MSI's X299 Motherboard Lineup: A Look at the Latest High-End Options
So, guys, there's a ton of cool stuff at Computex 2017, but it seems like everyone is talking about the many x299 motherboards on display. Some of the first ones we saw were from MSI and they'll have a full lineup with their Intel's upcoming high-end refresh. Let's take a look at these crazy motherboards right after this.
Our Computex trip is brought to you by Fantex, Schooler Master, and MSI. At the top of MSI's x299 motherboard lineup is the Gaming M7 AC, which is meant for people who want Extreme Performance and all the best features that the x299 platform has to offer. This means native support for dual and triple graphics cards, each with access to 16 PCIe 3.0 Lanes. However, unfortunately, with both AMD and Nvidia moving away from support for more than two GPUs in Crossfire or SLI, the benefits of this feature are minimal for gamers.
However, those extra lanes lead up to some really awesome storage potential with dual M.2 slots that support NVMe SSDs, a U.2 connector, and more than enough leftover Lanes to add even more high-bandwidth devices. And, other than the potential for this board to become your one-stop shop for high-end storage and graphics needs, MSI has built a few more features for enthusiasts. There's a brand new 10-plus1 plus-one face power layout, and MSI's Turbo Socket both of which should help upcoming Skyl X and KBL like X processors meet their highest overclocking potential.
There's also a brand new thermal solution placed directly over each M.2 slot. We actually first saw this at CES from Asus, but the latest generation high-speed M.2 drives have pretty hot running controller chips, so these motherboard-mounted heat sinks ensure thermal throttling is eliminated while also avoiding height conflicts with adding cards. And, of course, this board also comes with plenty of LED illumination zones and all the cool kids on the block now have some form of illumination.
There's also the Double Shot Pro technology from Killer Networks which allows the Dual Killer E2500 Ethernet connector and the Killer 1535 Wi-Fi adapter to work together for optimal online gameplay. We've already seen this actually from previous MSI motherboards and even on notebooks. Unfortunately, the actual price of the M7 AC is unknown, but don't expect it to be inexpensive.
Next up is the option that will surely cost less than the AK, but there's plenty of things to like. It's the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC, as a matter of fact, it keeps many of the AC best features and adds in a few of its own. As its name suggests, it comes with an integrated Wireless AC module for Ultra-quick wireless experience. And, with many x299 motherboards we've seen at this year, there's four reinforced PCIe slots that can be used for double or triple graphics cards, and two banks of four memory slots since Intel's upcoming processors will continue to support quad-channel layouts.
There's even a pair of PCIe M.2 slots with their own cool-looking heat sink module and the usual U.2 interconnect. But, things get really interesting however is with a heat SN cover and some other cool accessories which can be 3D printed. MSI will have templates available for the community so all of them you know if you have a 3D printer you can just print them off and mod your motherboard on your own.
The last board that we were shown this one, I think is where people gravitate towards buying even though we don't have the price yet. This is the X299 Tomahawk, which will be one of the least expensive motherboards in MSI's x299 lineup. And, of course, you give up on some of the extra connectivity we talked about but most of the cutting-edge comes from reducing the number of connectors rather than eliminating them all together. For example, the Tomahawk has a pair of reinforced PCIe slots whereas the other slots don't have any of the extra steel shielding.
I don't think that's a big deal since most people will end up installing one or two heavy cards anyway. Also, only one of the two M.2 slots has a heat sink over it once again this is not a big deal since I'm sure a single M.2 or a U.2 drive paired with a high-capacity hard drive will be all that people will need. Another nice addition is a USB 3.1 Gen 2 header for the front panel USBC connections and hopefully most cases will begin to add these high-speed ports in the future.
What does this mean for you, the consumer? Well, as we can see from MSI's lineup, there are plenty of options available for those looking to upgrade their gaming rig or build a new PC. With the X299 platform offering some impressive features and performance potential, it's no wonder that many gamers and enthusiasts are taking notice.
But, before we dive into the details of each motherboard, let's take a closer look at what makes them special and how they can help you achieve your gaming goals. We'll explore the various features and technologies that MSI has incorporated into their X299 motherboards, from thermal management to wireless connectivity. So, stay tuned for our in-depth analysis of each board and see which one comes out on top.
So, there you have it, a look at MSI's x299 motherboard lineup. It's clear that these boards are designed with performance and power users in mind, but they also offer some great features and value for those looking to upgrade their PC or build a new gaming rig. We'll continue to monitor the situation and bring you updates as more information becomes available.
We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive look at MSI's x299 motherboard lineup. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them below. And don't forget to subscribe to our channel for the latest tech news and reviews. We'll see you in the next video!