X99 Motherboard Preview Roundup

MSI X99S GAMING 7

RRP: £199.99

Specifications

• Expansion slots: Four 16x PCI-E (Two x16, Two x8) Two 1x PCI-E
  
• Networking: Killer E2205
  
• SATA Express support: YES
  
• M.2 Support: YES
  
• Storage: 1 x M.2, 1 x SATA Express, 10 x SATA 6Gbps
  
• USB: 12 x USB 3 (4 via X99 headers), 6 x USB 2 (4 via headers)
  
• Audio: Realtek ALC1150 with Audio Boost 2,
  Creative Labs Sound Blaster Cinema 2

The reputation of the X99S GAMING 7 hopefully follows in the footsteps trodden by others in MSI's Gaming brand, with its Z97 models proving to offer great balance between price, features and performance. We have high hopes for this one, not least of all because of its feature set and sub-£200 price tag.

The X99S GAMING 7 supports both SATA Express and M.2 along with four 16x PCI-E slots, with audio coming in the form of Realtek's ALC1150 bolstered with MSI's Audio Boost 2 and
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Cinema 2. It's one of the better-looking motherboards here, although it still can't hold a flame to Asus' X99 Deluxe, although the latter does cost a fair chunk more.

To round off a very neat and well laid out PCB, there are right-angled connectors galore plus on-board power and reset buttons, plus you can expect more slickness from MSI in the EFI department too.





That's it for our X99 motherboard preview roundup. We'll be back soon with full reviews of these interesting boards and do let us know what you think in the comments.