The MSI B150 Gaming Pro ATX Motherboard provides an LGA1151 socket along with four DDR4 DIMM slots to let you create a Windows machine with a 6th-generation Skylake Intel processor and up to 64 GB of RAM. With an integrated graphics chipset, it outputs visuals through the DVI-D port and supports 4K resolutions via an HDMI port. For 3D gaming, it has two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots that let you install two dedicated graphics cards and link them with AMD's CrossFire technology. In addition, Audio Boost 3 powered by Nahimic sound technology completes the multimedia experience.
This gaming motherboard comes with six SATA connectors along with a single SATA Express and a SATA-based M.2 interface to handle various types of storage drives such as small-form factor M.2 SSDs to 3.5" hard drives. To connect with your peripherals, it offers four USB 2.0 and four USB 3.0 ports along with a PS/2 combo port. For audio, it has five OFC audio jacks as well as an optical S/PDIF connector. Aside from these features, a built-in Killer E2400 Gigabit LAN controller maximizes the networking performance for online games and streaming media.
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.
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, separated audio layers, and dual headphone amplifiers as well as an isolated audio PCB, an EMI-shielded HD audio processor, anti-popcorn noise technology, and a front dedicated headphone out connector.
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 3.0 Connectivity
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.
Storage Expansion
SATA Express offers a bandwidth of up to 16 Gb/s utilizing PCI Express. The single SATA-based M.2 slot doesn't need power and data cables to support small footprint M.2 SSDs.
EZ Debug LED
The EZ Debug LED features three LED lights to indicate CPU, memory, and VGA operation when you boot up your system. These lights help you determine which part needs replacement when the system does not function properly.
Slow Mode
Slow mode helps defeat booting issues when overclocking at extremely high CPU frequencies. Flicking the switch will temporary decrease the CPU ratio below stock settings, creating stability to successfully boot to Windows.
CPU Overvoltage Protection
A red LED light near the 24-pin power connection lets you know that protection is activated to prevent overvoltage and short-circuit damage of the CPU and other components.
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
Guard Pro
MSI has provided circuit protection for this motherboard by outfitting it with high quality materials, multiple PCB layers, and shielding. For key components, they have passed military testing to ensure stable operation in a harsh environment. MSI has also protected the I/O ports against Electro Static Discharge. In addition, the motherboard meets FCC regulations and produces less Electromagnetic Interference than other motherboards.
AMD CrossFire Support
Multiple PCIe x16 slots are available to support a CrossFire setup. With the increased size and weight of high-end graphics cards, the connection between these slots and the PCB has more reinforced solder points to offer more strength.
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. MSI also gives you RAMDisk so you can create a virtual drive from your system memory. This drive offers speeds up to twenty-five times faster than SSDs. It can also prolong the life of your SSD by reducing unnecessary read and write operations.