Now that we have run through the benchmarks and given the motherboard an up-close inspection, it is time to wrap up this review by compiling everything into a few talking points. As always, we start with what MSI could improve upon with general design criticism and end on a positive note if there is one.

First thing to get out of the way is the expectation that this motherboard has the ability to defy logic by allowing multiple high bandwidth devices and add-on cards to operate at the same time without penalties. If you are already deep into the tech scene, you will know that is of course impossible as AMD Ryzen CPUs only have a certain number of PCIe lanes available at any given time. For example, If you want to use all four M.2 sockets, be prepared to lose other connections. This ultimately results in some SATA and a PCIE slot being disabled as bandwidth is allocated elsewhere in certain configurations. It isn't an exclusively MSI-specific problem either; rather, the information required to understand these trade-offs is often hidden away in the footnotes of the specifications on the product page and requires the buyer to specifically look for it.

No single solution is the best choice for everyone, either. Strict compliance in matching the total number of available PCIe lanes would mean removing some M.2 sockets or a PCIe slot and additional SATA ports, which would be overly restrictive as no one consumer's needs are the same. Some want to use four M.2 NVMe drives, while others prefer using all eight SATA ports instead. That having been said, a warning sticker on impacted slots and ports would have been nice, as it could have saved potential headaches when devices do not show up and you are left wondering why.

With these frustrating limitations of the AM4 platform out of the way, it's time to move on to the quality-of-life fixes that could help MSI's quest of best-possible product to set this collaboration apart from the competition. To showcase the benefits of watercooling designed specifically for said system, the lack of active cooling included for the top M.2 socket is disappointing. It may not provide any additional performance benefits, but high temperatures have had M.2 read and write rates drop drastically in the past. For the average use case, this decrease in transfer speeds is not meaningful. However, it would increase the value of this product instead of buying a motherboard and CPU waterblock separately.

MSI's collaboration with EKWB for the MSI MPG X570S Carbon EK X is unique, but not as uncommon as it once since it isn't restricted to boutique showcases anymore. Watercooling is becoming more mainstream inside the PC enthusiast community. It seems the big four—MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, and ASUS—all have at least one motherboard with watercooling attractions as the primary selling point. Some may find the general price of entry for a custom loop too costly. It starts anywhere at $300 to $500 in parts alone. Include a case and motherboard like this MSI Carbon EK X edition and it really adds up. This tends to set a tone for things to come. Many newcomers may look for cheaper alternatives, like all-in-one (AIO) coolers because it does a great job as well. However, once you put the money down, these parts can last for years and are reused over and over again.

The MSI MPG X570S Carbon EK X brings plenty of features that make it a well-rounded product for consumers looking to upgrade from the older AM4-based chipset or wanting a great deal on a platform that has matured enough for many long-term problems to have been resolved. Using the X570S chipset was the best choice for MSI even though it probably is the last AM4 chipset to enter the market. While AMD has not ruled out future CPUs using 3D V-Cache, node shrink or a Zen 4-based CPU for this socket, it should not be expected. Assume what is available today to be the last AM4 CPUs.

That having been said, this isn't meant to dissuade buyers from purchasing AM4. In fact, this platform still has plenty of life left in it and provides a cheaper alternative to new, upcoming platforms. The X570S chipset is a fanless design that works well with this motherboard and subsequently the entire computer system designed around watercooling. MSI's use of the MPG Carbon MAX WiFi as a starting point was a smart choice as it has a robust overclocking feature set for the CPU and memory. The inclusion of WiFi 6E, high-fidelity audio, and tons of USB ports means it stands to be a well-rounded product on its own.

Watercooling is not for everyone as the initial investment may be over-budget for many. Those who are getting into custom watercooling for the first time won't find the price point unreasonable in comparison to other choices. However, unless you absolutely need a monoblock, buying an MPG Carbon MAX WiFi with an EKWB Velocity CPU block separately is considerably less pricey solution, which brings up the question of whether the monoblock is even worth the premium. Well, that is going to depend on the user. Those who just want the basics benefits watercooling can provide over a good all-in-one cooler should consider going a different route. Those specifically looking for a monoblock solution may as well be disappointed, too. The reality is that this monoblock isn't anything special and deviates little from the standard. The issue stems from this monoblock not standing out as something designed specifically for this motherboard. Yes, it has to be milled for this exact VRM layout, but that doesn't always translate into a "wow" factor.

To reiterate, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the monoblock itself, it just does not present itself with the vibe of belonging to this setup. Of course, aesthetic opinions are subjective in nature, which brings us to the end of this review. MSI's collaboration with EKWB keeps things up to date with the newest chipset and technology available to the AM4 platform. With a powerful VRM setup and a monoblock to keep temperatures in check, the MSI MPG X570S Carbon EK X is a well-rounded product with a few minor flaws. This MSI EKWB collaboration could have been another masterpiece, but instead falls a bit short in meeting the high expectations set by watercooling enthusiasts.