The MSI Z170A Gaming M5 ATX Motherboard enables you to build a PC system with a 6th-generation Intel processor and up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM. This version of MSI's line of motherboards offers BIOS Flashback+ so you can flash the BIOS without a CPU and memory installed. It also delivers better sound quality than typical motherboards by coming equipped with a Nahimic Audio Enhancer. It supports up to two PCIe x4 M.2 SSDs as well as USB 3.1 Type-C and Type-A devices. Designed with gaming in mind, this motherboard has a Killer Gigabit LAN connector along with software for your mouse and keyboard to enhance them with macro combinations, which let you run multiple commands with a single click.
This motherboard comes outfitted with six SATA 6 Gb/s connectors and two SATA Express connectors that transfer data at a rate up to 10 Gb/s. The Intel Z170 Express chipset offers various RAID modes for SATA based storage drives and RAID 0 or RAID 1 for M.2 SSDs. To support SLI or CrossFire setups, this motherboard comes equipped with three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. It also provides four PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for expansion cards.
In addition to the USB 3.1 ports, the rear I/O panel has two USB 2.0 ports and four USB 3.0 ports. For multimedia, it comes with five OFC audio jacks as well as an optical out, HDMI, and a DVI-D port. To connect with a legacy keyboard or mouse, it offers a PS/2 combo port. MSI has designed this motherboard to overclock your components by offering you Click BIOS 5 and OC Engine 2. It also comes with other built-in features to make sure your system runs reliably while in this mode.
DDR4 Technology
MSI introduces DDR4 Boost technology with optimized traces and fully isolated memory circuitry. This design ensures the memory signals stay pure for optimal performance and stability. Moreover, an added XMP LED highlights the active Extreme Memory profile.
Gaming Design
MSI has equipped this motherboard with heatsinks that evenly distribute the heat away from critical components.
Killer Ethernet E2400
The Killer E2400 Intelligent Networking platform features Stream Detect 2.0, which is built for maximizing networking performance for online games and high-quality streaming media. The Killer LAN automatically detects and accelerates game traffic ahead of other network traffic for smoother, stutter-free in-game performance. The MSI Gaming LAN manager lets you change the application's traffic priority and customize the bandwidth for each application. Featuring 15K V anti-surge protection, LAN Protect is a LAN connector designed to shield your network from lightning strikes and static electricity. It's highlighted with a red LED inside the RJ45 jack to show its functionality.
Audio Boost 3
With premium audio components and Nahimic Sound technology, this motherboard offers studio grade sound by delivering clear sound and music through 8-channel HD audio or high impendence headphones. This motherboard comes with golden audio jacks, Chemi-Con audio capacitors, and dual headphone amplifiers as well as an isolated audio PCB, EMI-shielded HD audio processor, and a front dedicated headphone out connector.
Game Boost
You can overclock the system with one push of a button using Game Boost. It also lets you enable XMP with the XMP button in Click BIOS.
Gaming Hotkey
MSI offers you a Gaming Hotkey utility program that enables more functionality using your own keyboard. Simply assign functions or macros to any key and launch your favorite games, load overclocking profiles or perform real-time overclocking with the push of a single button. It provides MSI Smart keys so you can log in with one key press.
USB 3.1
Faster than SATA III, USB 3.1 allows for speeds up to 10 Gb/s, doubling the speed compared to USB 3.0 and up to 20x faster than legacy USB 2.0. Furthermore, one of these USB 3.1 ports features a Type-C connector that allows for effortless connecting of USB Type-C devices.
- Up to 2x faster than USB 3.0
- Up to 20x faster than USB 2.0
- Up to 10 Gb/s data transfer bandwidth
- Boost the transfer rate between your PC and external storage devices
USB 3.0 Connectivity
MSI has designed the USB port on this motherboard to deliver more power than regular USB chargers. You can charge a smartphone, tablet, or portable console when you're not gaming. This motherboard comes with two USB 3.0 headers so you can connect your case's front USB 3.0 ports. These ports allow you to enjoy USB speeds without having to use the rear USB ports. The USB 3.0 headers come built with protective ICs that prevent damage caused by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) from plugging or unplugging USB devices. They also feature Redrivers that enable you to use longer USB 3.0 cables inside the case.
Storage Expansion
SATA Express offers a bandwidth of up to 10 Gb/s utilizing PCI Express. For faster data transfers, the two Turbo M.2 slots deliver speeds up to 32 Gb/s, which is five times faster than a SATA III connection. With PCI x4 M.2 SSDs, the system will boot up nearly instantaneously and your applications will run faster. MSI has an optional U.2 host card adapter for the M.2 slot, so the motherboard can support 2.5" SSDs using the U.2 connector.
OC Engine 2
The OC Engine 2 is an external clock generator that gives you more overclocking options for your setup. It also offers lower jitter and power consumption to provide better stability under extreme conditions.
OC Essentials
OC Essentials is a set of tools that help provide the best performance out of your motherboard. These features increase stability, assist in trouble shooting, and allow you to keep your complete system in check as well as simple management.
- V-Check Points 2 Lite - accurately monitors your voltages while overclocking and supports legacy and modern multimeters
- Debug LED - features a 2-digit LED for easy diagnostics and CPU temperature
- Slow Mode - helps defeat booting issues when overclocking at extremely high CPU frequencies. A switch temporary decreases the CPU ratio below stock settings, letting you boot to Windows
Military Class 5 Components
This motherboard uses high quality components such as a Titanium Choke and a DrMOS mosfet along with Hi-c CAPs and Dark CAPs.
- Titanium Choke - uses a Titanium core that has a better ability in thermal as well as higher temperature tolerances. This allows it to run at 428°F / 220°C, have a 40% higher current capacity, a 30% improvement in power efficiency, and better overclocking power stability
- Dark Caps - feature an aluminum core design as well as provide lower Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) and over a 10-year lifespan
SLI/CrossFire Support
Multiple PCIe x16 slots are available to support a SLI or CrossFire setup. These slots are optimally placed on the motherboard to allow better fitting and airflow. Furthermore, the connection between these slots and the PCB has more reinforced solder points to provide strength and protect the signals against electromagnetic interference.
Click BIOS 5
MSI Click BIOS 5 is optimized for Windows 10. You can control your system in two modes: EZ mode provides frequently used settings and functions, while Advanced mode offers detailed settings and fine-tuning options to boost your system's performance. It's also easy-to-use and has high-resolution multi language scalable fonts as well as advanced overclocking options.
Gaming Port Features
The PS/2 and USB gaming device ports feature three times more gold than regular connectors and offer ten times longer lifespan when plugging and unplugging devices. They are also better equipped to prevent oxidation.
Software Bundle
MSI Mouse Master software lets you customize your mouse's DPI to change the accuracy and program macro combinations. The MSI Gaming app allows simultaneous control of both your motherboard and graphics card's overclocking. It features a transparent overlay over your application to provide on-screen speeds and temperatures. You can monitor in real time the GPU core, DRAM frequency, GPU & CPU temperatures, and more. Another included app which is similar is CPU-Z, but offers greater details about your system.