Greatest Costs As we speak: MSI MPG X570S Carbon EK X

$479.99

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AMD’s AM4 Ryzen platform has loved an extended, affluent life. The X570 household represents the most effective that the platform has to supply, and with the refresh of X570 “S” variants, the platform nonetheless has loads of relevance. 

The MSI X570S Carbon EK X is a particular motherboard—as you’ll have the ability to inform at first look. It’s almost an identical to the common MSI X570S Carbon Max, however provides a water-cooled monoblock from EKWB instead of conventional VRM heatsinks. Coming in at $499 to $549, the EK X variant asks a hefty premium over the $319-$339 air-cooled Carbon Max. (The majority of that value being the monoblock itself.)

We’ll talk about the options, specs, finest CPUs to pair, and who this motherboard is for. Will efficiency or just aesthetics play a job in deciding if it is a viable possibility for you? Let’s discover out!

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: The specs

The elephant within the room is the large EKWB monoblock that comes included. This can cool each your CPU and VRM areas, requiring a customized loop to perform. 

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

When you’re not the water-cooling kind, the MSI Carbon Max makes use of extra conventional cooling strategies. Right here’s what else you may anticipate from the MSI X570S Carbon EK X:

• ATX kind issue (12×9.6 inches) 
• Included EKWB monoblock and EKWB leak tester 
• No chipset fan (in both X570S fashions) 
• Assist for AMD Ryzen 2000, 3000, and 5000 CPUs 
• 14+2 part digital VRM
• DDR4 help
• PCIe Gen 4 (on Ryzen 3000 and 5000 CPUs) 
• 4 M.2 slots
• 10 USB ports on again, together with USB C Gen 2  
• Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210
• Realtek 2.5Gbe LAN
• 3- and 4-pin RGB headers, plus Corsair-specific header 
• 8 SATA 6GB/s ports 
• Built-in I/O protect 
• USB Gen 2 3.2 
• Clear CMOS and BIOS flashback
• Realtek ALC4080 codec

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: Distinctive options

The X570S MSI Carbon EK X and its Carbon Max counterpart are very succesful motherboards with a wealthy characteristic set. Your alternative is straightforward: 

When you’re planning a customized water-cooled loop, the EK X variant is probably going value the additional value because it consists of the superior monoblock. In any other case, the Carbon Max will provide you with 99 p.c of the expertise with historically cooled builds for a pleasant worth financial savings. 

Within the field you’ll get some good included equipment too, such because the EK leak tester, USB drive with drivers, small screwdrivers, and the standard cabling assortment. 

Optimistic options: 

1. EKWB partnership features a lovely waterblock, and EK leak tester
2. Networking: 2.5Gbe LAN and Intel Wi-Fi 6E present strong connectivity
3. Three M.2 slots with cooling shields
4. Succesful energy phases and cooling on each EK X and common variants
5. PCIe Gen 4 for M.2 and GPU slots with newer Ryzen CPUs
6. DDR4 is steady and broadly out there at nice pricing 
7. Helps a lot of trendy AMD CPUs, together with the brand new 5800X3D
8. Clear CMOS and BIOS flashback are nice instruments to have 
9. Loads of trendy USB connectivity 
10. Engaging design, particularly the EK X monoblock variant 
11. Each variants take away the chipset fan 

Downsides:

1. The Carbon EK X just isn’t for everybody—further value and complexity goal solely the water-cooling fanatic 
2. Set up of the monoblock will be tough for builders new to those kind of motherboards
3. Not a lot real-world efficiency distinction between the dearer Carbon EK X and the cheaper Carbon Max 
4. Missing 10Gbe LAN and a second 1Gbe port 
5. Assist will finish with Ryzen 5000, plus no DDR5 means restricted future proofing

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: Design

The Carbon EK X has a surprising design with its large monoblock and engaging carbon-inspired look. The monoblock itself lights up with RGB, and tasteful RGB accents additionally adorn the motherboard itself. 

The monoblock additionally features a spinning circulate meter, letting you realize that liquid is pumping via. 

Purposeful motherboard plating and covers add to the design whereas holding M.2 drives cool beneath. 

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

The MSI X570S Carbon Max variant appears strikingly related, with some RGB lettering on the underside saying “Carbon” as a substitute of “Carbon EK X” to distinguish the fashions. With out the monoblock, it nonetheless has a properly designed VRM cooling space.

MSI

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: Efficiency and BIOS

Each motherboard variants can simply deal with even the mighty Ryzen 9 5950X in each CPU and VRM temperatures. It’s simply at residence with some other Ryzen CPU, naturally, although we advocate sticking with Ryzen 5000 choices to take full benefit of the options and cooling out there right here. 

Whereas the monoblock will usually present higher cooling and canopy the VRM space, real-world variations are miniscule between this and the Carbon Max. Because of this, the first draw for utilizing a monoblock-equipped motherboard is for the distinctive aesthetics it offers, and because the spine of a bigger customized loop which would come with your GPU (the place you’ll usually discover the best temperature enhancements). 

The MSI BIOS is easy to make use of, having a easy and superior mode. Right here you’ll have loads of CPU tweaking choices, together with fan controls and BIOS replace choices. 

MSI has additionally launched new software program known as the “MSI Heart,” which goals to combine RGB, fan, and different system management. Your mileage could differ with such software program; the interface could be a bit clunky and buggy. (Nevertheless it does present some system essential management that’s in any other case solely out there within the BIOS.)

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: Backside line

The X570s MSI Carbon EK X is the right motherboard for the supposed area of interest, fanatic builder. It’s costly for an X570 providing, however remains to be one of many extra reasonably priced “water-cooling” targeted motherboards in the marketplace, making it a superb worth for somebody doing a customized loop. 

Evaluate it to the Asus Z690 Excessive Glacial pictured beneath, for instance, which might value as a lot as $2,000—that makes the $499 price ticket of the MSI Carbon EK X a relative cut price. 

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

Admittedly, the Carbon EK X’s target market is small, so most builders shall be higher served by the Carbon Max variant, which is cheaper and performs equally.

That being stated, whereas the monoblock variant doesn’t have a lot aggressive in its worth vary, the common Carbon Max goes up towards different very succesful choices within the section—such because the X570 Gigabyte Aorus Grasp, and Asus X570 ROG Crosshair VIII Hero. 

When you’re that particular fanatic that will need to have each ounce of aesthetics, efficiency, and fun-to-tinker-with options, the Carbon EK X remains to be a really distinctive motherboard that has little competitors on this area. Simply keep in mind to maintain that EK leak tester useful, and have enjoyable constructing!