MSI presented the first batch of new motherboards based on AMD X870E and X870 chipsets with native support for the new Ryzen 9000 processors. The manufacturer showed new products from all four of its main product segments – MEG, MPG, MAG and PRO. The list is topped by the MEG X870E GODLIKE model, followed by the representative of the productive segment MPG X870E Carbon WIFI, followed by the mid-range model MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI and the board for the mass segment PRO X870-P WIFI.
Image source: MSI
MEG X870E GODLIKE is not just a flagship motherboard without any compromises. The manufacturer tried to make it a real treasure. The new product is almost completely covered with cooling radiators.
Almost all of its internal connectors are located horizontally relative to the plane of the board, including a 24-pin ATX power connector and two additional 8-pin PCIe power connectors. Next to the processor socket there are two 8-pin EPS power connectors.
The board received a 27-phase VRM Duet Rail Power System with a 24 + 2 + 1 phase circuit, each phase of which is designed for a current of 110 A. The VRM elements are protected from overheating by a huge radiator with heat-conducting tubes and an active fan.
MEG X870E GODLIKE has four DIMM slots supporting DDR5-8000 RAM. The set of expansion slots consists of PCI-Express 5.0 x16, PCI-Express 4.0 x16 and PCIe x4. There are also four M.2 slots for NVMe drives: three PCIe 5.0 standards and one PCIe 4.0.
The rear connector panel of the MEG X870E GODLIKE can paint even workstation boards. The new product received two USB4 ports (Type-C, 40 Gbit/s each), DisplayPort, five USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (10 Gbit/s) and eight 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (10 Gbit/s). There are also 10 Gbit and 5 Gbit adapters, support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. There are also BIOS update and reset buttons. The board is equipped with a premium Realtek ALC4082 audio codec and an independent amplifier.
Another feature of the MEG X870E GODLIKE is the Dynamic Dashboard III with a 4-inch color LCD touch screen. It shows up-to-date system information, shows possible errors and allows you to update UEFI firmware, among other functions.
The board is supplied with an EZ Control Hub controller. It connects to the motherboard with just one cable, but at the same time allows you to connect all the ARGB lighting and fans installed in the PC.
The MPG X870E Carbon WIFI model is also richly equipped with various functions, but not like the MEG X870E GODLIKE. The board from the MPG series received a 21-phase VRM Duet Rail Power System with a phase circuit of 18 + 2 + 1, each phase of which is designed for a current of 110 A. The new product receives power for the processor from two 8-pin EPS connectors.
It also has one additional 8-pin PCIe connector. It can be useful, for example, for connecting a PCIe expansion card to several NVMe drives or a riser adapter. The new product has two full-size PCI-Express 5.0 x16 (the second works as x4) and one PCIe 4.0 x16.
On the rear panel of the MPG X870E Carbon WIFI connectors there are also a pair of USB4 (Type-C, 40 Gbps each), but the board offers fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (10 Gbps) and Type-A connectors compared to the GODLIKE model . Carbon also received 5-Gbit and 2.5-Gbit network adapters, support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. The Realtek ALC4080 codec is responsible for the sound in the new product.
MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI is a very functional board based on the AMD X870 chipset. The latter supports 8 less PCIe 4.0 lanes. The new product has a 17-phase VRM Duet Rail Power System with a 14 + 2 + 1 phase circuit, each phase of which supports a current of 80 A. The MAG X870 Tomahawk WIFI also has two 8-pin EPS connectors for powering the processor and one additional 8-pin PCIe.
The board is equipped with four M.2 slots for NVMe drives (two PCIe 5.0 and two PCIe 4.0). It received two USB4 ports (Type-C, 40 Gbit/s each), DisplayPort, one 5-Gbit LAN, support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. The audio codec is not specified, but it is likely either ALC4080 or ALC1200.
Finally, the PRO X870-P WIFI model has the most simplified design among the new products presented. It received a 17-phase VRM Duet Rail Power System with a 14 + 2 + 1 phase scheme, supports Wi-Fi 7, has two USB4 ports and is equipped with an entry-level Realtek ALC892 audio codec.