MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK Review | 107 Data compared
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MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK Review | 107 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£380
  • Avg. price in US: ~$450
  • CPU socket: LGA 2011-3
  • Chipset: Intel X99
  • Form factor: E-ATX

MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK review. Compare 107 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

5.9

Overall score

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 components:

90.0%

5.8

Technical Score

10.0%

6.7

User score

Good
5.8

Technical Score

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 components:

19.0%

6.7

Memory

16.0%

7.2

Platform & Features

16.0%

4.8

Storage

15.0%

4.7

Network

13.0%

5.3

Ports & USB

8.0%

3.9

Expansion

8.0%

5.5

Power & Cooling

5.0%

8.7

Audio

Good
6.7

User score

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 components:

70.0%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

3.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(6)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(7)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Good
  • 2.9
    Gaming

    Score components:

    28.0%

    5.5

    VRM phases

    22.0%

    3.3

    N. of M.2 sockets

    18.0%

    1.0

    LAN speed

    17.0%

    1.8

    Maximum RAM speed

    15.0%

    1.0

    N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK is a high-end E-ATX motherboard designed for the Intel LGA 2011-3 socket, featuring the X99 Express chipset with support for Quad Channel DDR4 memory up to 128GB at 3333MHz (OC). Key characteristics include five PCIe 3.0 x16 slots supporting 4-way SLI/CrossFire, a Turbo M.2 slot delivering up to 32Gb/s, and the unique Streaming Engine hardware for H.264 video encoding. Its primary pros are the robust Military Class 4 components, integrated Killer DoubleShot Pro networking (Gigabit LAN and 802.11ac Wi-Fi), and high-quality Audio Boost 2 with dual headphone amplifiers. However, notable cons include its premium price point, the awkward placement of the CMOS battery which can be blocked by multi-GPU setups, and the fact that using the M.2 slot disables certain SATA ports.

Technical Specifications of motherboard MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK

Technical Score

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 components:

19.0%

6.7

Memory

16.0%

7.2

Platform & Features

16.0%

4.8

Storage

15.0%

4.7

Network

13.0%

5.3

Ports & USB

8.0%

3.9

Expansion

8.0%

5.5

Power & Cooling

5.0%

8.7

Audio

5.8
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a technical score of 5.78 points, which is lower than that of 62.6% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

8.0

User reviews

30.0%

3.7

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
(6)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
(7)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

6.7
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a user score of 6.7 points, which is lower than that of 93.2% of products in this category.
Popularity
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.
3.7
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a popularity of 3.7 points, which is lower than 71.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

5.9

Overall score

40.0%

8.5

Price

6.7
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.7 points, which is lower than 73.3% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The brand that makes the motherboard.
When it matters: When you have a brand preference for support, BIOS, or build quality.

Importance: LOW

MSI
CPU socket
What it is: The socket type the motherboard is built to support.
When it matters: When you need the motherboard to match a specific CPU.

Importance: HIGH

LGA 2011-3
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK uses the LGA 2011-3 CPU socket, which is less advanced than that of 84.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 2.5% of motherboards.
CPU platform
What it is: The processor platform supported by the motherboard, indicating compatibility with Intel or AMD processors.
When it matters: When choosing a motherboard to match your chosen processor brand (Intel or AMD).

Importance: LOW

Good value: Intel

Intel
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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
What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

Importance: HIGH

Intel X99
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK uses the Intel X99 chipset, which is less advanced than that of 67.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 2.4% of motherboards.
Form factor
What it is: The physical size standard of the motherboard, such as ATX or Micro-ATX.
When it matters: When you need the board to fit a specific case size.

Importance: LOW

E-ATX
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the motherboard supports, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the board to match a certain memory platform.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: DDR5

DDR4
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK uses DDR4 memory, which is newer than that of 13.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 50.8% of motherboards.
Memory slots
What it is: The number of RAM slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for future memory upgrades.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=4

8
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 8 Memory slots, which is more than 94% of motherboards and equal to 5.7% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of RAM the motherboard supports.
When it matters: When you plan a build with very high memory capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

128 GB
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 40.4% of motherboards and equal to 31.9% of motherboards.
Memory channels
What it is: The memory channel configuration supported by the motherboard platform.
When it matters: When memory bandwidth matters for your build.

Importance: LOW

4
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK supports 4 memory channels, which is more than 92.9% of motherboards and equal to 6.8% of motherboards.
Maximum RAM speed
What it is: The highest officially supported memory speed for the motherboard.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=6400 MT/s

2,133 MT/s
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK supports memory speeds up to 2,133 MT/s, which is lower than that of 87.2% of motherboards and equal to that of 4.4% of motherboards.
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N. of M.2 sockets
What it is: The number of M.2 slots available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want room for more NVMe or M.2 drives.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=3

1
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 1 M.2 sockets, which is fewer than 69.3% of motherboards and equal to 19.1% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

Importance: MEDIUM

1x PCIe 3 x4/SATA
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK offers 1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA for M.2 slot interfaces, which is slower than that of 74.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 10.4% of motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
What it is: The number of SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you plan to connect multiple SATA drives.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=6

10
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 10 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 96.6% of motherboards and equal to 3.4% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
What it is: The RAID modes officially supported by the motherboard storage platform.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple drives in a RAID setup.

Importance: LOW

0/1/5/10
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK supports RAID levels 0/1/5/10, which is broader than 32% of motherboards and equal to 68% of motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
What it is: Shows whether the board supports RAID configurations that use NVMe SSDs.
When it matters: When you plan to use multiple NVMe drives in RAID.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support NVMe RAID. 59.8% of motherboards support this feature.
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N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
What it is: The number of PCIe 5.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want the newest high-bandwidth expansion slots.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=1

0
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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
What it is: The number of PCIe 4.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more room for modern expansion cards.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=1

0
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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
What it is: The number of PCIe 3.0 x16 physical slots on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need more full-length expansion slots.

Importance: LOW

5
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 5 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 97.4% of motherboards and equal to 2.1% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
What it is: The actual lane wiring used by the motherboard PCIe slots.
When it matters: When you need to know how much bandwidth each slot really gets.

Importance: LOW

x16/x0/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x0/x16/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x0, x8/x8/x0/x8/x0
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK uses x16/x0/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x0/x16/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x0, x8/x8/x0/x8/x0 for PCIe slot electrical configuration, which is more flexible than that of 97.4% of motherboards.
Depends on CPU.
PCIe bifurcation support
What it is: Shows whether the board can split PCIe lanes across multiple devices from one slot or link.
When it matters: When you plan multi-SSD adapters or more advanced expansion setups.

Importance: LOW

Good value: yes

no
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support PCIe bifurcation. 59.7% of motherboards support this feature.
Requires BIOS mod.
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Total USB ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=8

10
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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)
What it is: The total number of USB ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want to know the board's full USB expansion potential.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=14

18
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 18 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 81.7% of motherboards and equal to 5.3% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
What it is: The total number of rear USB-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C devices connected without adapters.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=1

0
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 0 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is fewer than 64.6% of motherboards and equal to 35.4% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
What it is: The total number of USB-C ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
When it matters: When you want more USB-C connectivity across the whole build.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

0
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 0 USB-C ports (including headers), which is fewer than 69.7% of motherboards and equal to 30.3% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
What it is: The number of rear USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want very fast USB-C connectivity on the rear I/O.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=1

0
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18.3% of motherboards and equal to 81.7% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.5GbE

1 Gbps
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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.
LAN controller
What it is: The model of onboard Ethernet controller used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When you compare networking hardware quality and features.

Importance: MEDIUM

Killer E2205
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK uses the Killer E2,205 LAN controller, which is less advanced than that of 95.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.5% of motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
What it is: The number of wired Ethernet ports on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need one or more wired network connections.

Importance: MEDIUM

1
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes onboard Wi-Fi hardware instead of requiring a separate adapter.
When it matters: When you want wireless networking without adding an extra card.

Importance: LOW

Good value: yes

yes
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: The supported Wi-Fi generation, such as Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7.
When it matters: When you care about wireless speed and router compatibility.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)

Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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.
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Audio codec
What it is: The onboard audio codec used by the motherboard.
When it matters: When sound quality from the built-in audio matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Realtek ALC1150
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK uses the Realtek ALC1,150 audio codec, which is more advanced than that of 52.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 9.2% of motherboards.
Audio channels
What it is: The audio channel configuration supported by the onboard sound solution.
When it matters: When you want surround sound from the motherboard audio outputs.

Importance: LOW

Good value: 7.1

7.1
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.9% of motherboards and equal to 95.1% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
What it is: The signal-to-noise ratio of the onboard audio solution.
When it matters: When you care about cleaner onboard audio output.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=120 dB

115 dB
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has an audio SNR of 115 dB, which is higher than that of 48.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 7.6% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
What it is: Shows whether the onboard audio path includes dedicated headphone amplification for harder-to-drive headsets.
When it matters: When you use harder-to-drive headphones from the onboard audio.

Importance: LOW

Good value: yes

yes
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK supports a headphone amp. 40.8% of motherboards support this feature.
supports up to 600Ω.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
What it is: The number of rear 3.5mm audio jacks on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you want more analog audio connection options.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=5

5
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 49.6% of motherboards and equal to 37% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
What it is: The number of power-delivery phases used by the motherboard VRM.
When it matters: When you care about CPU power delivery and overclocking headroom.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=12

7+2
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 7+2 VRM phases, which is fewer than 66.3% of motherboards and equal to 0.1% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
What it is: The number of CPU power connectors on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you care about power delivery for higher-end CPUs.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

1
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 1 CPU power connectors, which is fewer than 45.5% of motherboards and equal to 54.5% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
What it is: The number of headers available for case or CPU fans.
When it matters: When your build uses several fans.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=6

5
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has 5 fan headers, which is fewer than 50% of motherboards and equal to 14.6% of motherboards.
Pump header
What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes a dedicated header designed for a liquid-cooling pump.
When it matters: When you build with an AIO or custom liquid cooling loop.

Importance: LOW

Good value: yes

yes
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a pump header. 21.9% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
What it is: The maximum current the dedicated pump header can supply.
When it matters: When you want to make sure the pump header can power your cooling setup.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2 A

1 A
MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK supports up to 1 A on the pump header, which is lower than that of 56.3% of motherboards and equal to that of 19.7% of motherboards.
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MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK vs the average motherboard

  • 4 more memory slots
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
    What it is: The number of RAM slots on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want more room for future memory upgrades.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=4

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    What it is: The total number of rear USB ports available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you use many USB devices directly from the back of the PC.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=8

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.10 vs 8
  • Includes POST code display
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
    What it is: Shows whether the board includes a diagnostic POST code readout for boot troubleshooting.
    When it matters: When you troubleshoot boot issues and want clearer error information.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: yes

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • 3 more total USB connections
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (18 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    What it is: The total number of USB ports supported when rear ports and internal headers are counted together.
    When it matters: When you want to know the board's full USB expansion potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=14

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (18 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.18 vs 15
  • Includes dual BIOS
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 23% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard includes two BIOS chips for redundancy or recovery.
    When it matters: When BIOS safety and recovery matter to you.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: yes

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 23% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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
    What it is: The number of internal USB 3.2 Gen1 headers for front-panel Type-A ports.
    When it matters: When your case has front USB-A ports to connect.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=1

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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.2 vs 1
  • More flexible PCIe lane configuration
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x0/x16/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x0, x8/x8/x0/x8/x0 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4). The average motherboard uses x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4 PCIe slot lane configuration.
    Depends on CPU.
    What it is: The actual lane wiring used by the motherboard PCIe slots.
    When it matters: When you need to know how much bandwidth each slot really gets.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x0/x16/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x0, x8/x8/x0/x8/x0 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4). The average motherboard uses x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4 PCIe slot lane configuration.x16/x0/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x0/x16/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x0, x8/x8/x0/x8/x0 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 6 more SATA 3 connectors
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (10 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    What it is: The number of SATA 6Gb/s connectors on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you plan to connect multiple SATA drives.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=6

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (10 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.10 vs 4
  • Includes POST code display
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 27.2% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 23% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.7% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • Includes onboard power button
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has an onboard power button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.7% of motherboards include an onboard power button.
  • Includes onboard reset button
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has an onboard reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 27.6% of motherboards include an onboard reset button.
  • 4 more memory slots
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
  • More memory channels
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more memory channels than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 memory channel/s.
  • 6 more SATA 3 connectors
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (10 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
  • More flexible PCIe lane configuration
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more flexible PCIe lane configuration than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x0/x16/x8, x8/x8/x0/x16/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x8, x16/x0/x0/x8/x0, x8/x8/x0/x8/x0 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4). The average motherboard uses x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4 PCIe slot lane configuration.
  • 4 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (5 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
  • 3 more total USB connections
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (18 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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.
  • 4 more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
  • Supports Bluetooth
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 48.9% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • Better audio codec
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has better audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1,150 vs Realtek ALC897). The average motherboard uses Realtek ALC897 audio codec.

Total
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Audio
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X99 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
  • No BIOS flashback support
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.9% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
    requires CPU/RAM
  • No integrated graphics support
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.5% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • Not ready for Windows 11
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK is not ready for Windows 11, while the average motherboard is. 76.9% of motherboards are ready for Windows 11.
  • Fewer useful accessories
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer useful accessories than the average motherboard (6x SATA cables, I/O shield, Wi-Fi antenna, front-panel adapter, GPU bridge, Wi-Fi module/card, USB/eSATA bracket/panel, OC/me vs 2x SATA cables, Wi-Fi antenna, M.2 kit, front-panel adapter, RGB cable). The average motherboard comes with 2x SATA cables, Wi-Fi antenna, M.2 kit, front-panel adapter, RGB cable.
    Notable extras: front USB/eSATA panel.
  • Less versatile form factor
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has less versatile form factor than the average motherboard (E-ATX vs ATX). The average motherboard comes in ATX form factor.
  • Narrower Windows support
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has narrower Windows support than the average motherboard (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10). The average motherboard supports Windows 11, Windows 10.
  • Older CPU socket
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has older CPU socket than the average motherboard (LGA 2011-3 vs LGA 1,151). The average motherboard uses LGA 1,151 CPU socket.
  • 7 older release date
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK is older than the average motherboard (2014 vs 2021). The average motherboard was released in 2021.
    November 2014
  • 54.9% lower maximum RAM speed
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (2,133 MT/s vs 4,733 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,733 MT/s.
  • 32.4% lower overclocked RAM speed
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a lower overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (3,333 MT/s vs 4,933 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 4,933 MT/s.
    top speed depends on CPU and memory setup
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
  • No NVMe RAID support
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • 1 fewer M.2 sockets
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
    Requires BIOS mod.
  • 1 fewer PCIe x1 slots
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
  • 1 fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
  • 1 fewer total USB-C connections
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
  • 1 fewer HDMI outputs
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer HDMI outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 HDMI outputs.
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has older Bluetooth version than the average motherboard (4.1 vs 5.4). The average motherboard supports Bluetooth 5.4.
  • More basic LAN controller
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more basic LAN controller than the average motherboard (Killer E2,205 vs Killer + Intel + Realtek). The average motherboard uses Killer + Intel + Realtek LAN controller.
  • 2 fewer ARGB headers
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
  • No onboard RGB lighting
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not have onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does. 50.4% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • 1 fewer RGB headers
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer RGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
  • Fewer VRM phases
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer VRM phases than the average motherboard (7+2 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
  • 1 A lower pump header current limit
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has a lower pump header current than the average motherboard (1 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
  • 0.5 fewer fan headers
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer fan headers than the average motherboard (5 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
  • 20 mm wider
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK is wider than the average motherboard (264 mm vs 244 mm). The average motherboard width is 244 mm.
  • More basic motherboard chipset
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X99 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.
    What it is: The chipset that defines the motherboard platform and many of its features.
    When it matters: When you compare platform features, connectivity, and CPU support.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has more basic motherboard chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X99 vs Intel B860). The average motherboard uses Intel B860 chipset.Intel X99 vs Intel B860
  • 60% lower LAN speed
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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.
    What it is: The maximum wired Ethernet speed supported by the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want faster wired networking.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 2.5GbE

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK 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.1 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • Slower M.2 slot interfaces
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.
    What it is: The storage or PCIe interface available for each M.2 slot on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want to check which drives each M.2 slot can use.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has slower M.2 slot interfaces than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4). The average motherboard uses 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4 M.2 slot interfaces.1x PCIe 3x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4
  • No NVMe RAID support
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
    What it is: Shows whether the board supports RAID configurations that use NVMe SSDs.
    When it matters: When you plan to use multiple NVMe drives in RAID.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support NVMe RAID, while the average motherboard does. 59.8% of motherboards support NVMe RAID.
  • 1 fewer M.2 sockets
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    What it is: The number of M.2 slots available on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want room for more NVMe or M.2 drives.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=3

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.1 vs 2
  • 1 fewer rear USB-C ports
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    What it is: The total number of rear USB-C ports on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you want more USB-C devices connected without adapters.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=1

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK has fewer rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.0 vs 1
  • No BIOS flashback support
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.9% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
    requires CPU/RAM
    What it is: Shows whether the motherboard can update BIOS without needing a fully installed or supported CPU to boot first.
    When it matters: When you may need to update BIOS before the system can boot.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: yes

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 50.9% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
  • No PCIe bifurcation support
    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
    Requires BIOS mod.
    What it is: Shows whether the board can split PCIe lanes across multiple devices from one slot or link.
    When it matters: When you plan multi-SSD adapters or more advanced expansion setups.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: yes

    MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK does not support PCIe bifurcation, while the average motherboard does. 59.7% of motherboards support PCIe bifurcation.
Total
Overall
Platform & Features
Memory
Storage
Expansion
Ports & USB
Network
Power & Cooling

Graphic comparison of MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK and other products in the Motherboards category

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.0
6 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.0
7 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK?

  • Innovative 'Streaming Engine' hardware for recording/streaming without impacting CPU performance
  • Excellent stable overclocking capabilities with user-friendly UEFI BIOS options
  • High-quality 'Audio Boost 2' with dedicated power and Japanese capacitors for crystal clear sound
  • Stunning aesthetic design featuring a black and red dragon theme with LED lighting
  • Includes a comprehensive accessory bundle, including a 2-year XSplit premium license
  • Extensive connectivity with 10 SATA ports, M.2 Gen3 x4 support, and built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth

What customers dislike about MSI X99S Gaming 9 ACK?

  • High retail price compared to other X99 motherboards
  • Large E-ATX-like width may cause cable routing issues in some standard cases
  • The I/O cover design is criticized for being attached through the same holes needed for case mounting
  • Streaming Engine is limited to 1080p, which may be a drawback for 1440p or 4K gamers
  • Large CPU coolers can potentially obstruct the primary PCIe slot due to board layout
  • CMOS battery placement is considered inconvenient by some users

Video reviews

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