Layout
The MSI X99S MPower features an EATX form factor,
which means you'll have to make sure, the board fits in your case. Having a look
at the design reveals, there is a black matte PCB. Apart from that there are
eight black DIMM slots as well as four black PCI Express x16 expansion slots. Last but not least there are some more yellow
lines in the PCH and VRM heatsinks. Thanks to the EATX formfactor the layout is not overcrowded and the
OC buttons in the top right corner as well as the audio solution in the bottom
left corner fit nicely.
MSI equipped the X99S MPower with a digital 12+4 phase power
design. There is a total of twelve phases to stably supply the CPU with power and
there is an ISL6388 controller in charge of all these phases. In the case
of the DIMM slots there are four R22 phases which are controlled by a PV3203
chip.
Totally you'll find eight DIMM-slots on the MSI X99S MPower.
Officially supported are memory clock speeds of up to DDR4-3333MHz. Should you
choose to equip all slots with 8 GB modules, you can have a maximum of 64
GB memory on this motherboard. There is also enough space around the CPU
socket, to install large CPU coolers.
Southbridge as well as current converters are being held at
adequate temperatures via two passive cooling blocks. Compared to many other X99
motherboards there is not heatpipe connecting the two blocks with eachother. Apart from that the
cooling blocks have been very well manufactured and also the design looks just
great.