Build an Intel Core X-series desktop computer with the X299 SLI Plus LGA 2066 ATX Motherboard from MSI. The motherboard comes with an LGA 2066 socket and an Intel X299 chipset to support an Intel Core X-series CPU. It is well suited for video-editing and digital-creation environments by offering eight DDR4 DIMM slots and four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. For storage options, it has eight SATA connectors for accommodating SATA-based optical and storage drives. PCIe-based SSDs can be installed into its two M.2 slots and one U.2 connector and configured in a RAID array with MSI's M.2 Genie for fast read and write speeds.
The X299 SLI Plus motherboard is equipped with four USB 2.0, four USB 3.0, and two USB 3.1 ports to access printers, external storage drives, and other useful USB devices. The two USB 3.1 ports transfer data at rate of up to 10 Gb/s, and one of them features a USB Type-C design for easy connections with a USB-C cable. Two Intel Gigabit Ethernet ports are on board to deliver a secure, stable, and fast network connection. Other notable connections include one PS/2 combo port and six audio jacks, powered by a Realtek ALC1220 audio processor. This motherboard comes with an internal USB 3.1 Type-C header, which connects to your case's front-panel USB Type-C port, and a Thunderbolt 3 header for a user-supplied Thunderbolt 3 add-on card. There are also two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for adding expansion port cards and NICs.
- MSI fan headers running in DC or PWM mode for optimal tuning of fan speeds and silence
- Hysteresis makes your fans spin up fluently to make sure your system stays quiet
- A dedicated water pump PIN header supports up to 2A, giving you full control of the water pump's speed
- Intel Optane technology compatible
- M.2 Shield is a thermal solution for M.2 drives
- Two M.2 slots and one U.2 connector to accommodate PCIe-based SSDs
- Supports NVMe drives
- Audio Boost 4 is powered by an EMI-shielded High Definition audio processor with built-in DAC to provide surround sounds through the six audio jacks
- VR ready
- Isolated audio design
- Separate audio layers for clean left and right audio channels
- De-Pop protection
- Dedicated headphone amplifier for supporting headphones with up to 600Ω impedance
- Two Intel Gigabit Ethernet ports deliver a secure, stable, and fast network connection
- Network Genie for bandwidth optimization
- LAN Protect reduces CPU overhead and high TCP and UDP throughputs
- Optimized traces and isolated circuitry help ensure memory stability and performance
- OC Engine 2 is an external clock generator that gives you higher BCLK adjustments
- BIOS Flashback+ lets you flash the BIOS without a CPU, memory, or graphics card installed
- Optimized PCB design and added layers allow MSI to optimize all traces for overclocking
- Power phases provide stable, optimized power delivery
- Load-Line Calibration makes sure the CPU voltage remains 100% stable under different loads
- Digital LED display notifies you of the source of the problem so you know exactly where to look
- Physical buttons for instantly resetting and powering up/down your system
- Clear CMOS button lets you instantly reset the BIOS
- Overvoltage protection prevents potential short-circuit damage to the CPU and other critical components
- USB 3.1 Type-C port transfers data at up to 10 Gb/s and features a reversible connection design
- MSI Super Charger USB ports charge power-hungry devices quickly
- USB 3.1 re-driver chips strengthen the USB signal, enabling you to use longer USB cables
- USB ports on MSI motherboards are shielded by a set of protective ICs to prevent damage caused by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) from plugging/unplugging USB devices
- MSI PCI Express Steel Armor slots are armed with more solder points on the motherboard for a stronger hold and protects PCI Express signals against electromagnetic interference
- Double ESD protection with double layer grounding around the motherboard mounting holes prevents Electrostatic discharge (ESD) surges from damaging the motherboard
- Dual BIOS setup with onboard switch
- Total Fan Control allows you to take control of your fans and check your primary system characteristics in a simplified graphical interface
- X-Boost optimizes your SSDs
- Configure PCIe, M.2, and U.2 SSDs in RAID 0 with M.2 Genie
- DDR4 Boost allow for more stability at higher memory speeds when compared to other motherboards
- XMP LED lights up when an Extreme Memory Profile is active
- App Manager to keep an easy overview of available applications for your system to help you configure, tune, and set up your system to your personal preferences
- MSI's Command Center software allows you to tune settings to increase system stability, maximize performance, and optimize your system's cooling features
- MSI Live Update automatically downloads and installs the latest drivers, BIOS and software
- RAMDisk lets you to create a virtual drive from your system RAM memory
- Fast Boot option for enabling UEFI fast booting methods
- Go2BIOS button allows you to automatically go to the BIOS on the next reboot for quick access
- M-Cloud turns your system into an online Cloud and access point
- Hi-res BIOS fonts
- EZ and Advanced modes for configuring the BIOS settings
- With an optimized formatting algorithm, Secure Erase+ restores your SSD's performance<
- System Saver offers 3 easy-to-use options to successfully boot your system again
- CLICK BIOS 5 provides easy optimizations to the memory and processor