Its value is very much use-case dependant. This traffic prioritisation scheme should in theory help immensely when streaming online game footage, essentially ensuring that video data doesn't saturate your network connection and cause your ping rate to rocket. Benchmarking and assessing the differences between these solutions is notoriously difficult, but Killer note that they include Advanced Steam Detect algorithms to differentiate and accelerate game traffic over other network traffic. Finally, golden audio connectors should increase long-term durability and signal quality.ĭrawing something of a contrast with one of their competitors MSI have opted to use the Broadcom Killer E2200 NIC rather than Intel's already well respected solution. High quality Nichicon Japanese Capacitors are specially designed for audio and enable the best possible filtering for high-end acoustics.
A significant long-term weakness for USB, is great to see MSI and others address the quality of power being delivered to external peripherals.ĭual built-in amplifiers improve audio clarity to headphones of up to 600-ohm impedance, headphones which can be hooked up to either the back panel or chassis audio ports. USB Audio Power ensures a consistent 5V supply to the rear USB ports, even under the heavy draw a device such as a USB DAC would cause. In addition to the standard 7.1 analogue output GAMING-series motherboards are bundled with Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 2 software, boosting simulated surround-sound to headphones and headsets for more immersive gameplay. But that's not the end of their audio optimisations.Īudio Boost 2 physically isolates the audio PCB for lower interference and makes use of a dedicated power interface to ensure that it's both more powerful and stable. Positioning is key and MSI have located their Realtek audio chip at the bottom-right and underneath an illuminated EM shield, thereby reducing electrical interference as much as possible without the use of a riser card. Motherboard audio has advanced leaps and bounds since the early days of integrated sound chips, and Audio Boost 2 should provide some of the cleanest and highest quality of any Z97 'board.