MSI Unlocks Intel Core X-Series Processor Performance With X299 Series Gaming Motherboards
Intel and AMD are getting ready to duke it out in the high-end desktop (HEDT) processor market with brand new CPUs and platforms. It remains to be seen which side will have the upper hand, but in terms of motherboard selection, that does not appear to be a problem. With regards to Intel and its X299 chipset for enthusiasts, MSI unveiled a handful of options at Computex.
Two of those models have product pages already up on MSI's website. They include the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC and X299 SLI Plus. Starting with the former, the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC is being billed as the world's first motherboard with fully interchangeable heatsink covers and X-Mounting accessories to support 3D printing and modding. It also boasts RGB lighting for additional bling.
Underneath all the glitz is a premium 10-phase power design with loadline calibration, high-class second-generation Titanium chokes, and other top-shelf components to help with stability and overclocking. For users who do not feel like tinkering in the BIOS, they can activate a "one-second Game boost function" to boost performance.
High-end amenities abound, such as multiple M.2 slots with heat-dissipating shields, U.2 support, USB 3.1 connectivity, onboard audio with a built-in amplifier, and reinforced PCIe x16 slots, to name some of the many features.
MSI lists this motherboard as being available now, though we did not spot any online vendors carrying it just yet. Look for it to be available soon.
The X299 SLI Plus also brings the bling with RGB illumination though it ditches 3D printing support and focuses on dual graphics card setups. To that end, two of the PCIe 3.0 x16 slots are reinforced.
This one also uses premium components. In addition, MSI put a big focus on network performance here. The X299 SLI Plus has two Intel LANs that are optimized for fast data transfers with low CPU overhead. Furthermore, they feature 15KV protection to shield the user's network from lightning strikes and static electricity.
Overclockers will find support for up to 128GB of DDR4-4266MHz memory and beyond, along with a clear CMOS and BIOS flashback buttons in case something goes wrong.
Other features include shielded M.2 slots, U.2 support, USB 3.1 connectivity, eight SATA 6Gbps ports, and various other odds and ends.
If we were handing out an award for the best name for a motherboard, the MSI X299 Tomahawk would be in the running. As its name implies, the design was inspired by battle tanks and features plenty of stainless steel armor throughout
"Unique in this segment is the addition of the patent pending M.2 Shield FROZR. Decrease the temperature of your M.2 SSD and increase the lifespan so you never have to worry about your fast PCIe-based M.2 SSD to start throttling, lowering down performance. Not to mention Turbo U.2 with Steel armor, front USB type C to maximize your systems data transfer performance through any type of connection," MSI says.
Also unique to this motherboard is a VR boost function for gaming in VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), or MR (mixed reality).
Finally, there is the X299 Gaming M7 ACK. Taking aim at gamers and overclockers, this board sports a 10-phase power design with loadline calibration, high-end onboard audio, two Killer E2500 Ethernet ports for wired connections, a Killer 1535 Wi-Fi adapter, M.2 ports, and reinforced PCIe slots.
For users with a side window, the X299 Gaming M7 ACK also supports MSI's Mystic Light RGB illumination on the board's heatsinks and covers.
MSI did not provide pricing information for any of these motherboards, though all of them should be available soon.
MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC
Two of those models have product pages already up on MSI's website. They include the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC and X299 SLI Plus. Starting with the former, the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC is being billed as the world's first motherboard with fully interchangeable heatsink covers and X-Mounting accessories to support 3D printing and modding. It also boasts RGB lighting for additional bling.
Underneath all the glitz is a premium 10-phase power design with loadline calibration, high-class second-generation Titanium chokes, and other top-shelf components to help with stability and overclocking. For users who do not feel like tinkering in the BIOS, they can activate a "one-second Game boost function" to boost performance.
High-end amenities abound, such as multiple M.2 slots with heat-dissipating shields, U.2 support, USB 3.1 connectivity, onboard audio with a built-in amplifier, and reinforced PCIe x16 slots, to name some of the many features.
MSI lists this motherboard as being available now, though we did not spot any online vendors carrying it just yet. Look for it to be available soon.
MSI X299 SLI Plus
The X299 SLI Plus also brings the bling with RGB illumination though it ditches 3D printing support and focuses on dual graphics card setups. To that end, two of the PCIe 3.0 x16 slots are reinforced.
This one also uses premium components. In addition, MSI put a big focus on network performance here. The X299 SLI Plus has two Intel LANs that are optimized for fast data transfers with low CPU overhead. Furthermore, they feature 15KV protection to shield the user's network from lightning strikes and static electricity.
Overclockers will find support for up to 128GB of DDR4-4266MHz memory and beyond, along with a clear CMOS and BIOS flashback buttons in case something goes wrong.
Other features include shielded M.2 slots, U.2 support, USB 3.1 connectivity, eight SATA 6Gbps ports, and various other odds and ends.
MSI X299 Tomahawk
If we were handing out an award for the best name for a motherboard, the MSI X299 Tomahawk would be in the running. As its name implies, the design was inspired by battle tanks and features plenty of stainless steel armor throughout
"Unique in this segment is the addition of the patent pending M.2 Shield FROZR. Decrease the temperature of your M.2 SSD and increase the lifespan so you never have to worry about your fast PCIe-based M.2 SSD to start throttling, lowering down performance. Not to mention Turbo U.2 with Steel armor, front USB type C to maximize your systems data transfer performance through any type of connection," MSI says.
Also unique to this motherboard is a VR boost function for gaming in VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), or MR (mixed reality).
MSI X299 Gaming M7 ACK
Finally, there is the X299 Gaming M7 ACK. Taking aim at gamers and overclockers, this board sports a 10-phase power design with loadline calibration, high-end onboard audio, two Killer E2500 Ethernet ports for wired connections, a Killer 1535 Wi-Fi adapter, M.2 ports, and reinforced PCIe slots.
For users with a side window, the X299 Gaming M7 ACK also supports MSI's Mystic Light RGB illumination on the board's heatsinks and covers.
MSI did not provide pricing information for any of these motherboards, though all of them should be available soon.
