MSI Z170A GAMING M3 (MS-7978)

Performance Results

 
Gaming
Gaming 30%
Raft
Desktop
Desktop 83%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 26%
Raft
PC StatusOverall this PC is performing as expected (53rd percentile). This means that out of 100 PCs with exactly the same components, 47 performed better. The overall PC percentile is the average of each of its individual components.
ProcessorWith a brilliant single core score, this CPU is the business: It demolishes everyday tasks such as web browsing, office apps and audio/video playback. Additionally this processor can handle light workstation, and even some light server workloads. Finally, with a gaming score of 80%, this CPU's suitability for 3D gaming is very good.
Graphics33.9% is a below average 3D score (RTX 2060S = 100%). This GPU can handle older games but it will struggle to render recent games at resolutions greater than 1080p. (Note: general computing tasks don't require 3D graphics)
Boot Drive64% is a good SSD score. This drive enables fast boots, responsive applications and ensures minimum system IO wait times.
Memory16GB is enough RAM to run any version of Windows and it's more than sufficient for nearly all games. 16GB also allows for very large file and system caches, software development and batch photo editing/processing.
OS VersionAlthough Windows 10 is not the most recent version of Windows, it remains a great option.
High background CPU (25%). High background CPU reduces benchmark accuracy. How to reduce background CPU.
SystemMSI MS-7978
MotherboardMSI Z170A GAMING M3 (MS-7978)  (all builds)
Memory14.1 GB free of 16 GB @ 2.4 GHz
DisplayЦвета: 1280 x 1024 - 32 Bit
OSWindows 10
BIOS Date20160122
Uptime0 Days
Run DateSep 21 '17 at 11:51
Run Duration84 Seconds
Run User EST-User
Background CPU 25%

 PC Performing as expected (53rd percentile)

Actual performance vs. expectations. The graphs show user score (x) vs user score frequency (y).

Processor BenchNormalHeavyServer
Intel Core i7-6700-$180
U3E1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.4 GHz
Performing way above expectations (96th percentile)
80% Excellent
Memory 89.5
1-Core 114
2-Core 210
80% 138 Pts
4-Core 380
8-Core 654
63% 517 Pts
64-Core 657
41% 657 Pts
Poor: 60%
This bench: 80%
Great: 80%
Graphics Card Bench3D DX93D DX103D DX11
Nvidia GTX 960-$198
MSI(1462 320B) 2GB
CLim: 1405 MHz, MLim: 1752 MHz, Ram: 2GB, Driver: 384.94
Performing above expectations (81st percentile)
33.9% Below average
Lighting 44.1
Reflection 41.6
Parallax 37.4
36% 41.1 fps
MRender 39.4
Gravity 38.3
Splatting 33.1
30% 36.9 fps
Poor: 30%
This bench: 33.9%
Great: 36%
Drive BenchSequentialRandom 4kDeep queue 4k
Adata SU800NS38 128GB
76GB free (System drive)
Firmware: P0925A Max speed: SATA 3.0 600 MB/s
Performing below expectations (31st percentile)
64% Good
Read 506
Write 201
Mixed 255
70% 321 MB/s
4K Read 29.3
4K Write 66.1
4K Mixed 16.2
100% 37.2 MB/s
DQ Read 32.6
DQ Write 73
DQ Mixed 16.1
23% 40.6 MB/s
Poor: 46%
This bench: 64%
Great: 102%
Memory Kit BenchMulti coreSingle coreLatency
Crucial BLS8G4D240FSB.16FBD 2x8GB
2 of 4 slots used
16GB DIMM DDR4 clocked @ 2400 MHz
Performing below potential (4th percentile) - ensure that a dual+ channel XMP BIOS profile is enabled: How to enable XMP
44.2% Average
MC Read 15.4
MC Write 15.8
MC Mixed 12.8
42% 14.7 GB/s
SC Read 12.5
SC Write 15
SC Mixed 14.7
40% 14.1 GB/s
Latency 67.9
59% 67.9 ns
Poor: 47%
This bench: 44.2%
Great: 88%

 System Memory Latency Ladder

L1/L2/L3 CPU cache and main memory (DIMM) access latencies in nano seconds

Typical Z170A GAMING M3 (MS-7978) Builds (Compare 2,309 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 51%
Yacht
Desktop
Desktop 87%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 44%
Speed boat

Motherboard: MSI Z170A GAMING M3 (MS-7978) - $150

EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 86% - Excellent Total price: $589
The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $279Nvidia RTX 4060 $300Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $182Nvidia RTX 4070 $409Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $40SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $30Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GB $43SanDisk Extreme 32GB $28
Seagate Barracuda 2TB (2016) $51G.SKILL Trident Z DDR4 3200 C14 4x16GB $351SanDisk Ultra Fit 32GB $16
If you make a purchase via one of these links, our site may earn a commission
Today's hottest deals
About  •  User Guide  •  FAQs  •  Email  •  Privacy  •  Developer  •  YouTube Feedback