IFA 2024 (BERLIN) has been good to us!
MSI is the only one present out of the 4 large motherboard manufacturers, and as such, is getting all the spotlighta nd attention.
I got to see and play around 5 motherboards powered by both the incoming X870 and Z890 AMD and Intel Chipset.
Since there is not much of a spec bump coming from Intel or AMD chipsets and CPUs this year, manufacturers decided to stimulate the new motherboard appeal with a flurry of new features and some noticeable improvements.
MPG X870E CARBON WIFI — HEAVILY UPGRADED
Compared to its X670E predecessor, we can spot a few changes and improvements.
- can spot a START and RESET soldered buttons, a first on the Carbon series.
- A very ingenious GPU expulsion mechanism which features a lock/unlock mechanism to prevent accidental GPU decrochage.
- All the M.2 SSD heat shields are screw less.
- We have an additional 23 Watts 8 PIN power plug for an extra power delivery to the GPU PCIe exports as well as aloowing the USB type-C to now fast charge.
SPECS
The most obvious upgrade here is the VRM. We are going from 18+2+1 DRPS 90 Amps seen on MPG X670E CARBON WiFi to 110 Amps on the incoming MPG X870E CARBON WiFi.
But the most impressive spec bump is undoubtebly on the back IO.
This has nothing to do with the previous Carbon series.
We have
- x9 USB 3.2 TYPE-A plugs (10 Gbs each)
- x2 USB 3.2 TYPE-C (10 Gbs each)
- x3 Display outputs, including a Thunderbolt 4.0 TYPE-C plug which could output upto 40 Gbs
- We have a dual band adapter WiFi 7, able to swap data upt 5.8 Gbs (instead of 2.4 Gbs previously) and with a near fiber optic latency (320 MHz band usage).
- x2 LAN plugs including a 5 Gbs inquantia.
- a premium ALC 4080 audio CODEC from REALTEK.
In short, we are going from 90 Gbs woth of bandwidth output to a massive 150 Gbs. Indeed very impressive. Little extra note for the WiFi 7 which now uses the ASUS introduced (last year) easy push locking mechanism.
PRO X870-P — A Downgrade?
Compared to its X670E predecessor, we can spot a few changes and improvements.
- The GPU PCIe export is now upgraded to a 16 lane PCIe 5.0 standard ( from 16 lanes PCIe 4.0).
- The CPU connected M.2 SSD heat shield can now be removed wihtout unscrewing anything. A simply push and release latch will lock and unlock it.
- We have an additional 23 Watts 8 PIN power plug for an extra power delivery to the GPU PCIe exports as well as allowing the USB type-C to now fast charge.
BUT
- No EZ PCIE reelease mechanism.
SPECS
Here and surprisigly, MSI has decided to DOWNGRADE the PRO X870-P VRM when compared to its predecsessor.
According to spec sheet, we are going from 14+2+1 DRPS 80 Amps seen on PRO X670-P to 60 Amps on the incoming PRO X870-P.
It makes no sense. To the point I am starting to wonder if MSI did not a make a typo here. Time will tell.
The BACK-IO is equally puzzling.
On the good points, we do have
- x1 upto 40 Gbs Type-C plug, which can double as DP output.
- The expected WiFi 7 upgrade, replacing the WiFi 6 module seen on this motherboard predecessor.
- x1 Dynamic 5 Gbs LAN plug, instead of a static 2.5 Gbs.
- an integrated back IO (finally)
- a Flash back button in addition of the clear CMOS, great for CPU less BIO updates
BUT
- we lose two 5 Gbs USB plugs (now only two in total against 4 previsouly), and instead we have now 4 slow 2nd gen USB plugs (480 Mbs). No idea what went tought MSI engineering team head on this one.
Nevetheless, the new PRO X870-P BACK-IO shows 90 Gbs woth of USB bandwidth against 70 Gbs previsouly. A modest upgrade in my opinion.
MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI — somewhat UPGRADED
Compared to its X670E predecessor, we can spot a few changes and improvements.
- FINALLY we have an OLED ERROR screen on a TOMAHAWK (yeepee)!
- A very ingenious GPU expulsion mechanism which features a lock/unlock mechanism to prevent accidental GPU decrochage.
- Two M.2 SSD heat shields are screw less (instead of one one the MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK MAX).
- We have now 2 PCIe 5.0 enabled M.2 SSD connector instead of one.
- We have an additional 23 Watts 8 PIN power plug for an extra power delivery to the GPU PCIe exports as well as allowing the USB type-C to now fast charge.
SPECS
It looks like another VRM downgrade here. We may be going from 16+1+1 DRPS 90 Amps seen on MAG X670 TOMAHAWK WiFi to a 15+1+1 90 Amps on the incoming MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WiFi.
Here we have a sizeable upgrade when compared from its previous X670 version. Here are the spotted changes:
- x4 USB 2.0 TYPE-A plugsd (480 Mbs)
- x3 USB 3.1 TYPE-A plugs (5 Gbs each)
- x2 USB 3.2 TYPE-A plugs (10 Gbs each)
- x1 USB 3.2 TYPE-C (10 Gbs each)
- x3 Display outputs, including two Thunderbolt 4.0 TYPE-C plug which could output upto 40 Gbs
- We have a dual band adapter WiFi 7, able to swap data upt 5.8 Gbs (instead of 2.4 Gbs previously) and with a near fiber optic latency (320 MHz band usage).
- x1 LAN plugs including a 5 Gbs inquantia (going from 2.5 Gbs previously).
- a premium ALC 4080 audio CODEC from REALTEK.
In short, we are going from 90 Gbs woth of bandwidth output to a massive 135 Gbs. Indeed very impressive. Little extra note for the WiFi 7 which now uses the ASUS introduced (last year) easy push locking mechanism.
ACCROSS ALL BOARDS and to RECAP
Most of mid-range MSI boards now come with a rather clever lockable PCIe expulsion system. Very similar to the one introduced and seen on ASUS boards in the past few years, this one seems more sturdy and does introduce a lock / unlock feature to prevent an accidental GPU detachment.
Unsurprisingly, the WiFi 7 upgrade is here, and in addition MSI is introducing an easy push/pull plug to avoid the annoying antenna blind screwing on the back of your PC. Again, something seen in the beginning of 2024 on ASUS late season board refresh.
OLED ERROR codes screens are now available on sub $300 baords (starting with the TOMAHAWK).
Less screws on heat shields (screww less remove mechanism).
More PCIe 5.0 integration on the X870 chipset