OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v1.0
Motherboards Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC Review | 107 Data compared

Avg. price:~£400CPU socket:LGA 2066Chipset:Intel X299Form factor:E-ATX

MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC Review: Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC
7.0/10

Overall score

Score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the motherboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best motherboards on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 58% of models
Score components

90%

7.0

Technical score

10%

6.9

User score

â–²Better than 58% of motherboards
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Score components

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

8.4

Price

â–¼Worse than 52%
7.0

Technical score

Technical score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Motherboards category across these key areas: Platform & Features, Memory, Storage, Expansion, Ports & USB, Network, Audio, Power & Cooling.
When it matters
When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 60% of models
Score components

19%

6.9

Memory

16%

7.8

Platform & Features

16%

7.8

Storage

15%

5.1

Network

13%

7.2

Ports & USB

8%

5.1

Expansion

8%

8.1

Power & Cooling

5%

9.2

Audio

â–²Better than 60%
6.9

User score

User score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

3.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 91%
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Best prices
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of motherboard MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC

Technical score
Technical score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Motherboards category across these key areas: Platform & Features, Memory, Storage, Expansion, Ports & USB, Network, Audio, Power & Cooling.
When it matters
When you want to compare motherboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 60% of models
Score components:

19%

6.9

Memory

16%

7.8

Platform & Features

16%

7.8

Storage

15%

5.1

Network

13%

7.2

Ports & USB

8%

5.1

Expansion

8%

8.1

Power & Cooling

5%

9.2

Audio

7.0
User score
User score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

3.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.9
Popularity
Popularity
3.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the motherboard.
When it matters
When you prefer a motherboard that has already been bought and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Popularity:
MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC has a popularity score of 3.3 points, which is lower than that of 73.6% of products in this category.
3.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Score components:

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

8.4

Price

7.4
Brand name
MSI
CPU socket
LGA 2066
This motherboard uses the LGA 2066 CPU socket, which is more advanced than that of 51.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 2% of motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
This motherboard is built for the Intel CPU platform, which is more versatile than that of 31.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 68.4% of motherboards.
Chipset
Intel X299
This motherboard uses the Intel X299 chipset, which is less advanced than that of 65.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 2% of motherboards.
Form factor
E-ATX
This motherboard has the E-ATX form factor, which is less versatile than that of 92% of motherboards and equal to that of 6.8% of motherboards.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR4
This motherboard uses DDR4 memory, which is newer than that of 13.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 50.8% of motherboards.
Memory slots
8
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 8 Memory slots, which is more than 94% of motherboards and equal to 5.7% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
128 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 40.4% of motherboards and equal to 31.9% of motherboards.
Memory channels
4
This motherboard supports 4 memory channels, which is more than 92.9% of motherboards and equal to 6.8% of motherboards.
some CPUs use only 2 channels
Maximum RAM speed
4,500 MT/s
Market range: <2k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 4,500 MT/s, which is lower than that of 51.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.2% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
3
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 3 M.2 sockets, which is more than 65.2% of motherboards and equal to 18.8% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
2x PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0 x4
This motherboard offers 2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 for M.2 slot interfaces, which is slower than that of 57.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.3% of motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
10
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 10 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 96.6% of motherboards and equal to 3.4% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 32% of motherboards and equal to 68% of motherboards.
JBOD excluded from RAID-level set
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Intel VROC support
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.5% of motherboards and equal to 68.5% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 44.5% of motherboards and equal to 55.5% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
4
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 4 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 93.9% of motherboards and equal to 3.4% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x16/x8, x16/x0/x8/x4, x8/x8/x8/x4, x8/x0/x4/x4
This motherboard uses x16/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x16/x8, x16/x0/x8/x4, x8/x8/x8/x4, x8/x0/x4/x4 for PCIe slot electrical configuration, which is more flexible than that of 97.1% of motherboards.
Depends on CPU.
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.4% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
10
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 10 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 75.5% of motherboards and equal to 15.5% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
19
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 19 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 87% of motherboards and equal to 4.2% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
1
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.5% of motherboards and equal to 48.7% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
2
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 2 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 51.7% of motherboards and equal to 32.9% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18.3% of motherboards and equal to 81.7% of motherboards.
10Gbps excluded.
Show more
LAN speed
1 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is lower than that of 50.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 49.2% of motherboards.
dual 1GbE ports
LAN controller
Intel I219-V + Intel I211-AT
This motherboard uses the Intel I219-V + Intel I211-AT LAN controller, which is more advanced than that of 68.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.8% of motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 RJ45 ports, which is more than 85.7% of motherboards and equal to 13.4% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is newer than that of 49.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 10.7% of motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC1220
This motherboard uses the Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, which is more advanced than that of 65.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 12.9% of motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
120 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 120 dB, which is higher than that of 56% of motherboards and equal to that of 40.5% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 40.8% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
5
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 49.6% of motherboards and equal to 37% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
12+1+1
This motherboard has 12+1+1 VRM phases, which is more than 66.5% of motherboards and equal to 4.1% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.6% of motherboards and equal to 45.1% of motherboards.
Dual 8-pin CPU power.
N. of fan headers
10
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 10 fan headers, which is more than 97.9% of motherboards and equal to 1.5% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 21.9% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
3 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 3 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 77.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 22.1% of motherboards.
Show more

MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatform & FeaturesMemoryStorageExpansionPorts & USBNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 4 more memory slots
    This motherboard has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
    8 vs 4
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    10 vs 8
  • 1 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    3 vs 2
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    Dual 8-pin CPU power.
    2 vs 1
  • More advanced LAN controller
    This motherboard has better LAN controller than the average motherboard (Intel I219-V + Intel I211-AT vs Killer + Intel + Realtek). The average motherboard uses Killer + Intel + Realtek LAN controller.
    Intel I219-V + Intel I211-AT vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • 4 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (19 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    19 vs 15
  • Newer CPU socket
    This motherboard has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 2066 vs LGA 1151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1151 CPU socket.
    LGA 2,066 vs LGA 1,151
  • Includes POST code display
    This motherboard has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • Newer CPU socket
    This motherboard has newer CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 2066 vs LGA 1151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1151 CPU socket.
    LGA 2,066 vs LGA 1,151
  • Includes POST code display
    This motherboard has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    This motherboard has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 23% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    This motherboard has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.7% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • Broader Windows support
    This motherboard has broader Windows support than the average motherboard (Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10). The average motherboard supports Windows 11, Windows 10.
    Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10
  • Includes onboard power button
    This motherboard has an onboard power button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.7% of motherboards include an onboard power button.
  • Includes onboard reset button
    This motherboard has an onboard reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.6% of motherboards include an onboard reset button.
  • 4 more memory slots
    This motherboard has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
    8 vs 4
  • More memory channels
    This motherboard has more memory channels than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 memory channel/s.
    some CPUs use only 2 channels
    4 vs 2
  • 1 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    3 vs 2
  • 6 more SATA 3 connectors
    This motherboard has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (10 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    10 vs 4
  • More flexible PCIe lane configuration
    This motherboard has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x16/x8, x16/x0/x8/x4, x8/x8/x8/x4, x8/x0/x4/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4). The average motherboard uses x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4 PCIe slot lane configuration.
    Depends on CPU.
    x16/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x16/x8, x16/x0/x8/x4, x8/x8/x8/x4, x8/x0/x4/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 3 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    4 vs 1
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    10 vs 8
  • 4 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (19 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    19 vs 15
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 header/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 2 more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    6 vs 4
  • 1 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    2 vs 1
  • More advanced LAN controller
    This motherboard has better LAN controller than the average motherboard (Intel I219-V + Intel I211-AT vs Killer + Intel + Realtek). The average motherboard uses Killer + Intel + Realtek LAN controller.
    Intel I219-V + Intel I211-AT vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 48.9% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • Better audio codec
    This motherboard has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1220 vs Realtek ALC897). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC897 audio codec.
    Realtek ALC1220 vs Realtek ALC897
  • 5 dB higher audio SNR
    This motherboard has a higher audio SNR than the average motherboard (120 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    120 dB vs 115 dB
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    Dual 8-pin CPU power.
    2 vs 1
  • 4.5 more fan headers
    This motherboard has more fan headers than the average motherboard (10 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    10 vs 5.5
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (12+1+1 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    12+1+1 vs 10
  • 1 A higher pump header current limit
    This motherboard has a higher pump header current than the average motherboard (3 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
    3 A vs 2 A
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    This motherboard has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X299 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    Intel X299 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    dual 1GbE ports
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (2x PCIe 3x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3x4 vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
    2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • No integrated graphics support
    This motherboard does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.5% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    0 vs 2
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    0 vs 1
  • 2.5x more expensive
    MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC is more expensive than the average motherboard (£400 vs £160).
    £400 vs £160
  • Less versatile form factor
    This motherboard has less versatile form factor than the average motherboard (E-ATX vs ATX). The average motherboard comes in ATX form factor.
    E-ATX vs ATX
  • 2.5x more expensive
    MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC is more expensive than the average motherboard (£400 vs £160).
    £400 vs £160
  • 16.4% lower user score
    User score
    6.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the motherboard.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how a motherboard performs in real-world builds and how reliable it is in terms of stability, BIOS usability, connectivity, and long-term ownership.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC
    the average motherboard
    MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC has a lower user score than the average motherboard (6.87 vs 8.000).
    6.87 vs 8
  • 89.6% less popular
    MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC is less popular than the average motherboard (3.3 vs 6.3).
    3.3 vs 6.26
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    This motherboard has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X299 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    Intel X299 vs Intel B860
  • No integrated graphics support
    This motherboard does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.5% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • Less versatile form factor
    This motherboard has less versatile form factor than the average motherboard (E-ATX vs ATX). The average motherboard comes in ATX form factor.
    E-ATX vs ATX
  • 4 older release date
    This motherboard is older than the average motherboard (2017 vs 2021). The average motherboard was released in 2021.
    July 2017
    2017 vs 2021
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (2x PCIe 3x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3x4 vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
    2x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 1 fewer U.2 sockets
    This motherboard has fewer U.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 U.2 socket/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer HDMI outputs
    This motherboard has fewer HDMI outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 HDMI outputs.
    0 vs 1
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    This motherboard has a lower LAN speed than the average motherboard (1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    dual 1GbE ports
    1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This motherboard has older Bluetooth version than the average motherboard (4.2 vs 5.4). The average motherboard supports Bluetooth 5.4.
    4.2 vs 5.4
  • 1 fewer RJ45 ports
    This motherboard has fewer RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    0 vs 2
  • 28 mm wider
    This motherboard is wider than the average motherboard (272 mm vs 244 mm). The average motherboard width is 244 mm.
    272 mm vs 244 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: May 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC

  • Exceptional storage support, including three onboard M.2 slots and an included M.2 Xpander-Z card for a total of five M.2 drives
  • Highly feature-packed with extensive connectivity, including dual Intel wired NICs, Intel Wireless AC, and a U.2 connector
  • Superior cooling design featuring 10 hybrid fan headers and a revamped VRM with a heat pipe cooler that manages high-core-count CPUs well
  • Robust overclocking tools such as voltage read points, ratio buttons, and diagnostic LEDs
  • Unique 'X-shaped' aesthetic with customizable Mystic Light RGB and high-quality reinforced PCIe and DIMM slots

What we don't like about MSI X299 Xpower Gaming AC

  • Extremely high price point compared to other X299 motherboards, which some users feel makes it a poor value
  • Memory overclocking can be difficult to stabilize at high speeds when the CPU is also overclocked
  • Voltage adjustments for DRAM are limited to 10mV steps, which is less precise than some competitors' 5mV increments
  • Performance in certain benchmarks was noted to be surprisingly close to base-model boards, leading to disappointment for a flagship product
  • Large E-ATX form factor may not fit in standard ATX cases, requiring careful case selection

Verdict

The MSI X299 XPOWER GAMING AC is a high-end Extended ATX (EATX) motherboard designed for Intel Core X-series processors on the LGA 2066 socket, featuring a robust 12+1+1 phase digital power design for extreme overclocking. Key specifications include eight DDR4 DIMM slots supporting quad-channel memory up to 128GB at 4500MHz+(OC), four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for multi-GPU setups, and extensive storage options with three M.2 slots, a U.2 port, and ten SATA 6Gb/s ports. Main pros include its exceptional storage expandability, dual Intel Gigabit LAN with Wi-Fi AC, and premium features like the M.2 Shield Frozr and a bundled M.2 Xpander-Z card for additional NVMe drives. However, its significant 10.7-inch depth requires a large chassis, and some users have noted poor power efficiency at default settings and occasionally troublesome RGB control software.

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