MSI introduces affordable X58 motherboard

MSI launches a new and relatively affordable motherboard, based on Intel's X58 chipset. This makes the MSI X58 Pro compatible with Intel's recently introduced Core i7 processors. The board features an ICH10R chip, supports QPI (Quick Path Interconnect) and has six triple-channel DDR3 memory slots. Like the two AM3 motherboards that MSI introduced last week, this board also has the second generation of DrMOS chips and APS technology.

The five-phase DrMOS chips will provide the processor with a better and more stable power provision, allowing for enhanced overclocking potential. The APS (Active Phase Switching) technology decreases the power consumption of the memory, the chipsets and the processor when the computer is idle. 

The MSI X58 Pro features three PCI-E x16 graphics card slots which support both a three-way ATI CrossfireX setup, and an nVidia triple-SLI configuration. The board also has one eSATA port on the I/O panel, next to seven regular SATA II connectors, FireWire and 7.1-channel audio support. To attract overclockers as well, MSI has equipped the motherboard with a power, reset and clear CMOS button, as well as BIOS support for Memory-Z and the ability to monitor advanced CPU specifications in the BIOS.  Also present is MSI's M-Flash, which allows a second BIOS to be loaded from a USB-stick. 

MSI's X58 Pro will become available starting next week and will cost approximately € 200.

Tags: cmos corei7 crossfire ddr3 esata firewire heatpipe overclocking quickpath sata sli usb x58

Post to Slashdot Digg this Add to del.icio.us