MSI has had its chances at solidifying a brand of motherboards for the high-margin (but low-volume) gamer-overclocker segment, which its rivals are tageting (eg: Republic of Gamers by ASUS, G1.Killer by GIGABYTE, and Fatal1ty by ASRock). Its latest is creation of the Big Bang MPower line, which according to the people at MSI we spoke with, have been created taking in a lot of feedback from PC enthusiasts across various tech fora. The MPower series will be launched with two models, the Z77 MPower (socket LGA1155) and X79 MPower (socket LGA2011), targeting the "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge-E HEDT" processor platforms, respectively. We begin with taking a look at the Z77 MPower.
Pictured above, the Z77 MPower carries the internal codename MS-7751 v3.0, which implies that its PCB layout may have been derived from that of the Z77A-GD65 (MS-7751 v2.1). Apart from the identical PCI-Express slot layout, there are quite a few differences between the two. To begin with, the LGA1155 socket is powered by a stronger 16-phase VRM, with SFC chokes and DrMOS, which is stronger than that of the Z77A-GD80. Apart from the 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS, the board draws power from a 6-pin PCIe power connector, which supports the add-on cards.
As mentioned before, the Z77 MPower has an identical expansion slot layout to that of the Z77A-GD65, with three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (x16/NC/NC or x8/x8/NC or x8/x4/x4); and four PCI-Express 2.0 x1 slots. The Z77 MPower is not big on SATA connectivity, with just two SATA 6 Gb/s, four SATA 3 Gb/s ports; it has four more USB 3.0 ports than the Z77 PCH expends (totaling , with connectivity that includes 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, gigabit Ethernet, and display outputs that include HDMI and DisplayPort. Overclocker-friendly features of the Z77 MPower include "OC Certification", OC-in Warranty (warranty valid even on damage caused by overclocking), and "total fan control."
Pictured above, is the X79 MPower, MSI's latest socket LGA2011 motherboard. While the company didn't place a placard next to the exhibit, we've learned a few things about this beast. Its PCB layout is largely derived from that of the X79A-GD65 (8D), with a few notable additions. The LGA2011 processor is powered by a 9+2 phase VRM, which draws power from two 8-pin EPS connectors.Its expansion slot layout is identical to that of the X79A-GD65 (8D), with five PCI-Express x16 and one PCI-Express x1. An additional pair of SATA 6 Gb/s ports are added. Its connectivity is revamped to accommodate 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, and a few additional USB 3.0 ports, apart from a similar OC feature-set to the one found on the Z77 MPower.The Z77 MPower could occupy a price-point between those of the Z77A-GD65 and Z77A-GD80; while the X79 MPower occupies one between those of the X79A-GD65 (8D), and BigBang XPowerII.Source: VR-Zone Chinese

Read more: MSI BigBang MPower Series Motherboards Detailed by VR-Zone.com