MSI Z170-A PRO (MS-7971)

Performance Results

 
Gaming
Gaming 28%
Raft
Desktop
Desktop 78%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 22%
Surfboard
PC StatusOverall this PC is performing as expected (46th percentile). This means that out of 100 PCs with exactly the same components, 54 performed better. The overall PC percentile is the average of each of its individual components.
ProcessorWith a good single core score, this CPU can easily handle the majority of general computing tasks. Despite its good single core score this processor isn't appropriate for workstation use due to its relatively weak multi-core performance. Finally, with a gaming score of 68.7%, this CPU's suitability for 3D gaming is above average.
Graphics36.1% 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 Drive103% is a very good SSD score. This drive is suitable for moderate workstation use, it will facilitate fast boots, responsive applications and ensure minimum 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 (27%). High background CPU reduces benchmark accuracy. How to reduce background CPU.
Run History
SystemMSI MS-7971
MotherboardMSI Z170-A PRO (MS-7971)  (all builds)
Memory13.2 GB free of 16 GB @ 2.1 GHz
Display1360 x 768 - 32 Bit colors
OSWindows 10
BIOS Date20150902
Uptime1 Days
Run DateOct 15 '19 at 17:34
Run Duration129 Seconds
Run User GBR-User
Background CPU 27%

 PC Performing as expected (46th percentile)

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

Processor BenchNormalHeavyServer
Intel Core i5-6500-$67
U3E1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
Performing above expectations (81st percentile)
68.7% Good
Memory 81.9
1-Core 100
2-Core 200
73% 127 Pts
4-Core 327
8-Core 296
42% 311 Pts
64-Core 355
22% 355 Pts
Poor: 43%
This bench: 68.7%
Great: 73%
Graphics Card Bench3D DX93D DX103D DX11
Nvidia GTX 960-$198
CLim: 1544 MHz, MLim: 1752 MHz, Ram: 4GB, Driver: 417.35
Performing way above expectations (97th percentile)
36.1% Below average
Lighting 46.8
Reflection 45.5
Parallax 40.2
38% 44.2 fps
MRender 39.4
Gravity 42
Splatting 37.1
32% 39.5 fps
Poor: 30%
This bench: 36.1%
Great: 36%
Drives BenchSequentialRandom 4kDeep queue 4k
Samsung 850 Evo 500GB-$109
208GB free (System drive)
Firmware: EMT02B6Q
SusWrite @10s intervals: 251 247 260 256 249 255 MB/s
Performing below expectations (27th percentile)
103% Outstanding
Read 453
Write 395
Mixed 352
SusWrite 253
82% 363 MB/s
4K Read 37.5
4K Write 93.6
4K Mixed 50.3
171% 60.5 MB/s
DQ Read 378
DQ Write 336
DQ Mixed 343
261% 352 MB/s
Poor: 80%
This bench: 103%
Great: 134%
Seagate ST1000VM002-1CT162 1TB
92GB free
Firmware: SC23
SusWrite @10s intervals: 82 82 82 82 83 83 MB/s
Performing below expectations (22nd percentile)
60.5% Good
Read 129
Write 125
Mixed 66.2
SusWrite 82.4
74% 101 MB/s
4K Read 0.7
4K Write 1
4K Mixed 0.7
126% 0.8 MB/s
Poor: 42%
This bench: 60.5%
Great: 98%
Memory Kit BenchMulti coreSingle coreLatency
Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2133 C13 2x8GB-$46
2 of 4 slots used
16GB DIMM DDR4 clocked @ 2133 MHz
Performing below potential (3rd percentile) - ensure that a dual+ channel XMP BIOS profile is enabled: How to enable XMP
39% Below average
MC Read 13.2
MC Write 13.4
MC Mixed 12.5
37% 13 GB/s
SC Read 10.8
SC Write 13
SC Mixed 12.3
34% 12 GB/s
Latency 77.1
52% 77.1 ns
Poor: 42%
This bench: 39%
Great: 80%

 System Memory Latency Ladder

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

Typical Z170-A PRO (MS-7971) Builds (Compare 2,605 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 61%
Destroyer
Desktop
Desktop 82%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 48%
Yacht

Motherboard: MSI Z170-A PRO (MS-7971) - $180

EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 97% - Outstanding Total price: $533
The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $279Nvidia RTX 4060 $300Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $134Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $184Nvidia 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) $35Corsair 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