MSI Z170A GAMING M3 vs MSI Z170A-G45 GAMING

[bioshark]

Hi guys,

I'm doing a new gaming rig and I don't really know which of this 2 MBs to choose from. Here are my important components:

- i5 6500
- GTX 970
- 16Gb DDR4

I don't need OC and I don't need dual videocard. Both MBs are from the Enthusiasts series (not sure about G45 though) and both have a rich feature set.
I don't know what the M series stands for, and how does the G45 fit into it.

Thanks for any answer.

 

[Aleszandro143]

Hey bioshark,
I'd suggest the MSI Z170A-G45, because the M3 is a lot less feature packed for its price compared to the G45, plus the M3 has less connectivity, less PCIe slots and the G45 if you ever do decide to overclock has more stability than the M3. Also overall the G45 is a lot clear, as in it is more future proof because it doesn't have any large PCIe ports like the M3 does. It is only for older GPUs and if it is a new gaming rig, you won't need them, they will just limit the possible expansion you could have.

 

[bioshark]

Hey Aleszandro143,

Thanks for your quick and precise reply.

G45 it is then They are anyway quite similar in price (10 euro on top of G45 here in Germany) anyway. I was checking out the M5 model as well, but that one just adds another 30 euro on top of the G45, so I think it's not worth it for my purposes.

cheers.

 

[bioshark]

Hey bioshark,
I'd suggest the MSI Z170A-G45, because the M3 is a lot less feature packed for its price compared to the G45, plus the M3 has less connectivity, less PCIe slots and the G45 if you ever do decide to overclock has more stability than the M3. Also overall the G45 is a lot clear, as in it is more future proof because it doesn't have any large PCIe ports like the M3 does. It is only for older GPUs and if it is a new gaming rig, you won't need them, they will just limit the possible expansion you could have.

I've just bought the.... MSI Z170A M5

In the end I've went with the highest grade from both of them. I've found the board on a nice discount that made it just 10 euro more expensive then the MSI Z170A-G45, so I guess it's a good choice.

 

[Snorlord]

Hey bioshark,
I'd suggest the MSI Z170A-G45, because the M3 is a lot less feature packed for its price compared to the G45, plus the M3 has less connectivity, less PCIe slots and the G45 if you ever do decide to overclock has more stability than the M3. Also overall the G45 is a lot clear, as in it is more future proof because it doesn't have any large PCIe ports like the M3 does. It is only for older GPUs and if it is a new gaming rig, you won't need them, they will just limit the possible expansion you could have.

I've just bought the.... MSI Z170A M5

In the end I've went with the highest grade from both of them. I've found the board on a nice discount that made it just 10 euro more expensive then the MSI Z170A-G45, so I guess it's a good choice.

Hey, I am deciding between those two motherboards aswell. Could you tell me the advantage of the M5 over the Z170A-G45? The price difference is 27 euro in my country.

 

[bioshark]

Hey bioshark,
I'd suggest the MSI Z170A-G45, because the M3 is a lot less feature packed for its price compared to the G45, plus the M3 has less connectivity, less PCIe slots and the G45 if you ever do decide to overclock has more stability than the M3. Also overall the G45 is a lot clear, as in it is more future proof because it doesn't have any large PCIe ports like the M3 does. It is only for older GPUs and if it is a new gaming rig, you won't need them, they will just limit the possible expansion you could have.

I've just bought the.... MSI Z170A M5

In the end I've went with the highest grade from both of them. I've found the board on a nice discount that made it just 10 euro more expensive then the MSI Z170A-G45, so I guess it's a good choice.

Hey, I am deciding between those two motherboards aswell. Could you tell me the advantage of the M5 over the Z170A-G45? The price difference is 27 euro in my country.

Hi,

Sorry for the late answer. If you haven't made up your mind yet, then I would recommend to go for the Z170A-G45. I would have as well, but it wasn't available in my country at the time of ordering. I have nothing against the M5, it's awesome, but since I don't really plan on OC, it's a bit of overkill for me.

cheers.