Following the release of the new AMD 9000 processors there has never been a better time to upgrade your gaming PC or start building your very first rig. Suppose you find yourself in this very situation but aren’t sure which motherboard to invest in. In that case, MSI has made it easy with a range of X870 and X870E motherboards, all supporting the new AM5 socket and catering to a range of performance levels and building budgets.
It can be confusing and downright intimidating to pick a new motherboard, especially given the fickle nature of compatibility, but MSI’s new X870 and X870E AMD motherboards make the decision much easier. Despite having four new motherboards, each with its unique selling points, there are some standout features of these new X870 and X870E boards that you should know about.
First is the suite of MSI BIOS and software tools to unlock the best performance possible from your CPU. This includes an MSI-exclusive Performance preset which offers an intuitive way to boost the power and performance of your CPU simply by setting a power limitation or letting the Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) sit in an auto profile.
You also have more memory options with MSI, as you can choose from ‘Memory Try It’ overclocking profiles to test your memory, or you can choose from one of four preset High-Efficiency Mode settings to increase your bandwidth and reduce your latency.
Next is the Frozr design, which is an innovative heat dissipation technology designed to keep your motherboard cool and protected, even under a heavy load. It also emphasizes hardware cooling, aided by the VRM and M.2 heatsinks. Frozr management is done via the BIOS or the MSI Center, with full management and optimization options just a few clicks away.
If you’re chasing the best network connection possible, then MSI has you covered with true WiFi 7 speeds of up to 5.8Gbps, a 320MHz channel size, and a max 4096 QAM to increase network capacity. All of MSI’s new X870 and X870E boards also support PCIe 5.0 storage, allowing for the fastest storage devices currently on the market to be connected and their full potential realized.
When it comes time to build your new gaming PC or put your existing components on your new X870 or X870E motherboard, MSI hasn’t just made it easy, it’s made it EZ. The new EZ DIY system allows for one-finger installation and even one-hand system building. Beyond this, you can even debug and identify issues with your build with a single glance thanks to intuitive displays built into the motherboard, while performance boosts are just one click away thanks to MSI Center’s built-in AI Engine.
Now that you know about the flagship innovations MSI is implementing into its new X870 and X870E motherboards, it’s time to decide which one is right for you. Here are four of the latest models, covering everything from price-savvy budget builds to high-end enthusiast gaming PCs.
MEG X870E Godlike
Price:$1,299.99
An enthusiast-grade EATX form factor motherboard with a server-grade 10-layer PCB, the MEG X870E Godlike is the creme de la creme if you’re building a machine to take on the most demanding of tasks including, but not limited to, stunning 4K gaming and intense 3D graphical rendering.
The MEG X870E Godlike blows its competitors out of the water with its feature set, including two PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion slots, up to four M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4 slots, and eight USB-C ports (2x40Gbps, 6x10Gbps). It also has an extended range of EZ DIY capabilities, such as the EZ PCIe Release, EZ M.2 Clip II, and EZ Magnetic M.2 Shield Frozr II.
It has Dynamic Dashboard III for easy real-time hardware monitoring, troubleshooting, BIOS updates, and custom display options. This motherboard also has an AQC113 10G LAN, meaning it has access to the fastest possible connection speeds of the new MSI motherboard range.
Supporting AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 processors (as do all other MSI X870 and X870E boards), this enthusiast motherboard isn’t for the casual tinkerer but it is a fantastic building block given AMD’s commitment to the AM5 socket guaranteed to run through until 2027. This means despite the high initial MSRP, you’re locking in a motherboard that’s guaranteed to be technologically relevant for at least the next three years, which is quite a smart investment.
MPG X870E Carbon WiFi
Price: $499.99
As the mid-to-high-end option, the MPG X870E Carbon WiFi is a great option for systems that are in need of next-generation upgrades like the new AMD Ryzen CPUs, PCIe 5.0 storage, WiFi 7, or a wealth of high-bandwidth USB-C ports.
With this MSI motherboard, you have access to a ton of the premium features that you can find in its top-tier Godlike board, with the biggest difference being a reduced 18+2+1 DRPS and the absence of 10G Lan.
Otherwise, considering the difference in MSRP, the MPG X870E Carbon is remarkable value and an easy motherboard to recommend for gamers who take their hobby seriously and need the hardware to back them up as they eye up the next generation of AMD Ryzen gaming CPUs.
MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi
Price: $299.99
The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk is a brilliant mid-range motherboard that offers the most complete balance of exciting new features, such as the EZ DIY M.2 Clip II and EZ PCIe Release, and Super Charge+ 27W Power Delivery, but pulls back on power to maintain it’s reasonable price.
It could be argued that the MAG X870 is closer to the MPG X870E than the Pro X870-P in terms of performance, despite sitting closer to the budget motherboard in price, but this ATX board is sure to be a hit with first-time builders and anyone looking to maximize the return on investment from their upgrades.
One thing to note not only about the MAG X870, but also the Pro Z870 and MPG X870, is that despite the gap in price, the build quality of these boards is still incredibly high, with the three aforementioned models still boasting an 8-layer sever grade PCB with 2oz of thickened copper. While it’s naturally wise to be cautious with any PC components, the durability of your motherboard is crucial, and it’s clearly something MSI value too.
Pro X870-P WiFi
Price: $239.99
The go-to choice for gamers on a tight budget, the MSI Pro X870-P WiFi is an ATX motherboard with more than just a “get the job done” attitude, instead, it brings incredible value despite its lower MSRP. You get 1 M.2 PCIe 4.0 4x slot alongside 2 M.2 PCIe 4.0 4x slots and 4 SATA 6Gb/s ports for storage while four DIMM slots for dual-channel DDR5 memory is also in place.
On the I/O you have three USB-C ports (1x40Gbps, 1x20Gbps, and 1x10Gbps) and six USB-A ports (2x10Gbps and 4x5Gbps). The Pro X870-P is WiFi 7 enabled and has Bluetooth 5.4.
If you’re ready to commit to your next motherboard, you can find the full range of X870 and X870E boards ready and waiting for you here.