OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£220CPU socket:LGA 1151Chipset:Intel Z270Form factor:ATX

MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC Review: Compare 109 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC
6.8/10

Overall score

Score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

40%

5.6

Technical score

20%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

20%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

User scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 58% of motherboards
7.6

Value for money

Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

â–¼Worse than 61%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

19%

5.8

Memory

16%

7.5

Platform

16%

5.6

Storage

15%

4.3

Network

13%

3.8

Ports

8%

3.2

Expansion

8%

6.1

Power & Cooling

5%

9.2

Audio

â–¼Worse than 61%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.8.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
No expert tests yet
?

User score

User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
No ratings from across the web yet, so it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
No ratings from across the web yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • msi-z270-gaming-m6-ac
  • msi-z270-gaming-m6-ac
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  • msi-z270-gaming-m6-ac
  • msi-z270-gaming-m6-ac
  • msi-z270-gaming-m6-ac
  • msi-z270-gaming-m6-ac
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  • msi-z270-gaming-m6-ac
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £220
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of motherboard MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components:

19%

5.8

Memory

16%

7.5

Platform

16%

5.6

Storage

15%

4.3

Network

13%

3.8

Ports

8%

3.2

Expansion

8%

6.1

Power & Cooling

5%

9.2

Audio

5.6
Reviews score
7.8
User score
?
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components:

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

7.6
CPU socket
LGA 1151
This motherboard uses LGA 1151, which is less up-to-date than 70.7% of Motherboards and the same as 13.7% of Motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
Chipset
Intel Z270
This motherboard uses Intel Z270, which is less capable than 73.5% of Motherboards and as capable as 2.2% of Motherboards.
Form factor
ATX
Integrated graphics support
yes
This motherboard supports integrated graphics. 10.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR4
This motherboard uses DDR4, which is more modern than 13.4% of Motherboards and the same as 50.4% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.9% of motherboards and equal to 72% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
64 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 64 GB of memory, which is less than 63% of motherboards and equal to 23.9% of motherboards.
Memory channels
2
Maximum RAM speed
2,400 MT/s
Market range: <2.1k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 2,400 MT/s, which is lower than that of 84% of motherboards and equal to that of 3.2% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
2
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 2 M.2 sockets, which is more than 30.5% of motherboards and equal to 34.5% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
2x PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA
This motherboard offers M.2 slots: 2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, which is slower than 67.6% of Motherboards and the same as 3.8% of Motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
6
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 53.5% of motherboards and equal to 31.2% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/5/10, which is more flexible than 32.5% of Motherboards and the same as 67.5% of Motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.6% of motherboards and equal to 68.4% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 44.8% of motherboards and equal to 55.2% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
3
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 3 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 82.7% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes as x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4, which is more generous than 62.6% of Motherboards and the same as 12.4% of Motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
no
This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation. 59.8% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
6
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 6 USB ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 63.8% of motherboards and equal to 32.8% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
15
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 15 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 47.7% of motherboards and equal to 13.5% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
1
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.8% of motherboards and equal to 48.3% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
1
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 30.5% of motherboards and equal to 21.1% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18% of motherboards and equal to 82% of motherboards.
10Gbps excluded.
Show more
LAN speed
1 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is lower than that of 51.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 48.9% of motherboards.
LAN controller
Killer E2500
This motherboard has a Killer E2500 LAN controller, which is slower than 94% of Motherboards and equal to 1% of Motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This motherboard uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is newer than 49.8% of Motherboards and the same as 10.4% of Motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC1220
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC1220, which is higher-end than 65.5% of Motherboards and the same as 12.9% of Motherboards.
Nahimic audio.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
120 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 120 dB, which is higher than that of 55.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 41% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 41.2% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
5
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 50.6% of motherboards and equal to 36.3% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
8+2
This motherboard has 8+2 VRM phases, which is fewer than 57.4% of motherboards and equal to 4.4% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors, which is fewer than 45.2% of motherboards and equal to 54.9% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
6
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 6 fan headers, which is more than 50% of motherboards and equal to 22.3% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
2 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 2 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 45.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 32.6% of motherboards.
Show more

MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • Includes dual BIOS
    This motherboard has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
    recovery feature only
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more U.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more U.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 U.2 socket/s.
    1 vs 0
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1220 vs Realtek ALC897).
    Nahimic audio.
    Realtek ALC1220 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    3 vs 1
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    This motherboard has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.5% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 49% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    This motherboard has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
    recovery feature only
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    This motherboard has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.5% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • 1 more U.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more U.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 U.2 socket/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    This motherboard has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    6 vs 4
  • 2 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    3 vs 1
  • 2 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    3 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 49% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1220 vs Realtek ALC897).
    Nahimic audio.
    Realtek ALC1220 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 5 dB higher audio SNR
    This motherboard has a higher audio SNR than the average motherboard (120 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    120 dB vs 115 dB
  • 2 more 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has more 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (5 vs 3). The average motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks.
    5 vs 3
  • Includes onboard RGB lighting
    This motherboard has onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does not. 50% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
    integrated Mystic Light support
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z270 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z270 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (2x PCIe 3x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 2 fewer rear USB ports
    This motherboard has fewer rear USB ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    6 vs 8
  • 50% less maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    64 GB vs 128 GB
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • 2 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    2 vs 4
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    0 vs 2
  • 46.7% more expensive
    MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC is more expensive than the average motherboard (£220 vs £150).
    £220 vs £150
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z270 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z270 vs Intel B860
  • Not ready for Windows 11
    This motherboard is not ready for Windows 11, while the average motherboard is. 77.4% of motherboards are ready for Windows 11.
  • Narrower Windows support
    This motherboard supports a narrower range of Windows versions than the average motherboard (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10).
    Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10
  • 50% less maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    64 GB vs 128 GB
  • 48.9% lower maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (2,400 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    2,400 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • 24% lower overclocked RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (3,800 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 5,000 MT/s.
    maximum depends on CPU configuration
    3,800 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (2x PCIe 3x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    This motherboard does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
  • 2 fewer rear USB ports
    This motherboard has fewer rear USB ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    6 vs 8
  • 2 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    2 vs 4
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Less recent Bluetooth version
    This motherboard has a less recent Bluetooth version than the average motherboard (4.2 vs 5.4).
    4.2 vs 5.4
  • Less capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a slower LAN controller than the average motherboard (Killer E2500 vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    Killer E2500 vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    0 vs 2

Third-party reviews

What customers like about MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC

  • Includes a dedicated VR Boost chip to ensure a clean signal for VR headsets
  • Comes bundled with a high-quality Phanteks RGB LED strip
  • Features built-in Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with MU-MIMO support
  • Equipped with the M.2 Shield to help prevent thermal throttling on SSDs
  • Strong aesthetic design inspired by futuristic armor with customizable Mystic Light RGB
  • Solid audio performance featuring Audio Boost 4 and Nahimic 2 technology
  • Reinforced Steel Armor on PCIe and DDR4 slots for improved durability
  • User-friendly BIOS (Click BIOS 5) with easy-to-use overclocking tools

What customers don't like about MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC

  • The M.2 Shield design can sometimes trap heat instead of dissipating it effectively for some users
  • Lack of onboard physical power/reset buttons which some enthusiasts prefer for testing
  • SATA port placement can be slightly awkward depending on the case layout
  • Limited number of USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports compared to some other high-end Z270 boards
  • Software suite (like Dragon Center) can feel bloated and may clutter the desktop if not customized during installation

Verdict

The MSI Z270 Gaming M6 AC is a high-end ATX motherboard designed for 6th and 7th Generation Intel Core processors (LGA 1151), featuring the Intel Z270 chipset and support for up to 64GB of DDR4 memory overclocked to 3800+ MHz. Its key characteristics include a robust storage interface with two Turbo M.2 slots (one with an M.2 Shield), a U.2 port, and six SATA 6Gb/s ports, alongside a specialized VR Boost smart chip for stable VR USB signal delivery. Notable pros include integrated Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 with MU-MIMO, high-fidelity Audio Boost 4 with Nahimic 2, and Killer E2500 Gigabit LAN for low-latency gaming. However, potential cons include the shared bandwidth between M.2 and SATA ports which can disable certain SATA connectors when multiple SSDs are used, and its reliance on an older socket platform that lacks a direct upgrade path to modern Intel processor generations.

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