Product comparison · 2 motherboards

MSI X79A-GD45 (8D) vs MSI Z68MA-G43 (G3)

45specifications compared
22differ
23identical
18known for one product only

Key differences

Processor socket
- X79A-GD45 (8D):LGA 2011 (Socket R)
- Z68MA-G43 (G3):LGA 1155 (Socket H2)
Number of memory slots
- X79A-GD45 (8D):8
- Z68MA-G43 (G3):4
Memory channels
- X79A-GD45 (8D):Quad-channel
- Z68MA-G43 (G3):Dual-channel
Maximum internal memory
- X79A-GD45 (8D):128 GB
- Z68MA-G43 (G3):32 GB
USB 2.0 connectors
- X79A-GD45 (8D):2
- Z68MA-G43 (G3):3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) connectors
- X79A-GD45 (8D):1
- Z68MA-G43 (G3):0
Number of SATA III connectors
- X79A-GD45 (8D):4
- Z68MA-G43 (G3):2
Number of SATA II connectors
- X79A-GD45 (8D):2
- Z68MA-G43 (G3):4

Side by side

Differences highlightedShow differences only

Comparison of X79A-GD45 (8D), Z68MA-G43 (G3)
63 specifications	A MSI X79A-GD45 (8D)View product	B MSI Z68MA-G43 (G3)View product
Processor2 differ
Processor socketDiffers	LGA 2011 (Socket R)	LGA 1155 (Socket H2)
Compatible processor seriesDiffers	Intel® Core™ i7	Intel® Core™ i3, Intel® Core™ i5, Intel® Core™ i7
Memory4 differ
Number of memory slotsDiffers	8	4
Memory channelsDiffers	Quad-channel	Dual-channel
Supported memory clock speedsDiffers	1066,1333,1600,1800,2133,2400 MHz	1066,1333,1600,1866,2133 MHz
Maximum internal memoryDiffers	128 GB	32 GB
Supported memory module capacitiesKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
Memory voltageKnown for one	1.5 V	Unknown — not stated by the source
Graphicsidentical
Maximum graphics card memoryKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1024 MB
DirectX versionKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	10.1
Parallel processing technology supportKnown for one	2-Way SLI, 3-Way SLI	Unknown — not stated by the source
Internal I/O5 differ
USB 2.0 connectorsDiffers	2	3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) connectorsDiffers	1	0
Number of SATA III connectorsDiffers	4	2
Number of SATA II connectorsDiffers	2	4
S/PDIF out connectorKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Number of EATX power connectorsKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1
Number of chassis fan connectorsDiffers	4	2
Parallel connectorKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Peripheral (Molex) power connectors (4-pin)Known for one	1	Unknown — not stated by the source
EPS power connector (8-pin)Known for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Rear panel I/O ports4 differ
PS/2 ports quantityDiffers	2	1
VGA (D-Sub) ports quantityDiffers	0	1
HDMI ports quantityDiffers	0	1
DVI-D ports quantityDiffers	0	1
Serial ports quantityKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1
S/PDIF out portKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Digital audio optical outKnown for one	1	Unknown — not stated by the source
Network1 differ
LAN controllerDiffers	Intel® 82579	Realtek RTL8111E
Features1 differ
Motherboard form factorDiffers	ATX	micro ATX
Motherboard chipsetKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Intel Z68
Audio output channelsKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	7.1 channels
Expansion slots2 differ
PCI Express x1 slotsDiffers	1	2
PCI Express x16 slotsDiffers	5	2
BIOSidentical
BIOS typeKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	UEFI
Clear CMOS jumperKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
Clear CMOS buttonKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
Weight & dimensions2 differ
WidthDiffers	244 mm	243 mm
DepthDiffers	305 mm	244 mm
Other features1 differ
Controller interface typeDiffers	Intel X79	Intel Z68 (B3)

A dash means the value is not stated by the source. Unknown values are never counted for or against a product, and there is no overall score.

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