Tuesday, May 31st 2016

MSI Gaming Z and Gaming X Differentiated Some More

We found out more information on what sets MSI Gaming Z series graphics cards apart from the Gaming X series. The Gaming X series cards, such as the GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X, which was part of the company's first wave of GTX 1080 cards, is the middle grade of the Gaming series. The Gaming Z series (such as the GTX 1080 Gaming Z, which is coming soon), is the top-tier variant.

The Gaming X GTX 1080 features double ball bearing fans, a few gamer-specific features though MSI Gaming Control Center, a back-plate, and a significant factory OC. The Gaming Z, on the other hand, gives you all the features of the Gaming X, but higher clock speeds, and a custom RGB LED setup lining the top logo and an MSI "Dragon" logo on the back-plate.
Add your own comment

19 Comments on MSI Gaming Z and Gaming X Differentiated Some More

#1
atomicus
Custom RGB with red plastic all over the card. WHEN WILL THEY LEARN!?!
Posted on Reply
#2
P4-630
Red/black fits just nicely in my new system :D
Posted on Reply
#3
Prima.Vera
There going to be 2 types of TwinFrzr Gaming cards??? Z and X ??? Wth....
Posted on Reply
#4
ensabrenoir
atomicusCustom RGB with red plastic all over the card. WHEN WILL THEY LEARN!?!

Silly human ...RGB is the future......resistance is futile.....you will be assimilated......
Posted on Reply
#5
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
I must have developed dyslexia or something, because I found this part really messy.

"We found out more information on what sets MSI Gaming Z series graphics cards apart from the Gaming X series. The Gaming X series cards, such as the GeForce GTX 1080 Gaming X, which was part of the company's first wave of GTX 1080 cards, is the middle grade of the Gaming series. The Gaming X series (such as the GTX 1080 Gaming X, which is coming soon), is the top-tier variant."

Then I figured you've mixed them up.
Posted on Reply
#6
P4-630
FrickThe Gaming X series (such as the GTX 1080 Gaming X, which is coming soon), is the top-tier variant."
Right, that should be GTX 1080 Gaming Z then ;)
Posted on Reply
#7
Moofachuka
I got even more confused after reading the article...
Posted on Reply
#8
Random Murderer
The Anti-Midas
So the only thing that sets the Z apart from the X is a slight OC from the factory and RGB lighting on a small portion of the back...
I wonder how much of a premium MSI will be charging for these "features?"
Posted on Reply
#9
P4-630
Random MurdererSo the only thing that sets the Z apart from the X is a slight OC from the factory and RGB lighting on a small portion of the back...
I wonder how much of a premium MSI will be charging for these "features?"
My guess is $25~$30
Posted on Reply
#10
silentbogo
And I was just having a laugh at their motherboards branding.... :laugh:

Can't wait for an upcoming MSI GTX1070 PRO RGB GAMING PLATINUM/OC SPECIAL EDITION
Posted on Reply
#11
Keullo-e
S.T.A.R.S.
There are still plenty of alphabets left for future models. :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#12
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
silentbogoAnd I was just having a laugh at their motherboards branding.... :laugh:

Can't wait for an upcoming MSI GTX1070 PRO RGB GAMING PLATINUM/OC SPECIAL EDITION
That wins the prize for best naming!!

Seriously though, I wouldn't be surprised to see sonething almost that bad.
Posted on Reply
#13
Prima.Vera
Anyone know if a Gaming X can be flashed successfully with a Gaming Z firmware?
Tryed to look it up on the Internets but no luck....
Posted on Reply
#14
P4-630
Prima.VeraAnyone know if a Gaming X can be flashed successfully with a Gaming Z firmware?
Tryed to look it up on the Internets but no luck....
Don't know about that.
Why would you want?
You can OC it manually to Gaming Z clocks.
Posted on Reply
#15
cadaveca
My name is Dave
P4-630Don't know about that.
Why would you want?
You can OC it manually to Gaming Z clocks.
But that requires running additional software. So many people complain about having to run software when it comes to the GAMING APP, so it only makes sense such users want a card that is high clocked without needing software to do so...
Posted on Reply
#16
Prima.Vera
P4-630Don't know about that.
Why would you want?
You can OC it manually to Gaming Z clocks.
The Z has quite big freqs on OC mode. I tried reaching those via the Afterburner, but the game froze and driver crashed. My guess you need to adjust the power mode and voltage too for that, which can only be done properly via the Firmware.
Posted on Reply
#17
kill_and_eat_u
Prima.VeraAnyone know if a Gaming X can be flashed successfully with a Gaming Z firmware?
Tryed to look it up on the Internets but no luck....
It sure can done it myself on a GTX 1080 in OC mode but going much more on base clocks became unstable, got mine out to 1780mhz base clock and +500 on memory not quite sure if it changes the power draw either but sits around 80%, also watercooled witch also seems to be better and doesnt fluctuate, on air though it wouldnt run the gaming Z bios for more than 30mins without crashing, running gaming mode bios was fine though at 1733mhz...
link to the bios can be found here just go down a bit on the page

www.overclock.net/t/1601288/official-nvidia-gtx-1080-owners-club/5530
Posted on Reply
#18
rtwjunkie
PC Gaming Enthusiast
cadavecaBut that requires running additional software. So many people complain about having to run software when it comes to the GAMING APP, so it only makes sense such users want a card that is high clocked without needing software to do so...
Well if you want a custom fan profile which will cool infinitely better that the default, then you'll be running Afterburner anyway. I can't imagine ever not using a custom fan profile.
Posted on Reply
#19
cadaveca
My name is Dave
rtwjunkieWell if you want a custom fan profile which will cool infinitely better that the default, then you'll be running Afterburner anyway. I can't imagine ever not using a custom fan profile.
I can't imagine ever actually needing one on an MSI card. I use MSI GAMING GPUs pretty much exclusively these days; GPUs don't get hot, and are virtually silent. That's a hard thing to do effectively, but MSI does (just check W1zz's reviews).

So for me, I'd buy the GAMING Z to get the highest clocks I could, and leave well enough alone. I'm not about to OC a GPU as the performance difference never really justifies it for me.

That said, I do run the added software. I wasn't speaking from my own perspective; I was merely relating common complaints. I won't use afterburner though; the GAMING APP is sufficient for me.
Posted on Reply
Add your own comment
Apr 25th, 2024 12:08 EDT change timezone

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts