Ever-increasing popularity of mini-ITX mainboards is accounted for the augmentation of small-sized PC systems, work- and multimedia stations, as well as gaming platforms. The latter lay down specific demands towards hardware base, requiring the combination of high performance, durability and price-efficiency. MSI is ready to satisfy those demands, by offering ‘mini, but mighty’ Z97I Gaming AC system board. Being a part of Intel Z97 chipset family, this tiny tot owns all ‘Gaming’ series facilities, despite compact dimensions. Let’s check them out.



Specs Overview


MSI Z97I Gaming AC is based on Intel Z97 chipset targeting Haswell-based CPUs for Socket LGA1150 platform (Celeron, Pentium, Core i3/i5/i7 series). The implemented PCB accommodates a pair of DIMM slots for DDR3 SDRAM modules (16 GB volume) with the clock frequencies from 1333 MHz to 3300 MHz. Expansion facilities are introduced by a single PCI-e 3.0 x16 slot with no backup from PCI slots. The board comes …

The past several days were marked by the Intel's announcement about the celebration of a contract with ASML company. Such step has been dictated by the company's intentions to invest into the development of 450 mm wafers and EUV technologies. In accordance with the preliminary estimates, the general investment rate will reach $4.1 billion. The major target of the cooperation is to decrease the term of lithography equipment commissioning by two years, and stimulate the development of technologies targeted at 450 mm wafers. The implementation of the predesigned plans will allow the manufacturers of semiconductor components to receive a range of benefits, among which is the cut of expenses.



With the purpose to facilitate in the solution of this technological problem, Intel will take part in a dedicated program. This program includes financial backup of scientific and research projects, as well as, equity investing campaigns in ASML.


The initial stage of this program …

Gigabyte has expanded its line of overclocking solutions by a new motherboard, codenamed GA-Z170X-SOC Force. The greenhorn is based on Intel Z170 chipset, supporting Skylake-S CPUs for LGA 1151 socket (14-nm technological process). The PCB is distinguished by the inclusion of fiery-orange components and a sophisticated allocation of hardware.



Gigabyte GA-Z170X-SOC Force features 22-phase VRM system and three power connectors: ATX12V, EPS12V & OC PEG. The PCB incorporates such high-quality component as DrMOS PowIRstage from International Rectifier. All power elements might be paired with hybrid cooling; for this purpose, the customer has to acquire G1/4 fittings.


The motherboard accommodates 4 slots for DDR4-3300 MHz RAM with the maximal capacity of 64 GB. Storage subsystem might be organized thanks to 9 SATA III ports, 3 SATA Express ports (10 Gb/sec bandwidth index), 3 M.2 Socket 3 ports (32 Gb/sec bandwidth index), and a pair of USB 3.1 Type-A/Type-C ports. Graphical …