MSI MEG X570 Godlike Review: Flagship Class, Five M.2, 10 GbE

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MSI X570 Godlike
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Software

MSI doesn’t offer an excessive amount of software, but it covers all the bases. In the utility section of MSI’s support section for this board is an MSI-skinned version of CPUz, Nahimic Audio control and Dragon Center. Dragon Center (DC) is a one-stop-shop to monitor the system, control RGB lighting (Mystic Light), LAN, and gaming highlights. DC is relatively comprehensive, though it is missing software-based overclocking and fan control.

Joe Shields
Joe Shields
Staff Writer, Components

Joe Shields is a staff writer at Tom’s Hardware. He reviews motherboards and PC components.

24 Comments Comment from the forums
  • gg83
    Would you need a high-end DAC to use a solid audiophile headphones?
    Reply
  • steedamike
    gg83 said:
    Would you need a high-end DAC to use a solid audiophile headphones?
    gg83 - I'd probably not use the built-in dac/amp on the motherboard. From what little I just read about a few minutes ago, there may be some electromagnetic interference and/or crosstalk within a CPU case, especially under load. Also, according to this article, the power output from motherboards is less than 10 mw, which is low. As far as needing high-end, well, high-end is relative. I'd bet 99% of listeners would be totally happy with a $200 Schiit stack dac/amp combo (modi + magni). The Magni generates 2,400 mw at 32 ohms, quite a bit more than 10. This should power 99.9% of headphones to far beyond healthy db levels (some planar magnetic cans can suck up a lot of juice, though). As for DAC sound quality, I really can't speak on that because I don't have a golden ear that can tell much difference during critical listening.
    Reply
  • Jac1023
    gg83 said:
    Would you need a high-end DAC to use a solid audiophile headphones?
    This would probably drive most headphones. Dynamics better than planars most likely. But a seperate dac and amp will almost always be an upgrade, particularly if you are using playback or streaming software that supports exclusive mode, ie cutting the windows sound mixer "middle man" out of the equation.
    Not to knock anyones setup, but if someones just using spotify or youtube music, dont bother with an outboard DAC, put an extra couple hundred in your headphone budget and have fun, don't go down the rabbit hole lol
    Reply
  • Jac1023
    I cant really use all the M.2 at full capacity right? Some would have to be at sata level becuase of pcie lanes?
    Reply
  • edwjohn3
    Jac1023 said:
    I cant really use all the M.2 at full capacity right? Some would have to be at sata level becuase of pcie lanes?
    Right?? I feel like anyone seriously considering this board should just spring for Threadripper.
    Reply
  • CthulhusBff
    Jac1023 said:
    I cant really use all the M.2 at full capacity right? Some would have to be at sata level becuase of pcie lanes?
    The 5950x has 40 PCI lanes. If you bought this board. Why wouldn't you get the 5950x?
    Reply
  • Alvar "Miles" Udell
    Remember when $200 bought you a -really- good AMD motherboard...
    Reply
  • Makaveli
    Alvar Miles Udell said:
    Remember when $200 bought you a -really- good AMD motherboard...

    I paid $280 CAD for my board and I like it. I would never spend $400-$500 on a board so I wouldn't have looked this board anyways.

    CthulhusBff said:
    The 5950x has 40 PCI lanes. If you bought this board. Why wouldn't you get the 5950x?

    You need to look at the distribution of those lanes and how the M2's will access them and that will explain what they are referring too.
    Reply
  • mrv_co
    What is the use case for 'Video output' for a board in this class? The lack of video output shows up as a 'con', but it is not mentioned at all during the write-up.
    Reply
  • ashburner
    I have this board and I like it a lot. Running it with a 5950X on auto overclock and it peaks just over 5Ghz. Silent and sitting at 51C.
    Reply