MSI Z170A XPOWER Gaming Titanium Edition First Look

tinytomlogan

The Guvnor
Staff member
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MSI have grown some seriously huge balls and released a SILVER motherboard.... Brave yes, but is it genius?

MSI Z170A XPOWER Gaming Titanium Edition
 
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That was a polite way to put it. For me personally, silver is too far, the hole is dug, then a dragon, and then just using the heatsink from a Maximus VII. It's over RIP XPOWER, please don't take Lightning down with you!

JR
 
I had an inkling it could look OK with reference nVidia cards. I was still very wrong it seems.

I'll pass. By pass I mean jump-off-the-nearest-bridge-to-avoid-making-eye-contact kind of pass. Bring back the yellow please. Atleast they decided to not copy an exisiting color scheme so they do deserve some credit imo.
 
That was a polite way to put it. For me personally, silver is too far, the hole is dug, then a dragon, and then just using the heatsink from a Maximus VII. It's over RIP XPOWER, please don't take Lightning down with you!

JR

Its actually really nice in the flesh. I didnt like the photos I saw but I do actually like this.... Also its not the same heatsink, even the chokes on this are in contact and they have a machined area on the fets and the chipset.
 
Its actually really nice in the flesh. I didnt like the photos I saw but I do actually like this.... Also its not the same heatsink, even the chokes on this are in contact and they have a machined area on the fets and the chipset.

If this was the work of ASRock or Biostar it would get torn a new one.

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JR
 
the most top heatsink is similar yes, but that's nothing to loose your pantys about.
 
Not all heat sinks need to be different, if the formula works and fits then all is good. They are clearly different while being similar enough to attract Maximus fans, it's not like MSI borrowed Porsche or Thermaltakes photocopier :lol:

I'm not sold on the shiny silveryness but I suppose you'd have to actually see it to appreciate it.
 
I think with the right themed build it would be awesome. You got me thinking . . . All acetal/black water blocks and chromed or black chromed copper tubing, then only a few flashes of color like the Ram, cable sleeving and the color of the coolant in the tank.

--Rick--
 
I've been looking forward to MSI's latest XPOWER board as I'm really impressed with my MSI Z87 XPOWER. However, this Z170A XPOWER leaves me a little cold.

The silver is definitely marmite like Tom says and I think it would be far too much silver for my current in-progress build. However it is a refreshing change from the norm and will certainly stand out in many builds.

Having glanced at the manual online I'm a little disappointed. Only one PCIE slot is x16 and in SLI both slots drop to x8, which I think is due to the absence of a PLX chip. I've tested x16x16 and x8x8 and there is a difference although not huge. Quite frankly I'd expect the XPOWER board to have it all.

If you fit both M.2 drives you'll lose up to 4 SATA ports, but still have plenty of ports available. It's good they have got rid of the Killer NIC and installed one from Intel; those of us with onboard Killer NIC know how much of a pain they are to install the driver on a fresh OS.

I'm now confused as to what MSI's flagship motherboard actually is because this Z170A XPGTE doesn't feel like it. I think MSI are little confused on how a top-tier motherboard should shine and taken it far too literally.

Anyway, I'm still interested on how it'll perform and look forward to the OC3D review, as always.
 
Buget wise - it's not for my next build but I do love the colour.

Not to take anything away from all the amazing builds you guys have done but I'm over the red/black every manufacturer is putting out.

The titanium will compliment almost any colour you like so I think it will give you more options to customize the overall look of your build. Put some nice shiny water blocks on it and it will look a million bucks. Or go clear and let the coolant colour be the hero.

The silver will match the blues/reds/greens/blacks beautifully and even works with yellow or orange or some of the brighter contrasts.

Is it balls-out enough for a top motherboard? Maybe not. But there's always X99.

I do like the looks better than the MPower ones. That may be blasphemy but it's all about personal taste :)
 
Damn, I like it! The first love of my life was a titanium silver bimmer, and this reminds me of that. I wonder if a build with this board would be a bitch to light up properly though.
 
The PCI-e spacing is what interests me as I have 2 very hot AMD cards also the fact it isn't red and black. Does anyone think the extra space would have an impact on crossfire (or SLI) performance?
 
The PCI-e spacing is what interests me as I have 2 very hot AMD cards also the fact it isn't red and black. Does anyone think the extra space would have an impact on crossfire (or SLI) performance?

Try these pics for a better view of the PCI-e slots: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130870
My Titanium board is due to be delivered later today.
I haven't a clue when I'll get to buy the i7-6700K for it as they still aren't in stock.
 
Yea and the holes for mounting are in the same place lmao mwuhahaha. Rock on msi,nice board

Posts merged - Please do not post multiple times in a row

I think their God Like Gaming motherboards the best of their stock at present
 
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