MSI Issues Clarification on Next-Gen AMD CPU Support on 300-series Motherboards

[Mamya3084]

As someone who's worked in retail/CSR/service positions, people like you are literally the worse. You are the type that will jump down on the lowest paying employee's throat (MSI rep in this case) the second something doesn't get your way. You are literally the "Can I speak with your manager type." This is regardless of how right you are or how much control the employee have.

just to clarify, are you saying that lower paid staff can give incorrect answers....and not have it reflect the company they work for?

Remember, the pitch forks are out for the multi million dollar company, not the team member that wrote the response.

If they didn't know the answer, support staff should have simply replied "Unfortunately I do not have an answer for that question", or supported the customer in asking another team member for more information.

Then again, we don't know. There could big a massive white board message that says "No Zen 2 support for x370/B350/A320", however, that is very speculative.

MSI has made a mistake, and have followed it up in this article. I'm sure they'll have a word to the support team and implement a better procedure for when customers ask about future features, and they do not know the answer.

 

[IceShroom]

People have reason for the outrage.
This is official word form MSI's CEO : (Link Tomshardware)
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/msi-ceo-interview-intel-shortage-amd,38473.html

 

[Assimilator]

Yup, I read it and agree with it. Here's the flaw. @btarunr was actively trying to highlight the potential reason for limiting support to older motherboards, greed. We know damn well it will not be for incompatibility because AMD deliberately and specifically engineered their CPU's and Chipsets to be compatible for a certain number of generations. So any motherboard maker who does not issue updates for their motherboards would be doing it for one reason alone, to sell more motherboards, IE GREED. Such behavior is not in line with the specifcations AMD laid out for motherboard makers to follow.

Btarunr was absolutely correct for both reporting the problem and for the wording used to call out MSI on a potentially serious mistake.

What utter codswallop!

News is supposed to be factual, pure and simple: you give people the information in as impartial a manner as possible, they draw their own conclusions from it. Introducing emotive language and weasel words like "betrayal" and "greed" into a news report transforms it into an opinion piece that attempts to manipulate the reader into agreeing with the views presented. It also makes the likelihood of legal action far higher: it's very difficult to sue someone for reporting the facts, but attempting to build a narrative from those facts makes it very easy for lawyers to start throwing around terms like "defamation".

Why are opinion pieces presented as news dangerous? Because they make you question the motives of the person writing, and the organisation publishing, that article. For example, would I not be justified in wondering if perhaps one of MSI's competitors paid TPU to "report" this rumour in a way that makes MSI look terrible - especially when TPU is the only site that treated this information in this way? What if MSI decides to sue TPU for defamation, which - in my opinion - they absolutely would be justified in doing?

What bta posted yesterday was absolutely not news, it was tabloid/yellow journalism at its worst, and that is bad in so many ways because it opens up so many cans of worms around credibility and legal liability. TPU needs to stop doing this because it is actively harming their brand and their reputation. A "news" strategy around maximising clicks works well in the short term, but invariably fails in the long term because people stop trusting the biased news source and hence stop visiting it.

 

[laszlo]

i really don't understand the drama in the comments; arguing over nothing who's right or wrong... msi made a mistake and they corrected it

if i would be a mod i wouldn't allow any comment and problem solved

 

[FreedomEclipse]

if i would be a mod i wouldn't allow any comment and problem solved

by disabling comments you are censoring peoples opinions.

'Censoring' peoples opinions would only aggravate the situation further. People have the right to debate the goings on in the forums as well as the parts of the forums that irks them or they have an issue with.

Because without people clicking on TPU or forum members staying active and keeping TPU alive. TPU might as well shut down for good because whats the point of TPU if its a dead site?

Why do you think some people are so many that the Epic store doesnt allow them to leave reviews? Its basically a similar situation here.

It seems like TPU are falling into the realms of polygon, IGN, Eurogamer and to a lesser point Kotaku by sensationalizing or hyping certain stories for clicks.

Even if you complain the captain of this ship wont divert its course. Either put up or find a new tech site to frequent on.

 

[notb]

Well, yes. If one wants to be taken seriously and be looked up to, one has to behave seriously as well.

How do you know they want to be taken seriously?

Tabloids outsell serious press. This is what people want. This is what makes money.

And TPU did NOT handle this the correct way. When they saw the original "leak", the first thing they should have done is to contact MSI for verification/clarification, with maybe a publication that they are aware of the rumor/leak/potential problem, and that they are looking into it.

It is TPU's job to report the news. The original story wasn't news because it wasn't accurate.

That's all based on your assumption that TPU should handle this like The Times, not The Sun.
It's not about reporting truth. It's about reporting.
You put a story about "greedy MSI" on the front page on Monday and a tiny correction on the 3rd page on Tuesday. That's how it's been done for generations. TPU isn't innovating in any way.

There's press/news and then there's a tabloid. I've always thought of techpowerup as something of an inbetween but erring towards press. I wish people understood that distinction. News is suppsoed to always aim for the truth. "Fake news' is almost an oxymoron that has become mainstream. Why? Because news is never supposed to try to be fake or it ceases to be news. Calling it fake news is like calling water "not dry liquid," it's stupid. Antitruth and alternative facts are popular lately though. Sometimes I swear I'm in an episode of 1984 with the "20 minutes of hate." But just because that sells, that does not change our obligations.

Honestly, I've never seen TPU as having aspiration to be serious. I don't know why you did.

No offense, but just few years back TPU was doing a series about hostesses on gaming events. Have you forgot?
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/?category=Booth Babes

TPU is a decentralized amateur project: there is no office, there is no actual company behind it and there's hardly any liability for the content they post. It's slightly grey market, unofficial. It aims a particular niche of consumers. It's not very open for other stuff.
It has it's charm. It's just not for everyone.

 

[ssdpro]

For the record I am 100% happy, MSI issued a statement and TPU updated their erroneous earlier article. All good as long as people correct their mistakes. Perhaps people will learn from it - MSI can clamp down on employees going off script, TPU might try and confirm rumor before rushing to publish.

 

[NRANM]

How do you know they want to be taken seriously?

Don't they? I thought that would be a safe assumption considering the overall content on the website: reviews, databases, software development, etc.

And if TPU isn't/shouldn't be taken seriously, then what's left for most other "tech" websites out there, whose "reviews" are so haphazardly made that they are borderline unboxings. Not that this isn't also present here on TPU at times, but the most important reviews (CPU and GPU) are some of the best out there.

Tabloids outsell serious press. This is what people want. This is what makes money.

Yes, they do outsell the serious press, however I was under the impression TPU wasn't in that category. I was also under the impression that TPU was closer to a hobby project, and not made exclusively with profitability in mind. Of course, I could be wrong.

That's all based on your assumption that TPU should handle this like The Times, not The Sun.

That is based on my assumption that TPU should handle things in general in a professional and objective manner. As any respectable news outlet should.
If TPU wants "teh moneyz from clikz", then can go the BuzzFeed route, but I doubt that would go well with its core audience, which is TPU's core audience for a reason.

It's not about reporting truth. It's about reporting.

I cannot believe I actually read that. Is this some kind of a sick joke?
Of course it's about reporting the truth. Otherwise we move into gossip, and maybe even straight out lies territory.

You put a story about "greedy MSI" on the front page on Monday and a tiny correction on the 3rd page on Tuesday. That's how it's been done for generations. TPU isn't innovating in any way.

The point isn't that TPU reported something incorrectly and then issued an update/correction. The point is that this update/correction would not have been necessary at all and that this whole ordeal could have been avoided if the people responsible for the "news" publication kept their heads cool, exercised a bit of patience, and handled the issue a bit differently.

By your logic, TPU can just report every single rumor that appears on Twitter/Reddit/whatever, regardless how outlandish it might sound. They can always issue corrections later, right?

EDIT...

TPU is a decentralized amateur project: there is no office, there is no actual company behind it and there's hardly any liability for the content they post. It's slightly grey market, unofficial. It aims a particular niche of consumers. It's not very open for other stuff.
It has it's charm. It's just not for everyone.

Then let me put it this way. We who criticize how TPU handled this do it because we want to hold TPU to the high standards it has set for itself throughout its lifetime.

 

[the54thvoid]

I think the posts are now so far off topic, that the thread surely has run its course? MSI low level dude says something, now MSI have clarified it. Arguing about TPU championing in-depth journalism is pointless.

I'm not getting involved but what does matter is that the initial article, regardless of your view of it, is updated and superceded by this one. That is the basis of truthful news. Get it wrong (ish) and then make a correction. When people talk about fake news, that is something very different and far more insidious. Fake news does not correct itself. At least TPU has.

 

[R0H1T]

I think the only thing left there was emails

 

[notb]

Don't they? I thought that would be a safe assumption considering the overall content on the website: reviews, databases, software development, etc.

Gaming, HR news, gaming, overclocking, more gaming.

Databases? Software development? Where?

And if TPU isn't/shouldn't be taken seriously, then what's left for most other "tech" websites out there, whose "reviews" are so haphazardly made that they are borderline unboxings. Not that this isn't also present here on TPU at times, but the most important reviews (CPU and GPU) are some of the best out there.

GPUs reviews are easy to read and compare which is pretty much all you can expect. It's gaming. Not much more can be done.
CPU reviews are badly thought out - showing very little interest in real life scenarios (other than gaming, obviously).

While I don't know much about overclocking and can't comment on that, I do know one or two things about measuring noise or airflow, so I see some methodology problems there.

TPU also makes reviews of many other products. Some are good (cases), some are average at best.
And some are just weird (gaming chair, seriously?).
It makes you think TPU reviews everything they get from manufacturers (which I understand if that's the source of income).

Yes, they do outsell the serious press, however I was under the impression TPU wasn't in that category. I was also under the impression that TPU was closer to a hobby project, and not made exclusively with profitability in mind. Of course, I could be wrong.

I guess they would at least want to cover the costs. But they're not doing this exclusively (at least not those that have linkedin profiles).

The point isn't that TPU reported something incorrectly and then issued an update/correction. The point is that this update/correction would not have been necessary at all and that this whole ordeal could have been avoided if the people responsible for the "news" publication kept their heads cool, exercised a bit of patience, and handled the issue a bit differently.

All news agencies make mistakes - even the best, serious ones. They all post corrections. That's how it works. You can't confirm everything. You can't be sure your source is correct. And you can make simple mistakes on the way.
Problem with the original MSI text is not the content, but how it was written.

By your logic, TPU can just report every single rumor that appears on Twitter/Reddit/whatever, regardless how outlandish it might sound. They can always issue corrections later, right?

I'm not saying they should do this or that I'd like it. But it's one of the ways. Potentialy quite successful if we measured it by number of views.

 

[drade]

Hate to break it to you: First article = Fake News. Reddit is not a credible source. Must verify multiple sources with measurable objective evidence to make such a claim. The wording was quite bias, and frankly, inappropriate. Good for MSI. Quite disappointed here.

 

[micropage7]

MSI itself admitted that the misinformation came from MSI.

i think it's a good start where they admitted something that not right and fix them then

 

[NRANM]

Databases? Software development? Where?

Are you being intentionally dense?
The CPU, GPU and review databases? The "Databases" drop-down menu on the website?
GPU-Z, Memtest64, Real Temp, TPUCapture? The "Our Software" drop-down menu on the website?

I hope I don't need to provide a screenshot.

TPU also makes reviews of many other products. Some are good (cases), some are average at best.

Cases reviews are good? Really? No thermal and noise (some of the primary parameters of a chassis) testing and measurements puts those reviews in the "glorified unboxing" category.

All news agencies make mistakes - even the best, serious ones. They all post corrections. That's how it works. You can't confirm everything. You can't be sure your source is correct. And you can make simple mistakes on the way.

Yes, everyone makes mistakes, however, there is a difference between doing your best to avoid making said mistakes and being negligent (whether it is for clicks, or laziness, or something else).

 

[rtwjunkie]

Except MSI confirming it of course, but let's just ignore that little detail shall we?

They didn’t have any choice. Their low level employee committed them to something. This is why most large organizations are very careful about letting low level employees say things that commit them badly to an idea, premise, or fact. Having been and still part of multiple large organizations from corporations to government to military, I know this.

 

[Fatalfury]

TPU showing who's boss ...hehe

Well played TPU, Well played.

 

[RH92]

Then maybe you didn't understand the point of the article.

No i believe the issue here is YOU don't undertstand why so many TPU members here complain about the article !

We as a community expect from TPU some proper Journalism because this is what we have been used to , im afraid that the original article was exactly the opposite . Instead of roasting MSI like they did in the original article based on what is objectively minimal evidence , TPU staff should had simply presented the facts and reached MSI for official comments . Then and only then make a follow-up with conclusions !

This is how proper journalism works otherwise you are doing sensationnalisme , something we are not used to on TPU and hopefully never be !

Are you being intentionally dense?

After having multiple discussions with the guy i came to the same conclusion .... well this or it's a natural gift

 

[Carminus]

Oh my, so TPU reported the story correctly!!! Really!!! Read this from TPU's own story....

'Greedy motherboard vendors such as MSI want you to buy a new motherboard every two generations of processor for no sound reason at all. '

Does that sound like an unbiased new story at all!!!! How many greedy motherboard vendors are out there? who are these greedy motherboard vendors? please name these greedy motherboard vendors? and most importantly, please provide some proof of this?

TPU could have written this any number of ways, and then checked up with MSI directly to get an answer but of course not, this is not reporting, this is just personalised bias of the highest order mascarading as a new story. What has happened to objectively handling a news worthy story? Also those days are gone because, and lets just be honest here, it's all about sensationalism to drive clicks and of course in turn money....

That was my take as well. I am new here, a refugee from [H]ardocp. When I saw that headline it felt like I was reading something from the theinquirer. If this keeps up, I might look for a new place for tech "news".

 

[lexluthermiester]

No i believe the issue here is YOU don't understand why so many TPU members here complain about the article !

Oh, I understand perfectly. It's just that I see the same big picture btarunr sees and those complaining don't seem to.

We as a community expect from TPU some proper Journalism because this is what we have been used to , im afraid that the original article was exactly the opposite .

That's your opinion and because you don't see the big picture, it's your problem.

After having multiple discussions with the guy i came to the same conclusion .... well this or it's a natural gift

Osmium might have a similar gift...

They didn’t have any choice. Their low level employee committed them to something. This is why most large organizations are very careful about letting low level employees say things that commit them badly to an idea, premise, or fact.

Exactly! AND what was the message sent back? Effectively "MSI, don't do this or you will suffer public wrath and we will help start it.". You complainers are missing a very important point, TPU has been a part of sending a clear message to MSI that failing to keep in line with AMD's commitment to generational support will result in public outrage. This is simultaneously sending that same message to every other board maker. Should those board makers screw over the public, there will huge problems for them. Instead of blasting btarunr/TPU maybe you should look at the bigger picture, for just a moment, and THINK.

That was my take as well. I am new here, a refugee from [H]ardocp. When I saw that headline it felt like I was reading something from the theinquirer. If this keeps up, I might look for a new place for tech "news".

TPU is a different place than HardOCP was. Stick around a bit longer and you might understand things a bit better. Or not, it's up to you.

 

[zlobby]

No offense, but just few years back TPU was doing a series about hostesses on gaming events. Have you forgot?
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/?category=Booth Babes

We need this category updated ASAP!

I always liked the displayed hardware and its packaging.

 

[moproblems99]

Exactly! AND what was the message sent back? Effectively "MSI, don't do this or you will suffer public wrath and we will help start it.". You complainers are missing a very important point, TPU has been a part of sending a clear message to MSI that failing to keep in line with AMD's commitment to generational support will result in public outrage. This is simultaneously sending that same message to every other board maker. Should those board makers screw over the public, there will huge problems for them. Instead of blasting btarunr/TPU maybe you should look at the bigger picture, for just a moment, and THINK.

So what your saying is guilty until proven innocent. Got it.

 

[GoldenX]

So what your saying is guilty until proven innocent. Got it.

So big corporations and states should be treated as innocent until proven guilty. Got it.

 

[TheMadDutchDude]

It has come to our attention that MSI Customer Support has regrettably misinformed an MSI customer with regards to potential support for next-gen AMD CPUs on the MSI X370 XPOWER GAMING TITANIUM motherboard. Through this statement we want clarify the current situation

At this point, we are still performing extensive testing on our existing lineup of 300- and 400-series AM4 motherboards to verify potential compatibility for the next-gen AMD Ryzen CPUs. To be clear: Our intention is to offer maximum compatibility for as many MSI products as possible. Towards the launch of the next-gen AMD CPUs, we will release a compatibility list of MSI AM4 motherboards.

Source: Forbes.

 

[RH92]

Oh, I understand perfectly. It's just that I see the same big picture btarunr sees and those complaining don't seem to.

You complainers are missing a very important point, TPU has been a part of sending a clear message to MSI that failing to keep in line with AMD's commitment to generational support will result in public outrage. This is simultaneously sending that same message to every other board maker.

Well no im afraid you still don't . You say you see the big picture but ( without disrespect ) it turns out that the big picture was only in your head !

See this is the issue here you come up with the assumption that MSI indeed intented to not support 300series and that TPU message made it clear to them it was a wrong move but the thing is such an assumption is totally or partially false since it can't be verified after you pulled the guns . Hence why TPU should had asked MSI for official statement before making any conclusion ( read pulling the guns ) in order to verify this assumption , had TPU done such a thing we would had all been 100% behind TPU !

Saying you agree with the first article because you see the general picture is like saying you open fire on a group of 10 peoples because you assumed there was 1 armed guy among them , you kill them all then it turns out that none of them was armed but you don't regret cause it sends a message to the rest ....... well im sorry but this is not journalism nommater what picture you see !

I hope i made it as clear as possible .

 

[lexluthermiester]

You say you see the big picture but ( without disrespect ) it turns out that the big picture was only in your head !

Your opinion, not supported by the events that have transpired. Wait for it though...

See this is the issue here you come up with the assumption

I didn't come up with anything at all. What I have been doing is supporting the conclusions others have made.

that MSI indeed intented to not support 300series

This was directly stated by the tech support rep.

the thing is such an assumption is totally or partially false since it can't be verified after you pulled the guns

Except that MSI confirmed the statement made by the tech support rep and gave official input on the subject. So effectively you've just proven you do not understand the sequence and circumstances of events and thus the big picture.

Hence why TPU should had asked MSI for official statement

You're assuming they didn't. You're also assuming that MSI didn't ignore them. Are you expecting TPU to share all their correspondence to prove up? Never gonna happen.

Saying you agree with the first article because you see the general picture is like saying you open fire on a group of 10 peoples because you thought there was 1 armed guy among them , you kill them all then it turns out that non of them was armed but you don't regret cause it sends a message to the rest ....... well im sorry but this is not journalism nommater what picture you see !

That is the single most intellectually bereft statement I've read this year, and there's been some whoppers so far.

I hope i made it as clear as possible .

You've most definitely made a few things clear, that much is certain.

So what your saying is guilty until proven innocent. Got it.

That isn't what I said or even implied.

What bta posted yesterday was absolutely not news, it was tabloid/yellow journalism at its worst

That is your opinion, not supported by evidence.