MSI's Z97 Gaming 7 motherboard reviewed

Despite the overall downturn in the PC industry, all indications suggest the gaming segment of the market is growing. Motherboard makers have been increasingly eager to cash in on that trend, and MSI may be most aggressive among them. The company rolled out a deep lineup of so-called gaming boards last year, democratizing a style that had been largely limited to high-end offerings with premium prices.

If you're unfamiliar with this particular sub-genre, here's the lowdown. Gaming-specific boards typically involve subtle tweaks to the tried-and-true enthusiast formula. They usually have different ...