Trinergy
Based on the LGA1156 form factor, MSI's Trinergy doesn't look all that cluttered when compared to top-end X58 alternatives. The lack of QPI and triple-channel memory is to thank for that.
At first glance, there's plenty to admire - including MSI's recently-introduced colour scheme of black, blue and silver. The board is about as good looking as they come, and the black PCB is further enhanced by dark chrome heatpipes - even the CPU socket is given a darker look.
Eagle-eyed enthusiasts will also note that the board features not a single solid capacitor, each and every one is of the Hi-C variety, resulting in server-grade stability, says MSI.
A trio of passive heatsinks are well spaced around the LGA1156 socket, leaving plenty of room for cooler installation.
All three are fairly low profile, and as with recent MSI boards, they're equipped with SuperPipe technology - namely 8mm thick copper heatpipes that should, in theory, provide improved cooling performance.
Trinergy makes use of an eight-phase PWM circuit for regulating the power to the CPU, and MSI's active-phase switching (APS) technology should help save power by switching off phases that aren't required.
MSI's dual-channel DDR3 memory slots officially support speeds of up to 2,133MHz. V-Kit is also present, allowing users to externally check voltages via a multimeter.
A massive 10 SATA ports are available, six angled to the edge of the board and an additional four - powered by a JMicron JMB322 controller - sit face up.
The funky-looking Southbridge heatsink is notably low-profile, and won't impede graphics card installation. Speaking of graphics cards, this is an area in which Trinergy can impress even the extreme user. With an on-board NVIDIA NF200 PCIe bridge chip, MSI has at its disposal a total of 32 PCIe 2.0 lanes - culminating from 16 in the NF200 chip and 16 in an Intel Lynnfield processor.
With 32 lanes, Trinergy is able to facilitate full support for three-way SLI or CrossFire configurations. With three discrete GPUs installed, users are looking at per-lane performance of x16, x8, x8.
To the right-hand edge is MSI's now-familiar OC Genie - a one-touch button designed to simplify overclocking. Using a dedicated overclocking processor, OC Genie will automatically adjust CPU clock speed, CPU voltage, memory frequency and memory voltage to determine and implement the optimum overclocked settings.
The first PCIe 2.0 slot looks a little close to the nearest heatsink, but don't worry, it's suitably low-profile where required:
The rear I/O panel is looking a little simple, that'll be due to the lack of integrated audio connectivity - that's reserved for something a little better. What you do have is dual Gigabit Ethernet, a bevy of USB 2.0 ports, a pair of powered eSATA ports, FireWire and your standard PS/2 keyboard and mouse connectors.
There is a little something sitting between the eSATA ports, a connector for one of MSI's two added extras.
Added extras
Bundled as standard with the Big Bang Trinergy is a Quantum Wave soundcard and MSI's exclusive OC Dashboard.
The OC Dashboard, pictured close up below, connects via a proprietary cable and a single USB cable. What's cool is that the unit sports a magnetic back panel, allowing it to be easily attached to most chassis.
Plug it in and you're given access to a selection of BIOS-specific functions. The OC Dashboard can be used to display system information, including debug messages, and it also allows users to adjust system voltages on the fly - even whilst in Windows. Extremely useful for the tweaking crowd.
The soundcard, too, is no lightweight. MSI reckons Quantum Wave is the world's first stand-alone soundcard to support both THX TruStudio PC and Creative's EAX Advanced HD 5.0, and it's clearly touting the card's ability as a key selling point. Here, in MSI's own words, is what to expect from Quantum Wave:
- EAX Advanced HD delivers double the voice count, so you get more detail and speed in your games. It also adds a dedicated bass feed for each of the 128 simultaneous voices, so gaming audio becomes more cinematic.
- EAX Voice allows you to literally become part of the game! Using a microphone connected to an EAX Advanced HD 5.0 compliant audio device in any game title, you can speak and hear your voice with the same effects as the environment your character is in. Furthermore if the game supports 3D Voice Over IP then other players in the game will be able to hear your voice as you do and coming from the correct direction!
- EAX PurePath - Truly Cinematic Gaming Audio! The function of EAX PurePath is to improve the LFE (Low Frequency Enhancement). The game developer can have higher flexibility to control low-pitched sound in a game.
- Environment FlexiFX - Xtreme Gaming Audio! The completely re-designed effect engine gives developers total freedom to use any of four simultaneous effects with any of the 128 voices.
- EACH MacroFX - Getting You Closer To Your Gaming Audio! The feature allows EAX Advanced HD to simulate sounds passing very close to you! Someone whispering to your ear, a bullet flying a couple inches by your head and so on.
- Environment Occlusion - OK, The Bad Guys Are Outside! The previous version called occlusion only delivers basic sound effect occluded by the direct sound, but not the environmental reverb associated with that sound. Environment Occlusion improves the realism by allowing the reverb effect itself as well as the direct sound to be muffled due to occluding objects. So you get the best simulation of real-world audio ever achieved.
Slotting into one of the board's two PCIe x1 slots, the Quantum Wave soundcard provides support for 7.1 audio and offers both forms of S/PDIF-out.
Bundle and initial thoughts
MSI's Trinergy bundle is well equipped, with all the required cabling included as standard - including a selection of SLI/CrossFire links. The box-art is eye catching, and we like the fact that the majority of MSI's bundled cables are now black - as opposed to red on previous boards. Going one step further, even the I/O back panel cover is finished in black.
Offering something a little different, MSI also throws in a test report sheet - detailing how the board fared at the hands of an MSI engineer prior to being packaged and sealed for retail. Our sample board, tested on November 13th by names we can't read, achieved a base clock (BCLK) of 197MHz using one-touch OC Genie overclocking. The test report even includes third-party benchmark results, including numbers for 3DMark, CINEBENCH and a couple of games. A very nice touch, we reckon.
Initial thoughts
At first glance, MSI's Trinergy appears to have the makings of a high-quality, extreme P55 motherboard with features that'll appeal to many an enthusiast.
If you're in the market for a P55 board that facilitates true three-way SLI/CrossFire configurations, the MSI Big Bang Trinergy looks mighty decent.
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