In the upper-left corner, we get a better look at the first RGB feature, with the MSI dragon and an “X” in the background (previously, it was a triangle). Typically, we’d also see the EPS power connections here, but they’re on the other side of the wavy fin, direct-touch heatpipe-connected VRM heatsinks, sticking out between the shroud and the Dynamic Dashboard III.
Below the two 8-pin EPS connectors are four DRAM slots with the locking mechanism at the top (where there’s room). MSI lists support up to DDR-9000(OC), which is plenty fast for the platform. We could run our DDR5-7200 kit, but our Klevv DDR5-8000 kit booted to Windows and did not complete the stress test. I didn’t see our kit on the QVL list, so we weren’t disappointed. Perhaps with some additional tweaking, it could get there. As always, stick to the QVL list for your best opportunity at plug-and-play, especially with high-speed kits.
To the right of the DRAM slots is the EZ Bridge. This unique item contains the Dynamic Dashboard III (3.99-inch 800×480 TFT full-color LCD) and several connections (think front panel, USB, some fans, and more) that magnetically attach to the motherboard. The design cleans up the board's appearance, hiding all those unsightly ports and headers. The Dynamic Dashboard displays system status, temperatures, voltages, BIOS Flash status, error messages, accepts custom images, and is truly the showpiece of the board. I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for these screens on motherboards for some reason.
From top to bottom, you have a 4-pin ARGB header, CPU and PUMP fan headers, 24-pin ATX power, supplemental 8-pin PCIe power (required for 60W charging via USB-C), Front panel USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps) and Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C ports, and another 4-pin fan header. The Godlike includes the EZ Control Hub that attaches to the JBRG_HUB1 port on the EZ Bridge. The hub offers seven more fan headers (for a total of 10), two ARGB headers, one 3-pin RGB header, and a water-flow connection. Power for the hub comes from a SATA power connector, while control over most devices is handled through the MSI Center and its applications, or, for some devices (like fans), through the BIOS as well.
Power delivery on the Godlike consists of 27 phases, 24 of which are dedicated to Vcore. Power is supplied via the 8-pin EPS connector(s) to a Renesas RAA229628 controller. From there, it moves to the Renesas R2209004 110A SPS MOSFETs. The 2,640A available is plenty for even the flagship Ryzen 9 7950X or 9950X. The VRMs are among the most robust on the platform and will not hold you back, even if you decide to overclock with sub-ambient cooling.
On the bottom left side, hidden under the heatsink, is a flagship-class audio solution based on the 7.1-channel Realtek ALC4082 codec/chip and supported by an ESS 9219Q Combo DAC/HPA, with its own audio capacitors and the audio separation line to minimize EMI. You won’t find much better audio hardware on a modern motherboard.
Three PCIe slots and five M.2 sockets are in the middle of the board. The top PCIe slot connects to the CPU, supports PCIe 5.0 x16, and uses a convenient button on the EZ Bridge to lock and unlock the video card in its slot. The second slot also connects through the processor and runs up to PCIe 5.0 x8 speeds. When both slots are populated, they both run at x8 speeds. The bottom PCIe x4 slot connects through the chipset and runs at PCIe 4.0 x4. Note that the bottom slot will run at x2 speeds when the M.2_4 socket is populated. You can switch it to x4, but this disables the M2_4 slot.Onboard, two M.2 sockets (M.2_1/2) are PCIe 5.0 x4-capable and handle up to 80mm modules. M.2_3/5 connects through the chipset and runs PCIe 4.0 x,4 while the M.2_4 is limited to PCIe 4.0 x2 (fine for PCIe 3.0 x4 modules). If you need additional PCIe 5.0 M.2 storage, MSI includes the M.2 Xpander-Z Slider Gen 5 add-in card with two PCIe 5.0 x4 slots with an EZ Slide design for quick installation/removal. You don’t have to remove the card from your PC to access it, as the drives install through the IO plate. The Godlike can hold a wild seven M.2 drives — the most I recall seeing on any consumer motherboard.
Past the second RGB feature (above the chipset), to the right edge is the standard fare of connectors for the space, including two 19-pin USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) headers, supplemental PCIe power, two SATA ports, a USB 2.0 header, and front-panel audio.
There isn't much across the bottom of the board, as many headers are contained in the EZ Bridge. Under a magnetic strip, you’ll find the other two SATA Ports, three switches (Dashboard, LED, BIOS Select), LN2, battery (CMOS), and OC jumpers. Before getting to the rear IO, we snapped a few pictures of the onboard ICs that control some of the board's features.
(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) The rear IO on the X870E Godlike X has a lot going on, as you’d expect. The black background with white writing allows for easy reading and properly labels each port so you know exactly what it is. Starting with USB ports, there are a total of 15 , with seven of them being USB Type-C! You get two 40 Gbps (with DisplayPort capability) and five 10 Gbps Type-C ports, plus eight more 10 Gbps Type-A ports. In the middle are three buttons: one to Flash the BIOS, a second to clear the CMOS, and the third is a flexible Smart Button (Reset, Mystic Light on/off, Safe Boot, or Turbo Fan). Above those are the two Ethernet ports (10 Gbps and 5 Gbps), standard Wi-Fi 7 antenna connections, and the two-plug (mic-in and line-out) plus SPDIF audio stack.
Current page: ASRock X870E Taichi OCF Features and Specifications
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/motherboards/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/motherboards/embargo-12-14-0600-pst-msi-x870e-godlike-x-motherboard-review#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.