MSI Announces its Intel 200-series Motherboard Family

[btarunr]

MSI showcases the future of PC gaming technology with an award-winning selection based on the latest Intel 7th gen platform. Over 30 models in 4 segments will be shown during CES 2017, including CES Innovation Honoree Z270 GAMING M7. The next generation MSI GAMING motherboards are once again packed with unique features such as M.2 Shield to protect against thermal throttling on super-fast M.2 SSDs and VR Boost to deliver a lag-free VR experience with lower latency and less chance of motion sickness. These features help gamers to enjoy more immersive games with better quality than ever.

The MSI ENTHUSIAST GAMING motherboards usher in a new era of gaming. With a unique look and feel, packed with more exclusive gaming features than ever, these GAMING motherboards are sure to offer you the best possible experience in games. One of the most powerful ENTHUSIAST GAMING models, the Z270 GAMING M7, is an incredibly versatile and complete foundation for a high-end gaming system. Features such as Audio Boost 4 PRO and Nahimic 2 provide gamers two sets of audio modules with isolated circuits for a pure sound experience to deliver the competitive edge on the battlefield.



Beyond its technical features, the design is influenced by a powerful imagination with a futuristic armored starship theme. Erupting from the core, the entire color spectrum flows through illuminated lines. Multilayer plating, wings and armaments emphasize an ultramodern style. All the heatsinks and covers on the Z270 GAMING M7 motherboard feature RGB Mystic Light, which enables gamers to change the LEDs to any color with a single click of the mouse. All of this, including M.2 Shield and VR Boost, makes the Z270 GAMING M7 the winner of CES Innovation Honorees 2017.

Sporting a unique silver design, the Z270 XPOWER GAMING TITANIUM is destined to deliver a great gaming experience as well as top-notch overclocking. Built on the award-winning TITANIUM concept, first introduced by MSI in 2015, the new TITANIUM models feature solid plated heatsinks and covers in full silver color. A plethora of gaming oriented features are available as well as the OC Dashboard which you can use externally for more convenient overclocking.

Turbo M.2 delivers PCI-E Gen3 x4 performance with transfer speeds up to 32 Gb/s for the latest SSDs. It also supports the all-new Intel Optane technology. M.2 Shield (patent pending) is a thermal solution which keeps the M.2 or Optane device safe and cool to prevent damage and thermal throttling. M.2 GENIE makes setting up RAID easy by taking less steps, using any M.2, U.2 or PCI-E SSD (even when used in a mixed configuration).

VR Boost is a smart chip that ensures a clean and strong signal to a VR optimized USB port located on the back, to reduce motion sickness caused by a bad signal. The One-Click to VR option in the MSI Gaming App gets your PC primed for VR use in just a single click by setting your components to max. performance and preventing other applications from impacting your VR adventure.



The MSI PERFORMANCE GAMING motherboards are packed with performance and personalization tools. With a sublime design and unlimited customization options, these GAMING motherboards let you game in style.

The Z270 GAMING PRO CARBON, inheriting its CARBON design element from the Z170A GAMING PRO CARBON motherboard, is sure to offer true gaming features as well as limitless customization options to personalize gaming rigs by using RGB Mystic Light. Through Mystic Light Sync and the Gaming App, gamers can easily control the LEDs on their PC or smartphone, including any connected LEDs on their chassis, keyboard and other accessories. Engineered to provide both a stunning gaming and visual experience, the Z270 GAMING PRO CARBON gives you plenty of reasons to show off.

Customize your own color scheme with RGB Mystic Light using 16.8 million colors and 17 effects. Cycle through setups in one second using the MSI Gaming App or a smartphone. Mystic Light Extension provides an intuitive way to control additional RGB strips or other RGB components added to your system, without the need for a RGB controller.

With Audio Boost, powered by Nahimic, MSI motherboards deliver the highest sound quality through the use of premium quality audio components and an isolated audio PCB. An added audio cover and golden audio connectors ensure the purest audio signal.



MSI ARSENAL GAMING motherboards feature heavy plated heat sinks and combative looks, ready for anything. Underneath their fearsome exteriors, these motherboards are fueled by Military Class 5 components and packed with gaming oriented features, boosting your gaming experience.

Z270 TOMAHAWK, using heavy plated armor combined with themed visual PCB print effects, is built to last and makes sure a gaming system performs perfectly for long gaming sessions at top performance. With a long list of specs and many gaming features, such as Twin Turbo M.2, GAMING LAN and Audio Boost, the Z270 TOMAHAWK is a solid gaming companion that you can depend on.



Powered by the ASmedia 2142 USB 3.1 Gen2 controller, Lightning USB offers faster USB speeds when connecting multiple USB 3.1 Gen2 devices at the same time. MSI's unique X-Boost software allows for even faster transfer speeds by automatically detecting and boosting any USB device connected to the system.

By fully isolating the memory circuitry, DDR4 Boost ensures maximum performance and stability. The technical enhancements of DDR4 Boost allow for more stability at higher memory speeds compared to other brands. Enjoy the additional boost in gaming performance or when working with large video and photography files.

Lineup
ENTHUSIAST GAMING

• Z270 XPOWER GAMING TITANIUM
• Z270 MPOWER GAMING TITANIUM
• Z270 GAMING M7
• Z270 GAMING M5
• Z270 GAMING M3
• H270 GAMING M3
• B250 GAMING M3

PERFORMANCE GAMING

• Z270 GAMING PRO CARBON
• H270 GAMING PRO CARBON
• B250 GAMING PRO CARBON
• Z270I GAMING PRO CARBON AC
• Z270 KRAIT GAMING
• B250 KRAIT GAMING
• Z270 GAMING PRO
• B250M GAMING PRO
• H270I GAMING PRO AC
• B250I GAMING PRO AC

ARSENAL GAMING

• Z270 TOMAHAWK
• H270 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC
• Z270M MORTAR
• H270M MORTAR ARCTIC
• B250M MORTAR
• H270M BAZOOKA
• B250M BAZOOKA

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Chaitanya]

So the USB 3.1 header is strictly reserved for more expensive Z270 motherboards. That combined with only one 700$ case supporting it right now, looks like it's going to be slower adoption for PC users compared to USB 3.0.

 

[Blueberries]

Nice! Now I can score an XPOWER board with a Z170 MPOWER heatsink!

Spoiler

(Which is all I've ever wanted)

 

[Hossein Almet]

My experience tells me that all the apps such as Nahimic, and even Command Center are pretty much useless. All you need are: a well built motherboard and a solid BIOS.

 

[Blueberries]

My experience tells me that all the apps such as Nahimic, and even Command Center are pretty much useless. All you need are: a well built motherboard and a solid BIOS.

For the most part, I agree. The included Ram Cache is nice.

AsRock used to ship with VirtuMVP, which rarely worked the way it was supposed to, but was incredibly effective when it did.

 

[Hossein Almet]

For the most part, I agree. The included Ram Cache is nice.

AsRock used to ship with VirtuMVP, which rarely worked the way it was supposed to, but was incredibly effective when it did.

When I tried to use Ram disk for Chrome, the motherboard refused to boot the next time to turn on my pc. Not sure It's as a result of the faulty Ram, It's faulty out of the box, but the vendor refused to recognise it, until Windows keeps restarting with the blue screen of death to month later, and I had to pay $50 for them to check...Eventually they grudgingly that the Trident Z was faulty. Now, my system is zipping

 

[xLegendary]

My experience tells me that all the apps such as Nahimic, and even Command Center are pretty much useless. All you need are: a well built motherboard and a solid BIOS.

Shame that is a bit history for MSI. Still looking to check the new stuff from Asrock, better value and very complete bios for all overclocking possibilities.

 

[Hossein Almet]

Shame that is a bit history for MSI. Still looking to check the new stuff from Asrock, better value and very complete bios for all overclocking possibilities.

The motherboard is top-notch, it's the apps that come with it that are suck.

 

[Caring1]

So the USB 3.1 header is strictly reserved for more expensive Z270 motherboards. That combined with only one 700$ case supporting it right now, looks like it's going to be slower adoption for PC users compared to USB 3.0.

I've seen a few cases with USB 3.1 front ports, and nowhere near $700

 

[peche]

quite great new design, great option to consider!

 

[Chaitanya]

I've seen a few cases with USB 3.1 front ports, and nowhere near $700

Currently only unreleased Phanteks Enthoo Elite has USB 3.1 Type C port(full 10Gbps bandwidth) on front panel and that case is supposed to cost around 700$. The ports that you find every other case on market right now USB 3.0 ports which are capable of 5Gbps max.

 

[bonehead123]

Front panel USB C is at the top of my priority list for any new case this year.....

type C or go away

 

[Caring1]

Currently only unreleased Phanteks Enthoo Elite has USB 3.1 Type C port(full 10Gbps bandwidth) on front panel and that case is supposed to cost around 700$. The ports that you find every other case on market right now USB 3.0 ports which are capable of 5Gbps max.

https://www.inwin-style.com/en/gaming-chassis/909
https://www.inwin-style.com/en/gaming-chassis/805
https://www.inwin-style.com/en/gaming-chassis/805i
and I have seen at least one other brand with it.
Asus also market a front panel with two USB 3.1 ports.
https://www.asus.com/Motherboard-Accessory/USB-31-UPD-PANEL/

 

[Chaitanya]

https://www.inwin-style.com/en/gaming-chassis/909
https://www.inwin-style.com/en/gaming-chassis/805
https://www.inwin-style.com/en/gaming-chassis/805i
and I have seen at least one other brand with it.
Asus also market a front panel with two USB 3.1 ports.
https://www.asus.com/Motherboard-Accessory/USB-31-UPD-PANEL/

That Asus solution uses Sata express and that means only 5Gbps/port available bandwidth. Also please look at teasers for Z270 based motherboards and you will find that Usb 3.1 Type C internal header is different from old Usb 3.0 header. So all the cases you pointed out support only Usb 3.0 speeds not 3.1 speed.
In case you missed take a look at this: https://www.techpowerup.com/228976/msi-and-phanteks-launch-new-front-usb-3-1-type-c-solutions