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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. Thankfully, the Click X BIOS has also been integrated into the B850 platform. 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 (which 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 that is publicly available. Thanks go out to Asus for providing the RTX 4080 TUF graphics card and Crucial for the 2TB T705 SSDs in our updated testbed. The hardware we used is as follows:
Test System Components
CPU | |
Cooling | |
Storage | |
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 | |
PSU | |
Software | Windows 11 64-bit (23H2 - 22631.4169) |
Graphics | NVIDIA Driver 561.09 |
Sound | Integrated HD audio |
Network | Integrated Networking (GbE to 10 GbE) |
Benchmark Settings
Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
Procyon | Version 2.8.1352 64 |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | 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 |
| Row 4 - Cell 0 | Speed Way and Steel Nomad (Default) |
Cinebench R24 | Version 2024.1.0 |
| Row 6 - Cell 0 | Open GL Rendering Benchmark - Single and Multi-threaded |
Blender | Version 4.2.0 |
| Row 8 - Cell 0 | Full benchmark (all three tests) |
Application Tests and Settings | Row 9 - Cell 1 |
LAME MP3 | Version SSE2_2019 |
| Row 11 - Cell 0 | Mixed 271MB WAV to mp3: Command: -b 160 -- (160Kb/s) |
HandBrake CLI | Version: 1.8.2
|
| Row 13 - Cell 0 | Sintel Open Movie Project: 4.19GB 4K mkv to x264 (light AVX) and x265 (heavy AVX) |
Corona 1.4 | Version 1.4 |
| Row 15 - Cell 0 | Custom benchmark |
7-Zip | Version 24.08 |
| Row 17 - Cell 0 | Integrated benchmark (Command Line) |
Game Tests and Settings | Row 18 - Cell 1 |
Cyberpunk 2077 | Ultra RT Preset - 1920 x 1080, DLSS - Balanced |
F1 2024 | Ultra High Preset - 1920 x 1080, 16xAF/TAA, FPS Counter ON, Great Britain (Clear/Dry) |
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