MSI MPG X570 Gaming PRO Carbon WiFi Motherboard

MSI MPG X570 Gaming PRO Carbon WiFi Motherboard

If you are interested here is the Amazon link

So far I have no issues with it.  That statement, however, is qualified by a story, [aren't they all...] which I am about to literally spell out for you below.  For you to read... or not.

THE STORY - INTRO

I had read reviews on Amazon, many good, about this board, not too many issues, easy install, etc.  So when I put together my new PC it started with me knowing I wanted to go AMD, and sprang from there.

I had replaced a Gigabyte graphics card in my now old PC a while back with an MSI one, which lasted significantly longer and I felt had less issues. So I felt confident choosing MSI for the MB and GPU this time around.

THE DISCLAIMER

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Here is where I insert my disclaimer that I am not being compensated in any way, by anyone, with any affiliation to the production or resale of the product, with this review.

Should be obvious by my page views, but there it is; above this sentence.  I will also say that I don't care either way.  It is what it is.

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THE STORY - THE REST OF...

So all the parts came in from Amazon just before the COVID-19 issues, and not a moment too soon.
Got it running after the worst time with this build.  Really a lot of needless issues, some of them my fault, others just... I don't know.  Anyway...

Long story short, and the reason for this post/review: After 20 min on the phone with someone from MSI, I had to RMA the board because we could not figure out why my external speakers would not work.  At the time we both agreed that the ports were probably just bad.  I had done all the things.

Do the speakers work?  Yup.
Did you update the drivers?  Yup.
Did you update the drivers from our site?  Yup.
Did you turn it on and off again?  Yeah, about 200 times...
Did you check the sound settings in windows?  Also yes.
Did you make the speakers the default?  Sure did.

Got the new board and had The. Exact. Same. Problem.

I was not happy.  The opposite, in fact.

THE FIX... MAYBE...

So I started messing around with the auto updater in MSI's Dragon Center to see if anything was missed and reinstalling updates, when i noticed  a section under Support called Microsoft Apps

I tried to update both of these and was taken to the Microsoft Store where I was shown that both were already installed.  So I opened the Realtek one and... voila!  Had sound.

Apparently installing them is not enough, you have to run them to have the software be initialized for the line out sound to work. Who knew.  Hopes this helps someone.

So can I just say, type,: How inanely stupid is that.
And, also MSI, if you happen to come across this post, please put something in your documentation about this, or am I just a bit late to the party?

I still like the board.  It looks cool.  The Mystic Light software works as well as can be expected, I don't have many RGB items to really do something with, and it seems that you have to pay more to not have RGB so... cheaper for the win.

Still messing with the BIOS.  Slowly trying my hand at OC.  Some of the setting location choices are weird at best.  Overall I like exploring and finding so there is that.  And there is always Google for the times when I don't have time.

Captain America: Civil War

Hands down, the best Spider-Man movie to date.

Terraria 1.3

If you have not yet played Terraria, then you are missing out.  So much to do.  So much to see.  And way too much to make.  No hand holding.  Some pretty evil difficulty choices.  Some pretty unforgiving bosses.  Events that to complete solo, require an arena set-up time of no less than 3 hours.  Not counting the time it takes to test your wiring.  Oh, and wiring.

Mine carts.  Portal Gun [Yes the one from Portal, not as good though.  Still REALLY cool.]  NPC's with variable inventory.  I could go on... but I won't.  Buy it.  Play it.

Look, you cannot go wrong on this game for $10.  Can't wait for the next one.  Looks epic.

https://terraria.org/

World Trigger

I like World Trigger.  No, that's not entirely accurate.  I want to like World Trigger.

I like anime.  I do.  But, watch enough of it, and after a while you notice certain... trends and patterns.  Some of them you like, some of them you find amusing, some you detest so vehemently that they need to find a stronger word.  And then there are the trends that scare you.

The trends that make you think, they've gone off the rails, and not in a good way.  Or 'Man, they are never going to finish this series, guess I'd better go read the manga'.

I'm starting to get the sense that World Trigger is like that; along with Log Horizon, and No Game No Life.

I do like World Trigger, I just don't think i'll see it's end.

Aldnoah Zero

Watch it.

That is all.

That ending though... Still...

Watch it.  Now that's all.

Infamous: First Light

So... I said I would write a review for Infamous: First Light.

I totally did not write one. Until now.

Ahem...

I loved it SO much better than the main game. Fetch's story and emotional state was compelling and believable, enough.  Personally, I thought the way they had you unlock new powers took more away from the story then add to it, but overall the entire package was very nice.

I think [I could be wrong... probably am...] in Infamous Second Son, most people once they obtained Neon powers, stayed with Neon and never looked back, I think that was because it behaved more like Cole's lightning attacks, but that's just a guess.  In Infamous: Second Son, I actually preferred Smoke because of the stopping power and used video as my means of Transportation.  I mention concrete only to say I completely ignored it other than to obtain the platinum trophy.  Neon was my attack when I couldn't really find other options.

However, after playing First Light I could see why people choose Neon in Second Son.  Everything about Fetch's skill set was awesome.  The progression of abilities was interesting but once upgrades and used, the main ones were a sight to behold, especially in the arena.  The upgrade options and Fetch's personality were, I felt, matched very well.

So much so that after playing First Light, I wished that it were Second Son.  Which begs the question of why was the initial offering not better than this?

I mean it really didn't take all that long before they announced First Light.  Maybe it did.  I don't know.  I'm sure it can be googled.  But for an offering half the size of the main game, at less than half of the price, it's kinda sad that in my eyes, it put the main title to shame.

Things that make you go hmmmm...

Anywho, Kingdom Hearts 2 HD collection!  Kingdom Hearts is awesome.  More later.  Maybe.

DriveClub

I was pretty hyped about this game.  Then it launched.  Then it crashed.  Then it burned.  There is still no Driveclub PS Plus version (and I really don't think they will make one) but......

You know, I think I will make a post about buts one day...

...but, for an incomplete offering that people are being charged full price for, the game is not horrible.  In fact, I would dare to say that it is now one of the best, if not the best (and possibly only) mostly-simulation-and-a-bit-arcady racer on the PS4.  We will ignore the fact that pickings in the racing genre on the PS4 are a wee bit slim.

For those that purchased the game, there was "compensation" that didn't work for a while.  But it was fixed soonish?... I don't know.  It is working now.

They did a lot of work on the weather and environment sounds.  A LOT of work.  Let this not be understated.  The visuals and applicable physics are nothing short of phenomenal.  However all of that is just eye candy.  You don't play a racing game for the visuals,  you play a racing game to race.  Or at least you should, otherwise why did you buy the game?

There is a game in the box.  The single player mode is challenging, even early on. I am looking at you time trials... grrrrrr. Perhaps I just need to race better, obviously your mileage may vary.  I find it to be sufficiently entertaining.

There is also an online multiplayer component in that box.  This other box requires monies of the PS Plus variety to enjoy.  This other box also integrates with some of the single player options in ways I don't agree with.  Such as locking off cars because you have not created a club or do not belong to a club.  Actions which you cannot fully engage in because of prior mentioned PS Plus wall.

So should you buy it?  I dunno.  I'm not here for that.  For what its worth I am enjoying it still, but I did get it as a surprise gift.