Closer Look
[one_half][singlepic id=13215 w=320 h=240 float=center][/one_half][one_half_last][singlepic id=13216 w=320 h=240 float=center][/one_half_last]Signature box art from MSI adorns the the slim single-height packaging. The front/top is adorned by a large branding of the model name and the other side indicates the features of the board.
[singlepic id=13217 w=600 h=420 float=center]The package is quite bare with only the SATA cables proving to be what is the only freebie in this bundle.
[one_half][singlepic id=13218 w=320 h=240 float=center][/one_half][one_half_last][singlepic id=13219 w=320 h=240 float=center][/one_half_last]Unwrapping the motherboard we see the MSI 970A-G43 in all its brown glory. Despite the faux black PCB, the blue and black scheme really makes the board stand out a bit and does not have that budget feel to it.
The board packs plenty of USB2.0 ports and a pair of USB3.0 ports to complement modern storage devices and peripherals. A pair of PS/2 ports is present along with 8-channel audio powered by an ALC887.
[singlepic id=13221 w=600 h=420 float=center]All of the SATA ports on the 970A-G43 are SATAIII powered off the AMD SB950. A front USB3.0 is also available as well as 3 more USB2.0 headers for a total of six more USB2.0 ports.
[singlepic id=13223 w=600 h=420 float=center]Yup, no VRM heatsink right there.
