Micro-Star International
Taiwanese multinational designer and manufacturer of computer hardware and peripherals.
Micro-Star International Co., Ltd., commonly known as MSI, is a Taiwanese multinational corporation headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The company focuses on designing, developing, and supplying computer hardware, related products, and services. Its offerings span laptops, desktop computers, motherboards, graphics cards, all-in-one computers, servers, industrial computers, peripherals, and automotive infotainment systems.
Founded on August 4, 1986, by Hsu Hsiang (Joseph Hsu), Huang Chin-Ching (Jeans Huang), Lin Wen-Tung (Frank Lin), Yu Hsien-Neng (Kenny Yu), and Lu Chi-Lung (Henry Lu), MSI is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The company began operations in New Taipei City, Taiwan, and later expanded into China, opening a plant in Bao'an, Shenzhen, in 2000 and establishing research and development facilities in Kunshan in 2001. Global warranty services are provided across North America, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Its headquarters in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, houses various divisions and services. Manufacturing initially occurred in Taiwan but has since shifted; many graphics cards are now produced at its mainland China plant. Branch offices exist in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South Africa, and as of 2015, MSI had a presence in over 120 countries. On January 10, 2025, MSI announced a collaboration with Syrma SGS to manufacture laptops in Chennai, India, with MSI transferring technology for localized production.
MSI initially built its reputation on motherboards and graphics cards. In 2008, it established the FUNTORO subsidiary for vehicle infotainment. Its product range now includes laptops, desktops, monitors, motherboards, graphics cards, power supply units, computer cases, liquid coolers for gamers and content creators, all-in-one PCs, mobile workstations, servers, industrial PCs, multimedia peripherals, vehicle infotainment, and an autonomous mobility robot. Upon founding in 1986, MSI focused on motherboards and add-on cards, later that year introducing the first overclockable 286 motherboard. In 1989 came its first 486 motherboard; in 1990, its first Socket 7 motherboard; in 1993, its first 586 motherboard; and in 1995, a Dual Pentium Pro motherboard. 1997 saw the introduction of an Intel Pentium II motherboard with MMX technology, along with its first graphics card and barebone product.
Quick Facts
- Traded As
- 2377
- Founders
- Joseph Hsu / Jeans Huang / Frank Lin / Kenny Yu / Henry Lu
- Key People
- Joseph Hsu (Chairman) / Jeans Huang (President)
- Founded
- 1986-08-04 in Taiwan
- Hq Location
- Zhonghe, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Area Served
- Worldwide
- Industry
- Computer hardware / Electronics
- Products
- Laptop computers / Personal computers / All-in-one computers / Motherboards / Graphics cards / Monitors / Wireless routers / Server hardware / Charging stations / Peripherals
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
MSI was founded on August 4, 1986, by five individuals in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The company initially focused on designing and manufacturing motherboards and add-on cards, introducing the first over-clockable 286 motherboard later that year. Throughout the 1990s, MSI released successive motherboard generations, including the first 486 motherboard in 1989, the first Socket 7 motherboard in 1990, the first 586 motherboard in 1993, and a Dual Pentium Pro-based motherboard in 1995. In 1997, MSI introduced its Intel Pentium II-based motherboard with Intel MMX Technology, along with its first graphics card product and first barebone product.
MSI expanded into China in 2000 with a plant in Shenzhen and established research and development facilities in Kunshan in 2001. The company entered the PC gaming market in 2008 by sponsoring Fnatic and launching its GAMING series of laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphics cards, all-in-one PCs, and gaming peripherals. MSI also hosts the international gaming event MSI Masters Gaming Arena (formerly MSI Beat IT), with the earliest Beat IT tournament traced back to 2010. In 2015, MSI collaborated with eye-tracking tech firm Tobii for eye-tracking gaming laptops, and in 2016 announced a collaboration with HTC for Vive-ready systems offering Virtual Reality experiences.
Reader's Guide
MSI's significance lies in its long-standing role as a major manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, and its later pivot to become a leading supplier of gaming hardware. The company's early introduction of overclockable motherboards and its consistent release of successive chipset-compatible boards helped establish it as a key player in the PC component industry. Its entry into the gaming market in 2008, marked by sponsorship of eSports teams and the creation of the GAMING series, positioned MSI as a prominent brand for gamers and power users. The company's hosting of the MSI Masters Gaming Arena tournament and partnerships with eSports organizations further cemented its influence in competitive gaming. MSI also expanded into content creation in 2018, demonstrating creator-centric laptops. The company's global manufacturing and warranty services, along with its collaborations with firms like Tobii and HTC, reflect its adaptability to emerging technologies such as eye-tracking and virtual reality. MSI's refusal to withdraw from the Russian market during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine placed it in the Yale CELI List category of 'Digging In - Defying Demands for Exit or Reduction of Activities.'
Did You Know?
- MSI introduced the first over-clockable 286 motherboard in 1986, the same year the company was founded.
- MSI released its first digital audio player in 2003, in a line named MEGA.
- In 2015, MSI was ranked the fourth-best laptop brand of the year by Laptop magazine.
- MSI and Mercedes-AMG collaborated on a special edition of the Alpha 17 gaming laptop, revealed at Computex 2023.
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