When we first reviewed the last AMD 9000 CPUs, we did not have any of the new X800 series boards on hand. However, as more brands started to release these new boards, we had a chance to check out MSI’s latest offering in the AM5 motherboard space, the MSI X870E Carbon Wi-Fi. After countless hours testing the X670 series, I was excited to see how the new boards would change things for enthusiast builders. The MSI X870E Carbon Wi-Fi aims to strike a balance between cutting-edge features and practicality while maintaining the signature MSI aesthetic we have come to expect.
I am a fan of the way MSI boards look, and the X870E Carbon Wi‑Fi continues this trend. The sleek black PCB is adorned with carbon-fibre-styled heatsinks that not only look great but serve a functional purpose in keeping critical components cool while pushing your PC to its limits. MSI has clearly put thought into the board’s visual design, with subtle RGB lighting that adds a touch of flair while remaining subtle enough not to throw off non-gamers.
Even though I love the all-black board design, the feature that pushes this piece of hardware over the edge for me is the power delivery system. With an 18+2+1 phase VRM setup utilizing 110A power stages, the X870E Carbon Wi‑Fi is more than capable of handling even the most power-hungry Ryzen 9000 series processors. During my testing, I pushed a Ryzen 9 9950X to its limits, and the VRM temperatures remained well within acceptable ranges, never exceeding 60°C even under heavy loads. I was also impressed with how easy MSI makes many of the settings, but I will touch on that in a bit.
“The MSI X870E Carbon Wi-Fi aims to strike a balance between cutting-edge features and practicality while maintaining the signature MSI aesthetic we have come to expect.”
I mentioned that when the AMD 9000 series launched, reviewers were forced to use older X670 boards, but the X870E chipset brought some improvements, making it worth an upgrade, with the chief among them being native support for USB4. The board sports two USB4 ports on the rear I/O, capable of blazing-fast 40Gbps transfer speeds. While devices that can fully utilize this bandwidth are still somewhat limited, it’s a welcome addition for future-proofing your build.
Speaking of I/O, MSI has packed the rear panel with an impressive array of connectivity options. In addition to the aforementioned USB4 ports, you’ll find a good selection of USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, both Type-A and Type-C. Networking is well covered, too, with 2.5GbE and 5GbE LAN ports, as well as the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology for wireless connectivity.
The X870E Carbon Wi‑Fi also features four M.2 slots, two of which support PCIe 5.0 speeds, while the other two run at PCIe 4.0. This configuration provides ample room for expansion and allows users to take advantage of the latest high-speed NVMe drives. The inclusion of MSI’s M.2 Shield Frozr heatsinks is a nice touch, helping to keep those speedy SSDs cool and prevent thermal throttling.
Memory has also seen an upgrade with the X870E platform compared to past iterations. Now supporting DDR5 speeds up to 8000MHz and beyond, this board is ready to handle the fastest RAM kits on the market. During my testing, I was able to push a set of DDR5-7200 sticks to their rated speeds without any stability issues, a testament to the board’s robust memory design. I also tested a range of memory in the system, and everything worked flawlessly, which is something I have had issues with on AMD builds in the past.
Compared to even a few years ago, MSI has really stepped up its game with ease of use and getting your system up and running. The EZ M.2 Clip system makes installing M.2 drives a breeze—no more fumbling with tiny screws. Similarly, the EZ PCIe Release button is a godsend for anyone who has ever struggled to remove a graphics card from a tight PCIe slot. The overall build process was smooth, with everything slotting in and working on the first try.
When we finally turned the system on and jumped into the BIOS to get everything configured, I was greeted by the typical MSI offering. This is not a bad thing, mind you—I find the MSI BIOS interface among the best for enthusiast builds, as it’s relatively comprehensive and easy to navigate. Overclocking enthusiasts will find a wealth of options to tweak and fine-tune their systems. For those less inclined to dive deep into manual settings, MSI’s auto-overclocking features work well enough to squeeze out some extra performance with minimal effort.
“Memory has also seen an upgrade with the X870E platform compared to past iterations.”
Performance-wise, the MSI X870E Carbon Wi‑Fi holds its own against other high-end AM5 boards. In synthetic benchmarks and real-world applications, it consistently performed at or near the top of the pack. Gaming performance was particularly impressive, with the board’s optimized layout and robust power delivery allowing the CPU and GPU to stretch their legs. The board also features the new 8-pin connection on the bottom, which should be useful when the new GPUs finally hit store shelves, hopefully by CES 2025.
I walked into this review unsure if the X870E would really move the needle, and while I don’t think it’s a must-buy if you already have a working rig, MSI has added enough to this board to make it a great choice for a new build. There’s a lot to like here, from the design to new features like USB 40G and Thunderbolt Gen 5, without even touching on the power delivery. It all delivers a solid experience for its $499 USD price tag, making it one of the better boards I’ve tested with the new AMD CPU range.
For those building a new system around AMD’s latest Ryzen processors, the MSI X870E Carbon Wi‑Fi deserves serious consideration. It’s a board that not only performs well out of the box but also provides plenty of room for future upgrades and expansion. Whether you’re a content creator, a gamer, or just someone who appreciates a well-built system, this motherboard has something to offer.
