MSI X470 Gaming M7 AC Review

Up Close cont

Ensuring that your CPU is fed with a sufficient amount of smooth power is vital, particularly when you’re dealing with multi-core processors, and to this end the MSI Gaming M7 has two 8pin CPU power inputs. We already know the results of our testing so maybe this extra power lets the Ryzen 7 2700X breathe a little freer and more consistently.

  

Getting a close look at the top right and you can see what we meant about the slightly curious fan header placements. Sure you can make the argument that a single fan CPU cooler is still the most popular option, but at this end of the market when you’re dealing with enthusiasts the vast majority of people at minimum use a single fan AIO and most use dual fans necessitating three headers in close proximity.

  

Like the other X470s we’ve looked at so far, the Gaming M7 has six SATA 6Gb/s ports to go along with its two M.2 ports. As M.2 prices continue to fall the importance of having multiple slots will only enhance in the future. All that speed for a relatively modest investment.

  

The MSI overclocking once won our OC3D Innovation award and time hasn’t diminished its capabilities. We would always recommend learning how to manually overclock because the results are significantly better but if you’re just after squeezing a bit more performance out in a ‘fire and forget’ manner then the MSI system is outstanding.

  

Continuing the theme of curiously placed connectors, the front panel USB 3.1 connector is a reasonable way in along the bottom edge. Those with short cables need not apply. Given how most case manufacturers treat cable as something that is worth more than gold and refuse to give you a millimetre or two more thanis the bare minimum then we think that will be a lot of people.

  

There is just a single fan header on the left hand edge above the PCI Express x1 slot. Hopefully one exhaust fan is all you require.

  

Another look at the RGB Dragon logo and reinforced PCI Express slots.

  

Around the back we find a reasonable selection of USB ports, including the all important USB 3.1 in both Type-A and Type-C variants, whilst the 5 GHz WiFi support is built into the X470 chipset along with a Gigabit LAN for those who prefer their internet hard wired. There is also a combined PS/2 port and the all important audio outputs.