MSI Z77IA-E53 Mini-ITX Motherboard Pictured

[btarunr]

MSI is working on a new socket LGA1155 motherboard based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, and some of its first pictures were leaked to the web. The Z77IA-E53 from MSI is designed not only to provide a feature-rich board in its tiny footprint, but also one that's fit for CPU overclocking. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 7-phase VRM that uses DrMOS and tantalum capacitors. The board draws power from 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors. The processor is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory, and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot.

To make the most out of the limited board area, MSI stuck to the feature-set of the Z77 PCH. Storage connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s, two SATA 3 Gb/s, an eSATA 3 Gb/s, and an mSATA 3 Gb/s. The mSATA slot shares its board space with an mPCIe 5 GT/s slot, which is stacked on top of it. The board provides four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two via headers, all of which are driven by the Z77 PCH. Display outputs include D-Sub and HDMI. Other connectivity includes 6-channel HD audio (Realtek ALC892), gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth. The board is driven by UEFI BIOS with ClickBIOS II setup program. More details are awaited.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[AndreiD]

Pretty bad CPU socket placement, if you get this you'll have to either resort to water cooling or one of the not so good top down coolers if you will want to do some overclocking.
Same with SATA ports, and the CPU power connector, ugh, wire management is probably a headache on this board.

 

[nikko]

I wouldn't be surprised if until Broadwell CPU integrates the PCH on the same package as CPU they all have bad socket placement.

 

[gopal]

Pretty bad CPU socket placement, if you get this you'll have to either resort to water cooling or one of the not so good top down coolers if you will want to do some overclocking.
Same with SATA ports, and the CPU power connector, ugh, wire management is probably a headache on this board.

I wouldn't be surprised if until Broadwell CPU integrates the PCH on the same package as CPU they all have bad socket placement.

Well it is a MINI-ITX mobo, wht will you expect from it?
And i think it is a budget Z77 with OC features mobo

 

[btarunr]

Pretty bad CPU socket placement, if you get this you'll have to either resort to water cooling or one of the not so good top down coolers if you will want to do some overclocking.

Unfortunately, no other company has a better socket placement than that for mini-ITX.

 

[NHKS]

^ I think not... the socket on this MSI board might restrict cooler size because its close to the PCI-E conn..

u cannot fit these on the MSI board can u?

shown above is the ASUS P8Z77-I (mini-ITX).. same coolers would not fit along with graphics card on the MSI because the socket is closer

 

[gopal]

^ I think not... the socket on this MSI board might restrict cooler size because its close to the PCI-E conn..

But it is a MINI-ITX, remember?

 

[doive1231]

Ivybridge

Should be OK with an Ivybridge CPU. I have a 3570k with a basic Arctic top down cooler and it doesn't get above 50 degrees C. I live in a cool climate though.

 

[gopal]

Should be OK with an Ivybridge CPU. I have a 3570k with a basic Arctic top down cooler and it doesn't get above 50 degrees C. I live in a cool climate though.

The text i have added bold in the quote is the main reason that why you do not get your CPU hot, try to stop you cpu fans via Speedfan and see what happens

 

[doive1231]

It's something to be aware of yes definitely.

 

[m1dg3t]

But it is a MINI-ITX, remember?

That Asus is iTX Mayhaps you need to read the posts a lil' better?

Nice to see more iTX but TBH I was expecting a lil' more of an enthusiast style board, hopefully soon MSi? Layout is a lil' lacking and where are the USB Ports? Only 4 for the whole board! And only 6ch audio? This has to be the budget board....

Right now I'm basically stuck with Asus or Asrock for an enthusiast style iTX

Edit: mSATA is nice! Thats whats has me leaning to the Asrock TBH; run a drive without cables and doesn't take up space in your box? Absolutely!

 

[TheLostSwede]

The board was on display at Computex http://www.pcper.com/news/Motherboards/Computex-MSI-Debuts-New-Z77-Mini-ITX-Motherboard