Introduction

MSI has for quite a few years now had an extreme focus on meeting the needs of PC gamers, one of the largest segments of PC enthusiasts that exist today. While many people may bemoan the addition of "GAMING" onto so many products, I for one can only applaud the industry's obvious focus on meeting the direct needs of the end consumer specifically, rather than just generally. Sure, there are all sorts of products with "GAMING" in their name, but how many are truly designed for that specific purpose? I can tell you, MSI's GAMING products very much are.

Naturally, since I've been looking at the high-end Z270 boards out right now, it is about time that I turn to one of MSI's high-end GAMING options, the MSI Z270 GAMING M7. This really is a board designed for gaming, using input from users and pro gamers alike. MSI has long been one of the major sponsoring companies when it comes to pro gaming teams and competitions, and through that sponsorship, they've gained not only a marketing presence within the pro gaming arena, but have got their hands on direct feedback from those who take gaming to what is really the "next level". If it's good enough for the pros, it is definitely good enough for your gaming needs too.

MSI's Z270 GAMING M7 isn't a value-oriented product. It's for those of you who have a slightly deeper pocket. Contained inside, you will find all the connectivity features you could ask for, including not one or two but three M.2 ports, USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C, RGB lighting, automatic overclocking, high compatibility with high-end DDR4 (500+ approved modules), and a custom-tailored software suite just for gamers. Let us not forget the dual independent audio controllers, either. This is a board purposefully designed so you can spend less time tweaking the hardware and more time gaming, and I have to say I like that a lot.

Specifications

Packaging and Contents

This is one of the few times I get to evaluate a damaged product. Actually, while the box may be a little bit worse for wear due to shipping, everything inside was quite intact, fortunately. Shows how well this box was made, for sure.


Open the box and you'll find the board up top, in a tray and an anti-static bag. Accessories are in their own compartment below.


There is a fair amount of added stuff included with MSI Z270 GAMING M7:

• Quick installation guide, support CD, I/O shield
• 4x SATA cables
• 1x Flexible SLI bridge
• 2x MSI cable labels
• 2x RGB LED connection cables
• 1x Quick-connect kit
• 1x MSI GAMING case badge

Board Layout

MSI's Z270 GAMING M7 comes with a nearly 100% black aesthetic, and there is no shiny black PCB here either. The board is complex and there is stuff all over the front of the board, and the CPU VRM's input drivers are on the rear.


With the input drivers on the rear of the board, the front of the socket area looks pretty clean and neat, flanked by the VRM cooler and DIMM slots (capable of 4133 MHz and beyond).


You get three PCIE x16 slots and three PCIe x1 slots on the MSI Z270 GAMING M7, along with 6 SATA ports and a single U.2 port.


M.2 connectivity features a total of three ports, all capable of PCIe 3.0 x4 links (32 GB/s).


The bottom edge of the board actually has less pin headers than I would have expected, along with some buttons and the automated OC Dial that can "Turn your clocks up to 11!"


The rear I/O panel only has a few USB ports of different speeds and a LAN port, audio plugs, and HDMI and DisplayPort video links. I was very pleased to see a Clear CMOS button here. That LAN port is powered via a Killer E2500 controller. I know Intel is the popular choice, but this one doesn't perform too poorly either.