HardwareMotherboardsI spent 14 hours flying 6,230 miles to watch MSI make me a new motherboard in just 40 minutesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareMotherboardsI spent 14 hours flying 6,230 miles to watch MSI make me a new motherboard in just 40 minutesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
That’s according to Micro-Star International (aka MSI) who invited me and a raft of other tech journalists to visit its primary manufacturing site in Shenzhen, China. We were given an in-depth tour of the motherboard production lines, along with some smaller lines making AIO and mini PCs, plus some early glimpses of new models coming soon.
Image1of7(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)
Image1of7(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)
Image1of7
(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
(Image credit: MSI)
The site where everything happens is huge: 200,000 m² in size and hosts four production facilities, including warehouses, test labs, and offices, along with six buildings for living quarters and the like. Yes, that’s right, a large portion of MSI’s workforce lives on-site but that’s not unusual for the industry in China.
It’s not just motherboards that are made at MSI Shenzhen, asgraphics cards,desktop PCs, servers, and even components for the automotive world are manufactured there. It was first built around 23 years ago and has been steadily modernised to meet the demands of the world of computing.
My first impression of the factory was one of relief—it was uncomfortably hot and humid outside but blessedly cool indoors, even in areas that didn’t have active air conditioning. The same was true of the main motherboard production area, though, for our visit, most of the lines weren’t operating.
Once everything was explained, we split up into small groups and then walked into the primary motherboard production facility. My second impression was one of familiarity, as I used to lecture about manufacturing engineering for many years, and I recognised an awful lot of the machines and procedures.
The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals
Image1of5(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of5(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of5
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Some of the equipment being used was older-looking than I expected, particularly the robotic arms, but for the most part, it’s as modern as one would imagine it to be. If one has an image of manufacturing in China being dirty and unsafe, then it’s an entirely wrong picture of how everything is at MSI Shenzhen.
The slides and images in this article highlight the various stages of making a motherboard but as a general overview, it goes like this:
Image1of4(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of4(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of4
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
It’s a relatively quick process, although it does depend on the motherboard model. Top-end versions, replete with all kinds of heatsinks and other surfaces, take longer to build than the basic ones. However, it’s pretty much the same number of people involved, probably no more than 15 in total.
MSI is proud of the fact that so much of the production line is automated and as consumers, we certainly benefit from this, as it means there’s far less variability in the quality of the motherboards and it helps to keep the cost of them down, too (though they are mightily expensive, these days).
Image1of7(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of7(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Image1of7
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Fortunately, from this perspective, there are still many areas where it’s humans all the way. The smaller production lines, such as those for mini and all-in-one PCs, were entirely hand-processed, bar machines to just move items along (plus some cute little robots travelling around the shop floor).
Your next upgrade(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
Your next upgrade
(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
(Image credit: Future)
Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
Although we only got to see a very small section of MSI Shenzhen, the sheer scale of the operation was evident. The inventory and surface component recycling sections were large, busy, and heavily computerised. Wagons were constantly dropping off materials and taking finished products away. Workersen massestuck rigidly to routines, clocking on and off, taking lunch breaks, and so on.
I as write this, I have two new MSI motherboards on my desk, ready for testing and review. It’s funny to think that I could have seen one of them being made in front of my eyes just a few weeks ago. I certainly have a newfound appreciation for the journey it, and millions like it, have gone through to get here.
Now, how can I get back over there and sneak into the graphics card production line to see some nifty new GPUs being put together?
More about motherboardsAMD and Intel launch mainstream and budget motherboard chipsets at CES but some of the codenames are so similar that I’ve already mistaken them for each otherPC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best gaming motherboard of 2024LatestToday’s Wordle answer for Monday, January 13See more latest►
More about motherboardsAMD and Intel launch mainstream and budget motherboard chipsets at CES but some of the codenames are so similar that I’ve already mistaken them for each otherPC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best gaming motherboard of 2024LatestToday’s Wordle answer for Monday, January 13See more latest►
More about motherboardsAMD and Intel launch mainstream and budget motherboard chipsets at CES but some of the codenames are so similar that I’ve already mistaken them for each otherPC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best gaming motherboard of 2024
More about motherboards
AMD and Intel launch mainstream and budget motherboard chipsets at CES but some of the codenames are so similar that I’ve already mistaken them for each otherPC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best gaming motherboard of 2024
AMD and Intel launch mainstream and budget motherboard chipsets at CES but some of the codenames are so similar that I’ve already mistaken them for each other
AMD and Intel launch mainstream and budget motherboard chipsets at CES but some of the codenames are so similar that I’ve already mistaken them for each other
PC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best gaming motherboard of 2024
PC Gamer Hardware Awards: The best gaming motherboard of 2024
LatestToday’s Wordle answer for Monday, January 13See more latest►
Latest
Today’s Wordle answer for Monday, January 13
Today’s Wordle answer for Monday, January 13
Today’s Wordle answer for Monday, January 13
See more latest►
Most PopularDragonflight got WoW back on its feet, now we get to see if Blizzard can make the Worldsoul Saga runThis bizarre roguelike has a new take on the Vampire Survivors formula: letting you build your own custom weapons out of brains, eyeballs, and chimpanzee spines18 games the PC Gamer team can’t wait to play in 2025The Witcher 3’s now 2-year-old bonus quest is our first taste of the ‘vibe’ CD Projekt is going for in The Witcher 42024 was the year updates for old games beat out all the new ones for meTrain like you game with this adventure-inspired workout’It’s simply impossible to make a difficulty level that’s just right for all players': How Final Fantasy 14’s lead battle designer has been playing a precarious balancing game for Dawntrail’s dungeons and raidsPlease join me in getting super excited for all the cool looking survival games coming in 2025 (and beyond)Competitive shooters are at a crucial crossroads in 2025: ‘sweaty’ teamplay vs. casual funCall of Duty’s $28 Squid Game skins are the perfect crossover for our capitalist dystopia, and Activision knows exactly what it’s doingThese are the 14 biggest upcoming RPGs of 2025—get ready for another amazing year for the genre
Most PopularDragonflight got WoW back on its feet, now we get to see if Blizzard can make the Worldsoul Saga runThis bizarre roguelike has a new take on the Vampire Survivors formula: letting you build your own custom weapons out of brains, eyeballs, and chimpanzee spines18 games the PC Gamer team can’t wait to play in 2025The Witcher 3’s now 2-year-old bonus quest is our first taste of the ‘vibe’ CD Projekt is going for in The Witcher 42024 was the year updates for old games beat out all the new ones for meTrain like you game with this adventure-inspired workout’It’s simply impossible to make a difficulty level that’s just right for all players': How Final Fantasy 14’s lead battle designer has been playing a precarious balancing game for Dawntrail’s dungeons and raidsPlease join me in getting super excited for all the cool looking survival games coming in 2025 (and beyond)Competitive shooters are at a crucial crossroads in 2025: ‘sweaty’ teamplay vs. casual funCall of Duty’s $28 Squid Game skins are the perfect crossover for our capitalist dystopia, and Activision knows exactly what it’s doingThese are the 14 biggest upcoming RPGs of 2025—get ready for another amazing year for the genre
Most PopularDragonflight got WoW back on its feet, now we get to see if Blizzard can make the Worldsoul Saga runThis bizarre roguelike has a new take on the Vampire Survivors formula: letting you build your own custom weapons out of brains, eyeballs, and chimpanzee spines18 games the PC Gamer team can’t wait to play in 2025The Witcher 3’s now 2-year-old bonus quest is our first taste of the ‘vibe’ CD Projekt is going for in The Witcher 42024 was the year updates for old games beat out all the new ones for meTrain like you game with this adventure-inspired workout’It’s simply impossible to make a difficulty level that’s just right for all players': How Final Fantasy 14’s lead battle designer has been playing a precarious balancing game for Dawntrail’s dungeons and raidsPlease join me in getting super excited for all the cool looking survival games coming in 2025 (and beyond)Competitive shooters are at a crucial crossroads in 2025: ‘sweaty’ teamplay vs. casual funCall of Duty’s $28 Squid Game skins are the perfect crossover for our capitalist dystopia, and Activision knows exactly what it’s doingThese are the 14 biggest upcoming RPGs of 2025—get ready for another amazing year for the genre
Most Popular
Dragonflight got WoW back on its feet, now we get to see if Blizzard can make the Worldsoul Saga run
This bizarre roguelike has a new take on the Vampire Survivors formula: letting you build your own custom weapons out of brains, eyeballs, and chimpanzee spines
18 games the PC Gamer team can’t wait to play in 2025
The Witcher 3’s now 2-year-old bonus quest is our first taste of the ‘vibe’ CD Projekt is going for in The Witcher 4
2024 was the year updates for old games beat out all the new ones for me
Train like you game with this adventure-inspired workout
‘It’s simply impossible to make a difficulty level that’s just right for all players’: How Final Fantasy 14’s lead battle designer has been playing a precarious balancing game for Dawntrail’s dungeons and raids
Please join me in getting super excited for all the cool looking survival games coming in 2025 (and beyond)
Competitive shooters are at a crucial crossroads in 2025: ‘sweaty’ teamplay vs. casual fun
Call of Duty’s $28 Squid Game skins are the perfect crossover for our capitalist dystopia, and Activision knows exactly what it’s doing
These are the 14 biggest upcoming RPGs of 2025—get ready for another amazing year for the genre
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1
Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2
Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3
Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4
Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5
Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review
1
Thank Goodness You’re Here! review
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review
2
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3
WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4
Ikea Utespelare desk review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5
Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
