With the Big Bang Marshal, MSI presents its absolute high-end motherboard for Intels latest Sandy Bridge processors. Therefore it comes for example with a truly sophisticated power design as well as eight PCI-Express x16 slots and numerous other features. 
The Big Bang Marshal from MSI embodies absolute high-end regarding their P67 line-up. We're really curious what they've done from the layout and design perspective.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 2 - Specifications / Delivery | Page 5 - Conclusion |
| Page 3 - Layout |
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Spezifikationen / Lieferumfang
| CPU | Intel Socket 1155 Core i7, Core i5, Core i3 |
| Chipset | Intel P67 |
| Memory | Dual Channel DDR3, 4 x DIMM, Max. 32 GB DDR3, 2133 (OC) / 1866 (OC) / 1600 (OC) / 1333 / 1066 Non-ECC, Un-buffered |
| Multi-GPU |
2-/3-way ATI CrossFireX 2-/3-way NVIDIA SLI 2-/3-way Lucid Hydralogix |
| Slots | 8 x PCI-Express x16 PCI_E1 running at x16 (when PCI_E3 is empty) PCI_E2 running at x1 PCI_E3 running at x8 PCI_E4 running at x1 PCI_E5 running at x16 (when PCI_E7 is empty) PCI_E6 running at x1 PCI_E7 running at x8 PCI_E8 running at x1 |
| Sound | Realtek ALC892, 7.1-Channel HD Audio Codec, Dolby Home Theater certified, S/PDIF Out |
| Storage | 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) 4 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, JBOD) 2 x eSATA 6 Gb/s |
| I/O internal / Connectors | 1 x CPU fan header 2 x System fan headers 1 x power fan header 1 x Front Panel header 1 x Front Panel Audio header 1 x S/PDIF Out header 3 x USB 2.0/1.1 header 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 header 1 x Firewire header 1 x Clear-CMOS Jumper |
| I/O external | 1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse 1 x optical S/PDIF Out 1 x coaxial S/PDIF Our 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 8 x USB 3.0/2.0 2 x Firewire 2 x eSATA/USB combo 2 x RJ-45 6 x Audio Jacks |
| Forfactor | ATX (26.4 cm x 34.5cm) |
| BIOS | BIOS 1 / BIOS 2 64 + 64 Mb BIOS 3 64 Mb |
MSI ships the Marshal with really a lot of accessories. Therefore it doesn't matter if you're looking for an additional debug display or even probes. The only thing would have expected which one can't find in the delivery is a triple SLI/Crossfire bridge. Considering that this board comes with no less than eight PCI-Express x16 slots this would have been almost a useful addition.
Features
| OC Genie | Using OC Genie - onboard button - you can auto-overclock your system by pressing a button. The board will automatically determine the optimum overclocking values and set them when booting. |
| Multi BIOS | This button can force the system to boot from the tertiary BIOS. Therefore the Big Bang Marshal offers the possibility to boot the system from a second backup BIOS if you should have damaged the first and second BIOS already. |
| 24+3+3+3+3 Phase Power Design | MSI equipped the Big Bang Marshal with the most sophisticated power design we have seen until today. The CPU therefore is supported by 24 phsese, the memory got three phases, the PCH got three phases too, the CPU I/O is also supported by three phases and even the SA can rely on three phases. This makes a total of 36 phases for this board. |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 2 - Specifications / Delivery | Page 5 - Conclusion |
| Page 3 - Layout |
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Layout
MSIs Big Bang Marshal comes with a black PCB and blue expansion slots as well as aluminium cooling blocks which have been provided with an anthracite color. Overall this board generates a harmonic impression despite the fact that MSI managed to put a countless number of components onto this PCB. Totally the Marshal comes with no less than eight PCI-Express x16 slots. Customers should be aware that not all slot haven been forseen to be used in combination with graphics cards. In fact only slot number one and five can rely on 16 PCI-Express lanes. Slot number three and five each got eight PCI-Express lanes and all the other slots got one PCI-Express lane. But still, with this layout it is possible to build a 4-way SLI rig.
The Big Bang Marshal comes with an incredible 36 phase power design which should guarantee exceptionally stable current supply and overclockability. Therefore the CPU is being powered by 24 phases and the memory got three phases. But still ther are nine phases left. MSI decided to provide CPU I/O, PCH and SA with three phases to provide all the critical components with a stable current supply.
Totally you'll find four DIMM-slots on the Big Bang Marshal. Officially supported are DDR3-2133 (OC) / 1866 (OC) / 1600 (OC) / 1333 / 1066 with up to 32 GByte capacity. The DIMM-slots are well positioned which allows the installation of big CPU cooler without incompatibilites with memory.
The Southbridge has been equipped with a passive cooling block and the the current converters as well as the northbridge are being held at adequate temperatures via a passive heatpipe cooling solution. The fact that the cooling blocks around the CPU socket aren't too big makes it comfortable to install a big aircooler. We also noticed the very high manufacturing quality of the cooling blocks.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 2 - Specifications / Delivery | Page 5 - Conclusion |
| Page 3 - Layout |
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Anschlüsse und I/O
Totally MSI provided the Big Bang Marshal with eight angled SATA ports which should be enough for or a gaming system, overclocking setups as well as an enthusiasts PC. On this board you'll also find practical onboard power- and reset-buttons. MSI also provided the Big Bang Marshal with a debug display which comes in very handy if you should once have issues with one of the components in your system. On the pictures below you can also see that you'll have the option to activate or deactivate a total of four PCI-Express slots. Furthermore there even are onboard LEDs which show you how many phases are in use.
Totally you'll find seven fan headers on the MSI Big Bang Marshal which is more than enough to provide a well equipped mid-range, high-end or overclocking system with fresh air. The fanheaders are located next to the CPU socket and their also spread over the whole board which makes them easily accessible from any position in an enclosure.
Looking at the external connectors directly at the back-panel MSI provided the Big Bang Marshal with a PS2 mouse/keyboard connector, eight USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire connector, two eSATA ports, two gigabit ethernet ports, a SPDIF and coaxial optical out as well as an analogue audio panel.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 2 - Specifications / Delivery | Page 5 - Conclusion |
| Page 3 - Layout |
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Fazit
| General | + | - | |
| With the Big Bang Marshal, MSI created a truly impressive motherboard which comes with an awful lot of features but still look nice an tidy. MSI shows at lot of attention to detail regarding the color scheme and the design in general. Everything fits together and creates a harmonic picture. Regarding features the Big Bang Marshal comes for example with a total of eigth PCI-Express x16 slots. There also is their "OC Genie" button which is very useful for users who want to overclock their system but don't know how to do it. Especiall impressive about this board is its 36 phase power design. In fact there is no other board out on the market at the moment which comes with a more sophisticated power design. | - Design - Layout - Power Design - 8 PCI-Express x16 Slots |
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| Layout | + | - | |
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Generally the MSI Big Bang Marshals layout is very well thought and the different components have been arranged neately. Once more very practical are the angled SATA connectors as well as the onboard power and reset buttons. At the back panel you'll also find a clear CMOS jumper which also is a practical addition. Regarding the eight PCI-Express x16 slots we have to mention that "only" four should be used in combination with video cards. The other four slots have provided with only one PCI-Express lane which would compromise the performance significantly. |
- Angled SATA connectors - Onboard Power/Reset/CLR-CMOS buttons |
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| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 4 - Connectors and I/O |
| Page 2 - Specifications / Delivery | Page 5 - Conclusion |
| Page 3 - Layout |
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Author: m.buechel@ocaholic.ch