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MSI Z97 XPOWER AC LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard
- Intel Z97
- Core i7 / i5 / i3 / Pentium / Celeron (LGA1150)
- DDR3 3300(OC)/3200(OC)/3100(OC)
Overview
Specs
Reviews (15)
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Z97 XPOWER AC
- Supports 4th and 5th Gen Intel® Core™ / Pentium® / Celeron® processors for LGA 1150 socket
- Supports DDR3-3300(OC) Memory
- M.2 + USB 3.0 + SATA 6Gb/s
- 4-way Multi-GPU: 4-way NVIDIA SLI & AMD CrossFire Support
- 16 Phase DigitALL Power Design
- OC Certified: Military Class Burn-in Test Passed
- Enhanced Thermal Design & Water Cooling Heatsink
- OC Engine: For More Flexible BCLK Adjustments
- V-Check Points 2: Three multi-meters at the same time
- Delid Die Guard: Way to Break World Record
- VGA Cease Fire: Easy to Disable the VGA Card via Physical Switch
- Guard-Pro: Improved Protection and Power Efficiency
- Military Class 4: Top Quality & Stability
- OC Essentials: The Most Convenient Tools while Breaking the Record
- OC Genie 4: Overclocks in 1 Second
- Click BIOS 4: Easily Fine-tune Your System
- Command Center: Control & Customize Your PC Settings
- Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 4.0, Intel® Wireless Display
No Limits
The MSI Overclocking motherboards designs are based on four principles:
- Continuous implementation of professional overclockers' feedback
- Continue MSI's leading position in power efficiency and stability
- The best overclocking tools in the industry
- Infuse the DNA of MSI's LIGHTNING graphics cards
Changing the Overclocking Game
- OC Certified
- Built with LIGHTNING DNA
- Enhanced components
- Enhanced power
- Enhanced thermal design
- Water cooling heatsink
- Military Class components
- Extreme OC socket design
- OC PCB
- Optimized overclocking BIOS
- OC Essentials
- DigitALL power PWM
OC Certified 
OC Certified is a military class burn-in test for motherboards. Running Prime95 for over 24 hours with a highly overclocked CPU is already a stressing endeavor, but removing all airflow from the motherboard ensures that only the best motherboards survive. If a motherboard can survive this, it can survive any overclocking situation.
MSI Overclocking motherboards are equipped with all the necessary features to make sure you get the most out of your system. From the Enhanced PWM with a large amount of power phases and Thermal Design that give you the best stability, to all the easy features that ensure that you don't have to perform a lot of tricks to get great stability in your quest for performance.
OC PCB
The OC PCB used for the MSI overclocking motherboards has a completely new design in which 50% more layers are used compared to standard motherboards. This allows us to optimize all traces for overclocking. Power and signal traces are isolated, resulting in higher efficiency and performance and more features can be installed relatively close to each other without causing interference. Every MSI overclocking motherboard is tuned for better stability under extreme circumstances:
- Increased number of PCB layers
- Increased humidity resistance
- Tight weave Fiberglass PCB
- Increased ESD protection
DigitALL Power PWM
DigitALL Power digitally steers and receives feedback through a DigitALL PWM controller. This allows for pinpoint voltage delivery and lower power consumption.
Thermal Design
Besides inspiring visual awe, the MPOWER Thermal Design was developed to deliver the highest cooling potential in the worst situation. Because it is optimized to work in low-airflow situations, it is the ideal cooling to use with your liquid cooling setup.
- MPOWER thermal design
- SuperPipe
- Low airflow
- Optimized design
- Clear CPU space
- Metal screws
Extreme OC Socket Design
What is more frustrating than not being able to properly fit your cooling solution on your motherboard? Through feedback from professional overclockers, extensive research, unique design and the use of Military Class 4 components, we were able to create a lot of space around the socket making sure you can fit any cooling solution you want. Having this much space also makes it easier to insulate the motherboard for use with LN2 or other extreme cooling solutions.
Water Cooling Heatsink
Featuring a new unique heatsink design, MSI Z97 overclocking motherboards ensure the best cooling performance. Saving water cooling enthusiasts having to buy a waterblock for our motherboards, new generation overclocking models feature a no compromise built-in solution within the heatsink. So whether you choose a traditional air cooling or enthusiast water cooling solution, be sure to expect the lowest temperatures and maximum performance under the most extreme conditions.
OC Engine
Run into unstable situations when pushing your CPU to the limit? This occurs because the internal clocks are linked through the 100 MHz BCLK strap. Thanks to a integrated Clock Generator, MSI Z97 Overclocking motherboards support more flexible BCLK adjustments, from 100 / 125 / 167 MHz straps. Using these straps prevents system crashing while overclocking on the edge and opens doors to achieve the absolute maximum.
Delid Die Guard
Whether it's for 24/7 overclocking use or breaking world records, the MSI Delid Die Guard helps with your air, water or subzero overclocking activities.
This solid mounting system makes it easier to mount a delidded CPU and helps to achieve lower CPU temperatures, making sure you can squeeze every MHz out of it. Whether you are a beginner in overclocking or a veteran, we hand you the tools to succeed.
- Helps to lower CPU temperature
- Easier and more stable fitting of cooling solution
- Protecting the die of your CPU
- Generate optimal mounting pressure
OC Fan Stand
Having trouble with your fans while overclocking? Are they falling over all the time when accidentally touched? The MSI OC Fan Stand lets you easily set up your fans while overclocking without worrying about them falling over when your in pursuit of that world record. A sturdy, cool looking, and easy to use design makes setting up fans a whole lot easier.
OC Essentials
A small set of tools that are essential to get the best performance out of your motherboard. These features increase stability, assist in trouble shooting, allow you to keep your complete system in check and allow for simple management. This way you can keep your mind on overclocking.
1. Slow Mode
Slow Mode helps to defeat booting issues when overclocking at extremely high CPU frequencies. Flicking the switch will temporary decrease CPU ratio to 8X, creating stability to successfully boot to Windows.
2. OC Genie
One-second overclocking by simply pressing the OC Genie button. OC Genie 4 now has the ability to switch between two gears.
3. Direct OC
- 1MHz / 0.1MHz adj.
- BLCK Ratio up
- BLCK Ratio down
- Multiplier up
- Multiplier down
A set of + and – buttons allows you to adjust your Base Clock in real time, even during benchmarking. The Direct OC software allows you to select 1MHz or 0.1MHz increments. The Z97 XPOWER AC allows for even better control because it is equipped with a switch on the motherboard which allowed you to make the 1MHZ or 0.1Mhz increments. On top of that it also comes with two extra Direct OC buttons to increase the multiplier ratio.
4. Complete Discharge
A true factory reset! Holding this button for two seconds completely wipes your motherboard from all settings. The CLR CMOS button only limits itself to the BIOS/VRAM but this Complete Discharge button even removes information from the Z97 PCH, a much needed button on the Z97 platform.
V-Check Points 2
After MOA feedback, we enhanced the V-Check Points with two extra ground connectors. This way overclockers can use three multi-meters at the same time.
Do Not Use CPU-Z to Measure Voltages!
The increased switching frequencies and incompatibilities lead to large deviations.
- CPU Input Voltage
- IMC Voltage
- Core0 Voltage
- iGPU Voltage
- Ring Bus Voltage
- System Agent Voltage
- Ground
- Ground
- Ground
Optimized for Multiple Graphics Cards
MSI Overclocking motherboards feature perfectly aligned PCI-Express 3.0 slots with enough space for an optimal airflow when using multiple graphics cards. That way, you will never have to worry about an overheating PC, while you are enjoying the best graphics jumping off from your monitor when running a NVIDIA® SLI™ or AMD CrossFire™ gaming setup.
Dedicated PCI-E X16 Slot:
The Z97 XPOWER AC comes with a PLX-chip to enable Four-Way SLI / CrossFire. However, in the case you only use just one VGA card, the PLX chip may cause some latency. This is why the Z97 XPOWER AC comes with a dedicated PCI-E x16 slot which is directly connected to the CPU bypassing the PLX chip giving you the best possible performance when using only one VGA card.
Four-Way SLI / CrossFire
To support 4-Way SLI / CrossFire the Z97 XPOWER AC is using the PLX8747 Gen3 switch chip. This way you have the maximum available bandwidth needed in order to run your benchmarks and games with four VGA cards.
CeaseFire
When you are overclocking with LN2 with 4 VGA cards, it can happen that you want to remove one VGA card. However, with the LN2 pot on the motherboard and all the insulation, this can be a big hassle. With MSI CeaseFire, it is very easy to disable one of the PCI-E x16 slots with a simple switch.
Push Your SSD to the Limit
Enjoy a blazing fast system boot up and insanely fast loading of applications and games with MSI Overclocking motherboards. We offer the next generation of high speed storage support through M.2 and SATA Express. M.2 and SATA Express transfer data through a PCI Express 2.0 x2 interface up to 10Gbps, making it 67% faster than SATA 3.0 solutions.
Faster Storage Solutions with M.2
M.2 is the successor to mSATA, offering a 67% performance increase up to 10Gbps. M.2 is packed in a small form factor and is compatible with 3 different sizes to fit most storage solutions. All latest generation Intel® based MSI Overclocking motherboards feature M.2 storage.
Flexible Fast Storage with SATA Express
SATA Express introduces a new solution in high speed storage through PCI Express, providing more bandwidth for the latest generation SSDs. We offer flexible solutions with an M.2 to SATA Express converter for more convenience.
Military Class 4 Components
Military Class 4 is the next step in high quality components. The DrMOS II, Hi-C Cap, Super Ferrite Choke and Solid Caps will make sure that your PC runs more stable under extreme conditions.
DRMOS
DrMOS is the next-gen MOSFET which is used to deliver the power for the CPU. MSI DrMOS does not waste much power, stays cool and is more power efficient than other powersaving solutions. Because DrMOS is a 3-in-1 chip it delivers much more power with less components needed. This solution gives you the power to break world records.
Dark Cap
With their aluminum core design, Dark CAP's have been a staple in high-end motherboard design and provides lower Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) as well as its over-10-year lifespan.
HI-C Cap
A Hi-C Cap is a very small, but super-efficient capacitor. Besides ensuring enough spacing around a CPU socket to install large coolers, it also allows for 93% energy efficiency. Thanks to Hi-C CAP`s MSI mainboards are the most energy efficient in the market.
Super Ferrite Choke
Super Ferrite Choke uses a Ferrite core that is Super-Permeable. This allows the Super Ferrite Choke to run at 95°F (35°C) lower temperature, have a 30% higher current capacity, a 20% improvement in power efficiency and better overclocking power stability.
Focus on Quality
We put extra effort in increasing customer satisfaction. Our RMA rate has drastically decreased in the last few years. To achieve the highest quality the MSI Overclocking motherboards are developed by our most senior engineers on the most advanced production lines.
We are continuously improving our customer services, so in case you might run into a problem you can be assured we offer a fast response to your questions and hand you in depth information on the subject.
Carefully selected materials, multiple PCB layers and shielding result in the best circuit protection for our overclocking motherboards.
With MSI ECO Center you can physically cut the power to unused chips to save up to 29% power usage.
10% Reduction in moisture absorption helps prevent "Conductive Anodic Filament." Untreated PCB's can have 10X higher failure rate.
All key components used in MSI motherboards have all passed military testing ensuring stable operation in the harshest environments.
Each and every I/O port is protected against the hazards of Electro Static Discharge.
All MSI motherboards comply with stringent American FCC regulations and reduce the impact of Electromagnetic Interference.
Optimized for Multiple Graphics Cards
MSI Overclocking motherboards feature perfectly aligned PCI-Express 3.0 slots with enough space for an optimal airflow when using multiple graphics cards. That way, you will never have to worry about an overheating PC, while you are enjoying the best graphics jumping off from your monitor when running a NVIDIA® SLI™ or AMD CrossFire™ gaming setup.
CeaseFire Lite
When you are overclocking with LN2 and 4 VGA cards and simply want to benchmark using 3 or less VGA cards you don't have to physically remove one or more cards thanks to CeaseFire Lite, saving you a lot of time. With MSI CeaseFire Lite it is very easy to disable one of the PCI-E x16 slots with a simple switch in the BIOS.
Click BIOS 4
The MSI Click BIOS 4 is the latest UEFI BIOS with optimizations for Windows 8. Not only that it also reacts faster, runs smoother and has better mouse support. And this all comes with many cool features. Click on the button on the right to visit our dedicated BIOS page and learn more.
Overclocking Software
MSI Overclocking motherboards are equipped with advanced overclocking software tools to fine tune even the most in-depth OC settings with ease.
MSI Command Center
MSI's Command Center software is a very powerful tool to push your motherboard to the max. With a very intuitive touch ready interface, Command Center allows users to tune settings to increase system stability, maximize overclocking performance and adjust cooling features.
MSI Command Center Lite
This lightweight overclocking tool doesn't need installation and doesn't occupy unnecessary system resources lowering system benchmark scores. With a single mouse click you have access to the most important overclocking features.
RAMDisk
MSI Command Center integrates an unlimited RAMdisk with the retail value of $35. With a RAMdisk you can create a virtual drive from your system memory enabling speeds twenty times faster than a modern SSD. There are options to load complete game images, you can speed up your browser or your page file which increases your whole game system performance.
Audio Boost
Reward your ears with true quality. Get ready for ear-drum shattering sound, with MSI Audio Boost! With Audio Boost we're delivering the highest audio quality so you can enjoy crystal clear sound and music in games.
Because the complete audio circuitry is isolated from other features, you'll enjoy less interference and more stability.
The built-in headphone amplifier allows you to use studio-grade headgear and get the most amazing sound quality out of your PC.
- Studio level integrated 600O headphone amplifier
- Golden audio jacks for pure audio signals
- EMI shielded audio codec
- High quality audio capacitors
- Illuminated audio PCB separation
OC Genie 4
We have implemented the revolutionary OC Genie 4 button on the MSI Overclocking motherboards. Just press the OC Genie button, on the motherboard or in Click BIOS 4, to achieve a stable overclock in just one second, giving your system a nice performance boost.
CPU Overcurrent Protection
When the MSI Overclocking motherboard detects a failure from hardware such as the CPU, it will shut down, prevent booting and protects other hardware from damage by disconnecting power to it. A red LED let's you know that overcurrent protection is active.
GO2BIOS
Entering a BIOS can be a frustrating job. Because nowadays motherboards boot Lightning fast, we added the GO2BIOS button. Simply push it before you start or restart your system and you'll go straight to the system BIOS when your motherboard powers on.
Intel® Ethernet
Always connected with Intel® Gigabit LAN networking. Optimized for multimedia and gaming use to deliver a stable and fast network connection. Even when using LN2, to make sure you can upload your record-breaking scores.
Intel® Wi-Fi AC & Bluetooth
The MSI Overclocking motherboards come with an easily unpluggable Intel® Wi-Fi / Bluetooth module which also supports Intel® WiDi (Wireless Display). This way you can easily connect to other wireless devices in your home.
The support of 802.11 AC and Bluetooth 4.0 ensures that you have the fastest available transfer speed. With Intel® WiDi and a WiDi receiver (not included) you can watch movies on your TV without the need for any cables.
What's in the Box
Check it out for yourself! Besides a plethora of necessary cables and connectors you also get a cool Do-Not-Disturb door-hanger, a slick MSI OC series case badge, a set of cable labels and the stylish all black M-shield.
Warranty & Returns
Warranty, Returns, And Additional Information
Warranty
- Limited Warranty period (parts): 3 years
- Limited Warranty period (labor): 3 years
- Read full details
Return Policies
- Return for refund within: Non-refundable
- Return for replacement within: 30 days
- This item is covered by Newegg.com's Replacement Only Return Policy.
- Read full return policy for details.
Manufacturer Contact Info
- Manufacturer Product Page
- Manufacturer Website
- Support Phone: 1-626-913-0828
- Support Website
- View other products from MSI
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