Is MSI fast-becoming the 2nd largest motherboard manufacturer?

kwalkingcraze

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Because there's over 500 MSI LGA1151 board models to choose from, a 300% increase from LGA1150 before. And now MSI just entered the OEM desktop PCs and laptop market.
 
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UsandThem

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They have a long way to go before catching up to Asus and Gigabyte.

Just because they have a lot of different versions of motherboards, doesn't mean they sell all of them in high volume. That's the trend with the manufacturers; Having many different boards to increase profit (Many have same PCB, just different inexpensive dressings).

I haven't seen any 2016 figures, but here is one from 2015 where both Asus and Gigabyte roughly shipped two times the amount of boards in Q1:

https://www.kitguru.net/components/...ined-top-mainboards-makers-in-q1-2015-report/
 

Shmee

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From what I have seen and heard, I am not sure I would necessarily put Gigabyte over MSI. For comporable models, Gigabyte may have some extra features at times, but IMO MSI and Asus UEFI implementation is way better. Just from my own experience. Of course it depends on the board series and what you are looking for.
 

UsandThem

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From what I have seen and heard, I am not sure I would necessarily put Gigabyte over MSI. For comporable models, Gigabyte may have some extra features at times, but IMO MSI and Asus UEFI implementation is way better. Just from my own experience. Of course it depends on the board series and what you are looking for.

I would take no issue with that statement. I own a Gigabyte Z170 board, and their BIOS support was, to be nice, lacking. Google "Gigabyte F2* update", and there is literally thousands of pages of issues.

I think when the term "first tier" is the shear amount of boards Asus and Gigabyte ships combined. They probably together control 70% (rough guess, not gospel) of retail and OEM boards (I have had Asus made boards come in HP towers).

I have used Gigabyte (amongst other brands) over the years, but I probably will not going forward until the BIOS/software side is fixed. I said this in another thread, but take the Asus Z170A which was released at the same time as my board, and it has almost double the amount of BIOS updates. I also have a system with an Asus board, and one with an Asrock, and the support has been much better than Gigabyte. However, hardware/design-wise, the Gigabyte board is impressive.
 
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kwalkingcraze

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According to Newegg, Asus has 617 models, MSI has 595, Gigabyte has 310, and ASRock only has 95 models to choose. But still, 595 different MSI board models is pretty impressive, and they officially sold more boards than ASRock for sure. Each model is about 20-30 boards in-stock in Newegg warehouse, so it's 14,000 new MSI LGA1151 boards total. Some are open-box, about 800 total.

Is something great coming from MSI?
 

UsandThem

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According to Newegg, Asus has 617 models, MSI has 595, Gigabyte has 310, and ASRock only has 95 models to choose. But still, 595 different MSI board models is pretty impressive, and they officially sold more boards than ASRock for sure. Each model is about 20-30 boards in-stock in Newegg warehouse, so it's 14,000 new MSI LGA1151 boards total. Some are open-box, about 800 total.

Is something great coming from MSI?


Once again, just because they have more models, it does not mean they sell more units. And I have to ask where are you getting the figures of Newegg only having 20-30 units in stock of each board, for a total inventory of 14,000?

I'm not sure why you seem so enamoured with MSI? They are simply a manufacturer who has branched out their product portfolio (like Asus did). They will make some good products, and some bad ones, just like the other manufacturers.

I will give them credit though: At least they have greatly improved their RMA rate from what is was a few short years ago (where they routinely didn't finish too great).

http://www.hardware.fr/articles/944-2/cartes-meres.html
 

l1amrob

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I'm not sure why you seem so enamoured with MSI? They are simply a manufacturer who has branched out their product portfolio (like Asus did). They will make some good products, and some bad ones, just like the other manufacturers.

I will give them credit though: At least they have greatly improved their RMA rate from what is was a few short years ago (where they routinely didn't finish too great).

http://www.hardware.fr/articles/944-2/cartes-meres.html

Personally only had bad experiences with MSI lately... :(
And their support doesnt help things.
 

UsandThem

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Actually,none of the names mentioned so far are remotely the largest. The largest by far is Foxconn. Dell, HP, and Intel branded boards are all made by them.

See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn


That wikilink you posted says
"Foxconn is the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer,[3] and the third-largest information technology company by revenue".

Of course they are large because they manufacture a lot of different products (Apple, cell phones, gaming consoles, etc.). My socket on my Gigabyte motherboard was also came from Foxconn (stamped on the plastic socket protector).

Asus is the world's largest branded motherboard manufacturer, followed by Gigabyte. Also, HP and Dell source their motherboards out to many different companies/manufacturers. I have an HP here that came with an Asus motherboard (bought 2014), and one with a Pegatron (bought 2015).

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/66374.aspx

https://www.kitguru.net/components/...ined-top-mainboards-makers-in-q1-2015-report/
 

wingman04

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I have a Gigabyte Z170 and I like it a lot. It has all the fetures and perforamce I could use for overclocking. Gigabyte did a great job with the F21 Bios update.

The changes are Gigabyte recalibrated the CPU VID output scale lower when using Dynamic DVID or stock. They went from VID of 1.287v F6 Bios to 1.178v F21 Bios, so I had to set my DVID from +0.070v to +0.160v to achieve 1.332v Vcore with my old i5 6600k. The new i5 7600k does not need that much voltage at 4.6GHz so I run stock voltage.

The The BIOS has a new color Scheme and layout from the Z270s, they also have the new smart fan 5 settings. I now have an option to use Intel Speed Shift.

I have my i5 7600k overclocked to 4.6GHz and my G.SKILL memory on XMP 3200 speed and everything works sweet.
 

kwalkingcraze

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For the first time ever in history, there are now more MSI board models to choose from than Asus. For LGA1151 socket, Newegg now shows 532 MSI and 528 Asus. It will continue to widen. This is indeed a transformation you need to take notice, as MSI used to be the smallest board maker 5-7 years ago. MSI wants to be the 2nd largest after Asus, and maybe be #1 largest by 2020. This war should look interesting.

When I shopped for AMD FM1 boards back in 2012, NONE of the MSI FM1 boards offered HDMI output and had the lowest number sales. Fry's Electronics couldn't sell their MSI FM1 non-HDMI boards for $15 as we're still digesting from 2008 recession. Today at $15 is a steal. How time flies fast.

What this means? Time to switch to MSI if Asus is losing sales?
 
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UsandThem

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For the first time ever in history, there are now more MSI board models to choose from than Asus. For LGA1151 socket, Newegg now shows 532 MSI and 528 Asus. It will continue to widen. This is indeed a transformation you need to take notice, as MSI used to be the smallest board maker 5-7 years ago. MSI wants to be the 2nd largest after Asus, and maybe be #1 largest by 2020. This war should look interesting.

I have to ask, but why are you so obsessed with MSI? Normally people don't go to Newegg to count motherboard models, and then post it to computer forums.

What this means? Time to switch to MSI if Asus is losing sales?

Either you're new, are an employee, or you're trolling. Just because you claim MSI has more motherboard models, people should just simply stop using boards made by other manufacturers? :confused:

We get it, you love MSI. Maybe send them a present, or a Hallmark card?
 
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CuriousMike

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Enamored and obsessed....

I've had numerous MSI boards over the last decade, mostly they come as the add-on board to a cheap CPU+mobo package at Fry's or Microcenter.

Other than MILITARY GRADE splashed on every box, I don't have anything to complain about - their features range from "enough" to "enough++" and none have died.
 

UsandThem

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Some people have their favorite brands, and will only buy that brand. However, I think most people buy what fits their needs, is on sale, or maybe it's simply a well reviewed model. All of the motherboard manufacturers make some really good boards, as well as some real duds.

I have used MSI back in the late 90s/early 2000s, and they really weren't anything special back then. I have read that they really improved their motherboard lineup, so I might give them a shot in the future. However, I think they make the best video cards (at least the Gaming models with the Frozr cooling).

I mean, I really like Noctua products, but then again I don't create threads professing my love for them like this thread, telling people to not buy other brands because Noctua has the most models. That's just a tad bit odd, at least to me......
 

kwalkingcraze

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I have to ask, but why are you so obsessed with MSI? Normally people don't go to Newegg to count motherboard models, and then post it to computer forums.



Either you're new, are an employee, or you're trolling. Just because you claim MSI has more motherboard models, people should just simply stop using boards made by other manufacturers? :confused:

We get it, you love MSI. Maybe send them a present, or a Hallmark card?
NO, I don't work for MSI at all, but I've been shocked lately with all the new products MSI is releasing out. Now at Costco, there's a MSI gaming pre-built computer, we didn't have that before. MSI used to compete with the low-end models and produced a lot of AMD A55 chipset boards, many times FREE after rebate. This is not the normal marketing behavior I've expected from MSI, before it was only 1/3 size of Asus with LGA1150 socket.

Either you care or not, MSI is not the same company as before starting with LGA1151 and AM4 sockets. Prices are rising too, I don't like it actually. I just bought the older MSI Z170M Mortar because it is less fancy-looking and $100 cheaper than Z270M Mortar it replaced.
 
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UsandThem

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Either you care or not, MSI is not the same company as before starting with LGA1151 and AM4 sockets. Prices are rising too, I don't like it actually. I just bought the older MSI Z170M Mortar because it is less fancy-looking and $100 cheaper than Z270M Mortar it replaced.

Just not sure what your angle is. Back when I first got into computers, companies like Asus and Gigabyte only made motherboards, but the motherboard market became over-saturated with too many companies, and profit margins were tighter. They eventually ventured out into a broader product line-up. Most of the companies that didn't do this either went out of business or were bought.

That said, I just can't recall seeing a post like yours laying love on a company, their product line-up, and size. Something just smells fishy. It's one thing to like a company's products, but to take the time to look up their products on Newegg, and declare they are on their way to overtake Gigabyte and Asus is a whole different kind of 'WUT'? In other words, you are not only drinking the Kool Aid, you are here trying to pour it for people.
 

kwalkingcraze

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That said, I just can't recall seeing a post like yours laying love on a company, their product line-up, and size. Something just smells fishy. It's one thing to like a company's products, but to take the time to look up their products on Newegg, and declare they are on their way to overtake Gigabyte and Asus is a whole different kind of 'WUT'? In other words, you are not only drinking the Kool Aid, you are here trying to pour it for people.
I work for the PC repair industry, and I've bought and installed all motherboard brands. MSI has been one of my more-troublesome brands, actually, most common problem is it gets stuck at secure boot mode launch with MSI screen and doesn't boot. I've seen pros and cons for each brand. Asus has the hardest BIOS to set up and I don't like their prices, Gigabyte boards are built a little better and more-reliable than Asus, ASRock don't make that many boards and models and can be difficult to find one used for replacement, ECS was one of the earliest maker to offer secure-boot with better than expected reliability for low-end market, and Biostar is a rarely-known maker now.

For MSI, they are the easiest to update BIOS and getting all the latest drivers, but has the highest percentage of warranty claims I've seen. The parts they used are a little more cheaper quality than average. As long as they have a lot of mail in rebates, I wouldn't be surprised if MSI, one day, will overtake Asus.

I was just surprised, that's all, and the changing shift in MSI's direction.
 

wingman04

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I work for the PC repair industry, and I've bought and installed all motherboard brands. MSI has been one of my more-troublesome brands, actually, most common problem is it gets stuck at secure boot mode launch with MSI screen and doesn't boot. I've seen pros and cons for each brand. Asus has the hardest BIOS to set up and I don't like their prices, Gigabyte boards are built a little better and more-reliable than Asus, ASRock don't make that many boards and models and can be difficult to find one used for replacement, ECS was one of the earliest maker to offer secure-boot with better than expected reliability for low-end market, and Biostar is a rarely-known maker now.

For MSI, they are the easiest to update BIOS and getting all the latest drivers, but has the highest percentage of warranty claims I've seen. The parts they used are a little more cheaper quality than average. As long as they have a lot of mail in rebates, I wouldn't be surprised if MSI, one day, will overtake Asus.

I was just surprised, that's all, and the changing shift in MSI's direction.
I find the same good things about Gigabyte over the years. What do you think is the easiest overclocking motherboard?
 

kwalkingcraze

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I find the same good things about Gigabyte over the years. What do you think is the easiest overclocking motherboard?
I would rate Asus easiest to overclock, but it doesn't earn the highest reliability by me (excluding TUF models, these have 5 year warranty). The least-reliable Asus board I've seen is M5A78L-M//USB3 AM3.
 

wingman04

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I would rate Asus easiest to overclock, but it doesn't earn the highest reliability by me (excluding TUF models, these have 5 year warranty). The least-reliable Asus board I've seen is M5A78L-M//USB3 AM3.
What PC repair industry do you work for?
 
Mar 10, 2006
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From what I have seen and heard, I am not sure I would necessarily put Gigabyte over MSI. For comporable models, Gigabyte may have some extra features at times, but IMO MSI and Asus UEFI implementation is way better. Just from my own experience. Of course it depends on the board series and what you are looking for.

I like MSI's UEFI, but on the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon, the UI -- while it looks nice -- is SLOOOWWWW.

I hope this gets fixed in a future BIOS update.
 

IndyColtsFan

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I like MSI's UEFI, but on the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon, the UI -- while it looks nice -- is SLOOOWWWW.

I hope this gets fixed in a future BIOS update.

I have used Gigabyte boards in several PCs over the years and bought the X370 Aorus Gaming K5 in a bundle for my first Ryzen build. Let's just say that while the board looks very nice, I was shocked at horrible and SLOW their UEFI UI was - slow, non-intuitive, and it lacked lots of features they showed in some of their overclocking guides. Contrast that to the Asrock X370 Taichi I just used in another Ryzen build and it is a night and day difference - so much so that I probably won't use Gigabyte (or at least anything from their Aorus line) again. I'm not sure why, in 2017, we're seeing slow UEFI UIs!

In terms of MSI, I've frankly never had issues with their products. I used their top-end nForce3 board for my Athlon 64 build and my last two video cards have been MSI and I've been pleased. My brother also has one of the higher end Z87 or Z97 MSI gaming boards (don't recall the name) and never had an issue. I'd consider an MSI board for my Threadripper or Coffee Lake builds, but I really like the Asus/Asrock UEFI and options and would likely stick to them.
 
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