MSI MEG X870E Godlike X-Edition Review
Board Tour
Board Tour
The top side is unquestionably dominated by the huge MSI Dragon that has also been shining in the image at the top of every page. Although you can utilise your custom numbered display, you can also stick with the plain top M.2 heatsink as we have here. On the right is the Dynamic Dashboard III, and we’ll show you more of that later on. There is a precision to the layout that speaks of the price you paid to hold it in your hands.
Down the bottom we find all the things that keep your hardware cool. The heatsink for the M.2s is double sided and part of the famous MSI Frozr range. That triangle is an enlarged PCH – Platform Control Hub – heatsink that works in conjunction with the backplate to ensure the X870E chipset stays frosty.
It’s crazy to see how many M.2 slots you get even before you utilise the Xpander. That’s 2 Gen5 128Gbps, 2 Gen4 64Gbps and 1 Gen4 32Gbps on the PCB. The Xpander has two Gen5 128Gbps slots. Hell I’ve got masses of stuff on my drives and even I’d be left with one spare slot. It shows how extreme the Godlike X-Edition is.
By now you’ll all be familiar with the 2 8pin 12V CPU power inputs. We like that they’re not tucked away in the top left. It’s better for our fingers, reduces cable stretching, and lets the Godlike run that giant RGB heatsink. It’s worth stopping to study this photo for a moment. Look at the exactness of the Godlike name carved into the heatsink. The design of the VRM heatsink. The fact the capacitors are all facing the same way. Think about how much work it must take to get things this precise.
We still don’t quite know why horizontal connectors haven’t become the norm. Thankfully at this end of the price spectrum they are somewhat more common. It makes everyone’s life easier. By going double stacked the Godlike X-Edition has lots of room to label the connectors. For those who didn’t read our accessories coverage on the previous page, the Bridge connector is for MSI’s EZ Control Hub.
As well as SATA and front USB ports – business as usual – the Godlike X-Edition is ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 ready. Stick a power connector into the 8 pin header here and get an extra 12V of power for the PCI Express slots. Perfect if you’ve got a high end GPU or are happy to torch the planet in the quest for 7 fingers people and unreadable fake articles.
Look at the precision of the northernmost heatsink. Yet another one of the little things that show how high-end the Godlike X-Edition is. You wouldn’t get craftsmanship like this for a bargain basement price.
AMD have really put the hard yards in with the efficiency of their latest Ryzen processors. We’ve tested many 60A options that can handle our Ryzen 9 without difficulty. However, if you really want to make sure that you can overclock the bejeezus out of something, and also be futureproofed, the Godlike has you covered. AMD use the same socket for a long time. The Godlike X-Edition boasts 24+2+1 Duet Rail Power System with 110A Smart Power Stage. We don’t know about you, but that sounds like a mountain of power to us. Speaking of mountains, look at those heatsinks. As you’ll see in our testing, they’re hugely capable.
It has long been an OC3D maxim that the IO section of a motherboard is the clearest indicator of its pricing and quality. Although many USB ports and at least one LAN are part of the X870E chipset, the MSI MEG Godlike X-Edition shows how many extra connection options your money has brought you. Only the most demanding user will truly utilise all the 10G USB ports available on the back. Adding them to a 10G LAN port and speedy WiFi 7, you’ve got bandwidth for days.
Lastly the back has a full cover heatspreader helping to eliminate any potential warping from high heat, high stress scenarios. Obviously the thick PCB does much of that, but the performance potential of the Godlike X-Edition is such that any help is useful. Long term sustainability is vital, particularly at this price point.
