MSI x58

[jmekelb]

I'm in the process of building an i7 rig. I need help deciding between the MSI Pro and the MSI Platinum SLI. I am planning on running crossfire but have no intention of using the SLI. Is there another difference between these two boards that should push me to spend the extra $40 on the platinum?

Pro:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130221

Platinum:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130220

*Edit* Also, the Pro doesn't list DDR3 1600 as a compatible memory speed. That's what I'm planning on installing. Will this board downgrade the speed of the memory?

 

[ashishmishra]

Firstly, even if you want to run SLI later you can always flash the x58 PRO with the x58 PRO SLI Bios (I have).
Secondly, no there is no such memory speed restriction on the mother board I am running my DDR3-1333 RAM at DDR3-1600 speeds @ 8-8-8-24 timings @ 1.65V.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

Just want to say I've had nothing but problems with MSI boards. Good luck.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: ExcaliburMM
Just want to say I've had nothing but problems with MSI boards. Good luck.

My P35 and P45 MSI boards have treated me VERY well but i've heard many people are having a lot of problems with the x58 boards from MSI so far.

 

[polarbear6]

well here in India, particularly in the place where i live, MSI service stinks

 

[jmekelb]

Thanks for the replies everyone. After doing a little more research, it seems the reviews are 50/50 on the MSI boards. When building a $2000 system, I'm not sure I want to take 50/50 risk on such an important component.

I still may ultimately go with an MSI but now I'm also considering the two below. My plan is to crossfire 4890's so I want a board with good spacing on two PCIe x16 slots. SLI & additional PCIe x16 slots are not important to me.

Thoughts?


Asus - $239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131359

EVGA - $244.99 (after mir)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813188046

 

[ashishmishra]

I got a good bundle deal for the MSI x58 PRO motherboard and RAM from ewiz.com, but if I was just buying a motherboard I would most probably go with the Asus P6T you linked to.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

The MSI X58 is a fantastic motherbaord.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

I've had the MSI x58 Pro for a few weeks now and haven't had a single issue that I could pin on the motherboard (Windows has frozen a couple times during boot, but not regularly). My new i7 rig has been pretty sweet so far. I don't overclock and I've got a single GTS250 though.

 

[winsantz]

On the one hand, the X58 Pro in my i7 box has given me nothing to complain about in the ~2 weeks that I've owned it, and I get the impression that a lot of the unfavorable early reviews were due to flaws corrected in BIOS revisions. On the other hand, reading the Newegg reviews in reverse chronological order suggests an recent uptick in DOA boards, and even the positive reviews usually mention the Northbridge heatsink getting absurdly hot (haven't actually checked this on mine). If I had your budget to work with I'd definitely spend a little more for peace of mind. (Not sure $60 really counts as "a little more", but for the foundation of your system it's probably worth it if you'd rather not live dangerously like me).

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: winsantz
even the positive reviews usually mention the Northbridge heatsink getting absurdly hot

I've found this to be a problem on pretty much all X58 boards I've worked with (MSI Eclipse, MSI Platinum, Asus P6T, Intel DX58SO). It basically happens if there is no air blowing DOWN on the chipset heatsinks. I was using a CoolIt Domino ALC water cooling kit, but I'm sure there will be similar results with the typical tower heatsink coolers. With the stock Intel cooler (which blows down) the chipset runs at much lower temperatures.