MSI MPG X570S Carbon EK X review: A motherboard for water-cooling enthusiasts

Best Prices Today: MSI MPG X570S Carbon EK X

AMD’s AM4 Ryzen platform has loved a protracted, affluent life. The X570 household represents one of the best that the platform has to supply, and with the refresh of X570 “S” variants, the platform nonetheless has loads of relevance. 

The MSI X570S Carbon EK X is a particular motherboard—as you’ll be capable to inform at first look. It’s practically an identical to the common MSI X570S Carbon Max, however provides a water-cooled monoblock from EKWB instead of conventional VRM heatsinks. Coming in at $499 to $549, the EK X variant asks a hefty premium over the $319-$339 air-cooled Carbon Max. (The majority of that price being the monoblock itself.)

We’ll talk about the options, specs, greatest CPUs to pair, and who this motherboard is for. Will efficiency or just aesthetics play a task in deciding if it is a viable choice for you? Let’s discover out!

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: The specs

The elephant within the room is the large EKWB monoblock that comes included. This will cool each your CPU and VRM areas, requiring a customized loop to perform. 

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

If you’re not the water-cooling sort, the MSI Carbon Max makes use of extra conventional cooling strategies. Here’s what else you’ll be able to count on from the MSI X570S Carbon EK X:

• ATX type issue (12×9.6 inches) 
• Included EKWB monoblock and EKWB leak tester 
• No chipset fan (in both X570S fashions) 
• Support for AMD Ryzen 2000, 3000, and 5000 CPUs 
• 14+2 part digital VRM
• DDR4 assist
• PCIe Gen 4 (on Ryzen 3000 and 5000 CPUs) 
• 4 M.2 slots
• 10 USB ports on again, together with USB C Gen 2  
• Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210
• Realtek 2.5Gbe LAN
• 3- and 4-pin RGB headers, plus Corsair-specific header 
• 8 SATA 6GB/s ports 
• Integrated I/O protect 
• USB Gen 2 3.2 
• Clear CMOS and BIOS flashback
• Realtek ALC4080 codec

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: Unique options

The X570S MSI Carbon EK X and its Carbon Max counterpart are very succesful motherboards with a wealthy function set. Your selection is easy: 

If you’re planning a customized water-cooled loop, the EK X variant is probably going value the additional price because it consists of the superior monoblock. Otherwise, the Carbon Max will provide you with 99 % of the expertise with historically cooled builds for a pleasant value financial savings. 

In the field you’ll get some good included equipment too, such because the EK leak tester, USB drive with drivers, small screwdrivers, and the same old cabling assortment. 

Positive options: 

1. EKWB partnership features a stunning waterblock, and EK leak tester
2. Networking: 2.5Gbe LAN and Intel Wi-Fi 6E present stable connectivity
3. Three M.2 slots with cooling shields
4. Capable energy levels and cooling on each EK X and common variants
5. PCIe Gen 4 for M.2 and GPU slots with newer Ryzen CPUs
6. DDR4 is secure and broadly obtainable at nice pricing 
7. Supports numerous trendy AMD CPUs, together with the brand new 5800X3D
8. Clear CMOS and BIOS flashback are nice instruments to have 
9. Plenty of recent USB connectivity 
10. Attractive design, particularly the EK X monoblock variant 
11. Both variants take away the chipset fan 

Downsides:

1. The Carbon EK X just isn’t for everybody—further price and complexity goal solely the water-cooling fanatic 
2. Installation of the monoblock will be tough for builders new to those sort of motherboards
3. Not a lot real-world efficiency distinction between the costlier Carbon EK X and the cheaper Carbon Max 
4. Lacking 10Gbe LAN and a second 1Gbe port 
5. Support will finish with Ryzen 5000, plus no DDR5 means restricted future proofing

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: Design

The Carbon EK X has a shocking design with its large monoblock and enticing carbon-inspired look. The monoblock itself lights up with RGB, and tasteful RGB accents additionally adorn the motherboard itself. 

The monoblock additionally features a spinning stream meter, letting you realize that liquid is pumping by. 

Functional motherboard plating and covers add to the design whereas protecting M.2 drives cool beneath. 

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

The MSI X570S Carbon Max variant appears to be like strikingly comparable, with some RGB lettering on the underside saying “Carbon” as a substitute of “Carbon EK X” to distinguish the fashions. Without the monoblock, it nonetheless has a properly designed VRM cooling space.

MSI

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: Performance and BIOS

Both motherboard variants can simply deal with even the mighty Ryzen 9 5950X in each CPU and VRM temperatures. It’s simply at dwelling with every other Ryzen CPU, naturally, although we advocate sticking with Ryzen 5000 choices to take full benefit of the options and cooling obtainable right here. 

While the monoblock will usually present higher cooling and canopy the VRM space, real-world variations are miniscule between this and the Carbon Max. For this purpose, the first draw for utilizing a monoblock-equipped motherboard is for the distinctive aesthetics it offers, and because the spine of a bigger customized loop which would come with your GPU (the place you’ll usually discover the best temperature enhancements). 

The MSI BIOS is simple to make use of, having a easy and superior mode. Here you’ll have loads of CPU tweaking choices, together with fan controls and BIOS replace choices. 

MSI has additionally launched new software program referred to as the “MSI Center,” which goals to combine RGB, fan, and different system management. Your mileage could range with such software program; the interface could be a bit clunky and buggy. (But it does present some system essential management that’s in any other case solely obtainable within the BIOS.)

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

MSI X570S Carbon EK X: Bottom line

The X570s MSI Carbon EK X is the right motherboard for the meant area of interest, fanatic builder. It’s costly for an X570 providing, however continues to be one of many extra inexpensive “water-cooling” centered motherboards available on the market, making it an excellent worth for somebody doing a customized loop. 

Compare it to the Asus Z690 Extreme Glacial pictured under, for instance, which may price as a lot as $2,000—that makes the $499 price ticket of the MSI Carbon EK X a relative discount. 

Thiago Trevisan / Foundry

Admittedly, the Carbon EK X’s audience is small, so most builders will likely be higher served by the Carbon Max variant, which is cheaper and performs equally.

That being stated, whereas the monoblock variant doesn’t have a lot aggressive in its value vary, the common Carbon Max goes up in opposition to different very succesful choices within the phase—such because the X570 Gigabyte Aorus Master, and Asus X570 ROG Crosshair VIII Hero. 

If you’re that particular fanatic that will need to have each ounce of aesthetics, efficiency, and fun-to-tinker-with options, the Carbon EK X continues to be a really distinctive motherboard that has little competitors on this area. Just bear in mind to maintain that EK leak tester useful, and have enjoyable constructing!