[MSI Z97 Xpower AC] Confusion about odd/even Sata port number sides

So newb here, performing his first computer build.
Problem is that I don't see any numbers on my motherboard's sata ports.
My manual is a little confusing, as the diagram and video shows the odd/even numbers on different sides.
Due to the large number of drives & cable management concerns...I'd like to know the exact SATA port numbers before connecting & running computer.
Can anyone tell me what side the odd/even Sata ports are located on?
Are the odd numbers located on the motherboard side (while even are on case side)?
Or, are the even numbers located on the motherboard side (while odd are on case side)?

Thanks HenryW!

Similar Messages

[MSI Z97 Xpower AC] Confusion about about BIOS updating...

So I am a newb who has just finished his first build, using the "MSI Z97 Xpower AC" motherboard (purchased last month).
The first thing I want to do is update the BIOS.
But I am a little confused about how I should proceed.
In the manual, it describes the "M-Flash" method for updating BIOS.
But as I was reading reviews of this motherboard, there was some talk about the manual being "out-dated" in regards to BIOS update instructions. Some people suggested using some "forum method" for updating. I also see this topic which provides an alternative method for updating the BIOS:
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=172772.0
So how do you think I should proceed with updating the BIOS?
Really, what is the safest method?

Quote from: JLio01 on 31-March-15, 07:54:03
Forum tool is safer, M-Flash is easier. (my pov..)
I agree with that. Although for this motherboard (any with Dual BIOS), it should not matter whether it's safer or not, as you can always restore bricked BIOS by using secondary one
As you are using very first version of BIOS (v1.0) you can either use >>This One<< for MFlash which is latest official available v1.7 from MSI's product website OR for latest official/BETA BIOS to be used with Forum flash tool, you have to ask Svet to prepare a file for you (simply ask for it on current topic)
But the real question is: do you have any issues with your system that BIOS will fix it?? Because if your reason to flash is "I want latest", then forgive me, but that's the worst "reason" you might ever have.

[MSI Z97 Xpower AC] Question about "optimum performance" for single card...

This is my first PC build. And I need some clarification about something I read in my manual for the "MSI Z97 Xpower AC" motherboard.
In my manual, it says:
Quote
For a single PCIe x16 expansion card installation with optimum performance, using the PCI_E2 slot is recommended.
I would just like clarification...does this refer to all types of PCIe cards? Or just graphics cards?
For example, suppose I install my graphics card into the "PCI_E2 slot" to take advantage of "optimum performance".
Would the "optimum performance" go away if I installed another (non graphics card) device into another PCIe port?

Quote from: Chike on 27-March-15, 09:23:57
Although the table refer to CrossFire/SLI configuration you should still follow those rules when installing any kind of cards.
e.g. if you use more than one card you should not use slot PCIE_E2 at all.
Yes! This is what I was getting at...but I forgot to quote the following part (that confused me):
Quote
The table below shows the correlation between the PCIe slots bandwidth and multiple graphics cards.
It talked about "multiple graphic cards", so I wondered whether the rules still applied if the other PCIe device was something else.
So, yes, I will take your suggestion to follow the rules...regardless of what type of device.
And, yes, like Nichrome & yourself have stated, I will consider the speed of the device & prioritize graphics card.
Thanks alot guys!

Help a newb connect his power supply cables to the MSI Z97 XPower AC?

My Background
I am mostly a software kind of guy, and this is my first time building a computer. I saved lots of money, did lots of research, and picked my parts.
So far, I've installed my CPU & Fan to the Motherboard, and mounted them to the case.
Now it's time to install my Power Supply. Mounting it to the case is easy. The problem comes when I have to connect the cables. The manuals don't explain the purpose of these cables or provide "step-by-step" instructions.
I've been searching for over an hour, but can't get a clear idea of what I'm supposed to do. So I'm hoping someone can help me here.
Hardware
Motherboard: MSI Z97 XPOWER AC
Power Supply: Seasonic X-1250
(EDIT: Forum does not let me link to the manuals, so for anyone who needs...please look online)
Problem
On page 29 of my motherboard manual, it shows 4 different power connection slots (JPWR1, JPWR2, JPWR3, JPWR4). Unfortunately, it doesn't explain what goes in them.
On page 59 & 61 of my Power Supply manual, there is listing of all the key cables.
I think the "Mainboard 24/20 Pin" cable goes into the "JPWR1" slot.
- So I am mostly confused about the other slots (JPWR2, JPWR3, JPWR4).
- Also, it's confusing that there are two CPU cables called "CPU 8/4 Pin" & "CPU 8 Pin".
Can anyone help me?

Quote from: myfamilyshopping on 24-March-15, 20:00:38
Hi guys, I have a follow-up question about my Seasonic PSU "PCI-E cables".
The way my PCI-E cables are designed is...
There's one end which is a single cable with a 12 hole connector...that goes into the PCI-E port on my power supply.
But then the other end splits out into two different cables, with each having a sort of 6/2 connector.
So regarding the end that splits out into two different cables...
Can each be used on different PCI-E devices?
Or is it the case that because my PSU has 3 PCI-E ports (and 3 of the cables I described)...that only 3 PCI-E devices can be powered?
all can be used however you plan to use them! all them connectors are tied to a single 104amp +12v Rail so they are getting power off a single Rail!
as long as what you plug them into do not exceed the Rail's ratings your fine (would take quite a few Graphics cards to get above that) (basically if it works it works) (would take like 2 R9-295x2's or 4 R9-290X's to get to that point)

[MSI Z97 Xpower AC] What driver enables "Wi-Fi" from the module?

I'm having a strange problem with the Wi-Fi module that comes with the "MSI Z97 Xpower AC" motherboard.
Some background...
The module itself seems to be physically installed correctly.
I saw my "Windows 7 Ultimate 64" detect the bluetooth hardware.
I was able to install the "Intel BlueTooth Driver" package from my motherboard's driver page:
http://ca.msi.com/support/mb/Z97_XPOWER_AC.html#down-driver&Win7%2064
In my "Device Manager", it displays as "Intel Wireless Bluetooth" in the section called "Bluetooth Radios".
The problem is...
I can't seem to get any "Wi-Fi" functionality from the module.
In my "Device Manager", there is an item called "Network Controller" in the section called "Other Devices".
It has an exclamation mark over it, and in the properties it says: "The drivers for this device are not installed".
I suspected that the driver package called "Intel Wireless Display" might solve this problem.
But when I run it, it says: "This platform is nor compatible witgh Intel WiDi...Your wireless card is not compatible...Your wireless driver cannot find or load necessary components..".
I am really confused. Can anyone help?

Okay, another strange update.
So as I explained in my original post...no driver from the MSI website works for Wi-Fi.
Then I tried the special USB that came with my board, which contains drivers.
Using the autoplay, I had same result...bluetooth and network installed fine. But Wi-Fi still didn't get installed.
But I found a solution using a strange method...
I must explore the contents of the USB.
I must navigate to "\Network\Intel WLAN\WIFI\WIN7 PLUS\Win7Plus\Win64\Drivers\Win7"
Then I must double-click the "iProDifX.exe" located in the folder.
This will display an icon that animates for a couple of minutes.
Then the WiFi icon will appear in Windows taskbar and Wi-Fi starts to work!
What is strange is that I don't think this component is available through any of the drivers offered at the MSI website.
Also strange is that all the normal installers of the USB fail at installing this.

K8N Neo2 question about overclocking and sata ports 1 & 2

Hi guys,
I know that when overclocking, sata ports 1 & 2 cannot be locked like sata ports 3 & 4, and therefore hard drives on ports 1 & 2 can be corrupted. However, I would like to understand what is failing when the unlocked ports get overclocked. Is it the motherboard that makes mistakes or is it the drive? Since the ports on the K8N Neo2 are Sata 150 (correct me if i'm wrong), would buying a sata 300 drive be able to survive overclocking? Also, I would like to know the effect of overclocked sata ports on dvd burners as opposed to hard drives. I am looking to buy two new Dvd drives/burners for this board and I would like to avoid buying IDE again.
So, can anyone answer the above questions in detail?
Thanks,
Steven

Quote from: SteveH647 on 24-September-09, 04:39:34
But is it the HDD itself that fails at the higher frequency? Or is it the HDD controller on the motherboard that fails? What about DVD drives? And what if the HDD is SATA 300 instead of SATA 150?
Quote
But is it the HDD itself that fails at the higher frequency?
Yes.
Quote
Or is it the HDD controller on the motherboard that fails?
No
Quote
What about DVD drives?
Can't tell you, haven't maked such experiments.
Quote
And what if the HDD is SATA 300 instead of SATA 150?
It will not change anything.

MSI Z97 XPOWER AC - Form Factor?

I have this board being shipped right now. I saw a question on Newegg asking whether this board is an E-ATX as mentioned at MSI, or XL-ATX as listed at the Egg.
Hopefully, it's E-ATX as my Corsair 900D apparently doesn't support XL-ATX. I thought it did, but when I saw this question, I checked and it doesn't.
If this motherboard is actually E-ATX then fine. If not, then I won't even open the box and will have to immediately return it.
This board has every single thing I've waited and looked for, ever since the specs for the new Devil's Canyon cpu were announced.
I also have an i7-4790K pre-ordered. They're supposed to be released June 25th.
TIA.

Thanks for confirming my suspicion.
Any idea what an M.2 ssd is used for? Most Z97 boards, including mine, are M.2 ready, but what good are they?
If, IF, you can boot from one, then it would help in making a benchmarking system, I guess.
Just put a basic OS on it, along with your benchmark programs and nothing else. Not even a security program.
All I'm after is a stable 5GHz with the Devil's Canyon cpu and a full water cooling loop.
I know I've read that they won't easily do this, but the ones mentioned were all marked ES for Engineering Samples.
ES models never have benched very well since they're for helping the motherboard manufacturers design their new boards.
The faster cpu's will be retail versions, plus the ones that are binned for the company sponsored OC teams.
It's been quite a while since I hit a stable 5GHz, http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=2350918, 2 years & 1 month, and it's high time I did it again. That was either on air or some Corsair water cooler. I'm hoping a full water cooling system this time around will make up for all these overly hot cpu's Intel has stuck us with these past 2 years.
Unless something drastic happens, this will be my last quad core system. Right now I'm running 2 Intel 6 core computers and am looking forward to X99 and, hopefully, an 8 core system with DDR-4.

MSI Z97 XPower AC Intel PCIe Lane 2 issue

Im really disappointed with MSI. Iv gone through 2 of these motherboards and they just keep having faults.
The latest one being that PCIe lane 2 doesnt even recognise my GPU which works perfect in the other lanes. Is there anything im missing in the bios?

Quote from: headshotmsi on 23-September-14, 04:47:56
Thanks for the great help RemusM. You kinda have put my mind at ease but its really terrible from MSI to make such a mess up of this.
Surely they would get loads of RMA's because of this since the no graphic cards works in PCI E2 slot
Don't blame them so much.
There are a few "monsters" on the market:
For DDR3:
http://ark.intel.com/products/77779/Intel-Core-i7-4960X-Processor-Extreme-Edition-15M-Cache-up-to-4_00-GHz
For DDR4:
http://ark.intel.com/products/82930
64GB quad-channel and 40 PCI-E lanes.

Re: MSI Z97 XPOWER

Yes, with all bios versions devil's canyon cpus will at least boot. Only with first release bios an update is required for full recognition. Updating to the latest should be done after upgrade none the less

Quote from: chintu200121 on Today at 06:32:46Do you mean the entire sister board that MSI uses to give you four 2.5 ports?
Yes by removing the main board.
But why would you want to?
I have two internal SSDs (Samsu...

Sound Blaster Cinema 2 Msi Z97 Xpower? Where?

Good night
I recently removed the sound card to test the sound of the motherboard and have to say that the sound is very poor, lacking punch and bass.
I have read that the sound quality is very good but I do not see it.
I have read that using the Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 2 software but once I install it tells me it is not compatible. Does this benefit?
I use headphones Philips Fidelio X1 and the difference with my sound card is beastly.
My previous motherboard, Asus Maximus Formula V had better sound but do not see it this time.
Help me because you might place the sound card in another computer to the living room.
Thank you.

I had this problem before, try uninstall the Sound Blaster Cinema 2 software, and reinstall again.
When installing the Sound Blaster Cinema 2, it seems take longer time to complete the installation.
Maybe it not installed properly, cause the not compatible problem.

MSI Z97 XPower AC - 4 pin fan headers - PWM or voltage control?

The instruction manual states that the 2 CPU 4-pin fan headers are PWM control rather then voltage control. The rest of the 4-pin fan headers say "NC" on the fourth pin. Does this mean that the fourth pin has "No connection" and that they use voltage control of the fan's RPM? If so, this seems like a big oversight not to have PWM control on all the fans like another well known motherboard manufacturer.
My second question is... does this motherboard control the fan speed by using variable resistance to the fan headers or produce variable voltage? The following FAQ copied from Noctua's website states that there is a difference and the fans may not operate properly if used with resistance based fan control rather then the MB actually producing variable voltage.
Can Noctua industrialPPC fans be used with fan controllers and resistor cables (Low-Noise Adaptors)?
Noctua recommends not to use industrialPPC fans with common PC fan controllers, resistor cables (Low-Noise Adaptors) or other devices such as potentiometers that work by applying (variable) resistance rather than actually generating different voltages such as a laboratory power supply does. Due to the higher internal resistance of the industrialPPC fans’ three phase motor, applying additional resistance will cause the fans not to start (e.g. with Low-Noise Adaptors) or to have high starting speeds (e.g. with most common PC fan controllers). Please note that the industrialPPC fans feature starting voltages between 5.5V and 6V and can be run at these voltages on devices such as laboratory power supplies or mainboard fan controllers which actually generate lower voltages rather than applying resistance. Noctua thus recommends to use either PWM or voltage based mainboard fan control or laboratory/industrial power supplies for controlling the speed of industrialPPC fans.

Indeed only CPUfan 1 + 2 are PWM controlled according to the manual. Also yes, NC means not connected on the other headers what is why speed control is shown among the three pins left. That of course means that voltage control is used for these headers.
Controlling speed with resistor between power (12v) and fan is an aftermarket solution while on mainboards the voltage applied to the header is already of the voltage needed for control (generating lower voltages than 12v). So also in case of your board the lower voltage is generated and not lowered later on.

MOVED: K8N Neo2 question about overclocking and sata ports 1 & 2

This topic has been moved to Overclockers & Modding Corner.
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=130785.0

Quote from: SteveH647 on 24-September-09, 04:39:34
But is it the HDD itself that fails at the higher frequency? Or is it the HDD controller on the motherboard that fails? What about DVD drives? And what if the HDD is SATA 300 instead of SATA 150?
Quote
But is it the HDD itself that fails at the higher frequency?
Yes.
Quote
Or is it the HDD controller on the motherboard that fails?
No
Quote
What about DVD drives?
Can't tell you, haven't maked such experiments.
Quote
And what if the HDD is SATA 300 instead of SATA 150?
It will not change anything.

Z97 XPower AC Issues

Dear users of this forum.
I'm experiencing issues with my freshly built computer. I bought 2 Radeon 290's to use in crossfire, however when there's a card in one of the PCIE slots controlled by the PLX PEX 8747 chip my system becomes very slow and unresponsive. I tried the cards in the PCI_E2 slot and they both work as they should. Even with one card in the PLX controlled slots this problem occurs.
This problem occurs under UEFI and Windows.
My computer:
Intel Core i7 4790K
Corsair Hydro H110
MSI Z97 XPower AC
2x Sapphire Radeon R9 290 OC TRI-X
Crucial Ballistix Tactical BLT2C8G3D1608ET3LX0CEU 2x8GB VLP
2x Crucial MX100 512GB SSD
WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB HDD
Corsair RM1000 PSU
What i've tried so far:
-BIOS RESET
-Reinstall Windows 8.1
-BIOS update 1.0->1.3
-Catalyst 14.4, 14.6 and 14.7 RC1
-All stock settings
-R9 270 in PLX controlled slot -> same result
Also, I was looking at the mainboard and found a jumper called JPLX1, what's it for??

Have no idea what's the jumper for, but what I can say is that you read manual about this
Did you use xfire bridge for these (you didn't mention, sometimes something obvious answer and usage, but you might have not used it)?
Also try again but with single RAM stick, single SSD (with OS) just after you clear CMOS ( >>Clear CMOS Guide<< if needed )
If still no go, what I'd suggest is that you borrow different graphics card in your board.
And, possibly very important too: contact Sapphire for vBIOS update.

MSI Z97 Gaming 3/Gaming 5 with an i5 4690k

Hi guys, I just registered here and i have a few questions if you dont mind .
I was reading a bunch of articles saying that some MSI cards wont work with the new Devils Canyon without the bios updated.
I was planning on buying the MSI Z97 Gaming 3 or Gaming 5 (whichever is better) with an i5 4690k, my question is will this motherboard accept the CPU right from the start without needing to update the bios?
Thanks.

Quote from: Nichrome on 12-July-14, 19:52:34
Well if it works out of the box, then it just works. If it doesn't work out of the box, you would have to take the board to someone who has a CPU that should work in 100% and reflash to the latest BIOS.
Yes, you will have to change sequence/prioritisation of the booting in the BIOS. If anything goes wrong, or you want to get default settings back, then here you can have a >>Clear CMOS Guide<<
PS: Make sure you have your USB Stick IN when you change sequence, otherwise it won't be possible to change this. And it's not called UEFI USB, unless you will be installing Win 8 in UEFI mode?
I guess youre right. I talked to the guys at the store im buying the motherboard from and they said they would check on monday what bios version the motherboard has and flash it if its required, even though im betting its the 1.0. Im confused here I never said anything about an UEFI USB. I always intsall my OS from a bootable USB stick that I configure with the win7 tool. Thank you kindly for your response and help.

Unboxing MSI Z97 Mpower Max AC Overclocking Motherboard

Intel Z97 chipset based motherboards is already out and I’m glad that Intel decided it to make the CPU socket the same LGA 1150 as before. Backward compatibility for the current CPUs and at the same time will have support for the upcoming Haswell Refresh and Broadwell (14nm) processors. More importantly, the chipset has three new features and these are:
•SATA Express – PCIe M.2 support. Can deliver data speeds up to 10Gb/s
•Boot Guard – serves as a shield against low-level malware attacks using Intel device protection system
•Upgraded Intel Smart Response and Raid start technologies. Now with Dynamic Cache Sharing
Few? yes, but don’t get disappointed about it yet, as I heard that the Z97 will be good at high memory frequencies and has better CPU overclocking.
That’s it for the review and thank you … just kidding hehehe. The main gist of this short review is on MSI’s Z97 MPower Max AC and it’s such a good looking motherboard. It has new features, heat sink design and OC essential tools which will be further discussed later on. Before that, let us take a look at the packaging first.
Black and Yellow ~~black and yellow…box is same as the Z87 Mpower Max before except for the OC Series logo design.
Flipping the front cover will give you some short info on Military Class 4 components (Hi-c Cap, Dark Cap, SFC, OC PCB), Guard-Pro (Circuit Protection, Humidity Protection, High Temperature Protection, ESD Protection, EMI Protection & Eco Power), OC Essentials (tools for overclocking), Enhanced Thermal Solution, Enhanced Power and Enhanced BIOS. Then to your right is a clear plastic window which will give you a sneak peek on the actual unit. Drools…
The Z97 Mpower Max AC is OC certified as it passed the Prime95 24-hour burn-in stress test with a liquid-cooled overclocked CPU. This is to ensure the board’s overclocking stability.
I/O overview is also shown here and Intel’s Wi-Fi AC module.
Specifications:
•CPU
Supports 4th and 5th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors, and Intel® Pentium® and Celeron® Processors for Socket LGA1150
•Chipset
Intel® Z97 Express Chipset
•Memory
4x DDR3 DIMMs 1066/1333/1600/1866*/2000*/2133*/2200*/2400*/2600*/2666*/2800*/3000*/3100*/3200*/3300*(OC) DRAM, 32GB Max
•LAN
Intel I218-V Gigabit LAN controller
•Audio
Realtek® ALC1150 Codec
•Video
3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (support x16, x8/x8, x8/x4/x4 modes)
•Peripheral Interfaces
6x SATA 6Gb/s ports from Z97 with RAID Support
2x SATA 6Gb/s ports from ASMedia ASM1061
6x USB 2.0 ports (2 Rear / 4 Front)
12x USB 3.0 ports (8 Rear / 4 Front)
The package is full of bundles and some new stuff included
•Z97 Mpower Max AC Overview Map
•Z97 MPower Max User Guide
•Software & Application User Guide
•Overclocking Guide
•Quick Installation Guide
•OC Door Message Hanger
•SATA Cable Label Stickers
•MSI OC Badge
Closer look on MSI’s new OC case badge
•WiFi and Bluetooth Antenna
•Intel Wifi/Bluetooth Module
•MSI SLI Bridge
•IO Backplate
•M-Connector for Easy Header Installation
•V-Check Points Cable
MSI so extravagant with the bundles!!! Keep ‘em coming
•6x SATA 6GB/s Data Cables
•E-SATA PCI Expansion Bracket
What you will notice right away is the new water cooling heat sink for the VRM area. Enthusiasts will like this very much as they don’t have to worry on buying water blocks for this section. But even on stock, the heat sink is efficient to cool down the VRM chips. It is composed of heat pipe and ceramic materials.
PCB is matte black and is using dark solid capacitors. Layout is clean and organized especially on the area of the multi graphics card slots. OC button tools are placed on the upper right area of the board for easy access. The 8pin and 4pin power connectors on the upper left area are used to supply power to the CPU and it also helps achieve higher overclock potential and stability to the processor.
MSI also included an integrated Clock Generator chip called OC Engine (located below the CPU socket). Having this will support more BCLK adjustments from 100 / 125 / 167 MHz straps. The more flexible the strap is, the more doors for maximum OC potential.
12Phase DigitAll power design. Powerful enough to break OC world records and dominate benchmarks.
You also have the Military Class 4 components SFC chokes and Hi-c caps surrounding the CPU socket.
On the area in between the two heat sinks connected by a heat pipe is an additional 6pin power. It provides more juice and stability in multi-graphics card configuration.
The first two buttons on the left are the Base Clock Control Buttons. These buttons are used to increase or decrease the base clock frequency in real-time. At the bottom, you have the Discharge button and it allows you to fully discharge the motherboard and even removes information from the Z97 PCH. Next you have the Reset and Power buttons and lastly the most valuable button of them all – OC Genie for auto overclock.
To the farthest right is a switch. This is the OC Genie Mode switch which provides two overclocking modes. First mode is the Gear 1, the default automatic overclocking setting while Gear 2 is a higher auto overclock tweak than Gear 1. This goes hand in hand with the OC Genie Button.
V-Check Points is now version 2 with 2 extra ground connectors, allowing overclockers to use 3 multi-meters at the same time. You can check the VCCIN, DDR, Core,IGP, Ring Bus and System Agent voltage on the fly.
Audio Boost is also been upgraded. It has Dual Amps now and is using better Nippon Chemi-con filtering capacitors.
Here comes one of the major features of having Z97 chipset based motherboard, SATA Express. M.2 slot transfers data through a PCI Express 2.0 x2 interface which can reach up to 10 Gb/s speed. That is 67% much faster than your regular SATA 3 solutions.
Two more switches are to be found at the bottom of the board. First one is the Multi-BIOS Switch. This model has two built-in BIOS ROMs labeled as A and B (Default is BIOS ROM A). If one crashed, you can shift to the other for booting or perhaps use the other one for test purpose of new BIOS available in the net. You can also use this feature to fix corrupted BIOS. Next switch is the Slow Mode Booting and mostly used during LN2 or extreme overclocking situations. What it does is it will temporary decrease the CPU Ratio to 8x and after successfully booting to Windows you can flick the switch back again to apply your high overclock frequency settings.
Done with the switches and now for the small black button called Go2BIOS. Pressing this button before turning on your computer or right after a system restart, will go straight to your board’s BIOS.
The ever reliable Debug Code LED indicator is available in this model. This can be used greatly for troubleshooting boot up and hardware problems. Check out the User Manual Guide for the corresponding POST Code errors.
SATA ports 8 and 7 on the left are controlled by ASMedia ASM1061 while the rest are from the Intel Z97 chipset. There also 2x USB 3.0 internal headers available and also controlled by Intel Z97.
•PS2 Combo Port
•2x USB 2.0
•Empty space for Intel’s WIFI/Bluetooth AC Module
•6x USB 3.0 by ASMedia ASM1074
•1x Intel I218-V Gigabit LAN Controller
•1x S/PDIF Audio Output by Realtek ALC1150
•1x HDMI Port
•1x DisplayPort
•2x USB 3.0 by ASMedia ASM1042
•6x Analog Gold Plated Audio Ports by Realtek ALC1150
This is it for now and I don’t still have the right parts to run the motherboard to its max potential. I will update you guys as soon as I get my hands on the stuff I needed. Benchmarks and overclocking results will be made.
Long live MSI OC Series!!!

It is interesting MSI chose not to incorporate dedicated SATA Express port(s). Some manufacturers even incorporated that on it's Z87's.
Quote
Few? yes, but don’t get disappointed about it yet, as I heard that the Z97 will be good at high memory frequencies and has better CPU overclocking.
If Intel didn't increase the useable RAM bandwidth with Devil's Canyon, those higher RAM frequencies are going to do nothing! With a VRM still in the CPU, even with the improved TIM, it remains to be seen how much of a better OC'er Devil's Canyon will be on conventional cooling solutions. Anything above Z97 Gaming 7 or 9 is kind of overkill for an average non exotic cooling pc user. If anything like the Z87 Power Max I got to work with, most of those OC settings on these class boards was a total waste. Z97 better OC'er for normal users? Time will tell.

[MSI Z97 Xpower AC] Confusion about odd/even Sata port number sides

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