MSI Z170A PC MATE (MS-7971)

Performance Results

Benchmarks - missing SSD
Gaming
Gaming 46%
Yacht
Desktop
Desktop 80%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 39%
Jet ski
PC StatusOverall this PC is performing below expectations (26th percentile). This means that out of 100 PCs with exactly the same components, 74 performed better. The overall PC percentile is the average of each of its individual components. Use the charts in the benchmark sections of this report to identify problem areas.
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 79.3%, this CPU's suitability for 3D gaming is good.
Graphics57.5% is a reasonable 3D score (RTX 2060S = 100%). This GPU can handle the majority of recent games but it will struggle with resolutions greater than 1080p at ultra detail levels. (Note: general computing tasks don't require 3D graphics)
Memory32GB is enough RAM to run any version of Windows and it's far more than any current game requires. 32GB will also allow for large file and system caches, virtual machine hosting, software development, video editing and batch multimedia processing.
OS VersionAlthough Windows 10 is not the most recent version of Windows, it remains a great option.
Sub-optimal background CPU (17%). High background CPU reduces benchmark accuracy. How to reduce background CPU.
SystemMSI MS-7971
MotherboardMSI Z170A PC MATE (MS-7971)  (all builds)
Memory6.4 GB free of 32 GB @ 2.1 GHz
Display1920 x 1080 - 32 Bit colors
OSWindows 10
BIOS Date20160125
Uptime18.7 Days
Run DateDec 01 '21 at 13:31
Run Duration183 Seconds
Run User USA-User
Background CPU 17%

 PC Performing below expectations (26th percentile)

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

Processor BenchNormalHeavyServer
Intel Core i7-6700K-$180
U3E1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 4 GHz, turbo 4 GHz (avg)
Performing below expectations (34th percentile)
79.3% Very good
Memory 86.3
1-Core 113
2-Core 225
80% 141 Pts
4-Core 391
8-Core 556
60% 474 Pts
64-Core 628
39% 628 Pts
Poor: 70%
This bench: 79.3%
Great: 90%
Graphics Card Bench3D DX93D DX103D DX11
Nvidia GTX 980-$500
CLim: 1418 MHz, MLim: 1752 MHz, Ram: 4GB, Driver: 456.71
Performing below potential (35th percentile) - GPU OC Guide
57.5% Above average
Lighting 70.6
Reflection 84.1
Parallax 74.1
58% 76.3 fps
MRender 75.8
Gravity 71.3
Splatting 65.1
57% 70.7 fps
Poor: 53%
This bench: 57.5%
Great: 66%
Drives BenchSequentialRandom 4kDeep queue 4k
Seagate FireCuda 2.5" 2TB-$79
2GB free (System drive)
Firmware: SDM1
Relative performance n/a - sequential test incomplete
Read 10.5
Write 83.1
Mixed 41
34% 44.9 MB/s
4K Read 0.6
4K Write 1
4K Mixed 0.2
66% 0.6 MB/s
Poor: 23% Great: 68%
Toshiba DT01ACA200 2TB-$50
53GB free
Firmware: MX4OABB0
SusWrite @10s intervals: 97 111 93 86 114 111 MB/s
Performing way below expectations (7th percentile)
54.6% Above average
Read 88.1
Write 102
Mixed 40.3
SusWrite 102
60% 83.1 MB/s
4K Read 0.9
4K Write 2.1
4K Mixed 0.6
143% 1.2 MB/s
Poor: 49%
This bench: 54.6%
Great: 108%
Seagate Backup+ Hub BK 8TB
1.5TB free
Firmware: D781
SusWrite @10s intervals: 117 115 122 125 126 122 MB/s
Performing as expected (41st percentile)
59.7% Above average
Read 85.9
Write 105
Mixed 90.4
SusWrite 121
75% 101 MB/s
4K Read 1.6
4K Write 4.2
4K Mixed 0.6
211% 2.13 MB/s
Poor: 13%
This bench: 59.7%
Great: 92%
Seagate Expansion Desk 8TB
58GB free
Firmware: 9401
SusWrite @10s intervals: 80 87 89 90 90 90 MB/s
Performing below expectations (28th percentile)
51.3% Above average
Read 89.1
Write 89.1
Mixed 29.9
SusWrite 87.5
54% 73.9 MB/s
4K Read 1
4K Write 7.2
4K Mixed 0.6
242% 2.93 MB/s
Poor: 15%
This bench: 51.3%
Great: 94%
Memory Kit BenchMulti coreSingle coreLatency
Kingston 9905625-030.A00G 4x8GB
4 of 4 slots used
32GB DIMM DDR4 clocked @ 2133 MHz
Performing below potential (9th percentile) - ensure that a dual+ channel XMP BIOS profile is enabled: How to enable XMP
66.7% Good
MC Read 24.2
MC Write 25.9
MC Mixed 22.1
69% 24.1 GB/s
SC Read 8.8
SC Write 23
SC Mixed 20.2
50% 17.3 GB/s
Latency 71
56% 71 ns
Poor: 67%
This bench: 66.7%
Great: 106%

 System Memory Latency Ladder

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

Typical Z170A PC MATE (MS-7971) Builds (Compare 3,164 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 69%
Battle cruiser
Desktop
Desktop 87%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 59%
Gunboat

Motherboard: MSI Z170A PC MATE (MS-7971) - $350

EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 96% - Outstanding Total price: $802
The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $269Nvidia RTX 4060 $295Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $177Nvidia RTX 4070 $539Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $40SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $37Corsair 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
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