Product comparison · 2 motherboards

MSI X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX vs MSI Z68MA-G45 (G3)

48specifications compared
17differ
31identical
13known for one product only

Key differences

Processor socket
- X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX:LGA 2011 (Socket R)
- Z68MA-G45 (G3):LGA 1155 (Socket H2)
Memory channels
- X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX:Quad-channel
- Z68MA-G45 (G3):Dual-channel
Maximum internal memory
- X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX:64 GB
- Z68MA-G45 (G3):32 GB
Parallel processing technology support
- X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX:2-Way SLI, 3-Way SLI
- Z68MA-G45 (G3):2-Way SLI
USB 2.0 connectors
- X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX:2
- Z68MA-G45 (G3):3
Number of chassis fan connectors
- X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX:4
- Z68MA-G45 (G3):2
Firewire (IEEE 1394) ports
- X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX:1
- Z68MA-G45 (G3):0
VGA (D-Sub) ports quantity
- X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX:0
- Z68MA-G45 (G3):1

Side by side

Differences highlightedShow differences only

Comparison of X79A-GD45, Z68MA-G45 (G3)
61 specifications	A MSI X79A-GD45 motherboard LGA 2011 (Socket R) ATX Model X79A-GD45 View product	B MSI Z68MA-G45 (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
Memory3 differ
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	64 GB	32 GB
Supported memory module capacitiesKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
Controller typeKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Intel Z68 (B3)
Graphics1 differ
Parallel processing technology supportDiffers	2-Way SLI, 3-Way SLI	2-Way SLI
Internal I/O2 differ
USB 2.0 connectorsDiffers	2	3
CD/AUX audio inKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	No
Number of chassis fan connectorsDiffers	4	2
Parallel connectorKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	Yes
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.1 Gen 1) connectorsKnown for one	1	Unknown — not stated by the source
Number of IEEE1394 connectorsKnown for one	1	Unknown — not stated by the source
Rear panel I/O ports5 differ
Firewire (IEEE 1394) portsDiffers	1	0
VGA (D-Sub) ports quantityDiffers	0	1
HDMI ports quantityDiffers	0	1
DVI-D ports quantityDiffers	0	1
Digital audio optical outDiffers	1	0
S/PDIF out portKnown for one	Yes	Unknown — not stated by the source
COM ports quantityKnown for one	1	Unknown — not stated by the source
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 slots1 differ
PCI Express x1 slotsKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	1
PCI Express x16 slotsDiffers	3	2
PCI slotsKnown for one	4	Unknown — not stated by the source
BIOSidentical
BIOS typeKnown for one	Unknown — not stated by the source	UEFI
Weight & dimensions1 differ
DepthDiffers	305 mm	244 mm
Other features1 differ
Controller interface typeDiffers	Intel X79	Realtek ALC892

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.

More motherboard comparisons

All motherboard comparisons