| Product Description: Listing Update...This is not so much an update as it is a brief comment about the computers and related parts I have available for sale. Personal computers (and in particular desktop computers) have always been a hobby of mine. I've enjoyed tinkering with this stuff over the years and have accumulated a number of items during this time...some new and some used. I am not an expert on the subject...more of an enthusiast...but I will still do my best to answer any questions as it relates to my computer related listings. Thank you. Original Listing...
This offering is for a new MSI (MPG) B550 GAMING PLUS motherboard with the AMD AM4 socket. It's an ATX (form factor) and a very good AMD motherboards (with the B550 chipset) in terms of power delivery. It has a 10 (Vcore) + 2 (Vsoc) phase VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) using "phase doublers" that include excellent quality MOSFETs, inductors and capacitors for each phase. This VRM design also includes large heat sinks relative to most other B550 motherboards (especially in its class). So this MSI motherboard can deliver more than enough power for any Ryzen 7 or 9 third (3000 Series / Zen 2) or fourth generation (5000 Series / Zen 3) processor. The VRM is not quite on par with its "big brother", the GAMING EDGE WiFi, but it's still among the best-in-class (and probably my favorite) in the $150 (MSRP) range. I also appreciate some of the troubleshooting features on this motherboard (including the POST code LEDs, the BIOS flash button, etc.). Then there is the upgrade to PCIe 4.0 as it relates to the first/top expansion slot running at x16 lanes and the first/top M.2 socket running at x4 lanes (assuming a Zen 2 or Zen 3 processor, except for "G" and all 4000 Series models that only support PCIe 3.0).
From a marketing standpoint, the MPG product line is one of MSI's premium brands (with only the "MEG" above it). So this GAMING PLUS model represents an offering from one of their high-end B550 motherboard line-ups. Aesthetically, this branding is on full display with a profile view of the "dragon" logo in a glossy black color on the Vcore VRM heatsink that extends all the way to the built-in i/o shield. This is complimented by some built-in addressable LEDs around the chipset shield that also includes some labeling (in the same glossy black color). Then there are the two M.2 slots, one of which has a black heat shield that matches the overall theme of the motherboard. So for those looking for mostly black aesthetics with impressive/oversized heat sinks and shields, presumably to contrast against some RGB effects with other components, this offering may be worthy of your consideration.
Having said the above, I thought it might also be helpful if I shared a specifications sheet of sorts that provides more details.... Chipset / Socket Type: B550 chipset that supports the AM4 processor socket and compatible with AMD third generation Ryzen 3000 and 4000 series processors (Zen 2 micro-architecture) and AMD fourth generation Ryzen 5000 series processors (Zen 3 micro-architecture). Note: Ryzen 3000 Series "G" processors are based on second generation (Zen+ micro-architecture) and are not compatible with any B550 motherboards. Size: ATX form factor that measures 12" x 9.6" Memory: 128 GB (max) of DDR4 memory (4 x 288 pin slots)...dual channel supported and max clock speed of 4400+ MHz (with 3600 MHz more realistic). Audio: Integrated Realtek ALC892/897 audio that supports up to 7.1 (8 channel) surround sound w/8 speakers (integrated means the sound card is built onto the motherboard) LAN: Integrated Realtek 8111H Gigabit controller (chipset) w/transfer rate up to 1000 Mbps or 1.0 Gbps Wireless LAN (aka WiFi) and Bluetooth: Not applicable on this motherboard. So if desired, will need to be added via a PCIe expansion card (recommended) or a USB adapter. Input/Output ports (rear shield): one PS/2, two video (HDMI and DisplayPort), four black USB Type-A (2.0 running at 480 Mb/s), two blue USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 1 running at 5 Gb/s), one red USB Type-A and one USB Type-C (3.2 Gen 2 running at 10 Gb/s), a RJ-45 Network (LAN) with LED indicator, first black audio output (center/sub woofer speaker), second black audio output (rear speakers), S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) audio output, third black audio input (various devices), red audio output (headphone, two-channel speakers or front speakers), fourth black audio input (microphone) Storage ports/sockets: six SATA 3.0 ports, one M.2 socket that will accommodate sizes 2242/2260/2280/22110 (SATA 3.0 or PCIe 4.0 support up to x4 lanes for SSD) and one M.2 socket that will accommodate sizes 2242/2260/2280 (PCIe 3.0 support up to x4 lanes for SSD). Note1: PCIe 4.0 requires a Zen 2 or Zen 3 processor, except for "G" and all 4000 Series models that only support PCIe 3.0. Note2: data transfer rates are as follows...SATA 3.0 is stated at 6 Gb/s (750 MB/s, but it's actually less due to the overhead caused by the 8b/10b SATA encoding scheme. This lowers the actual transfer rate to about 80%, or 4.8 Gb/s, which when divided by 8 bits gives us 600 MB/s.), PCIe 3.0 is 8 Gb/s (1 GB/s) per lane and PCIe 4.0 is 16 Gb/s (2 GB/s) per lane. So as it relates to PCIe supported sockets, just multiply the number of lanes available by the applicable PCIe transfer rate and this will give you the theoretical maximum bandwidth for that socket (FYI: PCIe overhead is about 3%, due to a more efficient encoding scheme. So PCIe transfer rates are closer to their theoretical maximums relative to SATA transfer rates.). Note3: We generally use bits-per-second to measure transfer speeds, but bytes-per-second to measure data, because it takes 8 bits (or 1 byte) to encode a single character of text. Expansion slots: one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot running at x16 lanes, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot running at x4 lanes and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots running at x1 lane. Note1: PCIe 4.0 requires a Zen 2 or Zen 3 processor, except for "G" and all 4000 Series models that only support PCIe 3.0. Note2: data transfer rates are as follows...PCIe 3.0 is 8 Gb/s (1 GB/s) per lane and PCIe 4.0 is 16 Gb/s (2 GB/s) per lane. So just multiply the number of lanes available in a particular slot by the applicable PCIe transfer rate and this will give you the theoretical maximum bandwidth for that slot. Other: There are other available headers/connectors on the motherboard and I can try to answer related questions or refer you to the manufacturer's website for a full motherboard description. As I mentioned above, this is a new motherboard and it will come to you in it's original retail box/packaging. I can also confirm the pictures reflect the next (actual) motherboard to be sold and this includes a close-up image of the processor UPC code / serial number. I also opened the box to confirm all the accessories and literature/manuals were present (and they are) and to inspect the motherboard through the anti-static packaging (and everything looks good). So this is truly a factory new motherboard that has yet to be removed from it's anti-static packaging. Listing Update...I am noticing one of the corners on the retail box has been pushed in a little. It's cosmetic only and does not affect the motherboard or any of the accessories. Actually it's the lower left corner that is pushed in and this sits below the cardboard motherboard tray within the box, so it really is just a cosmetic problem with the box. Although, I realize some folks may want a retail perfect box, and unfortunately this one is not retail perfect (as seen in the pictures that do reflect this offering that will sell/ship).
You may visit our store by clicking on this "Store Home Page" link. Note to international customers regarding shipping...
We apologize to those that feel some of our international shipping charges are too high. We only charge actual shipping rates, but once an order exceeds a certain amount, we hesitate to use the least expensive US Postal Services First Class International service. We feel this way, because this service is not trackable or insurable...so more risk of loss. We prefer the US Postal Services Priority Mail International service for more expensive orders, because this service is trackable at USPS.com and insurable...so less risk of loss. Unfortunately, this service is more expensive, especially for smaller/lighter packages, relative to the First Class International service. We are sorry about these higher shipping costs, but hopefully our notes help to explain why this is the case. Note to international customers regarding customs...
We also apologize to those that feel their country import taxes, duties and brokerage fees are excessive. As a small US business, we are required by customs' laws to declare each order as a retail sale. Additionally, the declared order value must be equal to total store purchases and/or winning auction bids (less any shipping costs, as these are not considered in the declared value). As a result, each customer will be responsible for paying his/her own country taxes, duties and brokerage fees, which will be collected upon delivery. Again, we apologize for these additional costs, but we cannot afford the penalties and fines that come with breaking customs' laws...so we have to strictly abide by them. |