OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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MSI Z97 G45 Gaming Review | 107 Data compared

Avg. price:~£160CPU socket:LGA 1150Chipset:Intel Z97Form factor:ATX

MSI Z97 G45 Gaming Review: Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

MSI Z97 G45 Gaming
4.7/10

Overall score

Score
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the motherboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best motherboards on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 89% of models
Score components

90%

4.4

Technical score

10%

7.7

User score

â–¼Worse than 89% of motherboards
6.2

Value for money

Value for money
6.2/ 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 92% of models
Score components

70%

4.7

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

â–¼Worse than 92%
4.4

Technical score

Technical score
4.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Motherboards category across these key areas: Platform & Features, Memory, Storage, Expansion, Ports & USB, Network, Audio, Power & Cooling.
When it matters
When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

19%

4.0

Memory

16%

6.8

Platform & Features

16%

3.5

Storage

15%

3.2

Network

13%

2.2

Ports & USB

8%

4.7

Expansion

8%

4.8

Power & Cooling

5%

8.7

Audio

â–¼Worse than 90%
7.7

User score

User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

6.4

Number of reviews

Based on 130 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 75%
  • msi-z97-g45-gaming
msi-z97-g45-gaming
Best prices
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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 Z97 G45 Gaming

Technical score
Technical score
4.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Motherboards category across these key areas: Platform & Features, Memory, Storage, Expansion, Ports & USB, Network, Audio, Power & Cooling.
When it matters
When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components:

19%

4.0

Memory

16%

6.8

Platform & Features

16%

3.5

Storage

15%

3.2

Network

13%

2.2

Ports & USB

8%

4.7

Expansion

8%

4.8

Power & Cooling

5%

8.7

Audio

4.4
User score
User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

6.4

Number of reviews

Based on 130 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.7
Popularity
Popularity
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you prefer a motherboard that has already been bought and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Popularity:
MSI Z97 G45 Gaming has a popularity score of 6.4 points, which is higher than that of 51.2% of products in this category.
6.4
Value for money
Value for money
6.2/ 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 92% of models
Score components:

70%

4.7

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

6.2
Brand name
MSI
CPU socket
LGA 1150
This motherboard uses the LGA 1150 CPU socket, which is less advanced than that of 90.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 6.6% of motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
This motherboard is built for the Intel CPU platform, which is more versatile than that of 31.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 68.4% of motherboards.
Chipset
Intel Z97
This motherboard uses the Intel Z97 chipset, which is less advanced than that of 77.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 2% of motherboards.
Form factor
ATX
This motherboard has the ATX form factor, which is more versatile than that of 47.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 52.2% of motherboards.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR3
This motherboard uses DDR3 memory, which is older than that of 86.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 13.3% of motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.5% of motherboards and equal to 72.5% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
32 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 32 GB of memory, which is less than 87% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
Memory channels
2
This motherboard supports 2 memory channels, which is more than 0.2% of motherboards and equal to 92.6% of motherboards.
Maximum RAM speed
3,200 MT/s
Market range: <2k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 3,200 MT/s, which is lower than that of 63.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 10.9% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 0 M.2 sockets, which is fewer than 88.4% of motherboards and equal to 11.6% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
N/A
N. of SATA 3 connectors
6
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 52.6% of motherboards and equal to 32.1% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 32% of motherboards and equal to 68% of motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
no
This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID. 59.8% 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 31.5% of motherboards and equal to 68.5% 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 44.5% of motherboards and equal to 55.5% 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.
runs at x4 mode
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x0/x0, x8/x8/x0, x8/x4/x4
This motherboard uses x16/x0/x0, x8/x8/x0, x8/x4/x4 for PCIe slot electrical configuration, which is less flexible than that of 71.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.4% of motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.4% of motherboards support this feature.
x8/x8, x8/x4/x4.
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 64.3% of motherboards and equal to 32.7% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
14
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 14 USB ports (including headers), which is fewer than 52.5% of motherboards and equal to 12.4% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
0
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 0 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 64.6% of motherboards and equal to 35.4% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
0
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 0 USB-C ports (including headers), which is fewer than 69.7% of motherboards and equal to 30.3% 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 18.3% of motherboards and equal to 81.7% of motherboards.
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 50.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 49.2% of motherboards.
LAN controller
Killer E2200
This motherboard uses the Killer E2200 LAN controller, which is less advanced than that of 97.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.6% 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
no
This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 50.1% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC1150
This motherboard uses the Realtek ALC1150 audio codec, which is more advanced than that of 52.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 9.2% of motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
115 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 115 dB, which is higher than that of 48.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 7.6% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 40.8% of motherboards support this feature.
supports up to 600Ω.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
6
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 6 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 86.7% of motherboards and equal to 13.3% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
8
This motherboard has 8 VRM phases, which is fewer than 69.9% of motherboards and equal to 7.1% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors, which is fewer than 45.5% of motherboards and equal to 54.5% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
5
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 5 fan headers, which is fewer than 50% of motherboards and equal to 14.6% of motherboards.
Pump header
no
This motherboard does not have a pump header. 78.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
0 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 0 A on the pump header, which is lower than that of 76% of motherboards and equal to that of 24% of motherboards.
Show more

MSI Z97 G45 Gaming vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatform & FeaturesMemoryStorageExpansionPorts & USBNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 3 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    4 vs 1
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    This motherboard has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.7% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • Better audio codec
    This motherboard has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1150 vs Realtek ALC897). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC897 audio codec.
    Realtek ALC1150 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 1 more USB 2.0 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.
    3 vs 2
  • Supports mSATA
    This motherboard supports mSATA, while the average motherboard does not. 1.9% of motherboards support mSATA.
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    This motherboard has more DVI outputs than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 DVI outputs.
    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
  • Includes VGA connector
    This motherboard has a VGA connector, while the average motherboard does not. 24.7% of motherboards include a VGA connector.
    D-Sub port
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    This motherboard has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.7% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • 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
  • Supports mSATA
    This motherboard supports mSATA, while the average motherboard does not. 1.9% of motherboards support mSATA.
  • 3 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    4 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.
    runs at x4 mode
    3 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 2.0 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.
    3 vs 2
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    This motherboard has more DVI outputs than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 DVI outputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Includes VGA connector
    This motherboard has a VGA connector, while the average motherboard does not. 24.7% of motherboards include a VGA connector.
    D-Sub port
  • Better audio codec
    This motherboard has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1150 vs Realtek ALC897). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC897 audio codec.
    Realtek ALC1150 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 1 more 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has more 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (6 vs 5). The average motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks.
    6 vs 5
  • Includes coaxial S/PDIF out
    This motherboard has coaxial S/PDIF out, while the average motherboard does not. 2.8% of motherboards include coaxial S/PDIF out.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    This motherboard has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z97 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    Intel Z97 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
  • 75% less maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    32 GB vs 128 GB
  • 2 fewer M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    0 vs 2
  • No NVMe RAID support
    This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • 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
  • Older DDR memory generation
    This motherboard has older DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.
    DDR3 vs DDR4
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 19.5% worse value for money
    MSI Z97 G45 Gaming has worse value for money than the average motherboard (6.2 vs 7.4).
    6.2 vs 7.41
  • 4.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    MSI Z97 G45 Gaming
    the average motherboard
    MSI Z97 G45 Gaming has a lower user score than the average motherboard (7.67 vs 8.000).
    7.67 vs 8
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    This motherboard has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z97 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    Intel Z97 vs Intel B860
  • No BIOS flashback support
    This motherboard does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.9% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • Older CPU socket
    This motherboard has older CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1150 vs LGA 1151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1151 CPU socket.
    LGA 1,150 vs LGA 1,151
  • Not ready for Windows 11
    This motherboard is not ready for Windows 11, while the average motherboard is. 76.9% of motherboards are ready for Windows 11.
  • Fewer BIOS update options
    This motherboard has fewer BIOS update options than the average motherboard (UEFI utility, Windows app, DOS vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app). The average motherboard offers UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app BIOS update methods.
    UEFI utility, Windows app, DOS vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app
  • Narrower Windows support
    This motherboard has narrower Windows support than the average motherboard (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10). The average motherboard supports Windows 11, Windows 10.
    Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10
  • 7 older release date
    This motherboard is older than the average motherboard (2014 vs 2021). The average motherboard was released in 2021.
    May 2014
    2014 vs 2021
  • Fewer useful accessories
    This motherboard has fewer useful accessories than the average motherboard (2x SATA cables, I/O shield, GPU bridge vs 2x SATA cables, Wi-Fi antenna, M.2 kit, front-panel adapter, RGB cable). The average motherboard comes with 2x SATA cables, Wi-Fi antenna, M.2 kit, front-panel adapter, RGB cable.
    2x SATA cables, I/O shield, GPU bridge vs 2x SATA cables, Wi-Fi antenna, M.2 kit, front-panel adapter, RGB cable
  • 75% less maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (32 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    32 GB vs 128 GB
  • Older DDR memory generation
    This motherboard has older DDR memory generation than the average motherboard (DDR3 vs DDR4). The average motherboard supports DDR4 memory.
    DDR3 vs DDR4
  • 32.4% lower maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (3200 MT/s vs 4733 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4733 MT/s.
    3,200 MT/s vs 4,733 MT/s
  • 39.2% lower overclocked RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (3000 MT/s vs 4933 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 4933 MT/s.
    3,000 MT/s vs 4,933 MT/s
  • 2 fewer M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    0 vs 2
  • No NVMe RAID support
    This motherboard does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • Less flexible PCIe lane configuration
    This motherboard has less flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x0, x8/x8/x0, x8/x4/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4). The average motherboard uses x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4 PCIe slot lane configuration.
    x16/x0/x0, x8/x8/x0, x8/x4/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 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
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    other video outputs only
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer total USB connections
    This motherboard has fewer total USB connections than the average motherboard (14 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    14 vs 15
  • Older HDMI version
    This motherboard has older HDMI version than the average motherboard (1.4 vs 2.1). The average motherboard supports HDMI 2.1.
    1.4 vs 2.1
  • 1 fewer total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has fewer total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    0 vs 1
  • 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
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does. 50% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    This motherboard does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • More basic LAN controller
    This motherboard has more basic LAN controller than the average motherboard (Killer E2200 vs Killer + Intel + Realtek). The average motherboard uses Killer + Intel + Realtek LAN controller.
    Killer E2200 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
  • No pump header
    This motherboard does not have a pump header, while the average motherboard does. 78.1% of motherboards include a pump header.
  • Fewer VRM phases
    This motherboard has fewer VRM phases than the average motherboard (8 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    8 vs 10
  • No onboard RGB lighting
    This motherboard does not have onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does. 50.4% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • 1 fewer RGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer RGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 2 A lower pump header current limit
    This motherboard has a lower pump header current than the average motherboard (0 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
    0 A vs 2 A
  • 61 mm wider
    This motherboard is wider than the average motherboard (305 mm vs 244 mm). The average motherboard width is 244 mm.
    305 mm vs 244 mm
  • 0.5 fewer fan headers
    This motherboard has fewer fan headers than the average motherboard (5 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    5 vs 5.5

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Third-party reviews

Based on 130 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: May 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about MSI Z97 G45 Gaming

  • Aesthetically pleasing red and black 'Dragon' gaming design with high-quality matte finish.
  • Excellent onboard audio solution featuring Audio Boost and Sound Blaster Cinema technology.
  • User-friendly UEFI Click BIOS 4 that is intuitive for both beginners and experienced builders.
  • Robust overclocking support with features like OC Genie 4 for automated performance boosts.
  • Comprehensive feature set for the price, including Killer Ethernet and multi-GPU (SLI/Crossfire) support.
  • Durable build quality utilizing 'Military Class 4' components for increased stability.
  • Effective cooling with well-designed 'Dragon' heat sinks and multiple fan headers.

What we don't like about MSI Z97 G45 Gaming

  • Killer Ethernet software can be problematic and may require manual driver-only installation to avoid bandwidth issues.
  • Potential for BIOS instability or risk of bricking when updating through Windows-based utilities.
  • Poor placement of SATA ports, which can be difficult to access or lead to cable management issues in some cases.
  • Lack of a dedicated M.2 slot (it features mSATA instead), which limits more modern high-speed storage options.
  • Occasional reports of bent pins on the USB 3.0 front panel header due to fragile construction.
  • Some users reported minor audio interference or 'hissing' when using specific outputs like optical out.

Verdict

The MSI Z97-G45 GAMING is an ATX motherboard built on the Intel Z97 chipset, supporting 4th and 5th Gen Intel Core processors via the LGA 1150 socket. It features four DDR3 DIMM slots supporting up to 32GB of memory at overclocked speeds of 3000MHz+, three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for 2-way SLI or 3-way CrossFire configurations, and six SATA 6Gb/s ports alongside a legacy mSATA slot. Key pros include high-quality Audio Boost with Sound Blaster Cinema, Killer E2205 Gigabit Ethernet for reduced gaming latency, and durable Military Class 4 components. However, notable cons include the lack of a modern M.2 NVMe slot (limiting users to slower mSATA or SATA drives) and some user-reported instability with BIOS updates and specific RAM slot reliability.

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