MSI X470 Gaming Plus motherboard review. No frills

 

New chipset and processors AMD 2nd generation Ryzen

 

Formally, the new AMD X470 chipset (socket AM4) is designed for the second generation AMD Ryzen processors that appeared this spring.

 

The line of these processors currently includes eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, Ryzen 7 2700, six-core AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Ryzen 5 2600. These processors are codenamed Pinnacle Ridge and do not have a built-in video adapter.

 

The second generation of AMD Ryzen also includes models codenamed Raven Ridge. These are quad-core AMD Ryzen 3 2200GE and Ryzen 3 2200Gequipped with integrated Vega video.

 

 

But not only the new AMD Ryzen, but also any other processors for socket AM4 systems will work with boards based on the AMD X470 chipset.

 

It should be noted that the recently releasedAMD Ryzen 2000 series processors will also run on most motherboards based on previous generation chipsets (AMD X370, B350, A320).

 

By the way, differences between last year’s AMD X370 and the new X470 are not so easy to find. All the innovations implemented in AMD Ryzen 2000 series processors will be fully visible on the “old” AMD X370 chipsets.

 

There is information that the X470 turned out to be a little more economical. And only the X470 supports AMD StoreMI technology. This technology involves combining a fast SSD with a high-capacity HDD to obtain a universal drive with a performance level between SSD and HDD. Similar functionality is provided by Intel Smart Response Technology.

 

MSI X470 Gaming Plus Features

 

Although the MSI X470 Gaming Plus is based on the top AMD X470 chipset for the socket AM4 platform, it is at the very beginning in the hierarchy of the presented MSI X470 boards (paired with the X470 Gaming PRO).

 

 

But this is by no means an entry-level board. It is very advanced, it just lacks some of the features that are found in more expensive models.

 

How does it differ from more expensive motherboards in the MSI X470 line?

 

Among the main simplifications, we note that the processor power supply is implemented in the form of two connectors 8pin + 6pin, and not 8pin + 8pin, there is no trendy USB Type-C port on the connector panel, a simpler Realtek ALC892 sound controller is installed, not a Realtek ALC1220, the network adapter is based on a Realtek chip, while older models often use Intel chips.

 

The backlight of the MSI X470 Gaming Plus is also more modest compared to its more advanced brothers.

 

Otherwise, this is a fairly advanced power supply with a level of equipment sufficient even for advanced modern systems.

 

 

 

 

 

A good set of USB ports, which includes both USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1, provided by the chipset and processor itself, is also supplemented by a pair of USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports with increased bandwidth, implemented by the ASMEDIA ASM1143 adapter.

 

 

The board can be used to assemble a system with several video cards, although only the option with an AMD GPU (AMD CrossFire) is supported.

 

When one video card operates, a 16-channel PCIe 3.0 interface is used. With two video cards they will work in PCIe 3.0 X8 + X8 mode. With three – PCIe 3.0 X8 + X8 + X4.

 

There is room for two M.2 SSD drives at once. The operation of the first is provided by the PCIe processor lines, and the second by the chipset lines. Traditionally there are some restrictions. For example, the SATA1 port and the bottom PCIe slot will not be accessible if an M.2 drive is connected to the bottom slot.

 

The backlight LEDs are installed only on a small area of the board (soldered on the back side of the board close to the edge). The glow is moderate, but these are RGB LEDs with support for proprietary technology, Mystic Light technology. You will have ample opportunities to customize the color of the glow, effects (flickering, breathing, etc.) and synchronizing the glow of different components.

 

 

By the way, there are also contacts for connecting LED strips and other compatible devices. The backlight in this case will also be synchronized.

 

 

The board’s audio preparation is advanced, but, in general, standard for the vast majority of MSI boards. There is isolation (both in placement and electronically) of audio components, the “laying” of electronic paths related to the right and left channels is made on separate layers of the board, and advanced Chemi-Con capacitors are used.

 

 

BIOS and firmware

 

Those who are familiar with modern MSI boards will not find anything new in the system BIOS. The organization and functionality are traditional for MSI boards.

 

There is a simplified settings mode with a graphical representation, and a more traditional settings option with a text menu.

 

In a special section on studying the MSI X470 Gaming Plus board, you can understand which elements are located where and which components are connected.

 

Considering that the board is built on a top-end chipset and has good power supply, a wide range of settings is available for experimenting with overclocking.

 

BIOS settings for MSI X470 Gaming Plus

 

 

For our part, we note that AMD Ryzen processors of the upper category are overclocked minimally, since the frequency potential is already almost fully used at factory settings. Some significant results are more likely to be achieved with AMD Ryzen of lower categories.

 

The software set is also traditional for MSI boards.

 

There are applications for advanced settings for overclocking the processor and memory. You can control system parameters, control fans, select different operating modes with different priorities (economy, performance, disk subsystem priority, etc.).

 

Screenshots of some proprietary applications MSI X470 Gaming Plus

 

 

In addition to the basic settings of the Realtek sound controller, there is also a proprietary Nahimic application for advanced settings of additional sound effects.

 

Using a smartphone, you can control some functions, including backlighting, monitoring system parameters, overclocking, etc.

 

Conclusions

 

Replacing a motherboard with an AMD X370 chipset with a more recent X470 does not make much sense. You won’t get any significant benefits.

 

The board option with the AMD X470 chipset will be relevant if you are building a new advanced system with AMD Ryzen processors.

 

 

If we talk about the MSI X470 Gaming Plus, although it is one of the most affordable boards based on AMD X470 at the moment, you need to understand that it has far from ordinary characteristics, is well equipped and does not cost much. There are simply even more expensive and cool options.

 

During our acquaintance, the payment did not present any unpleasant surprises. This is a good product with proven MSI solutions.

 

If you do not have any special requests, then the MSI X470 Gaming Plus is also suitable for very powerful advanced systems. It looks very decent in the segment of relatively affordable motherboards based on the new AMD X470 chipset.

 

Main characteristics of the MSI X470 Gaming Plus motherboard

Socket	AM4
Chipset	AMD X470
Form factor	ATX
CPU power	8pin + 6pin
RAM	4x DDR4 1866–3466 (OC) MHz
Storage	6x SATA3, 2x M.2 (with support for PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 3)
Sound	7.1 channel Realtek ALC892
Network	Gigabit Realtek 8111H
Extension slots	3x PCIe 3.0 x16 (modes x16, x8, x4), 3x PCIe 3.0 x1
USB	USB 2.0 x 6 (4 pin-out ports), USB 3.1 Gen1 x 8 (4 pin-out ports), USB 3.1 Gen2 x 2
Video outputs	DVI, HDMI
Supplier	MSI Representative
Price	$155

Rating:

+ good equipment

+ RGB backlight with contacts for connecting LED strips

+ two M.2 slots

+ presence of USB 3.1 Gen2 ports

– does not support NVIDIA SLI

– this cost is noticeably higher than that of similar boards based on last year’s AMD X370 chip

 

See also:

• Introduction to the MSI Z370 Tomahawk motherboard: for cool systems
• MSI Z370 Krait Gaming motherboard review: mid-range “on steroids”