MSI is calling these products, "Mini, but Mighty". These components are designed for the mini-ITX form factor which is smaller than 7 inches in length and width. Its size makes it very useful for home theater PCs (HTPCs) and other places where discretion is valuable. You also want these machines to be quiet, which MSI claims this product series is.
The name is also written in full uppercase so you imagine yourself yelling every time you read it.
The MSI Z87I GAMING AC Motherboard comes with an Intel 802.11ac (hence, "GAMING AC", I assume) wireless adapter. If you are using a wired connection, it comes with a Killer E2205 Ethernet adapter from Qualcomm's BigFoot Networks (even small PCs can be BigFoot). Also included is an HDMI 1.4 output capable of 4K video (HDMI 1.4 is limited to 30Hz output at 2160p).
Good features to have, especially for an HTPC build.
The other launch is the GTX 760 GAMING ITX video card. This card is a miniature GeForce 760 designed to fit in mini-ITX cases. If your box is a Home Theater PC, expect it to run just about any game at 1080p.
No information on pricing and availability yet. Check out the press release after the break.
Mini, but Mighty – MSI Z87I GAMING AC and GTX760 GAMING ITX
Killer Network, Audio Boost and exclusively cool RADAX fan
The long awaited products for gamers who prefer small-sized gaming machines are finally here! Today, world-renowned hardware manufacturer MSI officially announced the Z87I GAMING AC motherboard and GTX 760 GAMING ITX graphics card offering many gaming features in the small mini-ITX form factor. With features such as Killer LAN, 802.11ac and Audio Boost the Z87I GAMING is ready to support you wherever you go knowing you’ll be able to connect to networks with the best speeds for gaming. The GTX 760 GAMING ITX features MSI’s new RADAX fan which is a true Hybrid design fan that boosts lower noise and up to 30°C lower temperatures compared to any other card in its class. Both motherboard and graphics card offer excellent chassis and component compatibility and are the optimal combination for your living room PC or LAN Party gaming rig.
Comprehensive Mini-ITX GAMING Motherboard
MSI’s Z87I GAMING AC has inherited the outstanding genes of MSI’s GAMING motherboards, which have won more awards than any other gaming motherboard on the market. It is equipped with the Killer E2205 Ethernet which offers the fastest low latency to game lag free. Additionally, MSI’s Audio Boost comes with the highest grade built-in amplifier and audio capacitors, giving gamers a stunning in-game audio experience. The audio circuit board signal is split from other components to avoid lower noise and provide purer audio quality. For those gamers who are using external USB audio devices, MSI’s USB Audio Power provides more stable power and a higher quality signal resulting in a better audio experience. The included Intel Wi-Fi AC solution provides a maximum transfer speed of 867Mbps, and supports Intel’s exclusive wireless video transmission Wi-Di technology! There is a built-in HDMI 1.4 video output that supports 4K UHD ultra high resolution. These gaming features will enhance the gaming experience and this all packet into a very small mini-ITX form factor which will give gamers the edge on the battlefield.
Miniature GAMING Graphics
When we created the new GTX 760 GAMING ITX Graphics card we realized that with a 30% shorter size (only 17 centimeters!) the challenge was to still provide the great and silent cooling that has been synonymous with other MSI GAMING graphics cards. We found the solution in the new MSI RADAX fan, a true Hybrid Radial/Axial fan that combines the best of both worlds and reduces temperatures up to 30%. Consisting of elements similar to the MSI Propeller Blade fan, combined with a traditional blower fan we can increase airflow, exhaust hot air through the rear of the card and keep temperatures and noise better than any other product in its class and form factor. The MSI GTX 760 GAMING ITX also inherits all the features of the MSI GAMING series graphics cards: the exclusive one button overclocking Gaming App, Predator video capturing and more importantly, Military Class 4 components for excellent stability and lifetime. The MSI GTX 760 GAMING ITX, combined with the MSI Z87I GAMING provides a unique, rich Gaming experience optimized for today’s online and social gaming world while offering amazing thermal and acoustic performance in the mini-ITX form factor.
Coming to a Steam Box near
Coming to a Steam Box near you.
Seems a likely fit for
Seems a likely fit for SteamOS, yep.
Love it! Moving full ATX
Love it! Moving full ATX cases to LAN parties is the worst… especially in a Canadian winter, Right Jeremy?.
Every few years I try to mitigate the size/weight of my PC. This is just another step in the right direction, as long as we can keep the cooling solution’s noise to a minimum.
Didn’t asus do something
Didn’t asus do something similar with the gtx 670?
The cooler, besides the fan,
The cooler, besides the fan, looks a lot like the Asus 670 Mini. I wonder if it came from the same OEM.
^ Nope, mate
MSI has their
^ Nope, mate
MSI has their own factory and even do OEM for others.