The MSI Z97 is packed with overclocking features to ensure smooth operation during your favorite bench sessions. Three dip switches are mounted near the 24-Pin Power connector.

From top to bottom their functions is:

• Slow mode switch: Decreases CPU multiplier to 8X, allowing easier and less LN2 demanding booting into Windows or enhancing stability while taking screen shots
• OC Genie switch: Either choose between a 4Ghz OC or a 4.2-4.4 one, the OC genie button must be pressed to enable the OC
• Bclock stepping switch: choose between 1.0 or 0.1 Bclock increments

The Debug LED is also an essential tool when pushing hardware to the limits, allowing the OCer to assess the problem rapidly via the shown Debug Code.

The Direct OC buttons are also self explanatory:

• Bclock ratio up or down
• CPU Multiplier up or down
• Discharge Button: complete wipeout of all the settings after pressing this button for 2 seconds
• OC Genie button: Enable or disable the MSI OC. The final OC is dependent on the position of the above mentioned OC Genie switch

Overclockers relay on their Digital Multi Meters when exploring new limits under extreme cooling, hence why Voltage monitoring points are a must on any OCer board. MSI baptized their version as V-Check Points 2.

While not a requirement for hardcore Overclockers, the Z97 XPOWER board is equipped with network bundle worthy for a high-end motherboard. An unpluggable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module, also supporting Intel® WiDi (Wireless Display) ensures high wireless data transfer speeds. The Wi-Fi 802.11 is a/b/g/n/ac compatible, while Bluetooth 4.0 is supported. Too bad this module has to be secured via a screw on the backside of the 8 layer PCB.

The backside I/O panel has got two USB 2.0 ports, complemented by another eight USB 3.0 ports. Nice to still find a PS/2 connector much appreciated by the overclocking community. The grey CMOS clear button, the 10/100/1000 Fast Ethernet Jack hooked up to an Intel i218-v chipset. No expensive Killer NIC here, good call MSI! Two monitor connectors in the shape of one DisplayPort and one HDMI port, both supporting max resolutions of 4096 x 2160@24Hz.

The included bundle for these high end flagship models is abundant:

• OC Pen drive, an 8GB USB stick with the XPOWER drivers
• OC Fan stand (sadly the fan is optional)
• Delid Die Guard
• V-Check cables
• Wi-Fi module with two Wi-Fi Antennas
• Extra USB ports on a bracket
• SATA cables and SLI & Crossfire bridges