MSI has launched what it calls the "world's fastest X299 microATX motherboard." The MSI X299M GAMING PRO CARBON AC supports the new Intel Core X-series processors (i9-79xx & i7-78xx) for LGA 2066 sockets, with up to 18 cores and 36 threads. For a small motherboard MSI has packed in a reasonably full set of features plus the all-important RGB LED lighting, with effects brought to you by Mystic Light.
Despite its m-ATX form, the MSI X299M GAMING PRO CARBON AC has room for 4x DIMM slots for a quad-channel memory system. Via this quartet of memory slots you can install up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM (speeds of 4200MHz+ are supported). Other specs that seem to belie its size are the twin STEEL ARMOUR PCI-Express x16 slots for Multi GPU support (plus another x16 slot), eight SATA ports, Dual Intel LAN with Wi-Fi and Twin Turbo M.2 with one of them protected by MSI's M.2 Shield v2.
When using one of the unlocked Intel Core-X processors you might want to indulge in some OC shenanigans, and MSI reckons it's got you covered with its 10 phase DIGITALL power design, load line calibration, CMOS Flash Back plus SYSTEM SAVER, Click BIOS 5, full fan control, 4x fan headers on board and watercooling ready design. Furthermore, for gaming MSI boasts of its GAME BOOST mode, VR BOOST, and AUDIO BOOST with NAHIMIC 2+ providing worthwhile enhancements.
As mentioned in the intro, users will be able to enjoy the built-in Mystic Light Sync RGB lighting which looks like it covers two zones, from the product page animations. In all users will have access to 17 lighting effects, synchronisation with other RGB LED components, and control of this facility via the MSI Mystic Light Sync app.
Size |
Micro-ATX |
Chipset |
Intel X299, using LGA 2066 Socket, supporting Intel Core-X |
Memory |
4 DDR4 DIMM slots, quad channel, up to 4,200MHz+ (OC), up to 128GB |
Multi-GPU |
2x SLI, CrossFireX |
PCI-E Gen3 |
3 x16 slots |
M.2. |
2 |
SATA |
8 |
Networking |
10/100/1000 Ethernet / Intel Dual Band Wireless / Bluetooth 4.2 |
Audio |
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio, with 5 in/out ports plus optical SPDIF. AUDIO BOOST 4 with NAHIMIC 2+ |
USB |
Internal: 1 x Gen2 (Type C), 4 x Gen1 (Type A) |
MSI didn't provide us with availability or pricing information.