[section_title title=”Key Features”]
Key Features
As outlined in the introduction of this review, the MSI X99S XPOWER AC has some very useful and interesting features; depending on your intended use for this board of course! Let’s highlight a couple which I feel stand out the most and offer the most “value” as after all, this board isn’t the cheapest option around!
OC BACKPLATE
Mounting your LN2 pot or other extreme cooling solution can be a real hassle when using the stock X99 backplate, because it blocks the necessary screw holes. That’s why MSI created the OC backplate. A low profile backplate which is perfectly flat and gives full access to the screw holes needed to mount your extreme cooling solution. The OC Backplate generates optimal mounting pressure. This leads to lower CPU temperature and maximizes overclocking results.
OC ENGINE
Run into unstable situations when pushing your CPU to the limit? This occurs because the internal clocks are linked through the 100 MHz BCLK strap. Thanks to an integrated Clock Generator, MSI motherboards support more flexible BCLK adjustments, from 100 / 125 / 167 MHz straps.
Using these straps prevents system crashing while overclocking on the edge and opens doors to achieve the absolute maximum. The MSI X99 motherboards all come with the next generation Clock Generator offering even lower jitter and power consumption resulting in even higher stability under extreme conditions.
OC ESSENTIALS
A small set of tools that are essential to get the best performance out of your motherboard. These features increase stability, assist in trouble shooting, allow you to keep your complete system in check and allow for simple management. This way you can keep your mind on overclocking.
SLOW MODE
Slow Mode helps to defeat booting issues when overclocking at extremely high CPU frequencies. Flicking the switch will temporary decrease CPU ratio to 12x, creating stability to successfully boot to Windows.
OC GENIE
One-second overclocking by simply pressing the OC Genie button. OC Genie 4 now has the ability to switch between 2 gears.
| MODE | CPU SPEED |
|---|---|
| NO OC GENIE | 100% |
| GEAR 1 | 120% |
| GEAR 2 | 130% |
DIRECT OC
- 1 MHz / 0.1 MHz adj.
- BLCK up
- BLCK down
- Multiplier up
- Multiplier down
A set of + and – buttons allows you to adjust your Base Clock in real time, even during benchmarking. The Direct OC software allows you to select 1 MHz or 0.1 MHz increments. The X99S XPOWER AC allows for even better control because it is equipped with a switch on the motherboard which allowed you to make the 1MHZ or 0.1Mhz increments. On top of that it also comes with 2 extra Direct OC buttons to increase the multiplier ratio.
COMPLETE DISCHARGE
A true factory reset! Holding this button for 2 seconds completely wipes your motherboard from all settings. The CLR CMOS button only limits itself to the BIOS/VRAM, but this Complete Discharge button even removes information from the X99 PCH, a much-needed button on the X99 platform.
OPTIMIZED FOR MULTIPLE GRAPHICS CARDS
4-WAY SLI / CROSSFIRE
The X99S X POWER AC motherboard supports 4-Way SLI / CrossFire.Optimal PCI-Express slot placement allows for better fitting and airflow. That way, you can enjoy the best graphics at the highest framerate jumping off from your screen when running an NVIDIA® SLI™ or AMD CrossFire™ setup.
CEASEFIRE
When you are overclocking with LN2 with 4 VGA cards and want to switch to 3 or 2 cards you normally would have to remove the cards. However, with the LN2 pot on the motherboard and all the insulation, removing the card can be a big hassle. With MSI CeaseFire, it is very easy to disable one of the PCI-E x16 slots with a simple without the need of removing the cards.
A great review Gav. And for lazy guys like me the first and the last pages were the best.
Thank you very much Arif!