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.

Similar Messages

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] 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!

[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] 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.

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...

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.

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.

[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!

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.

Crash by gaming with MSI z97 Gaming 9 AC/ MSI 980GTX

Dear MSI Form
The last couple of weeks I have a very bad crash,
This is my system:
Windows 8.1 64
Mother board: MSI Z97 Gaming 9 AC
GPU: MSI GTX 980
CPU: Intel core i7 4790K 4 GHz
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 240M
Memory: 16GB 4x4 Corsair vengeance pro
Hard disk: 2 X 1TB 1 X 1TB SSD
Power supply: Be quiet! Power Zone 650W
Case: Cooler Master CM Storm Trooper Window
Fans: 9X Be quiet! Shadow wings + Fan controller
I use my pc mostly for gaming,
I bought en build my pc on September 2015 but now and then I get a very bad crash, the crash shuts down my pc (no blue screen / no Error) just a black screen with a pc that won’t respond on anything. The lights are on at my motherboard cpu cooler and GPU, but no respond. To turn my pc on again I have to shut down the main power switch. After 10 seconds I can start up my pc again.
I get the following windows event: id 41 kernel power
Scenario:
This began when I played Dragon age 3 in December, I got the crash twice in like 100 hours. (not a big deal) than I got the same crash once when I played GTA V with 60 hours more or less. But now when I playing the Witcher 3 wild hunt I get it every 5 minutes.
What did I try to fix it but won’t work:
- Memtest run x10 no error
- Drivers up to date
- The temps under full load are great CPU they won’t go over 51 degrease / GPU 68 degrees / the rest won’t go over 45 degrees.
- I got no virus.
- Everything is connected just fine.
I hope you guys can help me out.
Kind regards,
Tijs Dragtsma from the Netherlands

May be your PSU being too weak or going bad (I doubt though). Although you have 9 fans.. maybe try disconnecting case fans and leave only CPU cooler ones to work?

Z97 XPOWER AC BIOS A is dead

Hi all!
Help me please!
Z97 XPOWER AC
I have the problem that the OP posted. I updated to the 1.3 bios but now the computer after I press the power button, doesn't do anything. The fans turn on, and lights are on, but nothing else happens. The keyboard LEDs don't turn on either.
I've pressing the CMOS reset button, but it still does the same.
In MSIHQ Tool:
Error: rom file romid is not compatible with existing
I try:
Boot from the USB key again and when you see options to choose 1,2 or 3,
press SHIFT+F5, then when you see A:\ or C:\, type:
efiflash bios.bin /x [ctrl+m]
But:
Error: rom image layout detected rormhole is redesigned
BIOS B is working.
P.S. I apologize for the bad English

Quote from: flobelix on 30-July-14, 00:02:33
Use the below to flash your board to version 1.3 being the latest. You must follow the guide exactly and use the attached archive (not anything downloaded from MSI).
>>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<
A.) Download the attached archive (XPower_130.rar) and place it on your desktop. Do not decompress.
B.) Download and install the Forum flash tool.
C.) Insert your FAT32 formatted usb stick.
D.) Make sure that all win 8 options are disabled. (Fast Boot etc) Also make sure the legacy USB is enabled.
E.) Start the forum flash tool and select option 1. Then point the tool at the compressed archive we downloaded earlier. Then to your USB Flash Drive.
F.) Boot to the USB from working bios.
G.) Once it booted successfully switch to the bad bios without powering down or rebooting
H.) Now follow the directions and let the tool flash the bad bios with 1.A
I.) After flashing reinstall ME drivers in Windows: http://download.msi.com/dvr_exe/intel_me10_mb.zip
Did not happen.
After the start of the firmware, the computer is turned off.
Booting from the BIOS working with the USB and selecting 1 (after switching to a dead bios) booted windows.
Now I am in OS
included dead bios
Can I flash underneath?
Upd:
On the second attempt it worked out!
Thank you so much!
You are the best!

Z97 xpower ac temp reading

Hello all,
I've been using my Z97 Xpower AC motherboard for a while and absolutely love it. Great design and awesome stability with its digital caps make overclocking a dream. But one thing that I've been noticing while running temperature monitoring software (hwinfo, nzxt cam, etc.) shows that one of the sensors ("TEMPERATURE 4" in CAM) on the motherboard is pinned at 128 degrees C. Any idea what could have caused this and can it be fixed without returning the motherboard under warranty? Thanks!

I work as an electrical and instrumentation technician. When certain instruments fail such as RTDs or Thermocouples they are designed to read full scale so that they will trigger whatever alarm may be set to do so as to garner the attention that the problem needs. I would make note of the problem and contact the MSI Service/Warranty dept. and have them make note of the problem so as to have it notated somewhere in the event there are any future problems with the motherboard.

Z97 xpower delid guard

If anyone has the delid guard from the z97 xpower they are not using or don't want, I'm in need for one for my z97 mpower. I was under the assumption my z97 mpower came with one and I was wrong. Please let me know I will buy it. Thank you!

Quote from: Nichrome on 26-January-15, 20:01:06
Delid die guard, as far as I am aware, will only work with Xpower model it is dedicated for. Also I doubt anyone would sell off something they might need. Ask MSI if you could buy it off them or their partner
>>How to contact MSI.<<
It works fine with the mpower. There is no design difference between the m and x as far as socket design. I got a buddy of mine who has both boards and the guard works identical on the mpower as the xpower. He is using his. As far as contacting msi that's a waste of time lol.

MSI Z97 XPOWER AC - Form Factor?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for