MSI announced two compact Gaming series motherboards based on Intel's B85 chipset and LGA1155 socket. B85I Gaming and B85M Gaming coming in mini-ITX and micro-ATX formats, respectively, both feature Killer E2200 networking for reduced lag and Audio Boost, Sound Blaster Cinema, USB Audio Power technologies for improved audio quality. Both motherboards are equipped with Military Class 4 components (Hi-C CAPs, Solid CAPs, Dark CAPs, SFC and Dark Chokes).
B85I Gaming has two DDR3 DIMM slots with support for 3000 MHz memory modules. One PCI-E x16 expansion slot is available for graphics card, as well as half-height mini PCI-E slot. A total of five SATA ports are available, four of which are SATA3 6 Gb/s. eSATA port is present on the rear I/O panel, along with PS/2 mouse/keyboard combo, four USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, 8-channel audio with optical jack.
MSI B85M Gaming, being of larger form factor, offers more expandability. Board has two PCI-E x16 and two PCI-E x1 slots, four DIMM slots and a total of six SATA ports, two of which are SATA3 6 Gb/s.
Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.
