Machinist X99 Air S9 Motherboard Review: Budget-Friendly Gaming Option

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Technical Specifications
3. USB and SATA Ports
4. Expansion Slots
5. Memory System
6. Power Delivery System
7. Issues with the BIOS
8. Compatibility with Different CPUs
9. Performance and Temperature
10. Conclusion

Introduction

Mykonos Hardware welcomes you to today's review of the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard for Socket LJ, 2011 Version 3. This motherboard, purchased from China, is made possible by the support of our generous donors. We are grateful for the small donations through PayPal and the use of AliExpress affiliated links. With your support, we were able to afford multiple X99 motherboards to bring you these videos and reviews.

Technical Specifications

The Machinist X99 Air S9 is the latest release from Machinist for the LGA 2011 Version 3 platform. However, it is important to note that this motherboard uses a desktop chipset, the C612, instead of the X99 chipset. Depending on the delivery, the motherboard can come with the B85 or Q87 chipset, and some motherboards may even use the H81 chipset. Compared to the Machinist X99 Z Version 1.02, this motherboard has undergone some improvements in terms of design and functionality.

USB and SATA Ports

Due to the chipset limitation, the number of USB 3 ports and SATA 3 ports has been reduced compared to the Machinist X99 Z Version 1.02. The motherboard features an M.2 slot for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth expansion cards. It is essential to consider these limitations when planning the usage of the USB and SATA ports to ensure compatibility with your desired components.

Expansion Slots

The Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard provides various expansion slots for additional components. It offers a PC Express x16 slot for installing graphics cards, as well as two PC Express x1 slots that can be used for a USB sound card or an extra graphics card. There is also an M.2 slot for SATA SSDs and another M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs. The motherboard supports a quad-Channel memory configuration with DDR4 memory slots on either side of the processor.

Memory System

The Machinist X99 Air S9 supports Intel Xeon E5 v3/v4 CPUs and Intel Core i7 5000 and 6000 series CPUs. The memory system works in a quad-channel configuration, providing optimal performance for memory-intensive applications. With two memory slots on each side of the processor, the motherboard allows for a maximum memory capacity suitable for most gaming and professional tasks.

Power Delivery System

The power delivery system of the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard is a four-phase controller with three phases used. Each phase has a doubler with two pairs of mosfets. While this power delivery system is sufficient for some CPUs, it may struggle to handle high-performance processors such as the E5-2678 v3. During stress tests, the mosfets may reach high temperatures, affecting the stability of the system.

Issues with the BIOS

One of the drawbacks of the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard is its BIOS. The original BIOS lacks important features such as RAM timings configuration and does not work properly. However, there is a modified BIOS available, adapted from the X99-Z Version 1.02, that unlocks memory timings configuration and resolves many of the issues with the original BIOS. It is highly recommended to use the modified BIOS to ensure stable performance.

Compatibility with Different CPUs

The Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard was tested with various CPUs, including the E5-2678 v3 and the i7-6800K. While the motherboard worked well with the i7-6800K, it experienced temperature issues with the E5-2678 v3 during stress tests. The power delivery system and limited number of phases may not be sufficient to handle high-end CPUs, so it is advised to choose a compatible CPU that falls within the motherboard's limitations.

Performance and Temperature

In terms of performance, the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard performs well under normal conditions. However, it is important to note that some users experience issues with sleep mode, which is a hardware limitation. The motherboard also lacks proper temperature readings and reports inaccurate power consumption values. Overall, the performance is satisfactory for a budget Chinese X99 motherboard, but it is essential to consider these limitations before making a purchase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard offers a budget-friendly option for those looking to build a gaming computer. With its quad-channel memory configuration and expansion slots, it provides the necessary features for most users. However, it is important to be aware of the limitations of the power delivery system and the issues with the BIOS. Considering these factors, the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard receives a rating of seven out of ten.

Highlights:

• Budget-friendly option for building a gaming computer.
• Supports quad-channel memory configuration for optimal performance.
• Expansion slots for additional components.
• Issues with the BIOS can be resolved by using a modified version.
• Compatibility with certain high-performance CPUs may be limited due to the power delivery system.
• Inaccurate temperature readings and power consumption reporting.
• Sleep mode may not function properly due to hardware limitations.

FAQ: Q: Can I overclock my CPU with the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard? A: No, the motherboard is limited to desktop chipsets and does not support CPU overclocking.

Q: Does the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth? A: Yes, it features an M.2 slot for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth expansion cards.

Q: Can I use an NVMe SSD with this motherboard? A: Yes, the motherboard has an M.2 slot specifically for NVMe SSDs.

Q: What is the maximum memory capacity of the Machinist X99 Air S9 motherboard? A: The motherboard supports a maximum memory capacity determined by the number of memory slots and the memory module capacity.