Thursday, January 29th 2015

MSI to Refresh X99S Motherboard Series as USB 3.1-equipped X99A Series

by
btarunr
 Discuss (15 Comments)
MSI is planning to give its socket LGA2011v3 motherboard lineup a refresh, replacing the X99S series, with the new X99A series. The X99A series will feature USB 3.1, the new 10 Gb/s USB standard. One confirmed model from the new lineup is the X99A Gaming 9 ACK. This board offers two USB 3.1 type-A ports, which are 100% backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, and are driven by an ASMedia ASM1352R controller. This chip is wired to the X99 PCH over PCI-Express 2.0 x2, which is just enough bandwidth for 10 Gb/s downstream. At CES, MSI displayed the first motherboard to feature a USB 3.1 type-C port, the Z97A Gaming 6.
Source: AnandTech

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15 Comments on MSI to Refresh X99S Motherboard Series as USB 3.1-equipped X99A Series

#1
Caring1
Great, they'll probably change the color of the PCB again, I was just looking at the X99S because of the all black scheme.
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#3
patton45
I often wonder when they will kill the ps/2 port and put something more useful in I doubt people who spend the money on high end stuff are using legacy mouse/keyboard
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#4
Ferrum Master
Such a zoo of drivers each working with their own stack in parallel... 3 vendors of USB3?

It is a utter engineering mess... they should be scolded for that.
Posted on Reply
#5
kaaaaaan
LocutusHwhy not usb type c?
USB type C is a form-factor; USB 3.1 is a protocol.
You can have one without the other, but the protocol is the thing that dictates more transfer speed.
Posted on Reply
#6
Aquinus
Resident Wat-man
patton45I often wonder when they will kill the ps/2 port and put something more useful in I doubt people who spend the money on high end stuff are using legacy mouse/keyboard
It's not always on boards. Mine doesn't have one. They're being phased out, but normally it's cheaper motherboard I still see PS/2 connectors on, but usually there isn't more than just one of them.
Posted on Reply
#7
Ferrum Master
I took off those bonkers looking digi+ and other plates from the heatsinks... looks much more better without them :D
Posted on Reply
#8
SaltyFish
patton45I often wonder when they will kill the ps/2 port and put something more useful in I doubt people who spend the money on high end stuff are using legacy mouse/keyboard
AquinusIt's not always on boards. Mine doesn't have one. They're being phased out, but normally it's cheaper motherboard I still see PS/2 connectors on, but usually there isn't more than just one of them.
I always thought the PS/2 port was found on low-end and high-end boards, but the the mid-end boards. The reasoning being that low-end board users are likely to have an ancient keyboard because it still works and that high-end board users are likely to have a fancy-pants PS/2 mechanical keyboard (or even the legendary Model M). But boards rarely come with two PS/2 ports nowadays since there's less reason to stay on PS/2 with mice than keyboards. The last one I can think of is the ASRock X79 Extreme4-M.
Posted on Reply
#9
Uplink10
kaaaaaanUSB type C is a form-factor; USB 3.1 is a protocol.
You can have one without the other, but the protocol is the thing that dictates more transfer speed.
Should not all new devices have type C, just think how stupid will you feel in the future if you buy motherboard with type A and all devices are using type C. I do not know any USB adapter, key that supports USB 3.1, they support only USB 3.0 but you can be sure that type C devices will support USB 3.1.
Posted on Reply
#10
patton45
AquinusIt's not always on boards. Mine doesn't have one. They're being phased out, but normally it's cheaper motherboard I still see PS/2 connectors on, but usually there isn't more than just one of them.
yep true I have some with and some without and the ones with have the hybrid purple/green for both I have also had a few boards come with the ps/2 to usb converter so I just figured that was a cheaper route but the mechanical keyboard aspect for the super hard core gamers makes sense to keep it don't want to alienate them to much :)
Posted on Reply
#11
Mysteoa
patton45I often wonder when they will kill the ps/2 port and put something more useful in I doubt people who spend the money on high end stuff are using legacy mouse/keyboard
PS/2 are for comparability reason. You can use N-key Rollover for you KB too or use your KB or mouse to start your PC. Same as how I like to have at least one USB2, because USB3 may need drivers when you installing an OS.
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#12
Ferrum Master
Guys guys...

Are what are you smoking? PS/2 is not there not that they does not want to, they simply cannot, newer LPC Super I/O controllers simply does not have the the legacy bus anymore with PCI included, and even if it is, it will be implemented via USB/PCIE controller, so it it not native anymore, anyone can buy such thing on ebay for few cents for themselves. Forget it, it was the last hiccup from ISA bus.
Posted on Reply
#13
Aquinus
Resident Wat-man
Ferrum MasterGuys guys...

Are what are you smoking? PS/2 is not there not that they does not want to, they simply cannot, newer LPC Super I/O controllers simply does not have the the legacy bus anymore with PCI included, and even if it is, it will be implemented via USB/PCIE controller, so it it not native anymore, anyone can buy such thing on ebay for few cents for themselves. Forget it, it was the last hiccup from ISA bus.
I think you misunderstood how it came about. Someone was asking why it still had PS/2 on it, not why it was missing. I don't recall anyone saying anything about wanting it or caring that it was there. :p
patton45I often wonder when they will kill the ps/2 port and put something more useful in I doubt people who spend the money on high end stuff are using legacy mouse/keyboard
Posted on Reply
#14
Ferrum Master
Aquinusstill had PS/2 on it
Ah shaite... really I thought he referred to that asrock x79, but the MSI X99 also has one... NUVOTON NCT6791D does the stuff, as it still has the legacy ISA stuff.

I guess they will linger still on for a long time then.
Posted on Reply
#15
TheGoat Eater
Be on the lookout for the X99A Xpower since it is a cache/uncore clocking beast and should have its own version of an OC Socket
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