MSI 800-Series Motherboards: Unleashing Serious Gaming Performance
MSI is at the forefront with claims that you could be sacrificing some serious gaming performance. They have an idea of how to let it out.
According to MSI, with their latest 800-series motherboards (X870 and X870E models in particular), along with a package of BIOS updates, chipset drivers, and their own proprietary BIOS enhancements, you can certainly see gaming performance pick up. They are talking about potential boosts of up to 14.5% for certain games. Sounds good.
First Things First: Update Your BIOS and Drivers
MSI emphasizes that the secret to these performance improvements starts with making sure you are running the most recent software. They recommend upgrading to BIOS version 1A27 or later and chipset drivers version 7.01.08.129 or later. These versions include the "AMD Application Compatibility Database driver" that MSI recognizes as a major factor in tapping enhanced performance.
They even say that once you have updated to a BIOS with AGESA 1.2.0.3 or higher, you might spot an "Unknown Device" within your Device Manager. It is apparently a normal occurrence, and the updating of the AMD Application Compatibility Database driver from the chipset package should sort it.
The MSI Performance Toolkit: BIOS Features to the Rescue
After your machine is loaded up with the current BIOS and drivers loaded onto an MSI-compatible motherboard, the true magic starts when it comes to MSI's BIOS options. They highlight three core tools:
- Memory Try It!: Think of this as memory overclocking made easy. It loads up pre-set profiles for many memory modules so that you can try various speeds and timings in an easy, non-destructive way to find out what does the best thing with your RAM.
- High-Efficiency Mode: This is all about adjusting your memory settings. MSI says it can optimize memory bandwidth and reduce latency and offers different levels of "Tightness" (Tightest, Tighter, Balance, Relax) so you can choose the level of stability you desire versus how much performance.
- X3D Gaming Mode: Designed specifically for gaming with the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, this mode tweaks your CPU core and SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) settings. While MSI claims to enhance gaming, they also caution that it *may* degrade performance in heavily multi-threaded apps. It is a toggle you will have to switch depending on whether you are playing games or working.
The Claimed Performance Gains: Up to 14.5%
Now on to the numbers. MSI's in-house testing with all three features (Memory Try It!, High-Efficiency Mode "Tighter," and X3D Gaming Mode) and RAM overclocked to DDR5-8000 shows some great performance benefits, particularly in:
- Monster Hunter Wilds: As much as an eye-opening 14.5% boost in performance compared to using normal DDR5-4800 memory, and around 8% even compared to XMP DDR5-7200 speeds.
- Far Cry 6 & Shadow of the Tomb Raider: About a 6% gain in performance for both titles.
One should keep in mind that gains in performance do not come out evenly among games. MSI goes so far as to say that some games, including *Black Myth: Wukong* and *Red Dead Redemption 2*, might not see any positive effects, or possibly even a minor decline. *Cyberpunk 2077* and *Metro Exodus* reportedly see some positive effect, though.
Test System Specs
Curious about the hardware MSI used for their testing? Here is the configuration:
| Component | Model |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D |
| Motherboard | MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE |
| Memory | Galax DDR5-7200 16GBx2 |
| GPU | MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16G GAMING TRIO OC |
| SSD | Kingston SNV2S/2000G |
| CPU Cooler | MSI MAG CORELIQUID I360 |
| PSU | MSI MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 |
| OS | Windows 11 24H2 (Balanced Power Mode) |
Key Caveats to Keep in Mind
Before you go off and mess with your BIOS, MSI does have some important disclaimers:
- Memory Overclocking Risks: Memory Try It! and High-Efficiency Mode overclock your RAM, which *might* result in system instability. Use at your own risk and test thoroughly.
- X3D Gaming Mode Trade-offs: Remember that X3D Gaming Mode can negatively impact performance in non-gaming, multi-core applications. Consider your typical PC usage.
- Your Mileage May Vary: How much performance you are able to squeeze out will depend significantly on your individual system build-out, including your graphics setup. MSI's results are merely a starting point.
The Bottom Line
MSI is doing a fantastic job of showing us how their 800-series boards and BIOS goodies could potentially coax some extra gaming performance out of their Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU. If you own this CPU and an MSI X870 or X870E motherboard, it could be worth exploring these capabilities. Just take care to update your drivers and BIOS first, and take into account the potential trade-offs and risks of CPU setting modifications and overclocking. Are you ready to potentially unleash greater gaming power.
Source: MSI
