Q: What type of RAM does this MSI H87-G43 motherboard support?

This MSI H87-G43 motherboard supports DDR3 memory (non-ECC, unbuffered). Here are the detailed specifications: Type: DDR3 Supported frequencies: DDR3 1600 MHz, 1333 MHz or 1066 MHz Maximum capacity: 32 GB Number of slots: 4 DIMM connectors Architecture: Dual channel to optimize performance XMP support: Compatible with Intel Extreme Memory Profile For optimal performance, install modules with the same characteristics (type, density) in dual channel configuration. If you install 4 modules of 8 GB, the system will detect up to 31 GB instead of 32 GB due to chipset resource allocation.

Q: How to reset the CMOS of my MSI H87-G43 motherboard without removing the battery?

Yes, it's possible! Your MSI H87-G43 motherboard (as well as the H87M-E33 and H87M-G43 models) has a JBAT1 jumper (Clear CMOS Jumper) that allows you to reset the CMOS data without removing the battery. Simply move the jumper to clear the system configuration. JBAT1 jumper positions: Position 1: Keep CMOS data (default position) Position 2: Clear CMOS data Reset procedure: Ensure that the system is completely powered off and unplugged from the power source Locate the JBAT1 jumper on the motherboard (refer to the manual diagram for its exact location) Move the jumper to position 2 (Clear CMOS data) Wait a few seconds for the CMOS RAM to be completely cleared Return the jumper to its original position (position 1) Reconnect the power and restart the system ⚠️ Important: Only perform this operation when the system is completely shut down and unplugged from the power source. Clearing the CMOS RAM with the system powered on may severely damage the motherboard. After this operation, the system will restart with the default BIOS settings, and you will need to reconfigure specific settings (date, time, boot order, etc.).

Q: The hard drive does not start on my MSI H87-G43 motherboard, how to resolve?

Before any intervention: Make sure the system is completely powered off and unplugged from the power source. 1. Check the boot order in the BIOS Restart the PC and press F11 during startup to access the Boot Menu Check that your hard drive is listed and set it as the first option If you have multiple drives, ensure that the one with your operating system is selected 2. Check physical connections The H87-G43 has 6 SATA III ports . Ensure that: The SATA cable is properly connected to both the hard drive AND the SATA port on the motherboard (try the first ports: SATA_0, SATA_1) The power cable of the hard drive is securely plugged into the power supply The cables are not damaged or bent abnormally 3. Test another SATA port Unplug the drive and connect it to a different SATA port on the motherboard (for example, switch from SATA_0 to SATA_1). Restart and check if the drive is recognized. 4. Reset the BIOS to default settings If the drive does not appear at all in the Boot Menu: Turn off the PC and unplug it Locate the jumper JBAT1 on the motherboard (CMOS battery) Remove the jumper for about 10 seconds to clear the CMOS memory and reset the BIOS Replace the jumper Restart and press DEL to access the BIOS Setup if necessary If after these steps the hard drive still does not show up, it may be faulty. Test it on another computer if possible, or contact hardware support.

Q: Does the MSI H87-G43 motherboard have an M.2 slot?

No, the MSI H87-G43 motherboard does not have an M.2 slot. Based on the Intel H87 chipset launched in 2013, this motherboard was designed long before the adoption of the M.2 standard and therefore cannot accommodate NVMe drives or M.2 SSDs. However, the motherboard offers 6 SATA III 6Gb/s ports (SATA1 to SATA6) to connect 3.5-inch hard drives (HDD) or 2.5-inch SSDs using the standard SATA interface. This SATA connectivity remains fully functional for storage and has sufficient speeds of 6 Gb/s for modern SATA SSDs. Advanced capabilities include support for RAID configurations (0, 1, 5, 10) and Intel Smart Response Technology, which allows using a SATA SSD as a cache to speed up the performance of a primary hard drive. If you absolutely need M.2 or NVMe connectivity to fully utilize the capabilities of the most modern SSDs, you will need to opt for a newer motherboard equipped with an Intel H97 or Z97 chipset (from 2014-2015) or later. These chipsets offer native M.2 support and allow access to significantly higher storage speeds, especially with NVMe drives that can reach 3400 Mb/s or more depending on the PCIe standard used.

Q: How many PCIe slots does the MSI H87-G43 motherboard have?

Yes, the MSI H87-G43 motherboard has 4 PCIe slots and 2 standard PCI slots for expansion. The PCIe slots are: PCI_E2 : PCIe 3.0 x16 (main slot, ideal for a graphics card) PCI_E4 : PCIe 2.0 x16 PCI_E1 and PCI_E3 : PCIe 2.0 x1 each The motherboard also supports x4/x4 operating modes to use two PCIe cards in parallel if needed. In addition, this motherboard offers 2 standard PCI slots (PCI1, PCI2) for backward compatibility with older expansion cards.

Question 1

Why does my computer briefly start and then shut down repeatedly without displaying anything on the screen?

Accepted Answer

This behavior (brief startup followed by repeated shutdowns without video signal) usually indicates a communication failure between the motherboard and critical components. Here are the checks to perform in order:

1. Check the power connectors

Unplug and then firmly reconnect the 24-pin ATX connector (main power) at the back of the motherboard
Also check the two 8+8 pin CPU power connectors (top left of the board) - they must be properly seated

2. Test each RAM stick individually

One DDR3 stick at a time in the first slot (the one closest to the processor)
Ensure that each stick clicks securely into the notches at each end of the slot
If a stick causes repeated shutdowns, it is defective

3. Reset the BIOS (CMOS reset)

Completely turn off the computer and unplug it
Locate the CR2032 battery on the motherboard (round button battery)
Remove the battery for 30 seconds to reset the BIOS
Reinstall the battery and reconnect the power

If the problem persists after these steps, you can also use the JBAT1 jumper on the board to reset the CMOS when the system is off.

Question 2

Why does my computer with the MSI Z87 MPOWER start and shut down immediately?

Accepted Answer

This immediate start and shutdown issue on the MSI Z87 MPOWER usually stems from insufficient or poorly connected power supply, faulty memory, or a necessary BIOS reset. Here’s how to diagnose and resolve the problem step by step.

Step 1: Check the power connectors
This is the most common cause. The Z87 MPOWER has a very demanding 16-phase DigitALL Power supply. Make sure that: the 24-pin ATX connector (main connector) is pushed in until it clicks on the edge of the board, located towards the bottom left corner; the two 8+8 pin EPS/ATX12V connectors (CPU power) are fully inserted towards the top right corner, near the CPU socket. These connectors must be firmly engaged with an audible click. A loose connection causes an immediate shutdown during POST (Power-On Self-Test).

Step 2: Check the RAM memory
Remove all DDR3 sticks (4 slots: DIMM1, DIMM2, DIMM3, DIMM4). Insert a single stick into the DIMM1 slot (the closest to the processor) by pressing firmly until the two side clips click. Restart. If the system works, the memory is the issue: test each stick separately to identify the faulty one. If none work alone, test them in pairs in the DIMM1+DIMM3 or DIMM2+DIMM4 configurations for dual channel mode.

Step 3: Reset the BIOS
If steps 1 and 2 do not resolve anything, perform a CMOS reset. Completely turn off the computer, unplug the power cable from the wall outlet. Wait 30 seconds. Locate the CMOS battery (small CR2032 battery) on the motherboard. Carefully remove it by tilting or pressing it depending on the holder. Wait at least 30 seconds (better: 2 to 3 minutes). Reinsert the battery, plug the power cable back in, and restart. This resets the BIOS to default values and corrects configuration conflicts.

Step 4: Diagnose via the LEDs
During startup, observe the motherboard itself. Some faults cause the CPU fan or power supply to shut down immediately as soon as POST detects a problem. Also, check that the processor is properly installed (firmly seated in the LGA1150 socket, with no visible gap), that its heatsink is tightly secured, and that no fan cable obstructs any fan.

Step 5: Test the external power supply
If nothing works after the previous steps, change the ATX power supply (minimum 750 W recommended for the Z87 MPOWER with its 16 power phases). A defective or undersized power supply cannot support the current demand of the board. Before changing components, ensure that all fans (CPU, chassis) run for a few seconds at startup and that you do not hear any error beeps from the system speaker.

Question 3

Is it possible to add Bluetooth to my MSI H87-G43 motherboard?

Accepted Answer

No, the MSI H87-G43 motherboard does not have built-in Bluetooth. According to the specifications, it only offers Realtek RTL8111G Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and does not include a native WiFi or Bluetooth module.

However, you can add Bluetooth in two ways:

Bluetooth USB Adapter: The motherboard has 6 USB 3.0 ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel. You can plug in a Bluetooth USB dongle (inexpensive and easy to install).
PCIe Expansion Card: The H87-G43 board offers several PCIe slots (1 PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and 2 PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, plus 2 PCIe 2.0 x1 slots). You can add a dedicated PCIe Bluetooth card (a more sustainable and high-performance solution).

The USB adapter remains the most convenient solution for most users.

Question 4

Is it possible to add Bluetooth to the MSI H87-G43 motherboard?

Accepted Answer

No, the MSI H87-G43 motherboard does not have built-in Bluetooth. According to the manual, it only has wired connectivity via its Realtek RTL8111G Gigabit LAN controller.

However, there are solutions to add Bluetooth to your system:

Bluetooth USB Adapter - This is the simplest and least expensive solution. Just plug a Bluetooth dongle into one of the available USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 ports on the board (it has several).
PCIe/PCI Expansion Card - Some Bluetooth cards connect via an available PCIe slot on the H87-G43, providing a more integrated solution.

Nevertheless, the USB adapter remains the most convenient choice for adding Bluetooth without major modifications to your setup.

Question 5

Is it possible to add Bluetooth to the MSI H87-G43 motherboard?

Accepted Answer

No, this motherboard does not include Bluetooth. According to the technical specifications, the MSI H87-G43 only has Ethernet connectivity (Realtek Gigabit LAN RTL8111G) and is not equipped with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module.

However, you can add Bluetooth by installing a Bluetooth PCIe expansion card. The MSI H87-G43 has 2 x16 PCIe slots and 2 x1 PCIe slots, allowing you to insert a compatible Bluetooth card.

Use a x1 PCIe slot for a compact Bluetooth card
Ensure that the case support allows for installation (access to rear connectors)
Install the appropriate drivers once the card is inserted

Question 6

What type of RAM does this MSI H87-G43 motherboard support?

Accepted Answer

This MSI H87-G43 motherboard supports DDR3 memory (non-ECC, unbuffered).

Here are the detailed specifications:

Type: DDR3
Supported frequencies: DDR3 1600 MHz, 1333 MHz or 1066 MHz
Maximum capacity: 32 GB
Number of slots: 4 DIMM connectors
Architecture: Dual channel to optimize performance
XMP support: Compatible with Intel Extreme Memory Profile

For optimal performance, install modules with the same characteristics (type, density) in dual channel configuration. If you install 4 modules of 8 GB, the system will detect up to 31 GB instead of 32 GB due to chipset resource allocation.

Question 7

How to reset the CMOS of my MSI H87-G43 motherboard without removing the battery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's possible! Your MSI H87-G43 motherboard (as well as the H87M-E33 and H87M-G43 models) has a JBAT1 jumper (Clear CMOS Jumper) that allows you to reset the CMOS data without removing the battery. Simply move the jumper to clear the system configuration.

JBAT1 jumper positions:

Position 1: Keep CMOS data (default position)
Position 2: Clear CMOS data

Reset procedure:

Ensure that the system is completely powered off and unplugged from the power source
Locate the JBAT1 jumper on the motherboard (refer to the manual diagram for its exact location)
Move the jumper to position 2 (Clear CMOS data)
Wait a few seconds for the CMOS RAM to be completely cleared
Return the jumper to its original position (position 1)
Reconnect the power and restart the system

⚠️ Important: Only perform this operation when the system is completely shut down and unplugged from the power source. Clearing the CMOS RAM with the system powered on may severely damage the motherboard. After this operation, the system will restart with the default BIOS settings, and you will need to reconfigure specific settings (date, time, boot order, etc.).

Question 8

The hard drive does not start on my MSI H87-G43 motherboard, how to resolve?

Accepted Answer

Before any intervention: Make sure the system is completely powered off and unplugged from the power source.

1. Check the boot order in the BIOS

Restart the PC and press F11 during startup to access the Boot Menu
Check that your hard drive is listed and set it as the first option
If you have multiple drives, ensure that the one with your operating system is selected

2. Check physical connections

The H87-G43 has 6 SATA III ports. Ensure that:

The SATA cable is properly connected to both the hard drive AND the SATA port on the motherboard (try the first ports: SATA_0, SATA_1)
The power cable of the hard drive is securely plugged into the power supply
The cables are not damaged or bent abnormally

3. Test another SATA port

Unplug the drive and connect it to a different SATA port on the motherboard (for example, switch from SATA_0 to SATA_1). Restart and check if the drive is recognized.

4. Reset the BIOS to default settings

If the drive does not appear at all in the Boot Menu:

Turn off the PC and unplug it
Locate the jumper JBAT1 on the motherboard (CMOS battery)
Remove the jumper for about 10 seconds to clear the CMOS memory and reset the BIOS
Replace the jumper
Restart and press DEL to access the BIOS Setup if necessary

If after these steps the hard drive still does not show up, it may be faulty. Test it on another computer if possible, or contact hardware support.

Question 9

Does the MSI H87-G43 motherboard have an M.2 slot?

Accepted Answer

No, the MSI H87-G43 motherboard does not have an M.2 slot. Based on the Intel H87 chipset launched in 2013, this motherboard was designed long before the adoption of the M.2 standard and therefore cannot accommodate NVMe drives or M.2 SSDs.

However, the motherboard offers 6 SATA III 6Gb/s ports (SATA1 to SATA6) to connect 3.5-inch hard drives (HDD) or 2.5-inch SSDs using the standard SATA interface. This SATA connectivity remains fully functional for storage and has sufficient speeds of 6 Gb/s for modern SATA SSDs.

Advanced capabilities include support for RAID configurations (0, 1, 5, 10) and Intel Smart Response Technology, which allows using a SATA SSD as a cache to speed up the performance of a primary hard drive.

If you absolutely need M.2 or NVMe connectivity to fully utilize the capabilities of the most modern SSDs, you will need to opt for a newer motherboard equipped with an Intel H97 or Z97 chipset (from 2014-2015) or later. These chipsets offer native M.2 support and allow access to significantly higher storage speeds, especially with NVMe drives that can reach 3400 Mb/s or more depending on the PCIe standard used.

Question 10

How many PCIe slots does the MSI H87-G43 motherboard have?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the MSI H87-G43 motherboard has 4 PCIe slots and 2 standard PCI slots for expansion.

The PCIe slots are:

PCI_E2: PCIe 3.0 x16 (main slot, ideal for a graphics card)
PCI_E4: PCIe 2.0 x16
PCI_E1 and PCI_E3: PCIe 2.0 x1 each

The motherboard also supports x4/x4 operating modes to use two PCIe cards in parallel if needed.

In addition, this motherboard offers 2 standard PCI slots (PCI1, PCI2) for backward compatibility with older expansion cards.

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