Core i7-8700K, GTX 1070 & More
MSI has started to sell its latest Infinite X desktops in the US. The new systems are based on Intel’s six-core Core i7 (Coffee Lake) processors, as well as custom Intel Z370-powered motherboards that support CPU overclocking. The most advanced configurations of the Infinite X come with Intel’s unlocked Core i7-8700K chips as well as MSI’s GeForce GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards. Also, MSI is set to allow some of its system integrator partners to build custom configurations of the Infinite X to address the needs of their customers.
Read AnandTech's reviews of the Core i7-8700K and the GTX 1080 Ti here!
As reported earlier, the MSI Infinite X will be the company’s most powerful desktop computer and an advancement for the whole series in general. The new PCs are not only based on six-core Core i7-8700K CPUs, and therefore offer better multitasking performance than predecessors do, but they support CPU overclocking. The custom Micro-ATX Intel Z370 motherboard that MSI uses for the Infinite X PCs offers a rather general overclocking functionality supported by the company's Command Center software (allows to adjust per-core frequency, increase CPU/DRAM voltages, improve cooling, etc.).
When it comes to cooling overclocked CPUs and GPUs, MSI’s new system is prepared very well. The Infinite X chassis uses a triple-chamber design with separate chambers for the CPU (this one also hosts RAM, SSD, PCH and some other components), the GPU, and the PSU (this one also hosts 2.5”/3.5” storage devices), isolating the hottest components from each other. Secondly, the graphics and the processor chambers are cooled down using MSI’s Silent Storm Cooling 3 Pro coolers that suck cool air from the outside of the case and then exhaust the warmer air in another direction. Thirdly, the CPU itself is cooled down using MSI’s custom Dragon liquid cooling system to ensure stable operation even when overclocked significantly beyond stock frequencies. According to MSI, cooling systems inside the Infinite X produce around 25 dB of noise in idle and less than 36 dB when operating at their full performance.
The custom micro-ATX motherboard has four DDR4 slots supporting up to 64 GB of memory, one PCIe x16 slot for a graphics card (MSI offers GeForce GTX 1070, GTX 1080 and GTX 1080 Ti options) and two M.2 slots for SSDs. As for connectivity, the Infinite X motherboard has a GbE port powered by Intel's I219V controller, Intel’s 1x1 Wireless-AC 3168 802.11ac Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.2 module, a 7.1-channel audio sub-system with MSI’s AudioBoost and Nahimic 2+ enhancements, USB Type-A and Type-C ports, DP and HDMI display outputs (in case iGPU is used for some reason) and so on.
| Specifications of MSI Infinite X Desktops for the U.S. Market | |||
| Infinite X VR8RD-007US | Infinite X VR8RF-008US | ||
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K 6C/12T 3.7 - 4.7 GHz 12 MB LLC UHD Graphics 630 95 W | ||
| PCH | Intel Z370 | ||
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti | |
| Memory | 16 GB dual-channel DDR4-2400 | ||
| Storage | SSD | 256 GB PCIe NVMe | 512GB PCIe NVMe |
| HDD | 2 TB HDD with 7200 RPM spindle speed | ||
| ODD | DVD SuperMulti | ||
| Bays | Two M.2 slot for SSDs (PCIe or SATA) 1 × 2.5" 2 × 3.5" | ||
| Wi-Fi | Intel Wireless-AC 3168 802.11ac + BT 4.2 | ||
| Ethernet | 1 × Realtek 8111H | ||
| Display Outputs | MB | 1 × HDMI 1 × DisplayPort | |
| GPU | 2 × HDMI 2 × DisplayPort 1 × DVI-D DL may vary depending on SKU | ||
| Front | HDMI for VR headsets | ||
| Audio | Front | 3.5 mm jacks for headset with microphone | |
| Back | 5 × 3.5 mm jacks 1 × S/PDIF | ||
| USB | Front | 1 × USB 3.0 Type-A 1 × USB 2.0 Type-A 1 × USB 3.0 Type-C | |
| Back | 3 × USB 3.0 Type-A 2 × USB 2.0 Type-A 1 × USB 3.0 Type-C | ||
| Other I/O | Front | - | |
| Back | 1 × PS/2 combo port | ||
| Dimensions | 210 × 450 × 488 mm | 8.27" × 17.72" × 19.22" | ||
| Color | Black with Customizable RGB LEDs | ||
| PSU | 550 W 80 Plus Bronze | ||
| Additional Information | Link | Link | |
It is hard to imagine a 2017 gaming PC without custom RGB lighting and other style enhancements. The Infinite-series desktops feature MSI’s Mystic Light functionality, which offers customizable RGB LED presentations. When buying from MSI’s direct partners, it is possible to choose a classic all black side panel or a transparent side panel.
Officially, MSI offers two Infinite X SKUs in the US. The entry-level one is equipped with MSI’s GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card, a 256 GB NVMe SSD, a 2 TB HDD, and starts at $1699.99. The higher-end model comes with MSI’s GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, a 512 GB NVMe SSD, and a 2 TB hard drive. Amazon and Newegg are currently offering versions of the Infinite X with discounts that cost starting from $1,599 or even $1,449 (after a $100 rebate) and feature various configurations.
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