MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC Preview
Category : X299
Published by Marc Büchel on 22.06.17
The X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC is a new high-end motherboard from MSI. Compared to what could be seen as the predecessor, the X99A Gaming Pro Carbon, MSI apparently chose to reposition the Gaming Pro Carbon model in their portfolio more towards the high-end segment. Therefore you find many interesting features on this board such as two M.2 slots and an extensive RGB lighting implementation. 
Already at launch MSI has a complete portfolio of X299 motherboards. The X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC is basically the successor to the MSI X99A Gaming Pro Carbon and therefore it shares many of the visual details as well as features. Nevertheless, in our opinion MSI has managed to make the new board look even better than the old one and there is even the one or the other neat new feature.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Layout |
| Page 2 - Specs and Delivery | Page 5 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 6 - Conclusion |
Specs and Delivery
| Chipset | Intel X299 |
| Memory | Dual Channel DDR4, 4 x DIMM, Max. 64
GB DDR4, 4266 OC, Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Quad Channel DDR4, 8 x DIMM, Max. 128 GB DDR4, 4266 OC, Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory |
| Multi-GPU |
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| Slots |
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| Audio | Realtek ALC1220
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| Storage | Intel X299 chipset
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| Network |
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| Internal Connectors |
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| Extrenal Connectors |
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| Forfactor | ATX (30.5cm x 24.4cm) |
| BIOS | 2 x 128Mb flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Layout |
| Page 2 - Specs and Delivery | Page 5 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 6 - Conclusion |
Features
Military Class VI Components |
Since years MSI has been using digital power designs. On this board we find the latest implementation of their Military Class Components, which is meanwhile in its sixth generation. This board comes equiped with Hi-c Caps, Titanium Chokes and Dark CAPs for high stability, durability and efficiency. |
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MSI Steel Armor |
There are four full-sized PCIe slots on this particular board, which have been equipped with a steel frame. If you place a large and heavy gaming graphics card, while the board is mounted in a case, you will notice, that over time the slots starts to bend by a little bit. Furthermore, when carrying or shipping a system it can happen, that the PCIe slot breaks by the sheer force, when somebody is not dealing carefully with an assembled system. In both cases the steel armor should help increasing protection of the PCIe slots. |  |
Mystic Light Sync |
With Mystic Light Sync you can create your own color scheme using the full RGB palette of colors as well as different lighting effects. With this feature you can control and also syncronize RGB LEDs from other components such as CPU coolers, graphics cards or even case lighting. Manging this feature happens from within Windows thanks to the MSI Gaming App. |  |
Audio Boost IV |
MSI equips this motherboard with an improved audio solution which includes a Realtek ALC1220 audio codec and dual headphone amplifier. At the I/O shield we find gold-plated audio jacks which help in improving the signal quality. Furthermore there are high quality capacitors from nichicon and audio implementation has been separated from the rest of the PCB. Last but not least there is even a special USB port, to which best to connect a DAC, thanks to cleaner and more stable voltage supply. |  |
M.2 Support |
The X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC motherboard from MSI features two M.2 slots which are placed between the PCIe slots. This motherboard can be equipped with one 2280 drive and one 22110 M.2 SSDs, where the figures behind the "22" stand for the actual length of the M.2 SSD in millimeter. Both slots are connected via four PCIe x4 lanes, offering up to 32 Gbps bandwidth. Furthermore, MSI adds a new version of their M.2 Shield which acts as a heatsink in order to prevent any throttling issues from happening. |  |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Layout |
| Page 2 - Specs and Delivery | Page 5 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 6 - Conclusion |
Layout
As we've already mentioned in the introduction the MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC motherboard comes with a great looking design. The PCB has a matte black finish and the heatsinks feature carbon-like looking covers, where one of them spans over the entire left side of the board also covering the I/O connectors. Apart from that the PCH received RGB backlight. The heatsinks have been shaped nicely and the whole product is really good looking. The layout has been well thought and there are plenty of useful features, like two headers to attach external USB 3.1 ports for instance, eight SATA 6Gbps ports (two straight) and two M.2 Gen 3 x4 slots.
The MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC comes with a digital 8+2+2 phase power design. The CPU is backed up by eight phases and the memory receives stable current supply from 2 phases for four banks each. The CPU power design is controlled by an IR35201 dual-loop multi-phase buck controller, which has 8 output phases. Every single phase is backed up by an IOR 3555M driver from International Rectifier as well as one inductor. These IOR 3555M MOSFETs are capable of dealing with up to 60A output current per phase, which makes the power design of this board highly capable. On each side of the CPU socked the four DIMM slots are controlled by a 2-phase VRM controller from ROHM Semiconductor.
This board has been equipped with a total of eight DIMM-slots. Officially supported is everything up to DDR4 4266 (O.C.). There is engough space between the DIMM-slots and the CPU socket which means that you wont encounter compatibility problems with big coolers even when you choose to install RAM with big heatspreaders. Also supported are Xtreme Memory Profiles (XMP) in version 2.0. However the memory configuration will depend to the CPU that you are going to use. If you will install a Skylake-X CPU then you can install up to 128GB in quad-channel, otherwise with a Kaby Lake-X CPU you can use only four banks in dual-channel up to 64GB.
The PCH as well as the current converters are being held at adequate temperatures via passive heatsinks. The heatsink for the current converters are made from one aluminium block. The PCH heatsink is simple and flat. The cooling blocks have been very well made and they're firmly attached to the board to provide enough pressure on the components to allow for adequate cooling. The aluminium blocks are entirely black with grey sheet metal covers, overall resembling a completly new design.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Layout |
| Page 2 - Specs and Delivery | Page 5 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 6 - Conclusion |
Connectors and I/O
In total, MSI equipped the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC motherboard with eight SATA 6Gbps connectors, which have all been natively wired to the PCH. Below the first PCIe x16 slot there is the first M.2 slot and on top of the fourth full size PCIe slot, there is the second M.2 x4 Gen 3 slot. With this motherboard you get four PCIe x16 Gen 3.0 and two PCIe x1 Gen 3.0 slots and all of the PCIe x16 slots received metal reinforcements framing them. From top to bottom the full-sized PCIe slots have been wired using 16 lanes, 4 lanes, 16 lanes and 8 lanes. With a 44-lane CPU, you can run 16x/16x SLI/CrossFire and 16x/16x/8x CrossFireX (3-way). Basically these are the standard options you get with any Intel X299-based motherboard, that does not feature a PLX chip. The placement of the PCIe connectors has been well thought. Furthermore we also see all the bells and whistles you'd ask for in the event of overclocking.
The MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC motherboard features a total of six fan headers, which is enough to provide a normal gaming rig with enough of fresh air. A closer look at the pictures below shows where they have been placed. All six fan headers feature 4-pin and support PWM functionality. Therefore it's possible to control fan speeds from within Windows as well as the BIOS.
Looking at the external connectors placed directly at the I/O-panel, MSI equipped the new X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC motherboard with a P/S2 connector, four USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port, one USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port and three USB 2.0 Type-A ports. Furthermore there is one Gigabit Ethernet port and the analogue audio panel with optical out as well as a WiFi module with two connectors for antennas.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Layout |
| Page 2 - Specs and Delivery | Page 5 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 6 - Conclusion |
Conclusion
| Overall | + | - | |
As expected the MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC is a well-built motherobard which comes with numerous features. There is a great looking design, which has been kept in a carbon-like look based on a black PCB. Apart from that there is a highly capable power design next to other high quality components. These days the X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC sells for 358 Euro, which is anything but cheap, yet not completely overpriced, especially considering the costly power circuitry. The two USB 3.1 ports, the M.2 slots and the U.2 connector are definitely good to have and they've both been wired using four PCIe Gen 3.0 lanes. |
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Design |
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| Layout | + | - | |
| The MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC's layout has been well-thought. Once more practical are the angled SATA connectors. Apart from that there are all features gamers and to a certain extent also overclockers want such as onboard power and reset buttons as well as debug LED and OC buttons. Looking at full-sized PCI Express slots there are four and all of them feature metal reinforcements. Furthermore we find two M.2 slots and should you choose to install such an SSD you can equip it with MSI's M.2 Shield, which should prevent thermal throttling. | - Space around the CPU socket - Audio Solution |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Layout |
| Page 2 - Specs and Delivery | Page 5 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 6 - Conclusion |