CONCLUSION
Let’s break down the score shall we:
Performance. The board shows good performance out of the box and if we’re talking about overclocking capabilities then the Z97I GAMING AC also overclocks very well thanks to MSI’s experience in the subject, there’s plenty of options for anyone to really push their system to the next level regardless of their experience level in overclocking.
Build Quality. MSI has really improved a lot in their design and quality over the years and we’ve been putting them with for having shit brown colored PCBs over the years and they seem to have really stepped up their game with their latest line of products. The touch of details here and there with the added finer touch to details for both aesthetics and usability make the Z97I GAMING AC an exceptionally well-built motherboard.
Functionality. The Z97I GAMING AC is an ITX motherboard and as such, is limited to only single GPU applications. Given that limitation though, the Z97I GAMING AC does offer the majority of features we’ve come to expect from any full-sized gaming motherboards without the size. Anyone willfully wanting an ITX form factor setup knows the limitations and this motherboard is an example of a board that doesn’t compromise features even with the massive size reduction.
Bundle. MSI does get extra props for its continued GAMING propaganda and anyone buying a GAMING product from MSI gets a free Dragon sticker and a door hanger. While it may not be of any actual value, it adds to the overall presentation and gets a few plus points for the though.
Value. Priced at $189 / Php9995, this certainly isn’t one of the cheapest ITX motherboards out right now for the Z97 lineup. This is easily attributed to the inclusion of the AC antenna included in the kit and while it may not mean anything to most gamers, anyone who is sorely limited or want to utilize their WIFI-AC home network knows that an AC antenna is worth given the unique scenario that the ITX setup presents. Aside from the full-featured list of creds that the MSI Z97I GAMING AC has got going for it, its got solid build quality and a really unique look to it which should really entice more aesthetically-inclined consumers and would find the cost more palatable compared against ASUS’ Impact although that one may offer more in one way or another.
In closing, the MSI Z97I GAMING AC is a unique motherboard. Not in the way of its features or its looks but more of its application. To give you an idea about the perfect application for this board, you need to be interested in 2 things: 1) ITX 2) game stream. If you already get the connection then you should now have an idea of the perfect usage for the system built around this board. If not, we’re basically saying that this board will serve as a nice base for an ITX system that will be used for in-home game streaming of Steam games via NVIDIA GameStream or SteamOS. Both of which require higher bandwidth network connectivity and in a wireless environment, the WIFI AC now makes perfect sense.
We really can’t say anything bad about the board, its perfect in more than one ways and should you not need the WIFI AC antenna then MSI does offer a non-GAMING brand ITX model as a compromise but that’s really up to you decide which to get. In our views, you’re really stuck with an internal solution or USB one and given the price differential of the non-GAMING model plus the USB WIFI AC dongle then it gets clear which is the better solution.
All in all, the MSI Z97I GAMING AC continues the string of success that MSI has had with their GAMING series. ITX motherboards are few and far between, even moreso for gaming-oriented ones. MSI applies its tried and tested formula of a highly-capable ITX motherboard, decked-out with enthusiast features and dressed up in the Dragon Army’s traditional colors and priced just right, the MSI Z97I GAMING AC is a top choice for an ITX gaming build that will double as a streaming server for SteamOS.
MSI backs the Z97I GAMING AC with a 3-year warranty. We give it our B2G Editor’s Choice.
4 Comments
wow
Then install a big-ass air cpu cooler.
poof! Board is gone! haha
And finally, use a big-ass case.