MSI Z97S SLI PLUS (LGA 1150) Motherboard Review

Software Overview

The hub of MSI’s software is called Command Center. This organises CPU, DRAM and IGP tweaking options as well as a software implementation of OC Genie and a RAM Disk option. If you aren’t fond of the UEFI BIOS this makes a better alternative for overclocking as it is on-the-fly and can be done within the virtual comfort of the operating system.

Live Update is MSI’s driver and utility updater program. It will download the update.exe files for all your drivers and utilities and put them in a folder where you can then run them and finish the updates. I think the program really should run the exes for you and update the programs for you: as that would make more sense. Surely it can’t be that hard to do? I know my Avast Antivirus has a Software updater feature that takes care of updates for Java, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, WinRAR, VLC Media Player and many more programs. It does this all automatically and for free, you just have to manually click update for each program.

MSI’s Eco Center allows you to turn off hardware not being used. I did actually turn off the SATA ports and PCI slot but it didn’t change power consumption at all. I think the most power hungry parts of the system are still the CPU and GPU and the best way to reduce power consumption on these is to use the lowest voltage possible for your chosen clock speeds.