MSI Shows off its X99 Motherboard

[btarunr]

MSI showed off its very first LGA2011-2 motherboard, based on Intel's X99 Express chipset, supporting Core i7 "Haswell-E" HEDT processors. The unnamed board is still in its early stages of development, none of its product styling (colors, heatsinks/lack-thereof) are final. The board features eight DDR4 DIMM slots, with which it should support up to 64 GB of quad-channel DDR4 memory. The CPU is powered by an 8-phase VRM. Expansion slots include four PCI-Express 3.0 x16. Storage connectivity includes one each of SATA-Express, M.2, and eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Most of its connectors are not even placed, but one can expect multiple USB 3.0 ports, two gigabit Ethernet connections, Thunderbolt, etc.



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[INSTG8R]

I mean of course it's to early to tell but no M2 SSD? I would think on a "Top End" product like X99 it should have all the latest "bells and whistles"

 

[Breit]

I mean of course it's to early to tell but no M2 SSD? I would think on a "Top End" product like X99 it should have all the latest "bells and whistles"

The article says:

...Storage connectivity includes one each of SATA-Express, M.2, and eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Most of its connectors are not even placed, but one can expect multiple USB 3.0 ports, two gigabit Ethernet connections, Thunderbolt, etc.

Let's wait for the final products and then we'll see.

 

[INSTG8R]

The article says:


Let's wait for the final products and then we'll see.

Ah fair enough that.

 

[Aquinus]

I mean of course it's to early to tell but no M2 SSD? I would think on a "Top End" product like X99 it should have all the latest "bells and whistles"

You mean those 40 (CPU) + 8 (PCH) PCI-E lanes isn't enough?
We know X99 is going to have a ton of SATA 6GB and USB 3.0, but all in all. It looks like X79-based board with a modern PCH and DDR4. It might be a while until I retire my skt2011 rig.

 

[mr2009]

Although the connectors are not in place, the whole board already look too dense to include m.2 in it.
Edit:Even EVGA X99 too doesnt have M.2 on it...

 

[Breit]

to be honest, no one really needs m.2 when sata express is available, except for designs where space is very limited, but that's probably not the target for x99 anyway.

maybe that's the point why those manufacturers simply omit the m.2 slot? just guessing...

 

[Octavean]

Typically these types of boards are non-functional and for display purposes only.

I'm glad to see them though because I was reading an article a few days ago that said we wouldn't be seeing any Haswell-E hardware (which is clearly wrong now).

Having said that, this board does look like its in an unfinished state. Maybe they can fit in an M2 slot somewhere and so on. Still one can expect to pay a premium on Haswell-E boards so one would want the latest,....and the kitchen sink. So since some mainstream LGA1150 boards are sporting USB 3.1 why not USB 3.1 on LGA2011-3. We have also never seen Intel Thunderbolt on an Intel HEDT platform like Sandy Bridge-E / Ivy Bridge-E outside of the new Mac Pro. So I question if we will see Thunderbolt II on Haswell-E boards.

 

[INSTG8R]

Although the connectors are not in place, the whole board already look too dense to include m.2 in it.
Edit:Even EVGA X99 too doesnt have M.2 on it...

Was my thoughts as well.

 

[Hilux SSRG]

Early sample I know, but aesthetics look horrible.

 

[LeonVolcove]

Call me stupid or retard but i dont see any heat sink covering the chipset