MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi Review – Stable workhorse with experience report, teardown, material test and thermal modding

1 - Introduction, technical data and features 2 - Teardown: PCB and components 3 - Testing the thermal pads, material analysis and modding 4 - Mounting aids and assembly, new UEFI 5 - Performance, temperatures and conclusion

Graphics card backup rethought

Now we come to a point for which I can only say thank you as a tester, because anyone who often changes graphics cards knows the dilemma with the locking mechanism on the PCIe x16 slot only too well. MSI has come up with a remote unlocking mechanism that leaves hardly anything to be desired. This means that the miserable fumbling and torn-off retaining lugs are finally a thing of the past.

VGA Closed

VGA Open

Simplified SSD mounting

MSI has also come up with something here and the screwdriver is finally a thing of the past. Anyone who, like me, often has to change one or more SSDs will soon no longer want to be without this tool-free feature. Unless you consider your hands to be tools. This works just as well for the NVMe above the graphics card with the LED in the shield…

… as for the block of three below. Hook it in and let it snap into place. And you don’t need any nice words to snap it out again, just your fingertip. Click and go. However, it would have been nice if this could have been shared to save the graphics card removal. But thanks to the unlocking mechanism, it’s hardly any trouble at all. From this point of view, it somehow fits.

There is also the small locking aid for the SSD, which also requires no tools. To the left is the connector…

…for the LED lighting of the carbon lettering.

New UEFI

The new MSI X870E Carbon WiFi brings with it some significant changes in the BIOS/UEFI area, as MSI has introduced a new UEFI design that differs significantly from previous versions. This redesign combines the simplicity of traditional BIOS interfaces with a modern design that is more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. The hardware monitoring page in particular has been made clearer and more functional.

MSI has also implemented CLICK BIOS X in the UEFI, which offers an improved user interface designed primarily for easy access to important functions. Other new features include more extensive hardware monitoring options and optimized overclocking tools that allow users to take full advantage of the performance of the new AMD Ryzen 9000 series.

The UEFI also includes EZ-DIY features that make it easier to install and maintain components such as M.2 SSDs or PCIe devices. New features include EZ M.2 Clip II and EZ PCIe Release, which greatly simplify the installation and removal of hardware. These changes are aimed at helping both beginners and advanced users with system configuration. In summary, the new UEFI of the MSI X870E Carbon WiFi offers both a visual refresh and practical improvements to optimize the user experience and support the use of the latest hardware.

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We have now covered the most important mechanical and electrical innovations of the Carbon compared to the previous model and we will now move on to our performance impressions and conclusions on the next page.