MSI unveiled their plans for the next revision of their award winning MPOWER motherboard series. With the Z87 series of boards, MSI decided to release two different versions of the MPOWER motherboard – the Z87 MPOWER and the Z87 MPOWER MAX.

MSI Z87 MPOWER motherboard
Courtesy of MSI

MSI Z87 MPOWER MAX motherboard
Courtesy of MSI

Continue reading our preview of the MSI Z87 MPOWER motherboard lineup!

As you can see from the board pictures, there are no more than subtle differences between the base MPOWER and the MPOWER MAX boards. Both boards feature the following features key to the MPOWER motherboard series:

  • OC Certified
  • Built with Lightning DNA
  • Enhanced components
  • Enhanced power
  • Enhanced thermal design
  • Military Class Components
  • The cleanest extreme PCB
  • Optimized overclocking BIOS
  • OC Essentials
  • DigitALL Power PWM

With the Z87-based MPOWER board line-up, MSI introduces the Military Class 4 branding for onboard power components. Military Class 4 enhances their already extraordinary board power design with more efficient and higher grade components compared with the previous generation board power components. This insures cleaner power delivery to the CPU and less chance of power spikes or board failure while stressing the board power components from overclocking. MSI defines the Military Class 4 branding as including the following:

  • HI-C CAP capacitors – small form-factor capacitors rated at a 93% energy efficiency rating
  • DARK CAP capacitors – aluminum core capacitors with lower ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) and a 10-year lifespan
  • Super Ferrite Choke – ferrite core choke that runs 35 degrees Celsius cooler, offer 30% higher current capacity, and 20% power efficiency improvement
  • Military Class Essentials – humidity and high temperature protection, new PCB structure limiting EMI radiation, and ESD protection on all connectors to prevent short circuiting

In addition to the upgraded power components, MSI designed the MPOWER boards with an integrate GigE Killer E2200 NIC and their Audio Boost! technology. Previously, the Killer NIC was only available on their Z77 Gaming line of motherboards. The MSI Audio Boost! technology integrates a 600 ohm study level headphone amplifier into the board to deliver the cleanest sound possible, using a TI OPA1652 OP-AMP circuit. High quality audio-grade capacitors and gold plating on the rear panel ports are used to ensure optimal audio quality.

For more information on the MSI MPOWER motherboard line, please see their preview page here.

About MSI

Since its founding in 1986, MSI has been demonstrating continued success in digital age. To achieve the best user experience, every component is essential. In the past 25 years, MSI always strives to provide digital products based on its core values –“Innovation” and “Style”. The results are products with superior performance, trusted reliability, excellent user experience and expressive style.

Embracing years of experience in design and manufacturing, MSI motherboard and graphics card have achieved maximum productivity by becoming one of the top 3 in the world. Our hard work have led us to become one of the finest brands in the industry with accumulated sales in more than 120 countries, 150 million motherboard users and 100 million graphics card users worldwide.

MSI has won the world-renowned product design awards and nearly 8,000 award recognitions from 350 media in 50 countries worldwide. With the brand slogan of “Innovation with Style”, MSI will continue to pioneer in global market as a principal brand in digital era, as well as lead the world in innovation in the field of global fashion technology with the needs of consumers at its core.