14 DAY TRIAL // It's not that hard to add features and more features on a full-ATX or larger motherboard, since those form factors are specifically made for it, but it's not as easy on smaller models, like the C7Z97-M that Supermicro has just released.
The C7Z97-M is a micro-ATX motherboard, and technically speaking it's not overly difficult to give such a platform the necessary components of gaming.
While smaller than ATX, micro-ATX isn't a form factor that much younger, so motherboard makers have had a lot of time to experiment with it.
But Supermicro has mostly been making enterprise PC hardware, and this is its first foray into the so-called PC enthusiast crowd.
The Supermicro C7Z97-M motherboard
First off, the newcomer is powered by the Intel Z97 Express chipset, which means it supports Intel LGA 1150 central processing units.
That excludes the latest Core i7 Extreme Edition and Xeon parts, but you're not likely to fit those inside a small PC anyway.
Also, the chips up to Haswell are more than powerful enough to run any game at full quality, especially since you'll only ever pair it with a single video card from NVIDIA or Advanced Micro Devices.
On that note, there is a single PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot, although we suppose it would be possible to install a second video board in the close-ended PCI Express 3.0 x8 if you find a compatible adapter (unlikely, but there it is).
Besides the expansion slots above, as well as a PCI Express 2.0 x4 slot, you'll find six SATA 6.0 Gbps ports for storage. Unfortunately, no SATA Express or M.2 slots are available.
Moreover, Supermicro included ASpeed IPMI 2.0 remote management chip, an LVDS display output, and a TPM (trusted platform module) header. Enterprise features really, but Supermicro couldn't resist we suppose, since those are its bread and butter.
Other specs include Intel i210-AT GbE controller, 8-channel HD audio (Realtek ALC1150), six USB 3.0 ports, PS/2 legacy combo port, RS323 COM headers, and three video connectors (D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort). You know, in case you have to go without an add-in graphics card for whatever reason.
Finally, whatever PCU you buy for the PC you're building will deliver power to the platform via a 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS.
Availability and pricing
Supermicro, unfortunately, didn't say when the C7Z97-M, with its 6-layer PCB, digital-PWM CPU power delivery and ceramic multi-phase bar chokes, would start shipping, or for what price.
