MSI Z170A Gaming M7 Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. MSI Z170A Gaming M7: Packaging and Bundle3. MSI Z170A Gaming M7: Board Layout and Features4. MSI Z170 UEFI5. MSI Z170 GAMING Software6. Testing Methodology7. Tests: System-related8. Tests: Gaming-related9. Overclocking: Frequencies10. Overclocking: Performance11. Tests: Motherboard-related12. Closing Thoughts13. View All Pages

UEFI

Firstly, we are pleased to report that our generic wireless mouse worked to its usual standard in the MSI Z170 UEFI. We’ve found the wireless mouse to be troubling with UEFI support in the past, so when it functions correctly in the interface, that is usually a good sign for overall mouse support.

Note: MSI's UEFI is almost identical across its range of Z170 Gaming motherboards. As such, we have reused many of the screenshots from our review of the Z170 XPower Gaming Titanium Edition motherboard.

Entry for MSI's new Click BIOS 5 interface is the task of a new page that features the system's core information.

This is an approach that Asus has successfully used with its UEFI and it is something that I like as it feeds core information to less-experienced users without flooding them with confusing and in-depth system information.

Scrolling down the entry page highlights the overclocking presets that deploys via the eight-point onboard OC dial. I like seeing multiple presets being supplied for i5 and i7 users as it gives greater choice to the system operator.

MSI also gives quick access to the fan speed curves.

Pressing F7 takes users into the UEFI's advanced section where the core values relating to voltages, clock speeds, and other features can be controlled.

MSI provides a good range of adjustable settings for overclocking users. There is a selector that allows a normal or expert mode to be applied, based upon your overclocking preferences.

Plenty of options are provided for the CPU VCore operation. MSI includes two load-line calibration options and does well to display a graph that explains their operation.

Plenty of adjustments can be made to system memory. MSI includes a divider up to 31x which allows for a frequency of 4133MHz using a 100MHz BCLK. The granularity of the memory dividers will appeal to overclockers wanting to fine tune their system precisely.

Memory profiles presets are also supplied by MSI, with a number of configurations provided for use with Hynix, Samsung, and Micron DDR4.

Up to six settings profiles can be named and saved as well as transferred via a USB drive.

MSI's fan control method uses a 4-point fan speed percentage against temperature curve to control the CPU and system fans. There is also the option to disable manual fan speed control with such refinement.

While MSI's manual control method is good and undoubtedly superior to some of the competing solutions, there are no ‘silent‘ and ‘standard‘ fan speed presets that we see from the likes of Asus and ASRock.

MSI's Board Explorer is a useful tool that I like seeing provided. It is particularly helpful when troubleshooting – for example a faulty stick of RAM can be identified as missing through the tool and one can check that all storage drives are connected to the most appropriate SATA ports without removing the chassis side panel.

I am glad to report that MSI's M-Flash utility has the ability to search through a drive's directories and folders. The tool works without issue.

UEFI Comments

MSI has made a number of notable improvements for its Click BIOS 5 implementation found on Z170 motherboards. The addition of a simplified UEFI entry screen is positive and the sheer quantity of overclocking presets not only for the CPU, but also the memory, is welcomed. M-Flash now works in the way that competing vendors' solutions also do. MSI's strong, if not market-leading, fan control methods have also been retained.

While I still think that Asus has the most complete UEFI implementation on the market, MSI has conjured up a solution that competes with the market-leading competitor in many aspects and actually beats it in some (Board Explorer). The UEFI's strengths are widespread and its areas for improvement are relatively minor.

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