MSI 870A-G54

We were very excited to check out the MSI 870A-G54 mainboard for at least two reasons. First, we got to it right after the first Asus M4A87TD EVO sample failed to overclock processors, and we were looking for some results to be used as a future reference. Moreover, the memories of the successful MSI 890FXA-GD70 mainboard were still fresh: this technologically advanced, highly functional product with excellent overclocking-related features left a really good impression. I have to say that MSI 870A-G54 differs a lot from its elder sister, which is, in fact, quite logical, because these two mainboards belong to different classes of products. At the same time, we can also notice quite a few similarities.

Unlike the previously reviewed mainboard, this MSI product has only two PCI Express x16 graphics card slots working as x16/x4, which belong to the second PCI-E generation. However, it is more than enough in most cases and besides, in this respect it is just like all other mainboards participating in this roundup. There are no heatpipes in the cooling system, the additional heatsink over the processor voltage regulator components is no longer there, but it is still put together with the high-quality “military-type” components. There are no Power On and Reset buttons of any kind, but the “OC Dial” knob is still in place. This knob is MSI’s brand name distinguishing feature and it allows adjusting the base clock frequency. Moreover, it is the first time in our experience that we see Serial ATA connectors located in such a way: some of them are turned horizontally and the others – vertically, so that the users could choose which connector type would be more convenient for their particular system.

The back panel looks different, too. All today’s participating mainboards feature COM ports, which is quite a rare thing today already. MSI however, has this port already laid out on the back panel, which is more than astonishing. As for IEEE1394 (FireWire), they decided to give it up altogether. The top mainboard did have these connectors, though not on the back panel, while MSI 870A-G54 simply has no controller that would deliver support for this interface, and no eSATA ports. We also see a PS/2 connector for the keyboard or mouse, an optical S/PDIF and six analogue audio-jacks supported by an eight-channel Realtek ALC892 codec.

We can see eight USB ports including a pair of USB 3.0 ports (blue connectors), which are delivered by the NEC D720200F1 controller. Another six ports are available as three onboard pin-connectors. The last but not least is the local network port with the network adapter built on Realtek RTL8111DL controller.

However, the problems were waiting ahead: when we powered the board on it didn’t work. However, it probably wasn’t Micro-Star’s fault. Upon closer examination, we discovered that one corner of the box was severely damaged and one corner of the mainboard PCB was bent upwards. I assume this box took more than one blow to that corner. It looked like the big box with the boards fell from a pretty substantial height and remained in this position, so that even the mainboard textolite deformed under pressure. Transportation damages may happen to any product, but in this case you will most likely use the warranty and get it replaced, no questions asked, unlike the situation when you need to replace a mainboard that seems to be working but shuts down during overclocking, like Asus M4A87TD EVO.

The new MSI 870A-G54 sample worked just fine, but we still experienced some issues with processor and memory overclocking. For some reason couldn’t find the settings to guarantee overclocking to the desired 4.0 GHz, and kept getting error messages. However, all problems vanished once we lowered the frequency to 3.9 GHz.

Our attempt to increase the memory clock also failed, so the only thing we could do was lower the timings. However, all processor power-saving technologies remained up and running and lowered the clock frequency as well as the core voltage during overclocking.