MSI X99S MPower Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. MSI X99S MPower: Packaging and Bundle3. MSI X99S MPower: Board Layout and Features4. MSI X99 UEFI5. MSI X99 Software6. Testing Methodology7. Tests: System-related8. Tests: Processor-related9. Tests: Gaming-related10. Tests: Motherboard-related11. Overclocking: Frequencies12. Overclocking: Performance13. Technical: Power Consumption14. Closing Thoughts15. View All Pages

M.2 connector

We use Plextor‘s fast M6e 256GB M.2 SSD to test the speed of a motherboard's M.2 connector. We reviewed the 512GB Plextor M6e (and its PCIe x2 adapter card) HERE. Unfortunately we do not have access to a PCIe 3.0-based SSD to fully test the M.2 connector's performance limits.

MSI's Turbo M.2 connector has no problems providing full bandwidth to the PCIe-fed Plextor M6e SSD.

SATA

For SATA 6Gb/s testing we use a Kingston HyperX 3K (SandForce SF-2281) SSD.

SATA performance is as good as we would expect from X99-based 6Gbps ports.

USB 3.0

We tested USB 3.0 performance using the Kingston HyperX 3K SSD connected to a SATA 6Gb/s to USB 3.0 adapter powered by an ASMedia ASM1053 controller.

Intel’s X99 USB 3.0 ports are the fastest ones equipped on MSI’s X99S MPower. Whether you’re using them through the front panel of a case or the rear of a motherboard, MSI’s X99 ports still aren’t as fast as their Z97 counterparts (which is likely related to chipset reasons).

Second place on the X99S MPower goes to ASMedia’s ASM1042AE USB 3.0 ports. Using two lanes of PCIe 2.0 bandwidth, the ASMedia ports show an overall speed improvement over the VIA VL805-based quartet.

And on the topic of VIA’s VL805 host controller, with four USB 3.0 ports being fed by a single 5Gbps PCIe 2.0 lane, the transfer speeds will only decrease as more devices are connected and eating into that bandwidth.

MSI does not offer support for UASP to Windows 7 users. While that clearly hurts its USB 3.0 ports’ transfer rates, it is unlikely to cause major concern for users such as overclockers who are unlikely to regularly transfer large amounts of data.

Audio

We use RightMark Audio Analyzer (RMAA) to analyse the performance of the motherboard’s onboard audio solution. A sampling mode of 24-bit, 192 kHz was tested.

Based around the Realtek ALC1150 and its 115 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), MSI’s Audio Boost system also calls upon a pair of Texas Instruments’ OPA1652 amplifiers. We know that the TI OPA1652 is perceived as a particularly potent operational amplifier, capable of driving high – up to 600 Ohm – impedance headphones.

According to RMAA, the Audio Boost system on MSI's X99S MPower delivers ‘Very Good‘ performance. Signal isolation is very good on the MPower, as proven by the positive stereo crosstalk performance.

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