Pros: Now works like it should! Dual monitor support with onboard graphics. Lots of features in a small package.
Cons: Had to update the BIOS. Not a big deal to do but it's not real clear on what "type" of update you need.
Overall Review: Below I left a very poor review. I'm now updating my review to 4/5 stars. The problem that I was having and likely others is that out of the box it does not reboot or shutdown with a Haswell CPU.
To fix this, you need to update the BIOS but do so with the "ME" option. This will fix the issue. Previously I tried a "normal" update. Very happy with the board now.
Pros: Great little board, got it as part of that combo deal.
Cons: Had the same problem as the other reviewers. The board will not shut down or restart on its own. Think it's a haswell refresh issue. However a bios update fixed it for me.
Pros: -Great Stats and construction!
-Same stats as full sized MSI card just not as many PCI ports or RAM slots. And not as much bloat-ware
-Pretty sweet network specs. Built in Wi-Fi card that can handle AC. 2 Ethernet ports
-The card didn’t make any creaking noises when plugging things into it.
-Plenty of Sata ports (well for me… )
-Some of the programs, Killer Ethernet manager and Virtu MVP that are on the higher end G series motherboard tend to cause A lot of random problems with some games. (Virtu MVP and Battlefield4 I can specifically recall. And Killer Ethernet manager had a problem with PAYDAY2)
Cons: -Sata ports happened to be right next to a fan in my case (might not be a problem in your case, and wasn’t like a big issue just blocking air flow and hard to plug in connectors)
-Something wrong with the Wi-Fi card OR antennas, will get into that in the extra thoughts. (dropped an egg over it)
-no dragons
Overall Review: There is something blatantly wrong with the Wi-Fi card or antennas, I’ve found numerous unsolved Intel tickets about the problem but they either say it’s not their fault or to update the drivers. When I’m getting dropped packets and stupid high response times to my home router standing next to it with the antennas fully Tightened there’s a problem when I get better connection with lose antennas that’s probably a bigger problem. I installed Intel’s “newest driver” and bloat-ware which seemed to help until I retightened the antennas and lost it… I used a 5$ Asian wireless receiver the size of a wireless mouse receiver and gotten better results and nothing being dropped. Not recommending anyone using Intel Wireless stuff. “Well maybe it’s your router” OK… my router manages to connect to everything else perfectly. I’ve tried both 5 Ghz and 2.4 Ghz and have had mixed results of which one is working better.” Well what about AC” There backwards compatible and should have no problem with n or g. plus it’s not like having AC is going to make your internet speeds go up. Just another bottleneck…I do a lot of continuous ping tests when I move my computer or moving the antennae. I’m adding the antenna parts being problem after the fact cause that could be it too.
Don't feel like its worth RMAing over, but it is super frustrating!
Anonymous
Ownership: 1 week to 1 month
Verified Owner
Good9/26/2014 10:49:57 PM
Pros: -Wi-fi support
-small
-reasonable price
-awesome bios menu
-not bad build quality
Cons: *WARNING*
If your bios verseion under 1.6, you have to update your bios so MB can shut off or restart. It doesnt shut off automatically if your bios under 1.6.....
sadly i got 1.5 version so i had to update bios but that wasnt big problem to me.
Shutdown and RMA failure/NIGHTMARE7/22/2014 5:06:14 PM
Pros: Has a lot of features for an iTX board. WiFi feature was very useful. Got this board to take advantage of the new Intel chips. Everything but the ability to shut itself down worked out well.
Cons: So I faced the same problem as another reviewer down below. But I realized that MSI might not be the ideal brand for me. The board could not shutdown itself and required a plug pull or holding the power button for a few seconds. This wasn't an issue with the BIOS setup or the OS choice. When exiting out of the BIOS settings, the board could not power down completely and had to do it manually. Went through phone support with MSI directly and did every software update possible.
Because I already sent in the UPC label from the box, for a rebate offer, I could not get an RMA with Newegg. So now I am foreced to do an RMA with MSI directly in which I will have to pay the orginal price from newegg, the shipping cost to MSI, and I get back a nicely refurbished motherboard that might work.
Overall Review: Really wish I went with another board at the end of everything. I was too quick to jump on this brand just because of a recommendation, price, and rebate. In hindsight, I should have read all the reviews before hand and shouldn't have been so happy with just seeing a POST-up and leaving the rest of the build for the weekend while I worked during the week. With the total cost that I'm putting into this board and the cost associated with getting a "Refurbished" motherboard, I think I should have settled for a different higher costing brand product with better support.
First time MSI buyer but I'll be seriously reconsidering this brand when I products associated with MSI
Manufacturer Response:
Dear Valued Customer,
We apologize for the issues that you are having with this product.
If you have not go through troubleshooting yet, then feel free to contact our tech support team for assistance at 626.271.1004 from M to F, 6am to 6pm Pacific Time. If troubleshoot is complete and your issue is not resolve, please kindly let MSI support team know that you recently purchase the board and we can issue you an RMA with shipping label! MSI would be more than happy to cover the shipping fee both ways for you.
Best Regards,
MSI Review Team | usreview@msi.com
Cons: This motherboard will not shutdown or reboot. I bought two of these and both systems have the same problem. A reboot or shutdown operation causes the display to turn off but the system stays on until you hold the power button for 4 seconds or cycle the power supply. Annoying.
Manufacturer Response:
Dear Valued Customer,
We apologize for the issues that you are having with this product.
Is your OS a freshly installed version?
Can you also update the BIOS to the latest version v1.6? Be sure to update both BIOS and ME when using M-Flash from within the UEFI BIOS.
http://download.msi.com/bos_exe/7851v16.zip
If you have any questions, please kindly get in touch with our tech support team directly at 626.271.1004 for assistance during regular business hours from M to F, 6am to 6pm Pacific Time, or you can email us at usreview@msi.com.
When contacting us, please kindly include your product info, thank you.
Best Regards,
MSI Review Team | usreview@msi.com
Dear Yi,
Sorry to hear about the issue you reported. Before considering an RMA can you check following steps below since many reasons can cause the situation like this ,
1. Check and make sure that power are connected firmly, clear CMOS.
2. Check your other major hardware’s (memory, video card, CPU and power supply) to ensure that they are not the cause of the issue.
3. Isolate board outside of the case on a non-conductive surface to check.
4. If you need further assistant, please feel free to contact our technical support department directly at 626.271.1004 from M to F, 6am to 6pm Pacific standard Time.
Thanks for choosing MSI
Best Regards,
MSI Review Team | usreview@msi.com
Pros: - Small wifi antennas that are on the IO shield, not auxiliary like most other mini mobos.
- It looks beautiful, and will fit with any color scheme except myabe white.
- I'm using a haswell pentium dual core, but this can take the i7 if I want to upgrade in the future.
- Has front panel USB 3.0 headers.
-The IO shield is actually labeled and coated with a black sticker, not just a straight metal one like on cheaper board.
-UEFI displays in full 1080 not 1024 like some other boards, so it's more usable on my wide screen monitors.
Cons: None.
Overall Review: I've installed Win 10 tech preview on it, and nothing is having trouble running.
The z87 chipset isn't the newest, but it still supports haswell processors with a bios update. My board came with the bios update out of the box though, so I was just plug and play.
I also got a free DIM of 8gb DDR3 ram with this board, so for $70 off the price of the board normally, I couldn't day no.
Pros: Now works like it should! Dual monitor support with onboard graphics. Lots of features in a small package.
Cons: Had to update the BIOS. Not a big deal to do but it's not real clear on what "type" of update you need.
Overall Review: Below I left a very poor review. I'm now updating my review to 4/5 stars. The problem that I was having and likely others is that out of the box it does not reboot or shutdown with a Haswell CPU. To fix this, you need to update the BIOS but do so with the "ME" option. This will fix the issue. Previously I tried a "normal" update. Very happy with the board now.