MSI X399 GAMING PRO Carbon copy AC TR4 Motherboard Review
MSI's X399 GAMING Favoring CARBON AC is the latest AMD TR4 Ryzen Threadripper motherboard to sink our tests. Let's see how information technology does.
Military rank: 92% Manufacturer: MSI
Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing
Threadripper X399 motherboards are now promptly available on the food market, and today we will take a feeling at a TR4 motherboard from MSI. MSI has also dead the same itinerary As other vendors and has designed gaming motherboards for the X399 platform. The rationality for the focus on play is because two of the fastest healthy segments of the PC diligence are gaming and the datacenter.
Many manufacturers have expropriated to sit their products as gaming products, although on the motherboard side of things gambling features could also benefit non-gamers. The X399 chipset supports AMD's high-end Threadripper CPUs, which are mainly convergent at mega-taskers, workstation users, and those who can get hold of reward of galore threads, but the CPUs canful also do well in games, especially at shrill resolutions.
Let's bring forward a view what MSI has to offer.
Specifications
The X399 GAMING PRO CARBON Alternating current features Intel pumped-up and wireless networking, triple M.2 slots, 8x SATA6Gb/s ports, 4-path multi-GPU support, and even comes with customization plates.
Pricing
The X399 GAMING PRO CARBON Ac costs $349.99.
Packaging and X399 GAMING PRO CARBON AC Overview
Packaging and Overview
Retail packaging is done swell, and the motherboard is prominently displayed along the box. The motherboard is well protected from the elements inside an anti-static bag.
The accessory package includes six SATA6Gb/s cables, RGB LED file name extension/splitter, WIFI card, WIF card USB hookup, gold and silver facultative panel covers, SLI HB bridge deck, VRM fan climbing hardware, two WIFI antenna, IO buckler, 3D Mounting standoffs, cable stickers, documentation/manuals, and driver Videodisc.
There are six fan headers on the motherboard, and I have circled them in ruddy. They all operate as hybrid PWM/DC mode headers, although I am sure that the pump head maxes out voltage at default. The headers tin be configured through the UEFI OR Windows to operate in either mode and reference different temperature sensors for their PWM curves.
The motherboard uses carbon fibre panels connected the shields and chipset heat sink, just also offers the ability to change these panels out for gold or silver panels. The back of the motherboard doesn't have much circuitry past than some of the POSCAPs used for the VRMs.
The rear IO panel features PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse, clear CMOS push, BIOS Flashback button, deuce USB 2.0 ports, ogdoad USB 3.0 ports, USB 3.1 type-A, USB 3.1 character-C, 1Gbit LAN, and 7.1 chromatic plated sound outputs wish S/PDIF out.
The PCI-E layout is very simple; the x16 slots operate at x16/x8/x16/x8 PCI-E 3.0 at all times. The two x1 PCI-E slots are x1 PCI-E 2.0 each and connect to the chipset. Leash M.2 slots operate on at x4 PCI-E 3.0, and each nonpareil has an M.2 Harbour which is divinatory to assistant cool down M.2 drives, or at to the lowest degree make them to a greater extent aesthetically appealing.
Half-dozen of the eight SATA6Gb/s ports are right angled as are the 2 internal USB 3.0 headers. The left 2 SATA6Gb/s headers are angled vertically and are located right below the 24-oarlock motherboard king connector.
You also get two 8-oarlock CPU power plugs on the motherboard as well as a 6-pin PCI-E power ballyhoo that provides extra juice to the PCI-E slots.
MSI also put in an overclocking boss with preset overclocking profiles, a power button, a reset button, and a POST cipher display in the lower right-pass corner of the motherboard. The motherboard as wel features an internal USB 3.1 type-C heading on this derriere row.
MSI has also incorporated an RGB LED header as well as a digital RGB header. While most digital RGB headers on motherboards from different vendors offer power, priming, and data pins, MSI has also added in a clock thole.
MSI has a few headers located on the motherboard that bequeath engross certain "out of sight" features, such every bit the slow-style header. The demo LED header allows you to speedily change between RGB LED presets. Two USB 2.0 headers are located to the left of the USB 3.1 type-C internal header.
The passion sinks are interesting happening this motherboard, as the VRM heat sink is identical tall and seems to Be optimized for decent airflow, while the chipset heat sink is designed to represent as a sink. The indorse of the VRM also gets a heat sink.
MSI X399 GAMING Professional CARBON AC Circuit Analysis
Tour Analysis
The X399 GAMING PRO C AC shows off its goods.
The VRM for the gist of the CPU is actually a 10-phase VRM. We typically see 8-phase VRMs, but MSI has definite to step-up the number of power stages and reduce the number of true phases to help spread out heat lade among more components.
The fully digital IR35201 PWM control outputs 5 phases to doublers that and so output two power stages. The power stages are International Rectifiers IR3555, and they are amply integrated 60A power stages. I am not sure on the specifications of the inductors.
PWM phase doublers are located on the underside of the PCB; they are IR3599 operating in doubler mode. We can also see the tantalum capacitors on the back of the PCB, and the doublers and capacitors are thickspread away a metal heat sink. The SoC VRM is made up of three IR3555 60A PowIRstages, and they are regimented by an IR35204 digital PWM controller.
Memory VRMs for apiece of the four DIMMs use a Primarion whole number PWM controller, the PV4210. The power stages are successful awake of deuce phases of TX Instruments CSD87350Q NexFET dual N-TV channel 40A MOSFETs. The memory VRM happening MSI's X399 motherboard is identical to that of MSI's X299 motherboard.
MSI X399 GAMING PRO CARBON AC Circuit Analytic thinking Continuing
X399 GAMING PRO Atomic number 6 Actinium Circuit Analysis Continued
The Realtek ALC1220 is used as the audio codec and offers 120dB output on an amplified rail. MSI adds in a Texas Instruments OP1652 operational amplifier for the front headphone outputs as well every bit Aureate series Nippon-Chemicon audio capacitors and so divides the audio PCB from the rest of the motherboard to improve audio quality.
The Intel i211AT NIC is utilized for wired Local area network while the Intel Wireless AC 8265 is utilized for wireless Atomic number 89. The motherboard offers BIOS retrieval direct USB BIOS flashback (chip labeled 504N), and uses a 128Mbit ROM to store the current ROM.
The 2 USB 3.1 ports on the rise Io are derived from the ASMedia ASM3142 USB 3.1 restrainer, and an ASMedia ASM1543 operates As the type-C port's switch and CC logical system chip. The USB 3.1 type-C internal header gets another ASM1543, and likewise gets a Pericom PI3EQX USB 3.1 re-driver to re-drive the tightly knit USB 3.1 impressive in the X399 Southbridge.
We find two ASmedia ASM1464 near the rear Io and two more near the internecine USB 3.0 headers, and these are USB 3.0 ray-drivers. They mustiness Be behind MSI's VR-Ready USB 3.0 ports, and they should ensure that information travels crosswise longer USB 3.0 cables.
In that respect are two clock generators on the motherboard, an ICS 9FGL121CAGLF, and an ICS BV0831AIL are wont to help CPU base clock overclocking and I feign to let for more than seven co-occurrent devices to run connected to the CPU. An ASMedia ASM1480 seems to embody connected to the first time author and must switch between native signaling operating theatre 'tween the two clock generators.
The Nuvoton NCT6795D is the main SuperIO accountant and provides the PS/2 along the rump IO as well as system management. An NEC R5F104BEA programmable little controller provides RGB LED, and digital RGB LED control.
You can also find two Nuvoton NCT5655Y GPIO chips that help to run the SuperIO's fan hold capabilities throughout the motherboard.
BIOS and Software
BIOS
MSI's UEFI for the X399 GAMING In favour of CARBON AC is loaded with features, but it is very similar in layout to MSI's UEFI for X370, Z270, and X299. You get an Easy Mode and an advanced mode for more expert users.
AMD's CBS menu is also present, and it offers a good deal in regards to customizing deep AMD settings. Overclocking settings are likewise present, and so at the PWM options to expand power limits so that the VRM won't throttle the CPU.
Software
MSI's software suite includes APP Manager, Command Center, Gaming APP, Play Local area network Manager, Live Update 6, Mystic Light, RAMDisk, Smart Puppet, Super Charger, X-Boost, and more.
Test System of rules Setup
Steven's Motherboard Test System Specifications
- Motherboard: MSI X399 Gambling PRO CARBON AC
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
- Cooler: Enermax LIQTECH TR4 360
- Memory: TridentZ 8GBx4 RGB 3200MHz
- Video Wit: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti - Buy from Amazon / Read our review
- Storage - Boot Drive: Samsung 950 Pro 256GB
- Repositing - SATA6G Drive: Barbary pirate LS 240GB
- Entrepot - USB Drive: Corsair Voyager GS 64GB - Buy from Amazon / Say our review
- Case: ThermalTake Core P5 - Buy from Amazon River / Read our review
- Power Furnish: Barbary pirate RM1000 - Buy from Virago / Scan our review
- OS: Microsoft Windows 10 - Buy from Amazon
- Monitor: ASUS PA328 ProArt 32" 4K - Buy from Amazon
- Keyboard: Corsair K70 Lx - Buy from Amazon
- Sneak out: Corsair M65 PRO RGB - Buy from Virago / Read our review
- Headset: Corsair VOID RGB Wireless - Buy from Virago / Read our recapitulation
- BIOS: 1.30
The X399 GAMING In favou CARBON AC does stimulate RGB LEDs assembled into IT, but they aren't that glaring, and won't offend those who get offended by something as simple as a light.
They will add some glamour and amusing to your build, and you can always disable operating theatre change their colourise if you don't like the default red option.
Overclocking
Overclocking Results
Central processing unit Overclocking
AMD's Threadripper platform is quite interesting, as AMD stated the top 5% of Acid dies become Threadripper CPUs. That is a big take, American Samoa that would also mean the C.P.U. should overclock rather high, operating theater at least consistently high.
My good overclock connected the X370 political platform was 4GHz with 3200Mhz memory speeds after months of BIOS updates, sol I will aim for the same Hera. Most people have controlled about 4.1GHz, and I know my 1950X can't do 4.1Ghz stable on all cores without tons of voltage or better cooling.
It was very easy to overclock the CPU exploitation MSI's UEFI. I went and put up OC Explore fashion to expert, fixed the CPU ratio, then enabled A-XMP, set VCore to 1.325v, and went into the DigitALL Power card and maximized all CPU VRM temperature and current limitations.
CPU, Memory, and System Benchmarks
CINEBENCH R15
wPrime
AIDA64 FPU
AIDA64 Memory
ScienceMark
HandBrake
SuperPi 32M
3DMark: Fire Strike
3DMark: Corrupt Gate
ResidentEvil 6
The X399 GAMING PRO CARBON AC's performance is well rounded, and the new microcode and software optimizations in the MSI and ASUS results appearance how much the 2 impact performance. If you look at the AIDA64 FPU results, you will see both the MSI and ASUS boards have jumped up above the rest of the boards.
Overall, the motherboard's performance is just fine, and there isn't anything to worry about or get too excited about, leastwise not here.
System IO Benchmarks
CrystalDiskMark SATA6G:
CrystalDiskMark M.2:
ixChariot Network Throughput:
The X399 Gambling Professional CARBON AC's storage performance is where it should be, except the 4K write speed on the M.2 crusade.
Networking performance is top notch, and I stimulate encountered this same Wireless AC comptroller on other motherboards, and it performs the Saami Hera.
Sound RMAA 5.5:
I invalid complete audio features, set the correct bitrates, and then test the audio with a loopback test.
Sound Judgment by Ear: Excellent. There are five ratings for audio frequency: 1. Problems, 2. Okay, 3. Acceptable, 4. Precise good, 5. First-class
Thermal Imaging and Might Consumption
System power is measured at the wall with an AC electric meter.
Note on Thermal Images: In the temperature section, we use our Seek thermal imagery camera to capture the surface temperatures of major components on the board. I look at the VRM and then entirely other things that light up the riddle. If there is something to worry about, then I will state it. Differently, I will just show the hotter flying parts of the board for fun. Unless whatsoever factor is terminated 80-90C, then there isn't anything to concern roughly.
All systems will act differently, then I will look for commonalities, such every bit how far from the VRM the heat spreads through the PCB and the difference in temperature betwixt the look side and backside of the PCB. Hold on in mind, the majority of the heat from the VRM goes into the PCB as it is a giant soldered on copper color warmth dip. A larger difference in temperature between the back and front of the PCB points towards a more efficacious heat sink.
Thermal Testing at Stock Speeds:
The image along the left is always at idle, and the image on the right is at load. During Whol TESTS, There is no airflow calculate at the VRM
Full front.
Up-close of the front of the VRM.
Up-close of the back of the VRM.
The X399 GAMING PRO Carbon copy AC buy in most-worst-case spring testing scenario doesn't have a mechanism for airflow around the VRM area, so it in essence tests the ability of the heat sink to sink the heat.
That agency that this test is just one way to examination VRM thermal carrying into action, and inside a example, the motherboard would do much better.
For a exam Bench, MSI has included a fan bestrid that is resourceful of cooling the VRM heating plant sink, so they provide the right hardware for scenarios equivalent the one above.
What's Hot, What's Not &ere; Final Thoughts
Here are describe points about the MSI X399 Play In favor CARBON AC.
What's Hot
VRM Quality and Cooling Design: MSI's power stages are IR's 60A different, and MSI has used more than former vendors away using 10 as an alternative of 8. To exercise that, they correctly twofold cardinal phases to ten, and that helps spread the load among two more power stages. The heat sink they implemented it also quite tall, and it is optimized to diffuse heat with air flow. The package also comes with a VRM sports fan stand, so that you can mount a fan directly aimed at the VRM heat sink if you are on a test workbench.
Customizability: Unity unique feature of the X399 Gaming Pro Atomic number 6 AC are the panels that go on the chipset heat sink and or s of the shields, and they allow you to change knocked out the atomic number 6 fiber panels for gilded or silver panels. RGB LEDs are also coeducational into the motherboard and provide mild idiom lighting. RGB headers are also present, as is a digital RGB header with four pins. While most vendors have digital RGB headers with trinity pins (power, primer, and digital signal), MSI also added a clock signal pin for a divergent set of appendage RGB cables.
Intel Networking: Intel's Gbit wired NIC, the i211AT can glucinium found on the motherboard, American Samoa can a wireless Intel NIC. The Intel 8265 Wireless AC/Bluetooth card can be found included in the accessory box, and you can also drive it and use it along a system in the future if you decide to rise long time go through the line.
National Intelligence Community Use: Not all motherboards are created equal, and MSI has through a nice job in the integrated circuit department. They implement two extra clock generators and the proper trade to dilate capabilities of the platform. They also implement four USB 3.0 re-drivers to improve USB signaling quality for their "VR-enabled" USB ports. When it comes to USB 3.1, MSI also made sure to add in the latest and greatest ASMedia ASM3142.
What's Not
Singular Layout for SATA/USB: I am a moment confused arsenic to why MSI put the type-C internal lintel as yet down, as most cases will ingest cables for the new connector, but they won't be real long. It would have been a better idea to switch the placement of the deuce straight ports with the USB 3.1 header, or turn those two SATA ports into a right-angled connective and put under the type-C connector near the 24-immobilise connector. The PCI-E x1 one-armed bandit position for the WIFI card would have also been better if they placed information technology between the 2nd and 3rd expansion slot so that you wouldn't have to ritual killing either of your x16 card slots when using the WIFI card.
Final Thoughts
The MSI X399 GAMING PRO CARBON AC is an "affordable" X399 motherboard, simply it's not cheap by any means. It uses a solid amount of power stages for the Mainframe gist, and patc you Don't get the interleaving effect of 8 accurate phases, you make the load and heat spread among two extra power stages. VRM conception is a balance, and I remember MSI did a nice job. The VRM heat sink is optimized for a casing with airflow, and when that isn't present, MSI included a bracket for a VRM fan.
MSI has done a polite job with integrating ICs for unscheduled features operating theater better indicate select, and to my surprise, they didn't truly advertise it. MSI has done an excellent job with component quality on this motherboard, and their aid to contingent is also impressive. I was gobsmacked to find they implemented their digital RGB header with the extra time pin, and that they used the higher tone USB 3.1 controller for the rear IO.
Overall, I am impressed with this more "affordable" X399 motherboard from MSI, and information technology's definitely valuable a look if you want a solid product that wish last for years to come.
Msi X399 Which Headers to Use for Systems Fan?
Source: https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/8332/msi-x399-gaming-pro-carbon-ac-tr4-motherboard-review/index.html
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