MSI X99S GAMING 7 (Intel LGA 2011v3)

[The Von Matrices]

I just want to see the memory running at that XMP profile of 47.5 THz at 0.000V. You're the memory expert, so I'm sure you can do it.

Performance would be underwhelming though with a CAS latency of 2.15 billion clocks, making its nominal latency a painfully slow 0.5 miliseconds.

 

[TheHunter]

You can send me that X99 deluxe when done

 

[TheHunter]

@cadaveca

Can 5820K do 4.6ghz and cache 4.2ghz at reasonable voltage? ie 1.25v for core and 1.15v for cache

 

[cadaveca]

@cadaveca

Can 5820K do 4.6ghz and cache 4.2ghz at reasonable voltage? ie 1.25v for core and 1.15v for cache

NO idea, don't have one, and would need many before I could assess such.

 

[radrok]

Thank you for the review Dave, do you have any idea when the RVE comes available in retail? Kinda waiting for that one

EDIT: Found it for preorder on my go-to shopping website, thank you anyway

 

[The Von Matrices]

I think you should give some consideration to PCIe slots layout in the review score. You mention the PCIe x1 slots getting blocked, but you forget about the PCIe x16 slots. One thing I've noticed with these X99 boards is that their PCIe x16 slot arrangements are all different and many times suboptimal for multi-GPU use. This likely comes down to manufactures trying to deal with the varying number of lanes on the CPU. One of the target markets of the HEDT platform is multi-GPU users, so I think this should be a concern to address.

For example, this MSI board recommends that when using 2 GPUs they be put in the top two PCIe x16 slots so they both get 16 lanes (or 16/8 lanes with the 5820K). However, those recommended slots only have one slot in between them. In other words, when using 2-way SLI/Crossfire using standard 2-slot air cooled cards, the top card gets choked for air, and it's not even possible to use two 3-slot cards (like many of the custom R9 290X) in this motherboard's recommended configuration.

For optimal air cooling performance with two 2-slot cards or to even use two 3-slot cards, you would have to use slot 1 and 6 (or 5 for the 5820K), which would then be an 16/8 configuration (or a 8/8 configuration for the 5820K). While I know that the difference in actual performance between 8 and 16 lanes is minuscule, I can imagine the reduction in PCIe lanes for the sake of better cooling would be a dealbreaker for a lot of people, particularly those who are buying the platform for the PCIe lanes. Perhaps more importantly, this layout would require you to have a case with support for 8 PCIe slots (or 9 PCIe slots for 3-slot cards), which eliminates about 90% of the cases on the market.

 

[cadaveca]

Great feedback. As a user of Tri-SLI GTX780 Ti myself, THIS IS something that I consider. I also consider addition of RAID card or similar, too, with HEDT platforms. When it comes to the MSI X99 GAMING 7 in particular, it is these factors as well as my experience using it with both Micron- and Hynix-based memory, overclocking, power consumption, price, performance, and ease of use, that dictated the final score.



Also consider that I posted pictures of the boards I have on-hand above (and I have received a few more since), so my rating isn't based on just one board, but out of a bunch of boards. Of course, you'll have to wait for my other reviews to come out to see the full picture here from my use of this platform, but you can rest assured that your comments are ones that I do consider when doing my reviews.

 

[pokazene_maslo]

any idea if this board support speed control of 3-pin fans?

@cadaveca: It would be great if you could examine every board for 4-pin and 3-pin fan control possibilities.

 

[cadaveca]

any idea if this board support speed control of 3-pin fans?

@cadaveca: It would be great if you could examine every board for 4-pin and 3-pin fan control possibilities.

Will add it to my fan investigations. Thanks for the idea!

 

[OldPower]

Dear Dave:

Is not right as for example: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/Z87-GD65_GAMING/1.html is editor's choice with single 9.0

Happy end of year parties![/QUOTE]

9.5 and higher.