MSI X99A Gaming Pro Carbon LGA 2011-3 ATX Motherboard

Description

Built with a USB 3.1 controller and carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer, the X99A Gaming Pro Carbon LGA 2011-3 ATX Motherboard from MSI is designed to fit in cases that support an ATX form factor. This 12.0 x 9.6 motherboard supports Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition processors, the LGA 2011-3 socket, and the Intel X99 chipset.

The ATX form factor of the X99A Gaming Pro Carbon has eight DIMM slots that are able to support up to 128GB of quad-channel memory, as well as Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules. The supported memory speeds are 3466 (OC), 3400 (OC), 3333 (OC), 3200 (OC), 3000 (OC), 2933 (OC), 2800 (OC), 2666 (OC), 2600 (OC), 2400 (OC), 2200 (OC), and 2133 MHz. There are also a total of ten SATA III 6 Gb/s ports (two available from the SATA Express port), one SATA Express port, one M.2 slot, and one U.2 port. Additionally, there are four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, with the type of support dependant on whether the installed CPU supports 28 or 40 PCIe lanes, and two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots. USB 3.1 connectivity is integrated with one Type-C port and one Type-A port, both of which are on the back panel. The back panel also has four USB 3.0 ports four USB 2.0 ports, while internally there are four USB 3.0 ports and four USB 2.0 ports that are available through the internal USB connectors. Using the Realtek ALC1150 audio codec, this motherboard can support 7.1-channel (7 speakers + 1 subwoofer) HD audio.

The X99A Gaming Pro Carbon supports multi-GPUs using 3-Way AMD CrossFire technology and 3-Way NVIDIA SLI technology. MSI has also designed this motherboard with features such as Intel i218 LAN, Audio Boost 3, MSI's Super Charger and USB Redriver, Double ESD protection, Military Class 5 components, an unlimited RAMDisk, a gaming device port, and more. Included with this motherboard are necessary cables and connectors, an I/O shield, and I/O panel port labels. Protection is provided by a limited 3-year warranty.

Features

General Features

Mystic Light

Customise and set up your own colour scheme with Mystic Light. You can select any of the colours from the palette to match your systems' design using Mystic Light app available on PC, phone, and tablet.

Mystic Light Extension

The Mystic Light Extension is a dedicated header for 4-pin RGB-strip & lighting control. Designed for anyone who simply wants to have a stylish gaming rig, MSI's Mystic Light Extension header provides an intuitive way to control the LED strip without the ordinary controller. Just instal the standard 12V RGB strips onto the 4-pin Mystic Light Extension RGB-strip header, then control your lighting to any style you want. The Mystic Light Extension header supports standard 5050 RGB LED strips with a maximum power rating of 2A (12V). For highest brightness, strip length should not exceed 6.6' / 2.0m. Two extension cables, without RGB LED strips, are included in package.

Memory Performance and Stability

With traditional memory design, the memory signals are often distorted by electromagnetic signals from other components, making the system perform slower or become unstable. MSI introduces DDR4 Boost technology with optimised traces and fully isolated memory circuitry. This design helps ensure the memory signals stay pure for optimal performance and stability. Steel Armour technology is now also available for DDR4 Boost, offering improved EMI-shielding and signal strength.

Low Latency

MSI Gaming LAN features carefully selected components to help ensure an online gaming experience without lag.

Dedicated Intel Gaming LAN

Experience a more fluid game with Intel i218 LAN. Intel i218 LAN is designed to deliver high performance when gaming, with increased throughput. It is also optimised for championship level online and LAN eSports by reducing CPU overhead and offering high TCP and UDP throughput. This way, your CPU can be used more effectively and you can enjoy more frames per second when gaming.

Gaming Optimised Bandwidth Management

Dedicated to providing an online gaming experience with optimised traffic prioritisation and low latency, MSI's Gaming LAN Manager automatically classifies and prioritises the latency-sensitive applications for online games. It also allows you to change applications' traffic priority and customise the bandwidth for each application.

LAN Protect

Featuring 15kV anti-surge protection to help shield your network from lightning strikes and static electricity, LAN Protect is a LAN connector designed to give you an improved networking experience. It's highlighted with a red LED inside the RJ45 connector to show its functionality.

Audio Boost 3

With Audio Boost 3, powered by Nahimic Sound Technology, MSI delivers high sound quality through the use of premium quality audio components. That way, you can enjoy crystal clear sound and music through 8-channel HD Audio or high-impedance headphones. Features include Nahimic Sound technology, golden audio jacks, an EMI-shielded HD audio processor, an isolated audio PCB with LED line, chemi-con audio capacitors, dual headphone amplifiers, and a front dedicated headphone out.

Nahimic Audio Enhancer

Nahimic audio software offers high definition sound technology which boosts the audio and voice performance of your gaming computer. Enjoy an immersive virtual 7.1 sound over your standard stereo equipment.

Overclocking

Need more frames per second, CPU, or memory power? With Game Boost's overclocking option, MSI gives you even more performance. Just turn the dial and your PC gets another adrenaline shot, and a performance increase up to 5 GHz is possible.

Gaming Hotkey

Gaming Hotkey enables more functionality using your own keyboard. Simply assign functions to any key and launch your favourite games, load overclocking profiles, or do real-time overclocking with the push of a single button.

10 Gb/s USB 3.1

Transfer your favourite games, music, and movies over USB faster than ever. USB 3.1 enables fast transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s.

USB Type-C with Reversible Design

Get all the performance benefits from USB 3.1 combined with the convenience of the USB Type-C connector. This reversible connector allows for effortless connecting of USB devices.

Front USB Type-C

A dedicated front USB Type-C port is well-suited for smartphones and next-generation mobile storage devices.

Super Charger

MSI's Super Charger delivers more power than standard USB chargers to your smartphone, tablet, USB game controller, or portable console. Devices can be quickly charged when you're not gaming, eliminating the need for wall power sockets.

USB Redrivers

USB 3.0 signal integrity suffers with longer cables. The special USB 3.0 Redrivers are connected to the internal USB 3.0 ports on MSI motherboards and enable you to use longer USB 3.0 cables, especially in larger chassis.

Front USB 3.0

With a cleverly placed USB 3.0 front pin header on MSI motherboards, you can connect up to four USB 3.0 devices directly to the front of your PC's chassis. This way, you can easily enjoy fast USB speeds without having to use the hard-to-reach USB ports at the rear.

Double ESD Protection

The front USB 3.0 ports on MSI motherboards are protected by a set of protective ICs to help prevent damage caused by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) from plugging/unplugging USB devices.

SATA Express

SATA Express offers a solution in high speed storage through PCI-Express, providing more bandwidth for SSDs up to 16 Gb/s.

Turbo M.2 Steel Armour

Delivering speeds up to 32 Gb/s using PCIe Gen3 x4, Turbo M.2 is more than five times faster than a regular SATA III connection, while Steel Armour provides improved signal quality. Enjoy a fast system boot up and fast loading of applications and games.

Turbo U.2

A U.2 connector delivers performance up to 32 Gb/s and allows support for next gen 2.5" SSDs.

OC Engine

Thanks to the OC Engine, MSI motherboards support more flexible BCLK adjustments, from 100 / 125 / 167 MHz straps. Using these straps opens doors to achieve higher overclock speeds. All MSI X99 motherboards come with the next generation Clock Generator, offering even lower jitter and power consumption, resulting in even higher stability under extreme conditions.

Enhanced CPU Overvoltage Protection

Onboard overvoltage protection helps prevent overvoltage and short-circuit damage of the CPU and other components. A red LED near the 24-pin CPU power connector let you know that overvoltage protection is activated for easier troubleshooting.

EZ Debug LED

MSI's EZ Debug LED is a troubleshooting tool built with four LEDs to indicated CPU, memory, VGA, and boot operations every time your system boots up and can be used to identify the source of a problem.

SteelSeries Certified

Enthusiast gaming gear brand SteelSeries has officially approved MSI Gaming motherboards as 'SteelSeries Certified (SSC).' This certification is based on the performance demands and stability of MSI Gaming motherboards and SteelSeries products. Your SteelSeries headset, mouse, and other top quality gaming gear works well with MSI Gaming motherboards.

Gaming Certified

MSI Gaming motherboards are tested in their gaming lab, internet cafes, and together with the eSports players to make sure you get top performance and reliability in the world's most popular games. Through 24-hour on- and offline game testing, MSI ensures the onboard network configuration, audio reception, and fps performance are tested and tuned for you to enjoy your gameplay experience.

Turbo Socket for No Limits Overclocking

Providing extra pins (2036 in total) opens doors for better overlocking of Intel Extreme processors and DDR4 memory. Turbo socket allows for additional tuning of DDR4 memory and ring voltages, resulting in record improved DDR4 memory overclocking performance, lower latencies, and enhanced stability while overclocking.

Military Class 5 Components

Military Class 5 includes Titanium Choke and Dark CAP to help ensure that your PC runs stable under extreme gaming conditions.

Titanium Choke

Titanium Choke uses a titanium core that has better ability in thermal and higher temperature tolerance. This allows the Titanium Choke to run at a 428°F / 220°C high temperature, have a 40% higher current capacity, a 30% improvement in power efficiency, and better overclocking power stability.

Dark CAP

With their aluminium core design, Dark CAPs has been a staple in high-end motherboard designs and provides lower Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) as well as its over-10-year lifespan.

Humidity Protection

Reduction in moisture absorption helps prevent "Conductive Anodic Filament." Untreated PCB's can have 10x higher failure rate.

High Temperature Protection

All key components used in MSI motherboards have all passed military testing, ensuring stable operation in the harshest environments.

Circuit Protection

Carefully selected materials, multiple PCB layers, and shielding result in improved circuit protection for MSI Gaming motherboards.

ESD Protection

Each and every I/O port is protected against the hazards of Electro Static Discharge.

EMI Protection

All MSI motherboards comply with strict American FCC regulations and reduce the impact of electromagnetic interference.

Optimised for Multiple Graphics Cards - SLI/CrossFire Support

This motherboard supports SLI / CrossFire, and optimal PCIe slot placement allows for better fitting and airflow. That way, you can enjoy the great graphics at the higher framerates when running an NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire setup.

MSI Steel Armour

Steel Armour has more solder points on the PCB for more strength and protects the PCIe signals against electromagnetic interference for a stutter-free gaming experience and higher GPU overclocking.

Click BIOS 5

Explore the improved Click BIOS 5 and use it to tune your system's performance to get the most out of your games. MSI Click BIOS 5 is the next generation UEFI BIOS with optimisations for Windows 10. Control your system in two modes: EZ mode, for the most used settings and functions, vs. Advanced mode, for more detailed settings and fine-tuning options to boost your system's performance.

Gaming Device Port

MSI's Gaming Device Port is optimised to deliver connectivity for high end gaming mice to fully utilise their speed. You can customise your mouse's dpi to change accuracy and programme macro combinations using the easy to use Mouse Master software to perform multiple commands with just one click.

WTFast

WTFast is the Gamers Private Network, like a global automated army of IT specialists all working together to optimise your game connection from end to end. WTFast reports rich connection stats for your online game, so you can see exactly what is happening with your game connection.

Your Game, Your Stream, Your Fame

XSplit Gamecaster & Broadcaster V2 lets you easily record your gaming moments and broadcast your live gameplay sessions to Twitch, YouTube, UStream and more. It's simple, easy to use, and ideal for sharing your gameplay with friends, family, or the world.

Overclocking Made Easy

Outperform your competition with the MSI Gaming App, which allows simultaneous control of both your motherboard and graphics card's overclocking. Simply select your preferred mode with the click of a button - Silent, Gaming, or OC.

On-Screen Speed & Temperatures

Real-time monitor GPU Core, DRAM Frequency, GPU & CPU Temperatures, and much more, as well as in-game or in-other full-screen applications, customisable to your preference.

MSI Dragon Eye

MSI Dragon Eye allows you to watch a YouTube video or Twitch Stream while playing a game. Simply add a link or stream to the Dragon Eye application and select the size, position, volume, and transparency and start gaming. With a few hotkeys, you can start/pause your video or set the volume.

CPU-Z

MSI has worked closely with CPUID to develop this special edition of CPU-Z featuring the MSI Gaming dragon. Use CPU-Z to gather key information on the main devices of your system, such as your CPU speed, memory speed and timings, motherboard BIOS version, and much more.

MSI RAMDisk

Get an unlimited RAMDisk for free with MSI Gaming motherboards. RAMDisk allows you to create a virtual drive from your system memory, enabling speeds up to 25x faster than a modern SSD. You can load complete games, speed up your browser or your page file, significantly increasing system performance. You even increase your SSD's lifespan by using RAMDisk as it reduces unnecessary read and write operations to your SSD.

Specifications