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SATA
For SATA 6Gb/s testing we use a Kingston HyperX 3K (SandForce SF-2281) SSD.
By using ports routed directly from the Z97 chipset, performance of all SATA 6Gbps connections on MSI's board is limitless for modern SSDs operating from the interface.
M.2 connector
We use Plextor‘s ultra-fast M6e 256GB M.2 SSD to test the speed of a motherboard's M.2 connector. We reviewed the 512GB Plextor M6e (and its PCIe x2 adapter card) HERE.
Performance of the chipset-fed M.2 PCIe 2.0 x2 connector is strong. The Z97 Gaming 5 had no problem taking Plextor's fast M6e SSD to its maximum speeds.
USB 3.0
We tested USB 3.0 performance using the Kingston HyperX 3K SSD connected to a SATA 6Gb/s to USB 3.0 adapter powered by an ASMedia ASM1053 controller.
MSI does not provide a UASP-activating tool for Windows 7 users, hence USB 3.0 transfer rates on our test system suffer by a noticeable margin.
Unlike the Gigabyte and Asus boards that also appeal to professional buyers, it is not likely for a user purchasing MSI's budget Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard to be connecting a fast SSD to the USB 3.0 ports. Transfer rates of over 300MBps are perfectly adequate for even the speediest of portable HDDs.
Audio
We use RightMark Audio Analyzer (RMMA) to analyse the performance of the motherboard’s onboard audio solution. A sampling mode of 24-bit, 192 kHz was tested.
MSI's Audio Boost 2 comprises a discrete PCB, Nichicon capacitors, and a pair of Texas Instruments OPA1652 headphone amplifiers. Heart of the scheme is Realtek's ALC1150 audio codec, hidden beneath an EMI shielding cover.
We tested the performance of Audio Boost 2 with power being delivered via the motherboard's 24-pin port, not MSI's additional audio power connector. This is because our testing procedure relies upon use of the rear audio jacks and is not sensitive to the voltage being fed to USB ports (as a USB headset or DAC may be).
RightMark Audio Analyzer outlines the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 as having Very Good overall audio performance. Stereo Crosstalk performance of the Z97 Gaming 5 is particularly strong, which is likely to be a result of the shielding and discrete path routing incorporated by Audio Boost 2.
GOod looking board but MSI do need to work on their bioses, my Z87 was very flaky on some settings too. I ended up getting rid of the board and going for an ASUS Sabretooth Z87 board – bios was much better laid out and some of the settings worked the way they should to.
I dont think this board is as nice looking as some of their Z87 boards. Some good information Luke on the bios and the heatsinks – always come here first for reviews on motherboards as you go into much more detail than other sites I visit.
Couple of questions, but first a type-o, 1156 was before Sandy Bridge.
Really good to know about the voltage accuracy with the control centre, and the discrepancy with the bios settings, this is an issue with my current MSI LGA1156 board. Good work on that!
It looks to me as if the overclocked Bioshock results are exactly the same as the stock speed results. Maybe it’s worth testing a game that would actually see the benefit?
I don’t suppose you had the chance to check whether the surround upmix mode in the creative settings would allow you to cleanly upmix a stereo source to all the channels or whether it has to apply a pseudo surround effect?
Deders,
Thanks for pointing out the mistake – I have updated it. And thanks for the feedback.
You’re right – the Bioshock results do not change when CPU frequency is scaled up. I used Metro: Last Light in our Z87 motherboard reviews, but that game did not scale with increased frequency either.
I am currently looking into a game which is more sensitive to CPU frequencies and which is consistent with its results. Many of the popular games are GPU-limited at 1920×1080 (above a certain CPU performance level). And I don’t want to drop the resolution to emphasise CPU performance because I think that 1920×1080 is FAR too popular to justify that. For now, it’s the performance differences (if any) between each motherboard that are important for the gaming results.
I did not have chance to test the surround upmix mode unfortunately. I do not currently have access to my surround sound speakers, either, but audio performance of the motherboards is something that I would like to look into in more depth in the future. It will take a large amount of planning first though.
Luke
Hi. First of all a very good review. It is very interesting for to read this article. Especially the part with the performance of Plextor M6e SSD. I’ve a similar system. It’s a MSI Z97 Gaming 7 and the Plextor M6e SSD m.2. I’ve never reached an performance like in your article. Have you installed the standard msahci driver (Windows 7) or the Intel iastor (RST) driver? I belive my m.2 connector is the problem. Have you special settings in BIOS. Perhaps you some ideas for me.
Thanks in advanced.
Marcel
Can i install my windows in M.2 drive will it boot from there, i found not post over internet but just one unsuccesssful one.
Guys might i add that the MSI additional power that is fed to the molex adapter IS for the rear audio ports and not the USB ports (which already get power ONLY thru the mobo and get a constant 5v). It might make a difference but who knows. Its made that way so it gets a constant clean power feed thru the psu directly instead of thru the 24pin mobo connector.