MSI to refresh its X99S motherboard line with USB 3.1

Posted on Thursday, January 29 2015 @ 18:13 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck

MSI is planning to refresh its X99S series with the X99A lineup, which will introduce support for USB 3.1. This new USB standard offers a bandwidth of up to 10Gbps.

One confirmed model from the new lineup is the X99A Gaming 9 ACK. This board offers two USB 3.1 type-A ports, which are 100% backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, and are driven by an ASMedia ASM1352R controller. This chip is wired to the X99 PCH over PCI-Express 2.0 x2, which is just enough bandwidth for 10 Gb/s downstream.

AnandTech did some preliminary testing with the MSI X99A Gaming 9 ACK motherboard and reports the new standard offers big performance increases versus USB 3.0.

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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