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MSI X99S Gaming 7 Motherboard Review

Luke Hill September 25, 2014 Featured Tech News, Motherboard

Rating: 8.5.

While the X99 platform and its plentiful PCIe connectivity form a strong gaming foundation, the cost of an LGA2011-3 motherboard, DDR4 memory, and the Haswell-E CPU will put a considerable dent in any buyer's pocket. So when we see a gaming-orientated motherboard offering 3-way graphics capability, eight-core CPU support, and an enhanced audio solution, features take precedence and make the HEDT platform seem a more alluring investment.

Hitting the entry-level cohort of X99's product range, can MSI's £200 X99S Gaming 7 prove that the HEDT platform's motherboard is at least one area where money can be saved?

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Towards the end of Intel's Z77 life-cycle, and from the beginning of Z87, MSI has pushed its Gaming series parts to various segments of the marketplace. From entry-level Z87 boards like the G43 Gaming, to flagship-status parts such as the Z97 Gaming 9 AC, MSI has driven its red-and-black boards into the spotlight for enthusiastic gamers. And it has worked.

Making an appearance for the LGA2011-3 socket, we take a look at MSI's X99S Gaming 7. Can 3-way graphics support, PCIe-fed storage lanes, Audio Boost 2 sound, and capacity for DDR4-driven eight-core CPUs prove that the X99S Gaming 7 is more than a well-priced piece of X99 eye-candy?

Features:

  • Turbo M.2
  • OC Engine.
  • Audio Boost 2.
  • USB Audio Power.
  • Sound Blaster Cinema 2.
  • Killer Ethernet.
  • Click BIOS 4.
  • OC Genie 4.
  • XSplit Premium License.

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2 comments

  1. Sam Nicko
    October 16, 2014 at 5:40 am

    I think the best combination to satisfy all my needs specially getting out the juices of M.2 there is two option.

    Option 1 (40 lanes) with Intel Core i7-5930K or Intel Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition:
    2 way SLI (E1_3.0x16+E3_3.0x16) + 1 M.2 (3.0×4) and 1 SSD on SATA Express (2.0×2)

    or

    Option 2 (28 Lanes) with Intel Core i7-5820K:
    3 way SLI (E1_3.0x8+E3_3.0x8+E5_3.0x8) + 1 M.2 (3.0×4) and 1 SSD on SATA Express (2.0×2)

    ^_^ Great review Luke.

  2. Lorant Tamas
    November 21, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    Hi there. I saw you review to late.
    I have the same issue, can’t make the RAM to run on 3000MHZ with a 5820k.
    Have you found any solution? Already contacted manufacturers(Kingston/MSI/Intel)…still no luck, so maybe you can help.
    Thanks, and nice review btw.

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