We measured the power consumption with the system resting at the Windows 7 desktop, representing idle values.
The power consumption of our entire test system is measured at the wall while loading only the CPU using Prime95′s Small FFTs setting. The rest of the system’s components were operating in their idle states, hence the increased power consumption values (in comparison to the idle figures) are largely related to the load on the CPU and motherboard power delivery components.
Stock power consumption levels for the Z87-G43 Gaming are strong, positioning it near the chart-topping Z87M Gaming in total system draw. The power delivery system's efficiency drops when a 4.5GHz overclock, and subsequent voltage boost, is applied.
The increased difference in power draw over MSI's Z87M Gaming is likely to be related to the Z87-G43 Gaming's lower number of power delivery phases. Each of the G43 Gaming's six power phases is forced to operate at a higher current output and potentially lower efficiency level than the eight equipped with its mATX counterpart.
Thats one of the best value for money boards you can get, two of my friends have it, and it really is all you would ever need. Love it.
Have one already, fantastic board. I found though that some Corsair memory had boot problems with it if you populated all the slots…
I was about to purchase the G45 Gaming, but there was no stock in our local store by the time so I opted for this G43 Gaming. I’m so happy it did not let me down. I thought this is one of the best budget Z87 boards out there!
Is there a laptop version ?
abraham ortiz, this is a desktop motherboard. There is no laptop version.
“Built around MSI’s tried-and-tested Military Class 4 components” What a joke this is. First there is no ML STD anymore. It was replaced by IPC. Military falls under class 3 requirements. “Whereas Class 3 products demand continued high performance or performance-on-demand is critical and equipment downtime cannot be tolerated, the end use environment may be uncommonly harsh, and the equipment must function when required, such as life support or other critical systems” I am a certified IPC specialist, and can tell you that it does likely meet the class 3 military spec, BUT so does almost every other manufacturer.