Layout

MSI has done well in creating a decent design with a suitable color schema. They have been using black for the PCB and blue for the PCI Express expansion slot and the coolers. When it comes to the layout itself we see that the socket LGA1155 is quite close to the PCI Express x16 expansion slot. We prefer to see the CPU socket in the center of the board. If the latter is being done by the manufacturer it's possible to install a big aircooler without blocking the PCI Express x16 slot. What comes in handy is where the SATA connectors are. It's practical that MSI chose to place them on an edge, which means that you don't have to worry about cable routing issues.

MSI equipped the Z77IA-E53 with a 6+1+1 phase digital power design with an UPI uP1618A taking care of the CPU VRM. This power design has one DRMOS for one phase rather than one DRMOS for two phases like on a lot of competitors motherboards. Furthermore there are six 4935N MOSFETs from On Semiconductor.
The memory gets a single digital phase, which is driven by an UPI uP0104S.

Totally you'll find two DIMM-slots on the MSI Z77IA-E53. Officially supported clock speeds from DDR3-1066 up to DDR3-2133. Max capacity is 16GB of non-ECC un-buffered memory. This motherboard also supports Intel's XMP 1.3.

PCH as well as current converters are being held at adequate temperatures via individual, passive cooling blocks. The cooling blocks have been well manufactured and also well attached to the board to provide enough pressure on the components they have to cool down. They feature a blue color and on the PCH cooler you can find the MSI logo. Overall chipset and VRM cooling is nothing special but it's suitable for the job.

Page 1 - Introduction	Page 4 - Connectors and I/O
Page 2 - Specs and Delivery	Page 5 - Conclusion
Page 3 - Layout

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