MSI x99s and x99a Gaming 7 boards, difference worth it ?

[DavidinCT]

Hi all,

Been ratting my brains and try to find everything I can about the difference in these boards but, I can only find one.

The only difference on the "Gaming 7" boards I have seen, is it offers USB 3.1 on the back (no ports on the board to add to a front case or anything).

SO the "A" is newer and with that comes more expensive ($50+ depending on where you look).

Is there any more difference between these 2 boards besides USB 3.1 that one could dump in a $15 card a year from now **IF** USB 3.1 is really needed ??

Thanks, trying to figure this out for weeks now..

 

[nutternatter34]

Each MSI motherboard I've owned since the P67 series has had issues with the USB 3 headers, the S99S Sli Plus included. Changing the 3.0 front ports won't help. 3.1 is very early it probably won't work properly by the time devices appear.

Forumers are going to tell you to get the cheaper board and that MSI is great. I'm going to tell you to search for the term 'msi usb 3 issues' and to visit the manufacturers motherboard forum, read the first ten pages.

Sincerely, An MSI motherboard user.

 

[DavidinCT]

Oh, sorry, I did some homework and for the most part I have not seen many USB problems on the X99s/a models. Some but, not so much that it could affect me that much.

My question is really is the difference between the X99s and the X99a worth the $50-75 difference and is there more than just USB 3.1 ?