Complete MSI Z97 Gaming, M-Power and X-Power Motherboard Buyer's Guide

[@KaTooMaz]

Going through some of my old PC hardware the other day and pulled out a Gaming 7 with a 4770k in the socket. The first board/chip I started OC'ing, oh the memories. But the thing I found most interesting about this video is that Linus hasn't changed or aged one bit since 2014 😁

[@marcushall5136]

You just made me rethink my motherboard that I had picked out

[@R3mix_]

i have the MSI Z87-G43 GAMING and i am happy with that ;)

[@francopellegrin4437]

At 0:51 Linus said "the I7 4970K". Seems pretty legit.....

[@Martin333]

I thought I was the only one to hear that. lol "4970k"

[@BannWorthRulz]

+Franco Pellegrin Say what now Linus? Wow!

[@cretinkiller1]

Well now I finally received a new z87-g45 msi motherboard... after 6 months of problem it finally works -.-

[@FraeschD]

THE PCB IS BLACK!!!!! Most important feature of the Gaming series boards.

[@lmCIoudz]

That's the only thing I dislike about my Z87 G45 board, the PCB is brown :(

[@FraeschD]

lmCIoudz I even consider replacing my Z87 GD 65 with a Z97 Gaming 5 just for the black PCB. I know that's technically a downgrade, but i can't afford it otherwise, because dem Z87 prices have gone DOWN, oh boy!

[@VisualBasic6]

FraeschD ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97gd65gaming you mean this board ? isin't the pcb black ?

[@Gershy13]

RACISM!!! LOL

[@FraeschD]

secret642 The photoshop is strong on this one. They tricked me into believing the PCB was black too. In fact it's brown-ish when you take a closer look. Generally you don't really see it when it's in a PC case, especially when you use red LED lighting. But when you know that it's brown, you will notice it everytime you look into your PC, and it drives me CRAZY!!!!! :D

[@GeeFamous92]

Just got this board in by UPS and wow this board looks nice!

[@jakehuitt3746]

Yes we want the guide! I have done it with an old 775 chip

[@Zapterified]

MSI will always be the top of the top in everything. Keep it up MSI! (Not a fanboy but I do not target other brands negatively, just love MSI)

[@adammiller5308]

I'm down for a guide to de lid a CPU .. But does it really give you that much advantage vs the risk? Even with the new devils canyon

[@wezbat]

Some guys saw a 10c change by delidding. What risks are you so worried about ? Delidding is as risky and complicated as hanging a picture on the wall ;)

[@maankroket]

wezbat Not in the clumsy hands of most of us noobs out there :-)

[@jonaswox]

Its very easy to measure distortion on the audiochannel. You can start out by hooking a jack-jack into speaker and mic port, then set volume to 0% and look at dB readings. As you will see with onboard soundcards, there is A LOT of noise on the audio channel. It has many disadvantages =)

[@turbotonic27]

ITS HERE finally after many years, first brand to use usb for installing stuff

[@killa12222]

Yes, a delidding video would be awesome.

[@CuriousTinkering]

Wow that delidding guard is awesome! Very useful actually.

[@Shabtai1024]

I wouldn't mind taking a look under the hood as it were. The real question is would you do it on a functional processor, install it, and boot it up to see if it still works?

[@willhendrix86]

Replacing the thermal compound can be the best decision you can make for extreme overclocks or in my case stock overheating issues with a laptop, reduced from a 63c idle to 51c and peek 95 to peek 78c. I am looking forward to superconductive graphene and carbon nano-tube infused heat spreaders and heat pipes to hitting the market to see how much heat draw/disipation can be improved. Could by years yet but interesting none the less if you like the science.

[@erkkiboy]

absolutely, a guide for delid would be awesome!

[@KhiolM]

De-Lidding - Would be a good guide to have out there. Its reletively easy BUT should come with all the appropriate warnings. Good Idea for some of those out there whom have the Haswell temp problems but aren't able to grab the Devil's Canyon stuff right off the bat.

[@uzmeyer1752]

I really like the mpower line. I still run a z77 mpower, it just works great and looks awesome with that matte black pcb and yellow

[@MrCrogman]

is it really 4970k or was that a mistake? I thought it was a 4790k that has just come out...

[@5UR3X3]

lol i heard that to.

[@techandtipsgamer8286]

Does Deliding the CPU void warranty, because if it doesn't BRING ON THE DE-LIDING GUIDE

[@headcas620]

Of course it does.

[@BennettSoh]

Yes, but it is a great solution when u receive a shit cpu from the manufacturers like my 4770k which can't overclock even with water cooling :(

[@techandtipsgamer8286]

Bennett Soh Yep, they really need to improve their binning process. EVGA's binning process for their SC gpus is AMAZING

[@d3m0n876]

basically breathing on it wrong voids the warranty so don't worry about it. for example if you aren't using the heat sink that comes with the chip the warranty is voided

[@techandtipsgamer8286]

d3m0n876 lol, my old amd 4130 said even overclocking it by 100mhz would void the warranty, although i don't see how they would know you have overclocked it

[@BennettSoh]

Oh man, nice to see them adding the delidding stuff

[@stektpolse]

Motherboard : MSI Z97 GAMING 5, Socket-1150 Intel Core i5-4690K : CPU HyperX Savage DDR3 2133MHz 16GB : RAM Can i use the cpu and ram on this motherboard??

[@Beardroid91]

Hey Linus, would be cool if you could try and de-lid an cpu, to show if there are anything to gain by doing it, and if its worth doing risk / reward ;)

[@EveningOfficer]

I would love to see a de-liding guide! But I have to ask... Why would you de-lid your cpu???

[@r3xx3r9]

i would love a video guide on de-lidding a cpu, maybe 1 for amd and 1 for intel if the difference is enough to warrant it. you are the best linus

[@runemthomsen]

Now that (much) better on board audio is a thing, it would be interesting to see a test of which solution is the best. Gigabyte, MSI, Asus etc.

[@Anna_bananatv]

YES YES YES DELID!!!....and make sure to show the outtakes, or broken cpus....

[@fuzzurio]

I have a delidded 4770k, very happy with it =)

[@DaSnipy]

You Sir are my DIGITAL HERO ! =D

[@mogan23z]

Yes ! We want a guide to delid CPUs !

[@n4th4niel100]

Yes I would like to see that!

[@mechanelawesome]

I've always wondered about delidding. I vote for a vid!

[@TheJacobshapiro]

Yes deliding guide. I definitely won't do it myself, but I wanna see.

[@kalef1234]

oh my gosh i just got the MSI 290X Lightning., now I have to get that motherboard!

[@michael8990]

Bring on any guide you have linus. You are my favorite to watch on your guide and builds. Have you done a recent full pc build lately? Do more anyway. Lol

[@valkyrie743]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO THE GUIDE FOR DELIDDING

[@HCkev]

MSI Z97 Motherboards - Metro Last Light edition

[@Mat_44]

LINUS! Do that Delidding! NOW!!!! Cool Review man!

[@thepain2222]

MSI's 9 series are looking fantastic. The gaming 7 would probably be the board for me. Either that or the maxi 7 formula. I would have preferred an intel nic over a killer though. The intel would run circles around the qualcomm.

[@aaronsuarez2585]

Will be cool to see the delid guard tut

[@johntour3061]

Asus Maximus VII Hero or MSI Z97 MPower is the best motherboard for my PC?! PC Parts: Intel i7 4790k / 2x Gigabyte Geforce GTX 970 4gb windforce (2-way sli) / G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 / NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler / Corsair Obsidian 750D.. if you have another best motherboard for a high end pc then let me know.. im going to overclock the hell out of it!!

[@LBBGamingVids]

I'm definitely going to get a new Motherboard when I get myself a new PC! :)

[@josephbergman88]

Please give us a guide on how to delid a CPU!

[@TargetPermanent]

Thanks. I know what I'm buying now.

[@HitomiOokami]

LOL that "Have you guys lost your minds?" XD

[@MarcusNailor]

Yes! De-Lid guide! :D Thanks

[@earnestbunbury2103]

Just ordered a 4670k, and will return it for a 4690k IF it is as bad as I expect it to be (temp, OC, benchmark wise). If it is OC'able but the temps are iffy, I will de-lid and I have the requisite liquid metal TIM at the ready. I would like a de-lid guide but have watched enough vids to do it with a vise and hammer confidently. Tell me what I need to know on that, Liney!

[@blaynemurray3308]

Please show us how to delid, Not that ill probably ever do it, but because I like watching how to do those sort of things.

[@2003dipfun]

yep... i would like so see how that MSI Delid Die Guard thing work.

[@harleywalter3241]

Interested, but my MSI Z87 Mpower is still doing a good job, just wish I had more SATA ports.

[@stephenwakeman3074]

Crikey - I was NOT prepared for the falsetto start to this video, Linus. I think I wet myself a little.

[@ShieldsLetsPlays]

Let's see that de-lid guide!

[@BrownieX001]

FINALLY!!!! USING USB's AND NOT CD's!!!! I really thought this would have happened sooner!

[@Ilija742]

Mpower is the most beautiful motherboard there is in my opinion

[@angel95076]

yea i would love to see a video to open my 4770k, i wanna change the thermal compound

[@SzymonMelewski]

Would love to see a video from you Linus how to delid cpu. Nice video

[@gmeek1822]

Delid please!!

[@AMPTechGrade]

I would love to see deliding, explanation, & if it were worth it. After all, my Alienware laptop CPU (which is removable) doesn't even use a lid lol. I'd assume it'd be better for over clocking

[@DeadLikeYou]

actually, yea. i have a 4770k, and i would like to see the process, dangers, and advantages of delidding a CPU

[@Alphfirm]

Just got the Z97 GAMING 3

[@Kallnar]

Linus. Most of your subscribers here and on your own channel don't need a guide on delidding. BUT I have a chrome link folder of your videos just to answer questions I get all the time. A delidding tutorial, or at least explanation, would be one more thing I could Ctrl+V an answer to.

[@javicarlos1]

Wich are the diferences between gaming 5 and gaming 7?

[@WestCoastPCbuilder]

gaming 7, more usb3.0 and sata3 ports. 2 hdmi out, dp out, spdif out. gaming 5 doesn't.

[@javicarlos1]

Only that?? WestCoastPCbuilder

[@WestCoastPCbuilder]

Carlos Casanueva Yep. MSI wesbsite has a 'compare' feature. That's what the list shows. If I look at the products on newegg, I notice the Gaming 7 also has ... A stronger power phase design, a few more 'SFC' chokes vs regular chokes ... onboard OC Genie buttons ... dual bios and another 'switch' of some sort. Possibly more 4-pin fan headers.

[@WestCoastPCbuilder]

and Hi-C capacitors which is part of the military class package, not found on the Gaming 5.

[@BananaKyat]

I know this comment is old, but, the gaming 7 also has a dual bios, in case for whatever one ever goes bad, you can switch to the other.

[@CalvinCai_Frisbee]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@gameking008]

YES! De-lid guide!

[@QuickLieutenant]

Overview of the new ASUS motherboards or even a comparison of the new chipset gaming motherboards such as Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI

[@CelmorSmith]

Wanted to delid my 3570K but sadly it has just gone up to 4.1 Ghz before it became unstable but the thermals are ok without delidding it with my phanteks ph-tc14pe (it's a beast)

[@maikee1085]

Yes. Delid one please.

[@VisualBasic6]

is it me or there is some kind of echo in the audio ? its not that bad but its a bit noticable. other thant that. yes I would love to see a vid on how to delid a cpu !

[@Kowalamaster]

A deliding cpu video on that board yes please

[@Blinkation]

yes please and benchmarks!

[@VernalGooofy]

When you getting the Gaming 9 board? ;D

[@nice_sprite5285]

OK so which one is best for SLI and gives most features? Is the lower number "better" or is the higher number "better"?

[@EngineeringVignettes]

Built-in Liquid cooling on the LV PSU? That's new to me, has that been done before? Sounds like a good idea as a water-cooled CPU setup usually means that these components surrounding the CPU don't have any active cooling... Does it go to the bridge ICs as well?

[@EasternVikingTradeCompanyJSC]

Where the box with MSI Z97 Gaming 9?

[@lmCIoudz]

DELID GUIDE PLS

[@TechnoMusicFreaks]

Linus what about MSI Z97 GAMING 9 AC when will we see a review?

[@Revalence123]

this is refreshing

[@yashxanarchy2001]

Which one is better

[@nothing7141]

3k gaming pc build is NZXT H440 Special Edition Midi Tower Corsair SP140 Quiet Edt x4 Intel Core i7-4790K Corsair Hydro H100i MSI GeForce GTX TITAN X 12GB HyperX Fury 2666MHz 16GB (4x4GB) Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD Corsair HX750i Corsair Professional Sleeved Cable Black ASUS BW-16D1HT, Blu-Ray Writer Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-bit Samsung 24" LED LS24D340H NZXT Sleeved LED Kit Cable 2M Green and MSI Z97A GAMING 7

[@MrKpomaster]

Intel Core i5 4690k+MSI z97 pc mate ASUS STRIX GTX 970 ripjaw 8GB RAm crucial mx100 256gb SSD 1TB Western Digital Blue Hard Drive 600W Corsair CX600 Power Supply NZXT S340 Case any suggestion or changes?

[@alexanderaho9565]

How about the z97m gaming?

[@Tracomaster]

yeah do that with the cpu seems cool

[@nikolaipriess535]

Which Motherboard would you prefer? - ASUS Maximus VI Impact (Z87) - MSI Z97I gaming ac

[@imaverix2053]

Linus' voice sounded so high at the opening.

[@meckyexpress]

Your sound is bad in this video (still better than the rest of youtube ;))

[@doublexmuffinz]

Msi actually has a z97 gd65 board also that was released with these boards. I know because I have it

[@Maistro69]

I love Linus's ending comments. LMAO!

[@jasongedamke8531]

DeLid all the THINGS!!!

[@khoakdoan]

Which one would you guys recommend if I'm going to be doing a MicroATX build? :)

[@Luchingador]

do they come with Metro last light?

[@Nicktrance1]

"BMW style odd number naming scheme?" BMW has a 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 series.

[@SONOFAZOMBIE2025]

and 8 and soon to be 9 series...

[@Nicktrance1]

***** The 6 series has been produced since the 70s at least and there was an 8 series but that didn't last for long, but yeah I know I was only making fun of Linus' knowledge of cars :P, he doesn't really care about them so the fact that he (or whoever made the script) made a BMW reference was kinda funny to me.

[@Nicktrance1]

***** Yeah, what's worse is a lot of the problems he has with it could be easily fixed but he just doesn't give a crap xD. Didn't he sell the bike, though? I believe he was about to at one point at least. I think he's using much less than he used to though since they're usually carpooling and he can't really go anywhere with it with his toddler.

[@LETHALF90]

Son of a Zombie no thatll never happen. Imbecile.

[@declde]

Got myself a Z97 Gaming 3 for the future broadwell and going to crossfire the next gen of AMD GPU's. Board looks fantastic, but sadly I can't fire it up without a cpu :/

[@aButterflyHD]

Will the Z97 gaming 7 motherboard support a Intel i5 4690k or a i7 4790k (devils canyon) out of the box, because I have no other CPU to update the BIOS first?

[@Frawt]

Umm, of course it will.

[@user-cu1dz5io2i]

Of course

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

yeah do a guide on delight

[@Somedudee]

Still unsure. Whats the best z97 mobo? Making my first build and dont know which one to choose

[@mr.jeromec.harrodsr.8516]

How do you delid a cpu? What is the correct and easiest way?

[@sharifsircar]

Yes

[@SkiffySkiffultin]

What are the advantages of a Z97 chipset compared to other chipsets?

[@creeper360bill]

You can overclock intel CPUs with it

[@SkiffySkiffultin]

***** So If I have an Unlocked processor I can't overclock it without a z97 or a chipset around those lines?

[@creeper360bill]

NeptuneHelix Yep, i think you might be able to overclock with an H97 chipset but Im not 100% sure

[@SkiffySkiffultin]

***** Yeah thats what I ment by around those lines :P

[@WhiskeySierra7]

***** NeptuneHelix From what I read you can't overclock with the H97 chipset.

[@Nerdsickelz]

Yay no add at the start!