MSI MEG X399 Creation review - Introduction

MSI MEG X399 Creation
A truly excellent choice for X399 motherboards.

For Ryzen Threadripper 2000 MSI released a new motherboard which we review, their MEG X399 Creation. The board is stylish, loaded with features as subtle LED effects, terrific WIFI and obviously offers everything you need from quadruple x16 PCI-Express slots, multiple M2 SSD options, quad-channel memory and some beefy VRM. 

Threadripper processors do not only offer many CPU cores and threads, they also offer quad channel memory compatibility as well as 64 PCI-Express Generation 3.0 lanes on the processor alone. That last fact opens up a tremendous amount of possibilities for any motherboard manufacturer, as restrictions are lifted since there is plenty of bandwidth to work with. Well, leave it up-to MSI to design something intricate and tasteful, they designed a motherboard that is going completely off the chart when we talk features. Triple M2 SSDs (full x4 PCIe gen 3), a U2 connector, how about eight DIMM channels. You will spot many PCIe connectors, USB 3.1 ports as well as an abundance of storage options. This 16 cores and 32 threaded Threadripper ready motherboard shows once again that massive SP3/TR4 slot. Much like all other X399 motherboards, MSI as well offers mounts for two M2 SSDs, however also provide an add-in card solution allowing you to maximize and mix four M2 SSDs. Combined with audio based upon a Realtek ALC 1220 CODEC. MSI is embedding dual GigaLAN Intel I211AT jacks into the board and sure, a bit of RGB LEDs as well (albeit very subtle and configurable). With the TDP of the 2nd generation, Ryzen Threadripper processor set at 250W for the 32-core flagship model MSI increased the VRM design, nearly crazy stuff with 19 phases (!), the 19-phases are drawing power from two 8-pin EPS connectors that fuels your Threadripper. 

MSI will also supply an up to 7 M.2 ports. Two are physically present, the rest will be available through an external PCIe adapter card called M.2 Xpander-Aero. MSI MEG X399 Creation is something else alright. With four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, eight DDR4 DIMM slots and an array of OC buttons, as well as a diagnostic POST LED, the sky is the limit. X399 will bring the support of up to 64 PCIe Gen3 lanes bringing anything and everything multi-GPU support multi-GPU into play, including full-on quad GPU support, the spacing on the mobo does actually support it. 

Unfortunately, MSI did not implement any Aquantia AQC-107 LAN chip can be spotted, a bit of a miss for such a high-end product long term wise. They do however offer 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac + BT4.2 Wireless Ethernet by Intel Wireless-AC 9260. You'll spot a nice design with that grey/dark feel to the design as well as a properly cooled VRM area and M2 units. The X399 board can be spotted for roughly € 450,- Let's head onwards into the review, shall we? Have a peek first though.