Built with a USB 3.1 controller and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer, the Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon LGA 1151 ATX Motherboard from MSI is designed to fit in cases that support an ATX form factor. This 12.0 x 9.6" motherboard supports Intel 6th Generation Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, and Celeron processors, the LGA 1151 socket, and the Intel Z170 chipset.
The ATX form factor of the Z170 Gaming Pro Carbon has four DIMM slots that are able to support up to 64GB of dual-channel ECC and unbuffered memory, as well ECC UDIMM modules (in non-ECC mode), plus Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules. The supported memory speeds are 3466 (OC), 3200 (OC), 3000 (OC), 2800 (OC), 2600 (OC), 2400, and 2133 MHz. There are also a total of six SATA III 6 Gb/s ports (two reserved for the SATA Express port), one SATA Express port, and one M.2 slot. Additionally, there are three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (supports x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4 modes) and four PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. USB 3.1 connectivity is integrated with one Type-C port and one Type-A port, both of which are on the back panel. The back panel also has two USB 3.0 ports four USB 2.0 ports, while internally there are two USB 3.0 connectors that support an addition four USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 connectors that support an additional four USB 2.0 ports. Using the Realtek ALC1150 audio codec, this motherboard can support 7.1-channel (7 speakers + 1 subwoofer) HD audio.
The X99A Gaming Pro Carbon supports multi-GPUs using 3-Way AMD CrossFire technology and 2-Way NVIDIA SLI technology. MSI has also designed this motherboard with features such as Intel i219 LAN, Audio Boost 3, ESD protection, Military Class 5 components, an unlimited RAMDisk, a gaming device port, and more. Included with this motherboard are necessary cables and connectors, an I/O shield, and I/O panel port labels. Protection is provided by a limited 3-year warranty.
General Features
Memory Performance and Stability
With traditional memory designs, the memory signals are often distorted by electromagnetic signals from other components, making the system perform slower or become unstable. MSI's DDR4 Boost technology with optimized traces and fully isolated memory circuitry helps ensure the memory signals stay pure for optimal performance and stability. An added XMP LED highlights an active Extreme Memory Profile for the most efficient memory speed and stability setting.
Low Latency
MSI Gaming LAN features carefully selected components to help ensure an online gaming experience without lag.
Dedicated Intel Gaming LAN
Experience a more fluid game with Intel i219 LAN. Intel i219 LAN is designed to deliver high performance when gaming, with increased throughput. It is also optimized for championship level online and LAN eSports by reducing CPU overhead and offering high TCP and UDP throughput. This way, your CPU can be used more effectively and you can enjoy more frames per second when gaming.
Gaming Optimized Bandwidth Management
Dedicated to providing an online gaming experience with optimized traffic prioritization and low latency, MSI's Gaming LAN Manager automatically classifies and prioritizes the latency-sensitive applications for online games. It also allows you to change applications' traffic priority and customize the bandwidth for each application.
LAN Protect
Featuring 15kV anti-surge protection to help shield your network from lightning strikes and static electricity, LAN Protect is a LAN connector designed to give you an improved networking experience. It's highlighted with a red LED inside the RJ45 connector to show its functionality.
Audio Boost 3
With Audio Boost 3, powered by Nahimic Sound Technology, MSI delivers high sound quality through the use of premium quality audio components. That way, you can enjoy crystal clear sound and music through 8-channel HD Audio or high-impedance headphones. Features include Nahimic Sound technology, golden audio jacks, an EMI-shielded HD audio processor, an isolated audio PCB with LED line, chemi-con audio capacitors, dual headphone amplifiers, and a front dedicated headphone out.
Nahimic Audio Enhancer
Nahimic audio software offers high definition sound technology which boosts the audio and voice performance of your gaming computer. Enjoy an immersive virtual 7.1 sound over your standard stereo equipment.
Game Boost
Overclock your system instantly and generate more fps in games with one push of a button using Game Boost. You can also enable XMP using the XMP button in Click BIOS.
Gaming Hotkey
Gaming Hotkey enables more functionality using your own keyboard. Simply assign functions to any key and launch your favorite games, load overclocking profiles, or do real-time overclocking with the push of a single button.
10 Gb/s USB 3.1
Transfer your favorite games, music, and movies over USB faster than ever. USB 3.1 enables fast transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s.
USB Type-C with Reversible Design
Get all the performance benefits from USB 3.1 combined with the convenience of the USB Type-C connector. This reversible connector allows for effortless connecting of USB devices.
Front USB Type-C
A dedicated front USB Type-C port is well-suited for smartphones and next-generation mobile storage devices.
Front USB 3.0
With a cleverly placed USB 3.0 front pin header on MSI motherboards, you can connect up to four USB 3.0 devices directly to the front of your PC's chassis. This way, you can easily enjoy fast USB speeds without having to use the hard-to-reach USB ports at the rear.
Double ESD Protection
The front USB 3.0 ports on MSI motherboards are protected by a set of protective ICs to help prevent damage caused by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) from plugging/unplugging USB devices.
SATA Express
SATA Express offers a solution in high speed storage through PCI-Express, providing more bandwidth for SSDs up to 16 Gb/s.
Turbo M.2
Delivering speeds up to 32 Gb/s using PCIe Gen3 x4, Turbo M.2 is more than five times faster than a regular SATA III connection, while Steel Armor provides improved signal quality. Enjoy a fast system boot up and fast loading of applications and games.
M.2 to Turbo U.2 (optional)
A U.2 host card delivers performance of up to 32 GB/s and allows for the support of 2.5" SSDs using the U.2 connector. A redriver chip is added to increase data transfer speeds.
Enhanced CPU Overvoltage Protection
Onboard overvoltage protection helps prevent overvoltage and short-circuit damage of the CPU and other components. A red LED near the 24-pin CPU power connector let you know that overvoltage protection is activated for easier troubleshooting.
EZ Debug LED
MSI's EZ Debug LED is a troubleshooting tool built with four LEDs to indicated CPU, memory, VGA, and boot operations every time your system boots up and can be used to identify the source of a problem.
SteelSeries Certified
Enthusiast gaming gear brand SteelSeries has officially approved MSI Gaming motherboards as 'SteelSeries Certified (SSC).' This certification is based on the performance demands and stability of MSI Gaming motherboards and SteelSeries products. Your SteelSeries headset, mouse, and other top quality gaming gear works well with MSI Gaming motherboards.
Gaming Certified
MSI Gaming motherboards are tested in their gaming lab, Internet cafes, and together with the eSports players to make sure you get top performance and reliability in the world's most popular games. Through 24-hour on- and offline game testing, MSI ensures the onboard network configuration, audio reception, and fps performance are tested and tuned for you to enjoy your gameplay experience.
Turbo Socket for No Limits Overclocking
Providing extra pins (2036 in total) opens doors for better overlocking of Intel Extreme processors and DDR4 memory. Turbo socket allows for additional tuning of DDR4 memory and ring voltages, resulting in record improved DDR4 memory overclocking performance, lower latencies, and enhanced stability while overclocking.
Military Class 5 Components
Military Class 5 includes Titanium Choke and Dark CAP to help ensure that your PC runs stable under extreme gaming conditions.
Titanium Choke
Titanium Choke uses a titanium core that has better ability in thermal and higher temperature tolerance. This allows the Titanium Choke to run at a 428°F / 220°C high temperature, have a 40% higher current capacity, a 30% improvement in power efficiency, and better overclocking power stability.
Dark CAP
With their aluminum core design, Dark CAPs has been a staple in high-end motherboard designs and provides lower Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) as well as its over-10-year lifespan.
Humidity Protection
Reduction in moisture absorption helps prevent "Conductive Anodic Filament." Untreated PCB's can have 10x higher failure rate.
High Temperature Protection
All key components used in MSI motherboards have all passed military testing, ensuring stable operation in the harshest environments.
Circuit Protection
Carefully selected materials, multiple PCB layers, and shielding result in improved circuit protection for MSI Gaming motherboards.
ESD Protection
Each and every I/O port is protected against the hazards of Electro Static Discharge.
EMI Protection
All MSI motherboards comply with strict American FCC regulations and reduce the impact of electromagnetic interference.
Optimized for Multiple Graphics Cards - SLI/CrossFire Support
This motherboard supports SLI / CrossFire, and optimal PCIe slot placement allows for better fitting and airflow. That way, you can enjoy the great graphics at the higher framerates when running an NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire setup.
MSI Steel Armor
Steel Armor has more solder points on the PCB for more strength and protects the PCIe signals against electromagnetic interference for a stutter-free gaming experience and higher GPU overclocking.
Click BIOS 5
Explore the improved Click BIOS 5 and use it to tune your system's performance to get the most out of your games. MSI Click BIOS 5 is the next generation UEFI BIOS with optimizations for Windows 10. Control your system in two modes: EZ mode, for the most used settings and functions, vs. Advanced mode, for more detailed settings and fine-tuning options to boost your system's performance.
Gaming Device Port
MSI's Gaming Device Port is optimized to deliver connectivity for high end gaming mice to fully utilize their speed. You can customize your mouse's dpi to change accuracy and program macro combinations using the easy to use Mouse Master software to perform multiple commands with just one click.
WTFast
WTFast is the Gamers Private Network, like a global automated army of IT specialists all working together to optimize your game connection from end to end. WTFast reports rich connection stats for your online game, so you can see exactly what is happening with your game connection.
Your Game, Your Stream, Your Fame
XSplit Gamecaster & Broadcaster V2 lets you easily record your gaming moments and broadcast your live gameplay sessions to Twitch, YouTube, UStream and more. It's simple, easy to use, and ideal for sharing your gameplay with friends, family, or the world.
Overclocking Made Easy
Outperform your competition with the MSI Gaming App, which allows simultaneous control of both your motherboard and graphics card's overclocking. Simply select your preferred mode with the click of a button - Silent, Gaming, or OC.
MSI Dragon Eye
MSI Dragon Eye allows you to watch a YouTube video or Twitch Stream while playing a game. Simply add a link or stream to the Dragon Eye application and select the size, position, volume, and transparency and start gaming. With a few hotkeys, you can start/pause your video or set the volume.
CPU-Z
MSI has worked closely with CPUID to develop this special edition of CPU-Z featuring the MSI Gaming dragon. Use CPU-Z to gather key information on the main devices of your system, such as your CPU speed, memory speed and timings, motherboard BIOS version, and much more.
MSI RAMDisk
Get an unlimited RAMDisk for free with MSI Gaming motherboards. RAMDisk allows you to create a virtual drive from your system memory, enabling speeds up to 25x faster than a modern SSD. You can load complete games, speed up your browser or your page file, significantly increasing system performance. You even increase your SSD's lifespan by using RAMDisk as it reduces unnecessary read and write operations to your SSD.
Water Cooling Ready
Easy AIO water cooling use