MSI launched its Intel Z97 chipset-based Gaming series lineup with three ATX motherboards, the Z97 Gaming 3, the Z97 Gaming 5, and the Z97 Gaming 7. The company now made a high-end addition, with the Z97 Gaming 9 AC. Built in the standard ATX form-factor, the board is filled to the brim with features targeted more toward high-end gaming PC builds, than professional CPU/memory overclocking. It still offers a decent overclocking feature-set. To begin with, the board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS connectors, and uses a 16-phase VRM to condition power for the CPU, which is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x8/x4/x4 when all three are populated, x8/x8/x0 when two are, and x16/x0/x0 when one is. 3-way SLI and CrossFire are supported.

An EMI shield covers the rear-panel I/O, while another shields the entire onboard audio circuitry, and the NICs. Audio is care of a 100+ dBA SNR DAC, which an external headphone amp circuit, ground-layer isolation, audio-grade capacitors, and EMI shielding. Wired connectivity is handled by Broadcom's newer Killer E2205 gigabit NIC. Wireless connectivity is handled by an Intel-made chipset that offers 802.11 ac WLAN, and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. Storage connectivity is devoid of SATA-Express, but features eight SATA 6 Gb/s, and an M.2 slot. Overclocking features include voltage measurement points, and POST LED display. Expect this one to go for over US $200.

As motherboard manufacturers unveiled their new Intel 9 Series products one after another, we can see the proliferation of PCIe Gen2 x2 M.2 interface on Desktop motherboards very clearly. However, ASRock Inc. took the lead among other competitors once again. This time it's the Z97 Extreme6 which boasts "Ultra M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4" socket stands out. With its doubled transfer bandwidth, ASRock Ultra M.2 is able to completely break through the speed limit of SATA3 6 Gb/s and blow others away!

The Secret of Ultra M.2
Ultra M.2 is one of ASRock's creative innovations. Compared to normal M.2 with PCIe Gen2 x2 bandwidth, ASRock is the first one in the world to double the M.2 bandwidth to PCIe Gen3 x4! Furthermore, the layout of Ultra M.2 is also specially designed. On a regular motherboard design, the signal route starts from the M.2 device, goes through the onboard chipset, and finally reaches CPU. In contrast, by connecting the M.2 interface to CPU directly, ASRock Ultra M.2 has lower latency and pushes the I/O speed to a new level!

MSI, world leader in motherboard technology, is proud to announce its next generation of award-winning Classic motherboards. With 16 new models available in Mini-ITX, microATX and ATX size, the new MSI Z97 Classic motherboards present an arsenal of new features and improvements as well as technical ingenuity.

Offering reliable and fast Gigabit LAN from Intel and official Nvidia SLI support for enthusiasts looking to pair up multiple graphics cards. On-board M.2 and SATA Express provides the fastest storage performance through unprecedented transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s with flexible solutions for using preferred devices. Guard-Pro and Military Class 4 provide all the stability you need through carefully selected and thoroughly tested components and materials. MSI's new Z97 Classic motherboards for Intel 4th Generation core processors delivers an unprecedented choice of technical features no matter which model you choose.

TDK Corporation announced today the successful development of the SNG4A series of serial ATA II compatible industrial solid state drives. The new NAND flash memory modules enable storage capacities of up to 64 GB with SLC type NAND flash memory. Measuring only approx. 22 x 42 mm, the modules support use in M.2 slots and will be available from August 2014.

The new M.2 form factor is currently garnering a lot of attention and is expected to become the dominant standard for consumer applications. Furthermore, the adoption of M.2 for industrial applications will most likely also be promoted heavily. Motherboards for industrial use not only have to achieve good transfer speeds, but there is also a growing tendency to place more emphasis on reliability, since products often have to be operable for periods of ten years or more.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards today launched their new 9 series motherboards based on the Intel Z97/H97 chipsets with support for 4th and 5th generation Intel Core processors.

"GIGABYTE is excited to launch 4 new series of motherboards for the Intel 9 series chipset, each offering a host of new and unique GIGABYTE features matched with GIGABYTE signature quality and durability," commented Henry Kao, Vice President of GIGABYTE Motherboard Business Unit. "Our 9 series motherboards also offer a future proof platform to our customers by supporting the latest 4th generation Intel Core processors including the soon to launch refresh and unlocked CPUs, as well as future 5th generation Intel Core processors, ensuring they will be able to take advantage of current and upcoming Intel technologies."

In addition to its overclocker-centric OC Series of motherboards based on the Z97 Express chipset, MSI launched several motherboard models in the Gaming Series. It starts off with the Z97I Gaming for mini-ITX builds, Z97M Gaming for micro-ATX ones, the Z97 Gaming 3, Z97 Gaming 5, and Z97 Gaming 7, built in the standard ATX form-factor. Interestingly, these are not the only Gaming Series boards. There's also the Z97-G43 Gaming, Z97-G45 Gaming, and Z97-GD65 Gaming. A characteristic feature of these boards is a design focus on better audio and wired networking. On the audio front, most models feature AudioBoost audio with ground-layer isolation and headphones amp; while on the wired networking front, the higher-end models feature Broadcom Killer E2200 gaming-optimized NICs. On the ones that lack it, MSI dropped in at least an Intel-made NIC.

ASUS today announced a full range of ASUS-branded motherboards powered by the brand new Intel Z97 Express and H97 Express chipsets, and including support for 4th, New 4th, and 5th-generation Intel Core processors (Haswell, Haswell Refresh, Haswell Refresh K-series / Devil's Canyon). ASUS Z97 and H97 Series motherboards are fully-featured and perfect for any desktop PC build, whether it's a high-performance PC, a potent gaming rig or a multimedia entertainment center. With ASUS-exclusive technologies to enhance performance and reliability, plus support for the latest ultra-high-speed SATA Express and M.2 storage technologies, the ASUS Z97 and H97 Series take PCs to the next level.

A brand new premium look
ASUS Z97 and H97 Series motherboards feature a gleaming new design, with a unique and distinctive perfectly circular heat-sink on the next-generation Platform Controller Hub (PCH) chip. Anodized in a light gold color, this heat-sink is the signature visual feature of the new range. These design elements combine to project an understated, subtle and smooth image that exudes undeniable superiority, and which is perfectly suited to this comprehensive new range of ASUS motherboards. Z97 and H97 motherboards are suitable for any build, whether it's a productivity, gaming or entertainment PC.

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the Maximus VII Gene mATX, Maximus VII Hero ATX, and the new Maximus VII Ranger ATX gaming motherboards. These Intel Z97 chipset-based Maximus VII motherboards feature the LGA 1150 socket and support Intel 4th, new 4th and 5th-generation processors (Haswell, Haswell Refresh, Haswell Refresh K-series/ Devil's Canyon) to give enthusiasts unmatched gaming performance.

These three gaming motherboards build on the renowned and trusted ROG gaming legacy. All three motherboards sport the distinctive ROG black and red color scheme, with the Maximus VII Gene and Hero featuring the world's first dual-color PCB with a matte black and red finish. The Maximus VII series features premium components, black nickel processor socket covers and improved circuit layouts. The Maximus VII series also boasts advanced networking and audio for gaming, along with an upgraded UEFI BIOS and M.2 (PCIe x2) with up to 10 Gbit/s data transfer speeds.

EVGA has today officially announced its first creations powered by Intel's Z97 chipset, the Z97 Classified (E-ATX), Z97 FTW (ATX) and Z97 Stinger Core3D (Mini-ITX) LGA1150 motherboards.

Priced at $199.99, the compact Z97 Stinger Core3D features a 10-layer PCB, 6-phase PWM, two DDR3-2666 memory slots, four SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, one PCI-Express x16 slot, Intel Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1 channel audio (powered by a Creative Sound Core3D processor), four USB 3.0 connectors, one eSATA port, and HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.

ASUS demonstrated its first SSD, the HyperXpress. As its name might give away, the drive is co-developed by HyperX, the enthusiast memory and storage brand of Kingston. Built in the 9.5 mm-thick 2.5-inch form-factor, the drive features SATA Express interface, which will hit the consumer space this May, with the arrival of Intel's Z97 Express chipset, and Core "Haswell Refresh" processors. Internally, there's not much to this drive. It's a host-agnostic RAID 0 array of two mSATA 6 Gb/s SSDs, wired to a host controller made by ASMedia. To the host machine, it will look like a single drive. The sample demoed to the press, ASUS claims, is a very early prototype, and future iterations could run two M.2 SSDs instead of mSATA, for even higher throughput. The drive was tested to offer sequential transfer rates as high as 778 MB/s. At Computex 2014, flash memory manufacturers are expected to launch legions of new SSDs in the SATA-Express and M.2 form-factors.

With less than three weeks to go until the official launch of the 9 Series chipsets, Gigabyte has decided to share a few pictures depicting three of its boards powered by the Z97. Seen below are the Z97X-UD5H BK (Black Edition), the Z97X-UD7 TH and the overclocking-ready Z97X-SOC Force which feature support for Haswell Refresh and older LGA1150 processors.

All three boards have an Ultra Durable design, they are SLI and CrossFire capable (the UD5 and UD7 provide three PCI-Express x16 slots while the SOC model offers four such slots), and include four DDR3 memory slots, one SATA Express connector, two (Z97X-SOC) or four (Z97X-UD5H, Z97X-UD7) SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, 7.1 channel audio and Gigabit Ethernet (the UD7 TH and SOC Force pack a Killer E2200 NIC).

MSI is ready with its Gaming series socket LGA1150 motherboards based on Intel's next-gen 9-series chipset, which are ready for Core "Haswell" refresh processors. The series includes three boards in the ATX form-factor, the 9-series Gaming 9 AC, 9-series Gaming 7, and 9-series Gaming 3; and one in the mini-ITX form-factor, the 9-series Gaming. The 9-series Gaming 9 AC is loaded with features, including a 12-phase CPU VRM, four DDR3 DIMM slots, three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x16/NC/NC or x8/x8/NC or x8/x4/x4), eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, a PCI-Express x2 M.2 slot, Killer E2200 NIC, 802.11 ac WLAN, and more.

Next up, is the 9-series Gaming 7, which offers the same 12-phase CPU VRM as the 9-series Gaming 9 AC, same three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, four PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and an identical storage connectivity. The 9-series Gaming 3 is the most affordable of the lot, with a 6-phase CPU VRM, one PCI-Express 3.0 x16, a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (electrical x4), two PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and three PCI; six SATA 6 Gb/s, one M.2, and Killer E2200 NIC. Lastly, there's the 9-series Gaming ITX, which offers a decent 6-phase VRM, single PCI-Express 3.0 x16, 802.11 ac networking, Killer E2200 NIC, and AudioBoost audio. The three should launch in the run up to the mid-May release of Intel's new processors.More pictures follow.

With Intel's "Haswell Refresh" CPU lineup around the corner, motherboard makers are giving final touches to their next-gen socket LGA1150 lineups based on Intel Z97 Express chipset. MSI, which practically reinvented itself in the DIY hardware scene with its Gaming Series of motherboards and graphics cards, is readying three products based on the chipset, the mid-range Z97 Gaming 3, the premium Z97 Gaming 5, and the high-end Z97 Gaming 7. With it, MSI is ditching the "G45," "GD55," and "GD65" brand extensions. In addition to M.2 slots, some of the three will include SATA-Express add-on cards, which let you plug-in drives with a staggering 10 Gbps of bandwidth.

MSI unveiled early versions of the top of the line Gaming 7 and the mid-range Gaming 3 at this year's CeBIT event. The Z97 Gaming 7 offers a 12-phase CPU iVR, three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, four PCIe x1 slots, eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, an M.2 slot, and possibly an included SATA-Express add-on card; in addition to a wealth of connectivity. The Gaming 5 could be based on the same PCB, but with a lighter feature-set. The Gaming 3, on the other hand, is based on a lighter PCB, with a 6-phase CPU iVR, a lack of the M.2 slot, legacy PCI slots, yet retaining the ground-layer isolated on-board audio, and Killer NIC. The "Haswell refresh" Core processor lineup, along with motherboards based on the Z97 Express chipset, could be launched around the same time as Computex.

Plextor, leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media and storage equipment, will reveal its new M6 Solid State Drive Solution at the upcoming 2014 edition of CeBIT in Hannover, Germany. The M6 multi-form factor lineup features Plextor's next-generation and new 2.5" M6S, the new M6M mSATA SSD and the new ultra-fast M6e M.2 PCIe SSD.

Building up to the official introduction of the highly anticipated M6 series Plextor will be continuously demonstrating the full lineup from March 10 - 14 in its showcases in the Business Center (Hall 15, Stand A18, Room 18) and at Planet Reseller (Hall 15, Stand D21, Number 66).

Transcend Information, Inc., a leading manufacturer of industrial-grade products, today announced the release of its SATA III 6 Gb/s N8S750 M.2 and MSA340 mSATA solid state drives (SSD). Featuring ultra compact dimensions and the next generation SATA III 6 Gb/s interface, Transcend's N8S750 and MSA340 SSDs are best suited to address the strict size limitations and high performance needs of today's advanced portable devices.

N8S750 SATA III 6 Gb/s M.2 SSD
The N8S750 SSD's space-saving 80 mm M.2 form factor (80.0 mm x 22.0 mm x 3.5 mm) is designed to meet future market demands of ultra-thin and light mobile devices that require an SSD, including Ultrabooks, notebooks, tablets, portable gaming systems, and smartphones. It features the latest SATA III 6 Gb/s specification, DDR3 DRAM cache, and is comprised of high-quality MLC NAND Flash chips. With exceptional transfer speeds of up to 520 MB/s read and 330 MB/s write, the N8S750 easily handles everyday computing tasks as well as demanding multimedia applications.