Arsenal Gaming is a specific lineup of motherboards in MSI’s portfolio. It embraces 7 different models, joined under military-style codenames. The units are targeting primarily gaming community, although the Z170A Tomahawk is a universal solution at an affordable price. As distinct from the comrades, it features a set of controllers & sockets which are considered to be remnants of the past. Let’s find out what kind of advantages this board offers.



CPU & Memory


Motherboard MSI Z170A Tomahawk is developed on Intel Z170 Express chipset. It supports LGA1151-compatible CPUs of the 6th generation (Skylake): Intel Celeron/Pentium/Core i3/Core i5/Core i7. The hardware rests on a 4-layer dark PCB (304x224 mm, ATX) with red PCI-e and RAM slots. The rear panel is differentiated by the availability of a backplate for the CPU socket. The integrated ISL95856 controller is accountable for the providing power to the CPU (3+5 VRM).


The board comes with four DIMM slots for the …

EK Water Blocks, a Slovenian company that won a good reputation due to manufacturing of water cooling systems, has gladdened the Internet community by the release of two new products: water blocks EK-FC7970 and EK-FB Kit SR-X. The two models are intended for the implementation in premium-class motherboards Evga Classified SR-X and graphics cards MSI R7970 Lightning.



Water block EK-FC7970 covers the whole surface of the graphics card circuit board; water current passes over GPU, voltage controllers and memory microchips. This model is delivered in a single variant with nickel-plated base and silver-black lid from acetal resin. The nominal delivery set includes EK-FC Link bridge that empowers the creation of CrossFireX configuration in the implementation of four graphics cards.


To continue, water block EK-FB Kit SR-X is a complex solution that provides coverage for all essential components of Evga Classified SR-X motherboard. Thus, it covers Intel C606 chip, …

Asus boasts the inventory of up to twenty motherboards developed on Intel Z77 chipset. Full-, medium- and small-sized boards gladden the customers by an outstanding functional and optimal layout. Still, the company decided not to stop at what has been already accomplished and introduced a high-end motherboard codenamed Asus P8Z77-V Premium. The major peculiarities of this board are the integrated Thunderbolt bridge, reliable digital CPU power supply subsystem, and a lot more alluring facilities. The product is targeted at the high-end customer sector and Asus hopes to get considerable revenues from its sales.



General Peculiarities


First of all, it should be stated that P8Z77-V Premium design and color gamut continue all traditional standards of Asus motherboards. This model is developed in ATX form-factor and employs dull black textolite in combination with blue, white and black painted sockets. CPU socket is located in a common place; it supports all up-dated Intel CPUs …