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Firmware
With X870, MSI has updated its BIOS, renaming it “Click X,” and improved the aesthetic and functionality in the process. The company changed the format with the headings on the left side, details in the middle, and system status information on the right. Like most other board partners, it features an informational EZ Mode, which allows for limited functionality, including Game Boost, PBO, and more.
Overall, I like the new layout, and maneuvering around is intuitive after a short time, though it does take some getting used to. The dark, fading yellow/green background (that matches the board’s aesthetic) and white labeling are easy to read, and most of what you need is at your fingertips.
Software
MSI Center is a single utility that offers a wide range of functionality. From hardware monitoring to RGB control with Mystic Light, the software features numerous applets and serves as a one-stop shop for downloading additional utilities, including overclocking and fan control. Those looking to use the Gamebar feature, Super Charger, or any other utilities MSI offers will find them all in MSI Center.
Test System / Comparison Products
We’ve updated our test system to Windows 11 (23H2) 64-bit OS with all updates applied as of late September 2024 (this includes the Branch Prediction Optimizations for AMD). Hardware-wise, we’ve updated the RAM kits (matching our Intel test system), cooling, storage, and video card. Unless otherwise noted, we use the latest non-beta motherboard BIOS available to the public. The hardware we used is as follows:
TEST SYSTEM COMPONENTS
- CPU - AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Cooling - Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420
- Storage - Crucial 2TB T705 M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD
- RAM - Kingston Fury Beast DDR5-6000 CL36 (KF560C36BBEAK2-32)
- RAM - Teamgroup T-Froce Delta DDR5-7200 CL34 (FF3D518G7200HC34ABK)
- RAM - Klevv Cras XR5 RGB DDR5-8000 (KD5AGUA80-80R380S)
- GPU - Asus TUF RTX 4080 16G
- PSU - EVGA Supernova 850W P6
- Windows 11 64-bit (24H2)
- NVIDIA Driver 561.09
Sound | Integrated HD audio |
Network | Integrated Networking (GbE to 10 GbE) |
Graphics Driver | GeForce 561.09 |
Benchmark Settings
Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings | |
Procyon | Version 2.8.1352 64 Office 365, Video Editing (Premiere Pro 24.6.1), Photo Editing (Photoshop 25.1.2, Lightroom Classic 13.5.1) |
3DMark | Version 2.29.8294.0 64 Speed Way and Steel Nomad (Default) |
Cinebench R24 | Version 2024.1.0 |
Blender | Version 4.2.0 |
Application Tests and Settings | |
LAME MP3 | Version SSE2_2019 Mixed 271MB WAV to mp3: Command: -b 160 --nores (160Kb/s) |
HandBrake CLI | Version: 1.8.2 Sintel Open Movie Project: 4.19GB 4K mkv to x264 (light AVX) and x265 (heavy AVX) |
Corona 1.4 | Version 1.4 Custom benchmark |
7-Zip | Version 24.08 Integrated benchmark (Command Line) |
Game Tests and Settings | |
Cyberpunk 2077 | Ultra RT: - 1920 x 1080, DLSS - Balanced. |
F1 2024 | Ultra High Preset - 1920 x 1080, 16xAF/TAA, Great Britain (Clear/Dry), FPS Counter ON |
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