The Z370 Gaming M5 from MSI is a mid-range motherboard that comes with a few interesting features. Compared to the previous model, which goes by the name Z270 Gaming M5, we see a similar color scheme - as the name suggests - but a reworked layout and a new design for all the heatsinks. Although the design has been improved, we still see cheap plastic covers all over the motherboard.

Like the same model from the previous generation, the Z370 Gaming M5 is based on an ATX form factor, yet this time MSI is using all the area available on the PCB. The Gaming M5 also comes with RGB backlight underneath the PCH cooler and there are steel reinforcements on the PCIe slots. In general the layout is quite similar to the previous model and therefore it has also been equipped with three full-sized PCIe slots.

There are six SATA-III ports and two M.2 slots allowing the installation of differently sized SSDs. The first M.2 slot is placed right below the socket and it's compatible with 22110 units, while the second one is in the bottom area and it supports 2280 SSDs. The second one also features MSI's M.2 Shield which improves your M.2 SSD's temperatures.

Since this motherboard isn't specifically designed for overclockers, you won't find any onboard buttons for that particular purpose. During the upcoming days we are going to test this motherboard with our Intel Core i7-8700K and update our motherboard chart.



Source: Gallery