Question 1

I noticed that this doesn't have an onboard video chipset, but would it work fine with a CPU with integrated graphics?

Accepted Answer

no, it is an X79 board. That chipset didn't have integrated graphics, it had six cores and supported 64 gigabytes of RAM, mostly used in computer graphics. or any other high-end software coded for multi core usage.there are much cheaper options if you want integrated graphics.

Question 2

Will this ram be compatible with this motherboard?
G.SKILL Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C7D-16GTX  (N82E16820231628)

Accepted Answer

Based on what I know about G.Skill Trident line (I've used a lot of G.Skill memory with success) and what I know about the MSI Big Bang-XPower II LGA 2011 Intel X79 (I have one and it's the best I've ever used -- and I've built lots of PC's), I would not hesitate to put the two together. You might need to adjust voltage or timing a little to get best results, but I'm confident they will work together. Still, the only way to know for sure is to try it and I haven't done that.

That said, I would not put this memory kit in this board. The X79 supports quad channel memory: to get max speed you need 4 sticks of memory. So I would use a quad channel kit (4x4GB, 4x8GB, etc.)

Question 3

What form of cpu do I put in this? Am1, or what?

Accepted Answer

You will need an Intel LGA 2011 processor. On Newegg, go to Cpu's, then desk top cpu's, then select Intel, then select lga 2011 for a list of processors that will work with it.

Question 4

1.) Does MSi Big Bang Extreme Xpower II supports above 2nd Generation like 3rd Generation Processor such as Intel Core i7-4960 Intel Core CPU (3.6GHZ, 15M, LGA2011)?

2.) Which is better between Intel Core i7-4960 or Intel Core i7-3970?

Accepted Answer

1) according the the manufacturer website it will support the i7 4960 chip.
2) I have not tried the i7 4960 but my 3970x has never given me any problems nor has it not been able to handle anything I run thru it.

Question 5

The motherboard specs clearly state it supports 128GB of RAM. I find it very difficult to believe, because a) it's based on Intel X79 chipset, b) the list of memory modules tested by MSI, dowloadable from product page from MSI website, clearly shows that NO 16GB RAM MODULES WERE TESTED. The motherboard has 8 memory slots, to support 128 GB of memory it has to support 16GB memory sticks.

Did anyone ever get this motherboard to work with 16GB memory modules? if so, what brand and model, and was it only 4 modules (a total of 64GB which I know Intel X79 chipset supports), or all 8 modules, giving a total of 128GB ?

I'm asking because I'm trying to build a high-end workstation and find reasonably priced single/dual CPU motherboard with LGA2011 CPU socket, and with max supported RAM to be at least 128GB, not requiring super-pricy registered ECC sticks costing 2-3 times as much.

Does this motherboard actually support 128GB of RAM, and if yes, which RAM modules (manufacturer, model) are supported?

Accepted Answer

I am currently running 4 1 x G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL10D-16GBXL

No issues whatsoever.

Question 6

What do I need to purchase with this mother board for WiFi  connection?

Accepted Answer

a PCI-E (PCI Express) or USB wifi adapter (802.11N or 802.11AC). Do NOT get a standard PCI card for this board (try not to buy a standard PCI card ever again if possible because while some motherboards still have PCI, as time goes on, more will drop PCI completely like this one has)

An Intel chipset for the wifi is highly preferred, and if not that then Atheros/Qualcomm or Broadcom are acceptable (but just barely).

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