MSI Reputation/Quality

[jcmaz]

Hey HWC,

How is the quality of MSI's motherboards? And how is their warranty services?

The motherboard i'm looking at is this: NCIX.com - Buy MSI K9A2 CF-F ATX AM2 790X DDR2 2PCI-E16 CrossFire PCI-E1 2PCI SATA GBLAN Sound Motherboard - K9A2 CF-F In Canada.

And how does MSI compare with Gigabyte and Asus in terms of Support, RMA, and new BIOS's?

Thanks

[gingerbee]

cool boards with good features normally but warranty is a nightmare when i buy msi i take the chance and this is jmo

[JD]

I would only buy MSI's latest stuff, namely the stuff with the black PCB and gun-metal grey heatsinks and blue slots, etc. That line of stuff looks solidly built and reviews seem to agree.

This older stuff though prior to that transition, I'm not too sure about. 790X for $80, obviously somethings lower-end compared to ASUS/Gigabyte's 790X boards.

[Darth Chipmonk]

I have an MSI K9N2 platinum and it works very well no problems had it for about a year now, but upgrading to a gigabyte this christmas, couldn't say anything about their support though, never had to use it.

[MarkOne]

Originally Posted by jdrom17

I would only buy MSI's latest stuff, namely the stuff with the black PCB and gun-metal grey heatsinks and blue slots, etc. That line of stuff looks solidly built and reviews seem to agree.

This older stuff though prior to that transition, I'm not too sure about. 790X for $80, obviously somethings lower-end compared to ASUS/Gigabyte's 790X boards.

I'm thinking the same, I have never been atracted by MSI, but their new board look good.

[martin_metal_88]

Well MSI have really great product. Most of heavy OC'er use them but...when it come to die, then good luck for RMA. Where is linus? He is not here to defend MSI today?

[gingerbee]

Originally Posted by martin_metal_88

Most of heavy OC'er use them but...when it come to die, then good luck for RMA.

this pretty much says it all when it comes to MSI . one of my best o.c was on msi so i have a small place in my heart for them but I don't buy from them any more so i think that says a lot.

[jcmaz]

Thanks for the comments guys :)

[sswilson]

I've had a few decent MSI boards (my first OC kit pusher used to carry them) and am currently running an AM3 board.... never bothered trying to do an RMA. The only thing I'd suggest is to be very careful with bios updates... under no circumstances should you use their live bios update.... they may have improved over time, but in the past it's always been a POS (bricked at least one of my boards).

[CMetaphor]

MSI has the worst support I've ever dealt with. I once tried to ask them specific details about one of their more rare boards.... and I was basically told to off because I was asking too many questions. They'll never get a cent from me unless they seriously make changes.