14 DAY TRIAL // Since both Intel's and AMD's processing units could always do with some platforms, it is not that shocking to hear that MSI created a new platform based on the Z68 chipset.
When it comes to desktop PCs, one can safely say that hardware has advanced faster than the software and gaming industry has.
This is made quite obvious by how mainstream parts can pretty much handle anything thrown at them, leaving high-end and enthusiast-grade hardware relevant only in overclocking and/or benchmarking tasks.
Micro-Star International's newest motherboard (Z68MA-G45) fits somewhere between the mainstream and gaming categories, being an mATX platform base on the Z68 chipset.
MSI does currently have the Z68MA-ED55, but the ironic part in all this is that, technically, the ED55, being an Extreme mainboard (that's what the E stands for) should be stronger than the G45 (G stands for Gaming).
The reality isn't really that simple, as the former model lacks support for multi-GPU setups and is more expensive than the G45 will be.
Two PCI Express x16 slots are present on the G45, for graphics cards, complete with CorssFireX and SLI multi-GPU support (for AMD Radeon and NVIDIA GeForce cards, respectively). There are even switches that make both slots work in x8 mode.
Four DDR3 memory slots are present, along with the same number of SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, two SATA 6 Gbps connectors and pin headers for six USB 2.0 ports.
As for connectivity and I/O, the back panel offers, besides the PS/2 port and six USB 2.0 connectors, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, D-Sub, HDMI, DVI, 7.1 channel audio and the obligatory Gigabit Ethernet.
Finally, the mainboard features a 4+1 PWM design (more or less basic) and, although it lacks the ED55's tantalum capacitors, SFC chokes and DrMOS, will be less pricey. Unfortunately, the exact sum that will be needed to make the purchase is not known yet.