Since the arrival of the Intel Core i7 processor we take come up across a number of impressive X58 motherboards. Not too long ago we checked in particular the Asus P6T Deluxe and Gigabyte EX58-UD4P motherboards, both of which nosotros found to be excellent products.

Perchance the biggest problem we saw with these motherboards was their price, both situated above $250, they were far from affordable. Add to that the serious cost premium for DDR3 retentivity, and you concluded up with a relatively affordable and fast Core i7 920 processor that nevertheless needed to run on an expensive platform.

Today DDR3 prices have dropped dramatically. It is at present possible to purchase a 3GB triple-channel kit for as piffling every bit $l, or a 6GB kit that start at around $lxxx. The recent driblet in DDR3 pricing got us thinking about the affordability of the Core i7 platform, and we began to wonder just how inexpensive users could build one of these systems.

The Cadre i7 920 notwithstanding remains the only sensible option, and at $280 it tin can overclock to speeds that far surpass those of the $1000 975 Extreme Edition version. At present all we demand is an affordable LGA1366 motherboard that will allow united states of america to squeeze a few more MHz out of the Core i7 processor.

MSI has quietly been preparing an regular army of Core i7 motherboards, at present with five unique models on offering, nosotros feel they may have what nosotros're later. The X58 Pro-E is an interesting looking motherboard, priced at around $200 which is almost as depression every bit X58-based motherboards will go.

The X58 Pro-E sits in the middle of the standard X58 Pro motherboard which is about $20 cheaper and the slightly more expensive X58 Platinum. And then at that place's the MSI X58 Eclipse which is priced more aggressively at $320 and is thus reserved for extreme users.

From where nosotros sit down, MSI doesn't seem to accept skimped on any essential features with the X58 Pro-E, and so let's take a closer expect and see what this motherboard is all nigh.