MSI X99A Workstation Motherboard Runs Nicely On Linux

The past few weeks I've been testing out the MSI X99A Workstation motherboard courtesy of MSI Computer and it's been working out very well across a spectrum of open-source Linux (as well as BSD) use-cases for those in need of a LGA-2011 v3 motherboard.

The MSI X99A Workstation motherboard was rolled out this summer as one of the newer Intel X99 products and comes with full support for the Broadwell-EP/Broadwell-E LGA-2011 v3 CPUs, dual Intel Gigabit LAN, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A/C connectivity, M.2/U.2 storage support, DDR4 ECC support, SATA Express, support for three PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, and more.

Specifications:

CPU

- Supports New Intel Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition for LGA2011-3 Socket
- Supports Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0

Chipset

- Intel X99 Chipset

Main Memory

- 8 x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 128GB
- Supports DDR4 3333(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2933(OC)/ 2800(OC)/ 2666(OC)/ 2600(OC)/ 2400/ 2200(OC)/ 2133 MHz
- Quad channel memory architecture
- Supports ECC/ non-ECC un-buffered memory
- Supports DDR4 ECC RDIMM Memory
- Supports Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)

Slots

- 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
- Support x16, x16/x16, x8/x16/x8
- Support x16, x16/x8, x8/x8/x8
- 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots

Multi-GPU

- Supports 3-Way AMD CrossFire Technology
- Supports 3-Way NVIDIA SLI Technology

On-Board SATA

- Intel X99 Chipset
- 10 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (2 ports from SATAe port)
- SATA1~6 support RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10
- SATA7~10 only support IDE mode and AHCI mode
- 1 x M.2 slot (Key M)
- Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s
- Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices
- 1 x U.2 port
- Supports PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe storage
- 1 x SATAe port* (compatible with 2 SATA ports) - Supports up to PCIe 2.0x2
- Supports Intel Smart Response Technology

USB

- ASMedia ASM1142 Chipset
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) port on the back panel
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Super Speed USB 10Gbps) Type-C port on the back panel
- ASMedia ASM1074 Chipset
- 4 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports on the back panel
- Intel X99 Chipset
- 4 x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports available through the internal USB 3.1 connectors
- 8 x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB 2.0 connectors)

Audio

- Realtek ALC1150 Codec
- 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
- Supports S/PDIF output

LAN

- 1 x Intel I218LM Gigabit LAN controller
- 1 x Intel I210AT Gigabit LAN controller
- Supports Intel LAN Teaming Technology

Back Panel I/O Ports

- 1x PS/2 mouse port
- 1 x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
- 4 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x Clear CMOS button
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 port
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
- 4 x USB 3.1 Gen1 ports
- 2 x LAN (RJ45) ports
- 1 x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
- 5 x OFC audio jacks

Internal I/O Connectors

- 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
- 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
- 10 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
- 1 x SATA Express connector
- 1 x M.2 slot
- 1 x U.2 port
- 2 x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports)
- 2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 3.1 Gen1 ports)
- 1 x 4-pin CPU fan connector
- 1 x 4-pin Water Pump connector
- 3 x 4-pin system fan connectors
- 1 x Front panel audio connector
- 2 x Front panel connectors
- 1 x TPM module connector
- 1 x Chassis Intrusion connector
- 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
- 1 x Power button
- 1 x Reset button
- 1 x Multi-BIOS switch
- 1 x RGB LED connector
- 1 x Slow mode booting jumper

Dimension

- 12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm) ATX Form Factor