MSI Big Bang XPower II Motherboard Review

[XstollieX]

I'm sure you're all familiar with the theory of the Big Bang. The whole creation of the universe theory. Anything that uses the Big Bang name sure has a lot to live up to! MSI has released their second revision of the Big Bang XPower. The first XPower was the Intel X58 chipset, the MSI Big Bang XPower II is built around the latest and greatest Intel X79 chipset. Today we are going to take an in-depth look at the MSI Big Bang XPower II and put it through the paces. With any luck the MSI Big Bang XPower II will make a big bang in our tests and not just a little pop!


Article Title: MSI Big Bang XPower II Motherboard Review
Article URL: http://legitreviews.com/article/1857/1/

[Major_A]

This looks like a PCIe 6-pin power header. What is it really and why have it there?

[vbironchef]

Maybe with Kepler coming out and if you are running 3 graphic cards your power supply may not have enough room? Or maybe it's just for the hard drives? Or both?

[Athlonite]

According to the Manual its

JPWR4: ATX 6-pin Power Connector
This connector provides power to the graphics card.

so looks like it's for extra PCIe power

[Major_A]

Usually extra power connections are closer to the PCIe connections. I figured it was for more power but it seems like an odd place to put it.

[XstollieX]

Usually extra power connections are closer to the PCIe connections. I figured it was for more power but it seems like an odd place to put it.

Wow, how did I skip over that... But you guys are right, that is to supply extra power to the PCIe cards. The advantage to having the plug over here comes mainly for cable management and extreme overclocking. Who wants a 6pin PCIe cable running over the the middle of the board, it's effective but looks awful. On the edge it's much easier to hide the cable. Sorry about that

[Major_A]

I see that aesthetically it is a better placement but I wasn't sure what the extra power was for. Thanks for clarifying.

[gardnerphotos]

Could you possibly give me the dimensions of the board in mm? Can't seem to find them anywhere! Thanks

[sgkean]

Could you possibly give me the dimensions of the board in mm? Can't seem to find them anywhere! Thanks

The first page provides the dimensions in CM, 34.5cm(L) x 26.4cm(W) XL-ATX Form Factor. Which translates to 345mm(L) x 264mm(W), which matches up to the standard XL-ATX motherboard dimensions.