSI board supports only 2242 and 2260 cards. So it's like ... what? Why?

Wow! I can't believe they would do that. It doesn't make any sense. I really wanted this board until I found that out because I wouldn't be able to mount the Samsung 950 Pro.

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MSI Launches the Z170I Gaming Pro AC Mini-ITX Motherboard

btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator

TheLostSwede

News Editor

Nokiron

jboydgolfer

yun4l

RMX

MakeDeluxe

Lionheart

GhostRyder

Fx

deemon

PLAfiller

micropage7

RMX

deemon

Fx

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