Manual overclocking msi 970 gaming. Appearance and technological features
key Features:
Supports AMD FX / Phenom II / Athlon II / Sempron processors for AM3+ socket
- Supports DDR3-2133(OC) Memory
- USB 3.0 + SATA 6Gb/s
- Audio Boost 2: Reward Your Ears with True Quality
- Killer Ethernet: Kill Your Lag
- OC Genie 4: Overclock in 1 Second
- Click BIOS 4: Easily Fine-Tune Your System
- AMD CrossFire Support
- sound blaster Cinema 2: Realistic Surround Sound Experience
- Gaming Device Port: Optimized with Triple Gold-plating for High Polling Rate Gaming Devices
Changes:
Correct SATA port definition.
- Improved memory compatibility.
- Updated AGESA code.
WARNING:
DON'T FLASH WHEN YOUR SYSTEM IS RUNNING FINE
- DON "T FLASH IF YOU DON" T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING
Flash AMI UEFI BIOS by MFLASH:
- Extract the BIOS-zip file that you have downloaded and paste it to your USB storage device.
- Press "delete" key to BIOS, select "M-Flash"
-Click" select one file to update BIOS and ME”
- Select USB storage that comes with the downloaded BIOS.
- Select BIOS which you want to update and press “Enter”.
- A warning message comes out “ Don`t remove USB drive or shutdown system” and then System will be reset to update BIOS after 5 seconds.
- If your motherboard is equipped with multi BIOS then system will pop up
- “Please set the multi BIOS switch to the target BIOS ROM then press any key to continue.” Otherwise it`ll proceed with next process.
- The system will start to update BIOS & ME
- After BIOS&ME update is finished, please press del key to enter BIOS setting menu to make sure that BIOS have been updated successfully.
Flash AMI UEFI BIOS by USB Disk Under DOS Mode
Download the BIOS that matches your motherboard and version number to your USB device.
- Extract the BIOS-zip file that you have downloaded and paste it to your USB storage device (Note: Make sure that your USB is bootable).
- Boot your system from a USB storage device
- When you get the DOS prompt, execute the following sequence:
- Reboot your system when prompted
- After bios update is done, C: prompt will appear on your screen.
- After system restart, Press del key to enter BIOS setting menu to make sure that BIOS have been updated successfully.
About OS Independent BIOS:
Although installing a newer BIOS version might add new features, update various components, or improve the device’s usability, this process is very risky, so the upgrade is recommended to be performed only when it is really needed.
in addition to that, this task should be performed by someone who has the knowledge to successfully complete the installation; regular users may fulfill it at their own risk.
When it comes to applying a new version without taking into account the computer’s operating system, the most commonly used method to flash the BIOS is by creating a bootable USB or CD containing the update file, and running it from DOS.
Still, regardless of the method used or whether the upgrade is performed by a regular or power user, it’s recommended that the new BIOS be applied in a steady power environment such as the one ensured by a UPS unit.
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a very important software that loads the currently installed OS, and tests all of the system’s hardware components - so make sure you flash it correctly.
Bear in mind that failing to perform a successful installation could seriously damage your device, and the faulty BIOS resulted from the process might even render it unusable.
So, if this release includes useful changes, hit the download button, get the package, and update your BIOS version. Otherwise, check with our website as often as possible, so that you don't miss the release that you need.
It is highly recommended to always use the most recent driver version available.
Try to set a system restore point before installing a device driver. This will help if you installed an incorrect or mismatched driver. Problems can arise when your hardware device is too old or not supported any longer.
Every gamer in his life at least once, but must build his own PC. And then a series of difficult choices arises at once, and sometimes one cannot do without reliable advice. After all, in gaming computer everything must be thought out, since it must work, in most cases, at full capacity. Even such a trifle as an incorrectly chosen or placed cooler- can lead to equipment failure or simply to an uncomfortable game.
The hardest part, according to most, is choosing what everything focuses on and what makes everything work (besides BP) - motherboard. There are many of them, but due to various criteria, you can stop at one thing.
This article will not consider all possible options, only MSI 970 Gaming.
So, as many could already understand, a PC with this motherboard will have a base AMD. CPU socket, that is socket, embedded type AM3/ AM3+ and compatible with processors Athlon II, Sempron, Phenom II, as well as a more interesting and tempting option for choosing a processor - AMD FX. Chipset AMD 970 with southbridge SB950 .
The volume of the maximum allowable random access memory is 32 GB. The frequency varies depending on the modules themselves up to 1866 , but since the fee game, frequency can be increased before 2133 , which will slightly increase the performance of the assembled system. Obviously, this model supports the operation of modules in dual-channel mode.
SupportPCI- Express3.0 missing, as well as on all MPs with a socket under AMD. There are many reasons for this, but this is not about them. Video cards work great withPCI- E 2.0 , and therefore there is no point in getting upset - an insignificant loss. Unfortunately for lovers Nvidia, MSI did not put mode hereSLI , means to set two GTX does not seem possible. Good, there is CrossFire .
Some gaming privileges endowed with this system board. For example: two specializedUSBexit to connect such devices. It can also be included here upgraded network adapterkiller 2200 , which automatically prioritizes internet connection speed during games with online gameplay.
It so happened that initially in the assortment of MSI, the Gaming motherboard series was represented only by Intel platforms and AMD with LGA1150 and FM2+ sockets, respectively. But in the summer of 2014, left without due attention until that time, AMD processors with the AM3 + socket still got their way. New motherboard MSI 970 Gaming was presented at the end of June 2014, and already closer to the New Year, it managed to reach the shelves of Russian retail. As you might guess from the name, the MSI 970 Gaming is based on the AMD 970/SB950 system logic. Key features MSI 970 Gaming is the presence of a high-quality MSI Audio Boost 2 audio subsystem, a Killer E2200 gigabit network controller and compliance with Military Class 4 technical equipment standards. Let's take a closer look at this interesting product.
Packaging and equipment
As befits the entire Gaming line, the packaging design motherboard MSI 970 Gaming is made using black, red and white colors. On the front of the package there is a stylized image of a dragon, as well as the most significant pictograms of the technologies present in this motherboard.
The back of the box is full of detailed descriptions. key features, which are endowed with MSI 970 Gaming:
- Audio Boost 2 The built-in audio subsystem, which is based on the flagship Realtek ALC1150 codec, includes Nichicon audio capacitors, a pair of amplifiers that support studio headphones with an impedance of up to 600 ohms, as well as gold-plated audio outputs on the interface panel and an audio path with LED backlighting for protection against electromagnetic interference.
- Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2205- a gigabit network controller that allows you to automatically detect game traffic and increase its priority in relation to other system traffic, guaranteeing minimal delays in the transfer of game data.
- OC Genie 4- automatic overclocking function, which is activated by pressing one button in the bundled software or via the BIOS.
- Multi-GPU support for AMD CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI technologies to combine the computing capabilities of two video cards.
- Sound Blaster Cinema 2 - This technology significantly improves the sound quality in games and when playing multimedia files.
- Military Class 4- MSI 970 Gaming uses only high-quality components such as Dark CAP solid capacitors with a lifespan of up to 10 years and SFC chokes with ferrite cores.
- Gaming Device Port- USB 2.0 and PS/2 ports, highlighted in red, have tripled the amount of gold plating, so they are more reliable and durable. They are also optimized for high polling rate devices (500 to 1000 Hz), reducing response time from 8 milliseconds to 1 millisecond.
In addition, on the back of the package there are brief technical specifications of the motherboard and a map of interface panel connectors.
The MSI 970 Gaming package includes:
- MSI 970 Gaming motherboard;
- documentation, including user manual and system assembly instructions;
- plug on the back panel;
- disk with drivers and proprietary utilities;
- SLI bridge;
- SATA 6Gb/s cables 2 pcs.;
- MSI metal badge;
- a sign on the door with the words "I" m sorry busy gaming "and" I "m not here".
Appearance and technological features
The MSI 970 Gaming motherboard is made on a black textolite. Form factor ATX motherboard, dimensions are 305x244 mm. The first thing that catches your eye upon a cursory examination of the MSI 970 Gaming's interior is black heatsinks with small red stripes. Such a play of colors undoubtedly gives the motherboard a spectacular appearance and design features recognizable for the Gaming series.
The arrangement of elements on the MSI 970 Gaming is made according to the classical scheme. The only exception is the 19-pin USB 3.0 connector located on the bottom. In addition to the power supply circuit of the processor, the AMD 970 northbridge and AMD SB950 southbridge are also equipped with heatsinks.
The MSI 970 Gaming motherboard comes with a standard metal plate for Socket AM3+. But if the user wishes to use cooling systems with a different type of fastening, then there is an opportunity to dismantle the complete plate.
The board's interface panel has eight USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 connectors. In addition, there is a PC / 2 connector, S / PDIF, Gigabit LAN and a block of six audio ports.
The processor power subsystem is implemented on MSI 970 Gaming according to the 8+1 scheme. Eight ferrite chokes SFC are located directly under the cooling radiator, and one behind it. This power layout is made to supply the main voltages of the CPU Core and CPU NB Core.
In terms of processor support, the MSI 970 Gaming motherboard is able to "take on board" any of the AM3 and AM3+ processors with a TDP of up to 140W.
Four RAM slots support 1066/1333/1600/1866 and 2133 MHz memory sticks. The maximum total amount of installed memory is 32 GB.
The motherboard is powered by the main 24-pin connector and an additional 8-pin power connector.
MSI 970 Gaming has a very interesting set of slots for expansion cards, including:
- PCI Express 2.0x1;
- PCI Express 2.0 x16 (works like x16);
- PCI Express 2.0x1;
- PCI Express 2.0 x16 (works like x8);
Thus, unlike other motherboards based on the AMD 970/SB950 chipset, where combining two video cards into multiGPU bundles is possible only according to the x16 + x4 scheme, MSI 970 Gaming offers us the possibility of organizing AMD CrossfireX and NVIDIA SLI according to the scheme x8+x8.
To connect drives and optical drives, the MSI 970 Gaming has six SATA 6 Gb / s connectors, which are implemented by south bridge AMD SB950. This chipset also makes it possible to combine drives into RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 arrays.
The audio section of the motherboard is separated by a special LED-backlit channel designed to shield the audio component from electromagnetic interference. The Realtek ALC1150 HDA audio codec, which is the basis of the Audio Boost 2 sound system, also supports progressive 7.1 format systems. High-quality audio capacitors manufactured by Nichicon are concentrated around the sound codec, and Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 2 software is responsible for software sound processing. high quality sound both in games and when playing multimedia files.
If for some reason users can't get enough of the ten USB ports on the back of the motherboard, the MSI 970 Gaming is able to add a couple more USB 3.0 ports to the front of the PC case, and six USB 2.0 ports to the back of the computer.
The AMD SB950 southbridge heatsink, in addition to the cooling function, also bears the symbols of the Gaming series in the form of a corporate logo.
Of the most significant microcircuits present on the MSI 970 Gaming, it is worth highlighting the Fintek F71878AD, which is responsible for monitoring, operation system fans and operation of the COM and PC/2 ports.
Bandwidth allocation PCI-E bus four ASM1480 multiplexers from ASMedia are involved.
The CPU power converter is based on the uP1601P PWM controller.
Since the AMD 970 chipset itself does not have USB support 3.0, then the implementation of the latter in the amount of four pieces can be performed by a pair of VIA VL806 controllers.
The network gigabit controller is implemented using the Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2205 chip.
BIOS Features
UEFI motherboard BIOS MSI 970 Gaming board has branded shell ClickBIOS 4 with colorful design. The menu is divided into six main sections: Settings, OC, M-Flash, OC Profile, Hardware Monitor and Board Explorer.
The "Settings" section contains the main parameters responsible for managing devices, choosing the boot priority and saving settings.
The "OS" tab has concentrated inside itself a lot of settings for overclocking the system, including changing the parameters of the processor and RAM.
If you do not want to overclock the processor, but only want to manually set the frequency of the RAM and its timings, then this option is also present in the BIOS of the MSI 970 Gaming motherboard.
The OC Profile tab allows you to not only save or load the desired setting profiles that you configure, but also import/export them to USB devices.
Using the "Hardware Monitor" section, you can track the main parameters of the motherboard and processor voltages, as well as set the fan operation algorithm using a graph.
Another interesting tab "Board Explorer" makes it possible to find out which components are installed in a particular slot or connector. As an example, look at the processor, when you hover over the motherboard socket, the BIOS shell reports that an eight-core AMD FX-8320E is installed there.
Proprietary utilities
The list of software on the official website for MSI 970 Gaming motherboard, in addition to drivers and BIOS firmware, small and consists of only 5 utilities:
- MSI Command Center- functional utility for monitoring and configuring the main system parameters;
- Live Update 6- utility for updating installed drivers, programs and BIOS;
- Super Charger- hardware-software technology that allows you to speed up the charging of tablets Apple iPad, Apple smartphones iPhone and other mobile devices;
- Sound Blaster Cinema 2- a utility for the built-in codec Realtek ALC1150, which allows you to improve the quality of sound playback by software;
- fast boot- a utility to speed up the loading of the operating system.
Of the listed utilities, the most interesting is the MSI Command Center program. The program interface is simple and intuitive. The MSI Command Center utility allows you to overclock the processor directly from the Windows OS environment, as well as control the fan speed.
Moreover, the setting and algorithm of the processor cooler is possible both in automatic and manual modes. Changing the applied voltage using the MSI Command Center is also available.
Working with memory settings, including module voltage, is available from the DRAM tab.
Another useful function of the MSI Command Center utility is the ability to create a RAMDisk partition inside the free amount of RAM, which can significantly speed up work with files loaded inside this virtual drive.
Proprietary "OC Genie" technology for automatic system overclocking is also included in the functionality MSI programs command center.
Specifications
CPU | Supports AMD®FXTM/ Phenom™ II/ Athlon™ II and Sempron™ processors for socket AM3/ AM3+, max.TDP - 140Wt |
AMD® 970 and SB950 Chipset |
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RAM | 4 x slots for DDR3 memory modules, up to 32GB |
Expansion slots | 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 2-Way AMD® CrossFire™* technology supported |
Data store | .AMDSB950 |
The local network | Killer E2205 Gigabit LAN controller |
.AMD® SB950 Chipset .VIA VL806 chipset 4 x USB 3.0 ports (2 ports on rear panel, 2 ports available via internal USB connector 3.0)* * These USB 3.0 ports do not support the M-Flash recovery function. |
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Realtek® ALC1150 Codec |
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Connectors on the rear panel | 1 x PS/2 combo keyboard/mouse port |
Connectors on the board | 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors 3 x USB 2.0 connectors (6 additional USB 2.0 ports supported) |
Test bench configuration and testing
CPU | AMD FX-8320E 3.2GHz Vishera AM3+ (Turbo Core on - 4.0GHz) |
Cooling system | |
RAM | DDR3-2133 8Gb*2 |
video card | MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4G |
Power Supply | Thermaltake ToughPower XT 775W |
Drives | HDD SATA-3 1Tb Seagate 7200 Barracuda (ST1000DM003) SSD SATA-3 120Gb Kingston HyperX 3K |
ASUS PB298Q 29" (2560x1080) |
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Thermal interface | Gelid GC-Extreme |
Operating system | Windows 7 x64 SP1 |
Other software | CPU-Z ROG 1.71.1, Prime95, Aida64, LinX 0.64 |
CPU and RAM overclocking
To study the overclocking capabilities of the MSI 970 Gaming motherboard, we used the BIOS settings. During testing, AMD Cool "n" Quiet and AMD Turbo Core technologies were disabled. After numerous attempts empirically with control testing for stability, it was revealed that the maximum frequency of the AMD FX-8320E Vishera AM3 + processor was 4600 MHz at a voltage of 1.504 V. Corsair VengeancePro RAM was subjected to a frequency of 2133 MHz with timings of 11-11-11-30-2T at a voltage of 1.704 V. With these parameters, the system was absolutely stable and easily passed the tests in LinX and Aida64 Cache & Memory Benchmark.
Conclusion
Motherboard MSI 970 Gaming fully justifies its name, as it is able to successfully correspond to a full-fledged gaming solution. The ability to install powerful eight-core AMD FX series processes and combine two video cards into a CrossFire / SLI bundle according to the x8 + x8 scheme will allow you to assemble a serious platform for modern games based on MSI 970 Gaming. And the presence on the board of such options as the MSI Audio Boost 2 audio subsystem and the Killer E2200 gigabit network controller will make gaming on the MSI 970 Gaming motherboard only more enjoyable.
Everything is in order, as shown by practical testing, MSI 970 Gaming has overclocking potential. The board does an excellent job of overclocking not only the processor, but also the RAM. You can find the MSI 970 Gaming motherboard in Russian retail at the time of writing the review at an impressive price of 6500-7000 rubles. And this is perhaps the only thing that can stop the economical buyer.
Pros:
- 3 year warranty;
- support for AM3/AM3+ processors with heat dissipation up to 140 W;
- the ability to create CrossFire / SLI according to the x8 + x8 scheme;
- gigabit network controller Killer E2200;
- high-quality audio subsystem MSI Audio Boost 2;
- competent board layout;
- good overclocking capabilities.
Minuses:
- high price for a board based on the AMD 970 chipset;
- not a large number of USB 3.0 ports;
- lack of modern connectors such as M.2 and Sata Express;
- lack of support for AMD FX-9370 and AMD FX-9590 processors with 220 W heat dissipation.
Some of the components that get on our test stand make us study them very thoroughly, since each component in their composition is implemented in a new way or has undergone significant changes since the last acquaintance. However, there are other situations where a new component is so familiar that you have to work hard to find these very changes that the manufacturers talk about in their presentation slides.
We will not be mistaken if we say that all users interested in hardware should be familiar with the AM3 + platform from AMD, and if not personally, then in absentia. This platform is a true long-liver of our time. Everything would be fine if only the platform did not change, we can say this is an ideal option, but there is also a thorough stagnation in the ranks of processors for AM3+.
So series processors FX are still based on the architecture announced back in 2012 ... Interestingly, AMD is very successful in moving in two other directions, these include solutions entry level for socket FS1b and, of course, A-Series mid-level computing accelerators for the FM2+ platform, but everything is quiet in the enthusiast segment. Of course, there is a little movement, but it takes place along a well-trodden path, around the already mentioned Vishera architecture based on 32-nm technology, which is a little alarming today.
An example of such movements is the recently presented to the public three new variations on the Vishera theme, we meet the FX-8370, FX-8320E and FX-8370E. And if the first of the three operates with almost completely similar characteristics, then the second two attract attention with the letter “e” in their name, by the way, it is responsible for the TDP indicator, which is optimized for new products and is already more interesting 95 W.
As they say, there is no smoke without fire, so a little earlier than the announcement of new processors, MSI company introduced the motherboard to the public 970 GAMING. The board is the first representative of the AM3+ platform in the GAMING series, based on a set of system logic AMD 970 and uses the SB950 southbridge. It looks like this is a pre-targeted option for future owners of the FX-8320E and FX-8370E. Let's check out what the aforementioned novelties are capable of. I suggest starting with the motherboard.
The board arrived to us in a standard-sized package, but compared to the boxes from top solutions, it was a little slender :). In the design, like other solutions from the GAMING series, dark tones with the image of a dragon are used everywhere. A prominent inscription clearly points to the 970 GAMING model, and a couple of printed campbricks speak about the technologies used and the type of processors supported. The reverse side contains more detailed description, it is a slightly shortened version of the official page dedicated to this board.
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On the one hand, the delivery set does not please with abundance, there are a couple of SATA cables and a plug on the rear wall of the case. Everything else is the paper side of the issue and the manufacturer has gone a little wild in it, here: user manual, disk with drivers and software, stickers on SATA cables, and the nameplate on the case and the plate on the door make the board a little closer to elite products.
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The board is made in a full-fledged ATX form factor. Belonging to the GAMING series does not let you forget about yourself, the black color and a pair of red stripes on the radiators - everything is the same as on the previously discussed one. Interestingly enough, within its lineup, the manufacturer does not visually break down solutions related to completely different platforms.
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The interface panel has a large number of USB connectors, there are ten of them, but only two of them are in USB 3.0 format. Next, a PS / 2 port for a mouse or keyboard, one LAN connector, six miniJack audio connectors, an optical S / PDIF output, a BIOS reset button, that's probably all. It may seem that something is missing, but this feeling is due to the lack of video outputs, which are not needed for these processors.
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Near the socket space of the AM3+ is surrounded by a pair of heatsinks, but they are at a considerable distance and not so massive, so installing even large cooling systems should not be a problem. During testing, we installed the sturdy Noctua HD-15 with a bang.
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The board has four connectors for DDR3 RAM. The manufacturer claims support for memory operating at up to 1866 MHz, and with the help of overclocking functions, this threshold can be increased up to 2133 MHz. The maximum supported memory capacity is 32 GB, which is completely similar to the boards of the competitive platform from Intel.
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The configuration of the expansion slots is very, very interesting, there are only a couple: Two PCI E 2.0 x1, two PCI, and two full-sized PCI Express 2.0 capable of operating in 8x + 8x mode when using multi-tandem graphics systems. The presence of PCI slots can be useful for users to install specific expansion cards, we admit that now this slot is becoming less and less common ...
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The audio path is based on the 7.1-channel Realtek ALC1150 codec. Here, as on other boards of the series, the principle of isolation from the main part is used. printed circuit board, a pair of amplifiers is installed, in the presence of which there is support for headphones with an impedance of up to 600 ohms, and Nichicon audio capacitors are also used in the component base. Additionally, the Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 2 software is responsible for the software part of the question.
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On the right side of the board there are six SATA 6 Gb / s ports, each of them originates from the AMD SB950 south bridge and supports RAID arrays of standards 0, 1, 5 and 10. Note that thanks to the south bridge, fourteen USB 2.0 ports are implemented on the board , six of them are internal. All USB 3.0 ports are based on the VIA VL806 controller, and since we are talking about controllers, we mention that the LAN interface is implemented on the already familiar Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2205 with the functionality of prioritizing game traffic.
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Three completely separate radiators are responsible for cooling the board. Each of them consists of their aluminum alloy and covered with black matte paint. There are no heat pipes even in the one that is designed before the power system, but at the same time, the radiators have significant fins and are not monolithic bars. Let's see how they perform in testing.
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The processor power system is based on the uP1601P PWM controller. Recall that for processors on the AM3 + platform, two main voltages are supplied: CPU Core and CPU NB Core, so the power system works according to the 4 + 1 principle, but since a double element base is used to get the CPU Core, we end up with a more interesting bundle 8 +1. In addition, we note that the element base of the board uses components that have passed military certification and have been awarded the Military Class 4 standard according to the marking from MSI.
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Entering the board's UEFI menu, even after testing an array of boards on the Intel Z97 chipset, you feel at home. Here, a completely identical arrangement of menu sections is used, their names are also similar to those that we saw on the previously reviewed
It's no secret that Intel dominates the x86 processor segment. She feels especially confident in the category of high-performance solutions, which are often used by gamers to build their desktop systems. Therefore, it is not surprising that the first motherboards of the MSI GAMING series were developed on the basis of Intel chipsets. In the spring of 2014, the first models of the MSI GAMING series for the Socket FM2+ platform appeared. And only at the beginning of summer 2014 the first solution of this line for the Socket AM3+ platform was presented.
As you might guess from its name, it is based on the AMD 970 northbridge chip, which is complemented by the traditional AMD SB950 southbridge and is designed to work in tandem with AMD Phenom II, AMD Athlon II, AMD Sempron and AMD FX processor families. At the time of writing the review, the novelty is already available for purchase, but so far only abroad, where its cost is about $100. Of course, in our market it will be sold a little more expensive, but for such a good equipment, the price of just over $100 looks just great. Since MSI 970 GAMING belongs to the gaming line, it is equipped with a high-end network controller and a flagship sound subsystem. However, let's not rush to conclusions, but traditionally move on to studying the specification of the tested model.
Specification of MSI 970 GAMING motherboard:
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Manufacturer |
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970 GAMING (rev 1.0) |
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Chips of the north and south bridges |
AMD 970 + AMD SB950 |
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Processor socket |
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Supported processors |
AMD Phenom II / AMD Athlon II / AMD Sempron (Socket AM3) AMD FX (Socket AM3+) |
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Frequency of used memory |
2133* / 1866 / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz |
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Memory support |
4 x DDR3 DIMM slots supporting up to 32GB of memory |
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Expansion slots |
2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 |
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2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 |
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Disk subsystem |
AMD SB950 supports: 6 x SATA 6Gb/s RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10 |
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1 x Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2205 (10/100/1000 Mbps) |
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Sound subsystem |
Realtek ALC1150 codec 7.1 channel audio |
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24-pin ATX power connector 8-pin ATX12V power connector |
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Fans |
1 x CPU fan header (4-pin) 4 x system fan headers (2 x 4-pin and 2 x 3-pin) |
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Cooling |
Northbridge aluminum heatsink South bridge aluminum heatsink Aluminum radiator on the elements of the processor power subsystem |
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External I/O ports |
1 x Optical S/PDIF out 6 x audio ports 1 x PS/2 (for connecting a mouse or keyboard) |
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Internal I/O ports |
1 x USB 3.0 with support for connecting two USB 3.0 (19-pin) 3 x USB 2.0, each supporting two USB 2.0 connections 6 x SATA 6Gb/s 1 x COM connector 1 x TPM connector 1 x front panel audio output connector 1 x front panel connector block 1 x CMOS reset jumper 1 x Slow mode switch |
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64 MB Flash ROM UEFI AMI BIOS ACPI 5.0, SM BIOS 2.7, PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0 |
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Equipment |
user's manual warranty brochure disk with drivers and utilities 2 x SATA cables 1 x NVIDIA SLI bridge 1 x door hanger 1 x MSI GAMING sticker 1 x interface panel blank |
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Form Factor |
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Products webpage |
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The MSI 970 GAMING motherboard traditionally comes in a box made of thick cardboard, which is decorated with high-quality and stylish printing in the same style as other solutions of the MSI GAMING series. Most of the front side is reserved for the logo of the series, which is a stylized image of a dragon.
From useful information on the front side of the box, you can pay attention to the name of the board and the manufacturer, as well as the presence of the Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2205 network controller and the audio subsystem with the Audio Boost 2 design.
On the back of the box, in addition to a schematic representation of the interface panel and brief technical specifications, there is a description of key features and supported technologies:
- Audio Boost 2 The audio subsystem of the novelty, in addition to the flagship Realtek ALC1150 codec, includes special Nichicon audio capacitors, two amplifiers supporting studio headphones with an impedance of up to 600 Ohms, as well as gold-plated audio outputs on the interface panel and a casing for protection against electromagnetic interference. We also note a nice bonus in the form of a shielding strip with LED backlighting that separates the part of the printed circuit board with the sound subsystem from the rest of the components.
- Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2205- a network controller that has the ability to automatically detect game traffic and increase its priority in relation to low-level system traffic, guaranteeing low latency in the transfer of game data.
- OC Genie 4- automatic overclocking function, which is activated by pressing one button in the bundled software.
- Multi-GPU The motherboard supports AMD CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI technologies to combine the computing power of two graphics cards.
- Sound Blaster Cinema 2 - thanks to this technology, the sound quality in gaming applications and when playing multimedia content is significantly improved.
- Military Class 4- only high-quality components are used in the design of the novelty, such as Dark CAP solid-state capacitors with an extended service life of up to 10 years and SFC chokes with ferrite cores.
- Gaming Device Port- USB 2.0 and PS/2 ports are tripled in gold plating for greater reliability and durability. They are also optimized for high polling rate devices (500 to 1000 Hz), reducing response time from 8 milliseconds to 1 millisecond.
The delivery package of the MSI 970 GAMING motherboard, in addition to the standard documentation and a disk with drivers and utilities, includes two SATA cables, an NVIDIA SLI bridge, an interface panel blank, a sticker on system unit with the logo of the MSI GAMING series, as well as a cardboard hanger with the logo of the series and the inscriptions: "Sorry, busy with the game" and "I'm not here."
Design and features of the board
Traditionally for motherboards of the MSI GAMING series, the novelty is made on a black printed circuit board with a matte finish, which goes well with small red blotches on the radiators of the cooling system. Separately, we note the metal logos of the series on the ends of the radiators themselves. In general, the design is distinguished by rigor and style, indicating a high-quality product.
As for the layout of the on-board elements, it can only be noted that the non-standard location of the block for connecting the remote panel with USB ports 3.0 at the bottom of the board. As for the rest, the assembly of the system based on the MSI 970 GAMING did not bring any surprises: the arrangement of all elements is thought out and very successful.
On the reverse side of the PCB is only the base plate of the processor socket. Also note that all three radiators are securely fixed with screws.
The following connectors are located at the bottom of the board: front panel audio header, S/PDIF Out, TPM and COM ports, one of four system fan connectors, and two front panel headers.
Separately, we note four connectors for implementing USB interfaces: three USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0. In total, the AMD SB950 south bridge supports fourteen USB 2.0 ports: six internal and eight on the interface panel. As for USB 3.0, all four interfaces (two internal and two external) function thanks to two VIA VL806 controllers.
The possibilities of organizing a disk subsystem are represented by six SATA 6 Gb / s ports, for which there is support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 arrays. All interfaces are implemented by the AMD SB950 south bridge. Since they are all parallel to the surface of the PCB, even the longest expansion boards will not make it difficult to connect drives.
The MSI 970 GAMING motherboard is equipped with four DIMM slots for installing DDR3 RAM modules, which are equipped with latches on one side only. RAM can operate in dual-channel mode, for which modules must be installed either in the first and third, or in the second and fourth slots. Supports memory sticks operating at frequencies up to 1866 MHz in nominal mode and up to 2133 MHz in overclocking. The maximum memory can be 32 GB, which should be more than enough in most cases.
The cooling system of the board under consideration consists of three aluminum radiators: the first one covers the elements of the processor power subsystem, the second cools the AMD 970 northbridge, while the third one cools the AMD SB950 southbridge. As we already mentioned, all radiators are fixed with screws. During testing, the following temperature indicators were recorded:
- AMD SB950 southbridge cooling radiator - 36.5°C;
- AMD 970 northbridge cooling radiator - 40.1°C;
- radiator for cooling the elements of the processor power subsystem - 34.9°C.
The results obtained confirm the efficiency of the cooling system and allow us to hope for a good overclocking potential of this model.
The processor is powered by an enhanced 8-phase scheme for computing cores and additional nodes. The converter itself is based on the uP1601P PWM controller. The element base of the novelty is recruited using high-quality components that are certified according to the military standard MIL-STD-810G in accordance with the Military Class 4 proprietary design. It includes Dark CAP solid-state capacitors and SFC ferrite chokes. The main 24-pin and additional 8-pin connectors are designed to supply the required supply voltage.
The functionality of the MSI 970 GAMING model can be expanded with six slots:
- PCI Express 2.0x1;
- PCI Express 2.0 x16 (in x16 mode);
- PCI Express 2.0x1;
- PCI Express 2.0 x16 (in x8 mode);
Here, MSI has prepared a very pleasant surprise for all fans of bundles of two graphics adapters. The fact is that AMD has endowed the north bridge with support for a maximum of sixteen PCI Express 2.0 lanes, which it traditionally cannot use in x8 + x8 mode. Usually, in motherboards based on it, only four lines are available to the second connector, so the final configuration is x16 + x4, which does not allow revealing the potential of the AMD CrossFireX bundle.
So what do we see in MSI 970 GAMING? For the second PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot, support for a maximum of eight lanes is declared, thus ensuring the x8 + x8 mode for AMD CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI technologies. That is, the new product implements the functionality of traditionally more expensive solutions based on AMD 990X and AMD 990FX chipsets.
We also note the possibility of connecting expansion cards with PCI Express 2.0 x1 and PCI interfaces.
Multi I/O capabilities are provided by the Fintek F71878AD chip, which controls the operation of system fans, COM and PS/2 ports, and also monitors.
Four USB 3.0 ports are implemented by two VIA VL806 controllers.
Network connections are supported by the Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2205 gigabit LAN controller, which has a number of hardware and software advantages for prioritizing gaming and multimedia traffic.
The MSI 970 GAMING audio subsystem is a rather interesting design called Audio Boost 2. It is based on the flagship 7.1-channel HDA codec Realtek ALC1150, which supports 2/4/5.1/7.1 audio formats. It is paired with two amplifiers that can support headphones with an impedance of up to 600 ohms. It also uses Nichicon's high-quality audio capacitors, gold-plated audio jacks, and EMI shielding technology. Software fine-tuning the sound quality to the required level is carried out by Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 2 software.
The following ports are displayed on the interface panel of the MSI 970 GAMING model:
- 1 x PS/2 port for keyboard or mouse;
- 1 x LAN (RJ45);
- 2 x USB 3.0;
- 8 x USB 2.0;
- 1x Optical S/PDIF out;
- 6 x audio ports.
The interface panel of the novelty provides the user with good opportunities for connecting a wide variety of peripherals. Judge for yourself: there are not only a large number of USB ports, but also the ability to put them on the back of the case COM port, convenient connection of multi-channel acoustics, as well as support for the Gaming Device Port technology, which we mentioned at the beginning of the review.
The MSI 970 GAMING motherboard is equipped with five fan headers: one for CPU cooling (4-pin) and four for system fans (2 x 4-pin and 2 x 3-pin).
The MSI 970 GAMING model uses a proprietary ClickBIOS 4 preloader based on the UEFI interface. It features an attractive graphical interface and a convenient process for making changes to settings.
The options required for fine-tuning the system are grouped in the "OC" section.
If necessary, in this section you can access the voltage adjustment on various components.
As you can see, saving custom BIOS settings in six different profiles, as well as the ability to load the required profile from a USB drive.
The RAM frequency can be changed from 800 to 1600 MHz.
And if necessary, you can access the memory delay adjustments.
The settings needed to optimize the system are summarized in the table:
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Parameter |
Menu name |
Range |
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System bus frequency |
Adjust CPU FSB Frequency |
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Processor multiplier |
Adjust CPU Ratio |
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Adjust CPU-NB Ratio |
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RAM frequency |
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RAM timings |
Timing Configuration |
tCL, tRCD, tRP, tRAS, tRFC, tREFI, tWR, tWTR, tRRD, tRTP, tFAW, tWCL, tCKE |
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Adjust PCI-E Frequency (MHz) |
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CPU voltage |
0,320000 - +0,630000 |
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0,320000 - +0,630000 |
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RAM voltage |
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Northbridge voltage |
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Southbridge voltage |
The "Hardware Monitor" section provides access to monitoring the system temperature, processor temperature and the rotation speed of installed fans. Here you can also manually set the required speed of the blades of the turntables. Additionally, you can monitor the voltage on the processor core, memory modules and power lines +12V, +5V and +3.3V. Separately, it is worth noting the possibility of taking "screenshots" in the BIOS and support for the Russian language. Overclocking options Using the automatic overclocking feature of OC Genie 4, we got the frequency of our test AMD Phenom II X3 720 processor equal to 3150 MHz at a voltage of 1.328 V.
The manual overclocking capabilities were tested by increasing the frequency of the clock generator, which ended up at 339.95 MHz, which is a very good result. Testing The following equipment was used to test the capabilities of the MSI 970 GAMING motherboard:
Test results
During testing, the motherboard demonstrated similar performance with competitors' models, which confirms the high quality of the new product, the selection of an effective element base and good optimization BIOS settings. Testing the audio path based on the Realtek ALC1150 codec Test report in RightMark Audio Analyzer 16-bit, 44.1 kHz
Operating mode 24-bit, 192 kHz
By tradition, we note the excellent audio quality provided by the proprietary Audio Boost 2 audio subsystem with the flagship Realtek ALC1150 audio codec. For connoisseurs of uncompromising sound, it is possible to install a discrete audio card with a PCI Express interface or more affordable PCI solutions. conclusions Summing up the results of acquaintance with the motherboard, it is worth noting that it has established itself as an exceptionally successful model, which has a very good set of characteristics, perfectly combined with an affordable price and the complete absence of any shortcomings. Among the main advantages of the MSI 970 GAMING, one can note a high-quality element base recruited in accordance with the Military Class 4 concept (Dark CAP solid capacitors and SFC ferrite chokes), an enhanced 8-phase power subsystem, a good layout of the interface panel, a nice design, as well as port support. SATA 6 Gb/s and USB 3.0. Separately, we note the excellent Audio Boost 2 sound subsystem and the Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2205 gigabit LAN gaming controller, which has a number of hardware and software advantages for prioritizing gaming and multimedia traffic. And, of course, let's recall the possibility of using PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots to build bundles of AMD CrossFireX or NVIDIA SLI in x8 + x8 mode. As a result, the MSI 970 GAMING motherboard will be an excellent and very profitable purchase for building a gaming PC based on AMD Phenom II, AMD Athlon II and AMD FX processor families with one or two high-performance graphics cards. Advantages:
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