Z87 XPOWER motherboard
Why MSI OVERCLOCKING Motherboards
The MSI OVERCLOCKING motherboards are designed based on four principles:
- Professional overclockers feedback must be integrated
- Continue MSI's leading position in power efficiency and stability
- Only use essential OC tools
- Infuse the DNA of MSI's Lightning graphics cards
Changing the overclocking game
- OC Certified
- Built with Lightning DNA
- Enhanced components
- Enhanced power
- Enhanced thermal design
- Military Class Components
- The cleanest extreme PCB
- Optimized overclocking BIOS
- OC Essentials
- DigitALL Power PWM
OC Certified
OC Certified is a military class burn-in test for motherboards. Running Prime95 for over 24 hours with a highly overclocked CPU is already a stressing endeavor, but removing all airflow from the motherboard ensures that only the best motherboards survive. If an XPOWER can survive this, it can survive any overclocking situation. The MSI Z87 XPOWER motherboards are equipped with all the necessary features to make sure you get the most out of your system. From the Enhanced PWM and Thermal Design that give you the best stability to all the easy features that ensure that you don't have to perform a lot of tricks to get great stability in your quest for performance.
Military Class 4 components
Military Class 4 is the next step in high quality components. The DrMOS 4, Hi-c CAP, Super Ferrite Choke and Dark CAP will make sure that your PC runs more stable under extreme conditions.
DrMOS 4
DrMOS 4 is the next-gen Mosfet which is used to deliver the power for the CPU. MSI DrMOS 4 does not waste much power, stays cool and is more power efficient than other powersaving solutions. Because DrMOS 4 is a 3-in-1 chip it delivers much more power with less components needed. This solution gives you the power to break world records.
Dark CAP
With their aluminum core design, Dark CAP's have been a staple in high-end motherboard design and provides lower Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) as well as its over-10-year lifespan.
Hi-c CAP
A Hi-c CAP is a very small, but super-efficient capacitor. Besides ensuring enough spacing around a CPU socket to install large coolers, it also allows for 93% energy efficiency. Thanks to Hi-c CAP`s MSI motherboards are the most energy efficient in the market.
Super Ferrite Choke
Super Ferrite Choke uses a Ferrite core that is Super-Permeable. This allows the Super Ferrite Choke to run at a 35 degree Celsius lower temperature, have a 30% higher current capacity, a 20% improvement in power efficiency and better overclocking power stability.

OC PCB
The OC PCB used for the MSI OVERCLOCKING motherboards is a completely new design where 50% more layers are used. This allows us to optimize all traces for overclocking. Power and signal traces are isolated, resulting in higher efficiency and performance and more features can be installed relatively close to each other without causing interference. Every MSI OVERCLOCKING motherboard is tuned for better stability under extreme circumstances:
- Increased number of PCB layers
- Increased humidity resistance
- Tight weave fiberglass PCB
- Increased ESD protection
DigitALL Power PWM
DigitALL Power digitally steers and receives feedback through a DigitALL PWM controller. This allows for pinpoint voltage delivery and lower power consumption. With the switch from analog feedback to digital feedback, you also have the opportunity to implement Load Line Calibration.
Thermal design
Besides inspiring visual awe the XPOWER Thermal Design was developed to deliver the highest cooling potential in the worst situation. Because it is optimized to work in low-airflow situations, it is the ideal cooling to use with your liquid cooling setup.
- XPOWER thermal design
- SuperPipe
- Low airflow
- Optimized design
- Clear CPU space
- Metal screws
Extreme OC socket design
What is more frustrating than not being able to properly fit your cooling solution on your motherboard? Through the use of Military Class 4 components we can ensure that normal coolers can easily be installed and the motherboard can easily be insulated for extreme cooling solutions.
OC Essentials
A small set of tools that are essential to get the best performance out of your motherboard. These features increase stability, assist in trouble shooting, allow you to keep your complete system in check and allow for simple management. This way you can keep your mind on overclocking.
- V-Check Points
- Multi-BIOS II
- Debug LED
- GO2BIOS
- Clear CMOS button
Overclocking software
MSI OVERCLOCKING motherboards are equipped with advanced overclocking software tools to finetune even the smallest OC settings without requiring extra power from your PC.
Click BIOS 4
The MSI Click BIOS 4 is the latest UEFI BIOS with optimizations for Windows 8. Not only that it also reacts faster, runs smoother and has better mouse support. And this all comes with many cool features.
Optimized for multiple graphics cards

MSI OVERCLOCKING motherboards feature one or more PCI-Express 3.0 slots, perfectly aligned and with enough space for an optimal airflow when using multiple graphics cards. That way, you will never have to worry about an overheating PC, while you are enjoying the best graphics jumping off from your monitor when running a NVIDIAR SLI? or AMD Crossfire gaming setup.
Dedicated PCI-E x16 slot
The Z87 XPOWER comes with a PLX-chip to enable 4-Way SLI / Crossfire. However in the situations that you only use one VGA card the PLX chip will some latencty. This is why thie Z87 XPOWER comes with a dedicated PCI-E x16 slot which is directly connected to the CPU bypassing the PLX chip giving you the best possible performance when using only 1 VGA card.
*There are 4 (2 front / 2 back) PCI-E signal switches for each PCI-E x8 lanes from the CPU.
4-Way SLI / Crossfire
To support 4-Way SLI / Crossifire the Z87 XPOWER is using the PLX8747 gen3 switch chip. This way you have the maximum available bandwidth needed in order to run your benchmarks and game with 4 VGA cards.
Ceasefire
When you are overclocking with LN2 with 4 VGA cards it can happen that you want to remove one VGA card, however with the LN2 pot on their and all the insulation it is very difficult. With MSI CeaseFire is is very easy to disable one of the PCI-E x16 slots with a simple switch.
Supports DDR3-3000 memory
If you want to achieve overclocking records you also need fast memory. The XPOWER not only supports the new T-Topology architecture, it also works with the latest DDR3-3000 standards. This way you are ensured of the best memory performance.
Audio Boost
Reward your ears with true quality. Get ready for ear-drum shattering sound, with MSI Audio Boost! With Audio Boost we're delivering the highest audio quality so you can enjoy crystal clear sound and music in games. Because the complete audio circuitry is isolated from other features, you'll enjoy less interference and more stability. The built-in headphone amplifier allows you to use studio-grade headgear and get the most amazing sound quality out of your gaming PC.
- Studio level integrated 600Ω headphone amplifier
- Golden audio jacks for pure audio signals
- EMI shielded audio codec
- High quality audio capacitors
- Illuminated audio PCB separation
SOUND BLASTER X-Fi MB3
The Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3 suite is a powerful audio platform equipped with cutting-edge audio technology, offering premium audio quality, effects and features for ordinary PC systems equipped with only basic onboard audio. It features SBX Pro Studio? suite of technologies, which is designed to give you the fullest audio experience. For gamers, get ready to be blown away by the amazing realism from the unrivaled headphone surround and gaming sound enhancement technologies delivered by Sound Blaster X-Fi MB3. SBX Pro Studio? suite of audio technologies create unprecedented levels of audio realism, add dynamics and punch to every gunshot, explosion and gaming sound. It includes stunning surround effects, producing an incredibly realistic surround sound experience even from just a pair of stereo headphones.
Scout mode
Win battles with Scout Mode, a proprietary technology that allows you to hear your enemies from further away, as you get a definitive advantage in combat!
INTEL® Wi-Fi. Bluetooth. Intel® WiDi.
The OVERCLOCKING motherboards come with an easily unpluggable Intel® Wi-Fi / Bluetooth module which also supports Intel® WiDi. This way you can easy connect to other wireless devices in your home. The support of 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 ensures that you have the fastest available transfer speed. With Intel® WiDi (stands for Wireless Display) and a WiDi receiver (not included) you can watch movies on your TV without the need for any cables.
2 antennas
OC Genie 4
We have implemented the revolutionary OC Genie 4 button with GAMING mode on our Overclocking motherboard series. Just press the OC Genie button on the motherboard and use the game switch and the system's game performance will be boosted.
Super RAID
Super RAID support gives you super fast loading times of your operating system or PC games. Now you won't have to wait endlessly on those annoying loadingbars to fill.
GO2BIOS
Entering a BIOS can be a frustrating job. Because nowadays motherboards boot lightning fast, we added the GO2BIOS button. Simply push it before you start or restart your system and you'll go straight to the system BIOS when your motherboard powers on.
KILLER™ ethernet
Through the detection and prioritization of gaming traffic you can finally fully utilize your network without fear of being kicked from an on-line game because of high ping.
Connectivity
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Audio Boost
- 30μg gold plated audio connectors
- Amplified audio
PS/2 Gaming Device port /
Higher polling frequency (1000 Hz):
2x USB 2.0- More responsive
- Faster reactions
- 10x longer lifetime when plugging and unplugging
- Prevents oxidation and corrosion
- PS/2 port / USB 2.0 ports
- Clear CMOS button
- Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n / Bluetooth 4.0
- USB 3.0 ports / HDMI port
- USB 3.0 ports
- Optical S/PDIF out / HDMI port / DisplayPort
- KILLER™ LAN / USB 3.0 ports
- 8 ch. analog audio with Audio Boost



