Hands on with the MSI X870E Godlike X Edition and MAX series motherboards
We got hands-on with MSI’s next wave of AMD AM5 motherboards
We’ve recently had the opportunity to get a closer look at MSI’s upcoming X870E GODLIKE X Edition and X870E MAX series motherboards. These motherboards will be released as part of MSI’s next wave of AMD/AM5 offerings, featuring new features and larger ROM chips.
Larger ROM chips? Yes, MSI’s new motherboards will feature 64MB BIOS ROMs. This will help MSI support AMD’s growing list of AM5-compatible processors. Furthermore, it provides MSI with the space to add Wi-Fi 7 and LAN drivers to its new motherboards. This simplifies Windows installations significantly.
MSI knows how to treat its guests
If you’re taking a close look at our pictures, you will know where we met MSI. Yes, we were at Frankie and Benny’s. Not a typical spot for a business meeting, but a good place for some chatter.
Typically, we aren’t allowed to take photos at these kinds of meetings, but this case was an exception. Although these motherboards are not yet available, they were unveiled at Gamescom 2025. That means that we can grab some pics while we grab our lunch. MSI has a lot of new kit coming out later this year, and although we cannot discuss all of it (yet), we can talk about MSI’s newest AM5 motherboards.
MSI MEG X870E ACE MAX
Beside our empty desert plate, we have MSI’s MEG X870E ACE MAX, an entirely new entry for MSI’s AM5 motherboard lineup. While most of MSI’s MAX series motherboards are enhanced versions of existing models, it’s worth noting that MSI hasn’t released a non-MAX X870E ACE.
Like all of MSI’s new MAX series motherboard designs, this new motherboard sports MSI’s “exclusive OC Engine” and “Direct OC Jumper” features. These changes enable precise BCLK control, providing greater tunability and enhanced overclocking potential. We’re looking forward to trying these features out when these motherboards are ready to review.
MSI’s MEG-class MAX series motherboards support 10G Ethernet. All of MSI’s X870E MAX series motherboards also support 40Gbps USB, and WIFI 7.
MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE X Edition – A Decade of GODLIKE motherboards
MSI’s GODLIKE brand is now ten years old. To celebrate, MSI has created its MEG X870E GODLIKE X EDITION motherboard, which will be available in limited quantities. Only 1,000 of these motherboards are being manufactured, and they feature all the bells and whistles you would expect from a top-of-the-line motherboard.
This motherboard features all of MSI’s new MAX series features, alongside some added extras. We have MSI’s Dynamic Dashboard, on LCD-screen that can be used for hardware monitoring, BIOS updates, and other personalisation options. We have MSI’s M.2 EXPANDER-Z SLIDER, an add-on card that enables support for two extra PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSDs. Next, we have MSI’s EZ series features, which make upgrading and building your PC a much simpler process. These include EZ Link, EZ PCIe release, and EZ Magnetic M.2 Shield.
MSI’s new Godlike motherboard features X Edition branding and offers two top M.2 cover options. Below you can see the motherboard’s numbered nameplate. Alternatively, MSI has a cover that says “Godlike Limited”.
New MSI Godlike X Edition accessories
MSI’s GODLIKE series motherboards have always been premium. With their new X-Edition motherboards, MSI are giving buyers some extra accessories to push things to the next level. First, each motherboard has a golden nameplate. Additionally, each motherboard comes with a Black Lucky plush. Finally, each motherboard comes with a “Collectors Stand”, which can be powered to showcase some RGB lighting effects.
Meet the MSI MPG X870E CARBON MAX
Next in MSI’s new X870E MAX lineup is the MPG X870E CARBON MAX. Like other MAX series motherboards, it has a 64MB ROM chip, 5G LAN, WIFI 7 support, and 40 Gbps USB support. These motherboards also feature “optimised PCIe lane bifurcation” to maximise PCIe 5.0 SSD and GPU performance. We wil be able to talk more about this feature when these motherboards are released.
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk MAX
With the TOMAHAWK MAX, we have the same MAX series enhancements as other X870E MAX series designs. We have fast networking with WIFI 7 and 5G Ethernet. There’s 40Gbps USB, and there’s “optimised PCIe lane bifurcation”. Its everything good about the original X870E TOMAHAWK, but upgraded for 2025.
MSI’s X870E Tomahawk PZ is coming soon!
While MSI didn’t have their X870E Tomahawk PZ motherboard on hand, they did confirm that this motherboard would be released this year. We got to see this motherboard at Computex 2025, and it looks fantastic.
(MSI MAG X870E TOMAHAWK PZ at Computex 2025)
PZ is MSI’s new name for “Project Zero”. Project Zero is MSI’s back-connect motherboard standard. Basically, MSI has placed all of its motherboard power and IO on the rear of its PZ motherboards. When used with a compatible PC case, this allows PC builders to build systems with a “cable-free” appearance. This makes PC builds more aesthetically pleasing and stops cables from interfering with case airflow.
MSI is investing in its AMD/AM5 motherboard lineup
I think MSI’s new wave of X870E motherboards says a great deal about how the PC market has evolved. MSI’s 10th Anniversary Godlike X Edition motherboard is an AMD motherboard, not an Intel motherboard. If I said that would be the case a decade ago, I would have been laughed at. The growing commonality of 5G and 10G Ethernet is also a good development, as is the growth of 40 Gbps USB4 support.
All in all, MSI’s new MAX series motherboards appear to be a solid refresh of an already good motherboard lineup. Larger BIOS ROMs will be a godsend to anyone who has had challenges installing Windows 11 on a new motherboard. Placing WIFI drivers into these ROMs will make OS installs a lot easier. While Microsoft could easily fix this with updated Windows 11 installers, I’m glad that MSI is doing something to address this issue.
PC builders can expect MSI’s new wave of AMD AM5 motherboards to arrive within the next few months.
You can join the discussion on MSI’s upcoming X870E AM5 motherboards on the OC3D Forums.
