MSI Z97 XPOWER AC or Z97-DELUXE(NFC & WLC) for this build.

Fookafoo · Jun 7, 2014

The prices for each are identical for each board. Money is not an issue at all. Quick specs of the build the mobo will be going into.

(Tri-Monitor setup)
i7-4790k (on pre-order) x Kraken 60 cooler
EVGA 780Ti dual classified SLI [Custom loop WIP]
G.Skill Trident X 2133 32GB
Samsung EVO 250GB ssd
wd Black 3TB hdd (x 2)

I've never been a fan of MSI but now that I'm only missing the mobo for my build I changed from my original and am looking at these two, much thanks!

Dark Lord of Tech · Jun 7, 2014

Go with the ASUS board , MSI Support\QC is horrible.

6R1M01R3 · Jun 7, 2014

Setting aside the QC and support bias, the MSI has more features for overclocking and gaming than the ASUS, and it comes with de-lid guard, in case you want to do that. Might as well look for reviews and test on those two motherboards as well.

feelingtheblanks · Jun 7, 2014

Don't believe ungrounded and biased thoughts like poor QC and support. These are mostly subjective beliefs where rma rates are very very close and so called "support" raelly changes depending where you live. Anyone with a common sense of hardware would know that. It's shame to see these kinds of comments in an enthusiast forums like Tom's Hardware.

About your question:

Both boards are very similar in terms of features and build quality.

But,

* MPower has slightly better audio. Both boards actually employ Realtek's ALC1150 codec though. But MSI uses higher-end nichicon caps in this area. These are the exact same caps that are used on professional audio solutions. So in terms of snr MPower is slightly better, especially with an headset.

* They are kinda similar in VRM department. Deluxe has digitally controlled 8 true phases doubled to 16. Controller is from IR. MPower employs digitally controlled 6 true phases doubled to 12. Controller is from Intersil. Yes, Intersil now has a digital pwm controller first used on MSI boards. Phase count here has least importance since Mpower employs more efficient powerpak mosfets (you can find the real values with a little research) and they both have kinda similar quality 60A rated chokes. So their overclocking potentials are really same. But Mpower is actually designed for overclocking and these boards are also thorougly stress-tested before hitting the shelves.

So all in all I'd go for MPower AC. Better bang for money definitely.

6R1M01R3 · Jun 7, 2014

feelingtheblanks :

Don't believe ungrounded and biased thoughts like poor QC and support. These are mostly subjective beliefs where rma rates are very very close and so called "support" raelly changes depending where you live. Anyone with a common sense of hardware would know that. It's shame to see these kinds of comments in an enthusiast forums like Tom's Hardware.

About your question:

Both boards are very similar in terms of features and build quality.

But,

* MPower has slightly better audio. Both boards actually employ Realtek's ALC1150 codec though. But MSI uses higher-end nichicon caps in this area. These are the exact same caps that are used on professional audio solutions. So in terms of snr MPower is slightly better, especially with an headset.

* They are kinda similar in VRM department. Deluxe has digitally controlled 8 true phases doubled to 16. Controller is from IR. MPower employs digitally controlled 6 true phases doubled to 12. Controller is from Intersil. Yes, Intersil now has a digital pwm controller first used on MSI boards. Phase count here has least importance since Mpower employs more efficient powerpak mosfets (you can find the real values with a little research) and they both have kinda similar quality 60A rated chokes. So their overclocking potentials are really same. But Mpower is actually designed for overclocking and these boards are also thorougly stress-tested before hitting the shelves.

So all in all I'd go for MPower AC. Better bang for money definitely.

He asked for the XPower, that is the top of the line in MSI brand >.< good insight tho.

feelingtheblanks · Jun 8, 2014

Oh sorry.

Well XPower is the overkill board from MSI. I think it has the most powerful and unneccesary VRM in z97 market. 8 true phases doubled to 16 (digital), controller is IR 3580. Until now it seems not that overkill-ish but the mosfets are the real part. It has 16 IR 3550 powIRstages. Each of them can maintain 60A current. 16! Z87 XPower had 32 of them

Asus and Gigabyte for example using less efficient fets with less amount (like using 8 x 40A nexfets or 8 x 40A IR3553s) I'm sure noone on earth can really put some load on these VRMs. Chokes are also 60A rated which becomes a standard for high-end boards. (i guess just asrock uses some 38A ones)

That's the main difference of XPower. Being overkill in vrm department.

If the prices are same I would get XPower just for the sake of having a reactor in my case

. Deluxe seems to have tad more goodies though, like a wireless charger unit. It's mostly a personal preference in the end. You cannot go wrong with either one.

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MSI Z97 XPOWER AC or Z97-DELUXE(NFC & WLC) for this build.

Fookafoo

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feelingtheblanks

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