MSI has recently unleashed two new FM2+ motherboards for their GAMING series, the MSI A88X-G45 GAMING and A88XM GAMING. Like the other MSI GAMING series motherboards, these two new FM2+ boards features Killer LAN, Audio Boost Sound enhancement technology and many more. MSI has also decided to bundle the A88X-G45 with the game Assassin’s Creed Liberation for free. Both these new GAMING motherboards also features Military Class 4 high quality and stability standards, OC Genie 4 – 1 second OC, 4K UHD support, 3 display outputs, PCI Express Gen 3, AMD CrossFire support and Fast Boot. Check out the rest of their features and specifications below.
MSI A88X-G45 and A88XM GAMING Specifications
| Specifications | MSI A88X-G45 GAMING | MSI A88XM GAMING |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM2+ | FM2+ |
| Processor | AMD Socket FM2+/ FM2 A-Series/Athlon Processors | AMD Socket FM2+/ FM2 A-Series/Athlon Processors |
| Chipset | AMD A88X Chipset | AMD A88X Chipset |
| Memory | Support four DDR3 1333/1600/1866/2133/2400 (OC) MHz. up to 32GB Max Supports Dual-Channel mode Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory Supports AMD Memory Profile (AMP) Supports Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) | Support four DDR3 1333/1600/1866/2133/2400 (OC) MHz. up to 32GB Max Supports Dual-Channel mode Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory Supports AMD Memory Profile (AMP) Supports Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) |
| Expansion Slots | 3 x PCIe x16 slots PCI_E2 supports PCIe 3.0 x16 speed PCI_E5 supports PCIe 2.0 x8 speed 3 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots 1 x PCI slots | 2x PCIe x16 slots PCI_E1 supports PCIe 3.0 x16 speed PCI_E4 supports PCIe 2.0 x8 speed 2x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots 1 x PCI slots |
| Graphics | 1x VGA port 1x DVI-D port 1x HDMI port 1x DisplayPort | 1x VGA port 1x DVI-D port 1x HDMI port 1x DisplayPort |
| On-Board SATA | AMD A88X Chipset 8 x SATA 6Gb/s ports Supports RAID 0, RAID1, RAID5 and RAID 10 | AMD A88X Chipset 8 x SATA 6Gb/s ports Supports RAID 0, RAID1, RAID5 and RAID 10 |
| USB | AMD A88X Chipset 4x USB 3.0 ports 8x USB 2.0 ports VIA VL805 Chipset 4x USB 3.0 ports on the back panel | AMD A88X Chipset 4x USB 3.0 ports 8x USB 2.0 ports VIA VL806 Chipset 2x USB 3.0 ports on the back panel |
| Audio | Realtek ALC1150 Codec 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio Supports S/PDIF output | Realtek ALC1150 Codec 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio Supports S/PDIF output |
| LAN | Killer E2205 Gigabit LAN controller 1 x LAN port on the backpanel | Killer E2205 Gigabit LAN controller 1 x LAN port on the backpanel |
| Internal I/O Connectors | 1x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector 8x SATA 6Gb/s connectors 3x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports) 1x USB 3.0 connector 1x 4-pin CPU fan connector 2x 4-pin system fan connectors 2x 3-pin system fan connectors 1x Front panel audio connector 2x System panel connectors 1x Chassis Intrusion connector 1x TPM module connector 1x Serial port connector 1x Clear CMOS jumper 1x OC Genie button 1x Power button 1x Reset button 1x OC Genie mode switch 1x Slow mode booting switch 1x 2-Digit Debug Code LEDs | 1x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector 8x SATA 6Gb/s connectors 3x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports) 1x USB 3.0 connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.0 ports) 1x 4-pin CPU fan connector 2x 4-pin system fan connectors 1x Front panel audio connector 2x System panel connectors 1x Chassis Intrusion connector 1x TPM module connector 1x Serial port connector 1x Clear CMOS jumper 1x OC Genie button 1x Power button 1x Reset button 1x OC Genie mode switch 1x Slow mode booting switch |
| Back Panel I/O Ports | 1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port 2x USB 2.0 ports 6x USB 3.0 ports 1x VGA port 1x DVI-D port 1x HDMI port 1x DisplayPor 1x Optical S/PDIF-Out connector 1x LAN (RJ45) port 6x audio jacks | 1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port 2x USB 2.0 ports 4x USB 3.0 ports 1x VGA port 1x DVI-D port 1x HDMI port 1x DisplayPort 1x Optical S/PDIF-Out connector 1x LAN (RJ45) port 6x OFC audio jacks |
| Dimensions | 12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm) ATX Form Factor | M-ATX Form Factor 9.6 in. x 9.6 in. (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm) |
Sensational sound with MSI Audio Boost
Reward your ears with true quality. Get ready for ear-drum shattering sound, with MSI Audio Boost! With Audio Boost we’re delivering the highest audio quality with the use of Creative Sound Blaster Cinema so you can enjoy crystal clear sound and music through 8-channel HD Audio. Because the complete audio circuitry is isolated from other features through EMI shielding, you’ll enjoy less interference and more stability resulting in a sensational sound quality. Topping this with the use of gold plated connectors, illuminated isolation line, studio level integrated headphone amplifier and high quality audio capacitors, and whether you demand the best sound quality for music or professional gaming, MSI Audio Boost delivers.
MSI USB Audio Power
When connecting USB devices such as External DACs, only MSI Real USB Power can continue to deliver 5V to the USB ports on motherboards. Not just one USB port, MSI USB Audio Power exclusively supports all USB ports. The USB audio power design, which powers the USB port independently, offers more stable power and audio signals. The whole new design results in much clearer sound effects with reduced noise along with stable voltage for improved stability for the users’ extra devices, enjoying an enriched sound presentation.
Kill your lag with Killer LAN
Make use of advantages while gaming online with MSI to get ahead. Killer LAN automatically detects and accelerates game traffic ahead of other network traffic for smoother, stutter-free in-game performance and the competitive edge. With this exclusive, automatic traffic prioritization, games and real-time chat get priority over low-level system chatter, giving you the lowest latency for game data on the most controllable network hardware available.
Military Class 4: The Most Stable Military Class Components
Military Class 4 is the next step in high quality components. The Hi-c Cap, Super Ferrite Choke and Solid CAPs will make sure that your PC runs more stable under extreme conditions. These key components have all passed the seven tests of MIL-STND-810G military class which are performed by independent laboratories to ensure stable operation under the harshest environments.
OC Genie 4 & Click BIOS 4
MSI GAMING motherboards are equipped with many exclusive new technologies, including the all new two-stage one-second overclocking OC Genie 4, the world’s first graphical monitoring interface Click BIOS 4, and the Control Center software that combines monitoring, tuning and remote controlling, and much more. The easy to use high quality software and hardware design allow consumers to gain more convenient experiences.
Price and Availability
As of to date, the MSI A88X-G45 GAMING and A88XM GAMING respective manufacturer’s suggested retail price are not yet disclosed. However it is expected that we will see both of these two new FM2+ motherboards soon, perhaps starting this February.
