MSI
MSI X470GPLMAX Performance Gaming Motherboard AMD Ryzen AM4
★★★★★
USB 3.2
The MSI X470 GAMING PLUS MAX gives AMD Ryzen builds a stable, overclocking-ready AM4 platform with DDR4 support up to 4133MHz and USB 3.2 Gen2 throughput.
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Overview
Key Features
Supports 1st, 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen/ Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics and 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen with Radeon graphics/ Athlon with Radeon Vega Graphics desktop processors for Socket AM4
Supports DDR4 Memory, up to 4133(OC) MHz
Lightning Fast Game experience: Turbo M. 2, AMD storemi technology, AMD Turbo USB 3.2 Gen2
Core boost: with premium layout and optimized power design to support more Cores and provide better performance
Mystic Light and Mystic Light Sync: 7 Colors/ 7 effects in one click. Synchronize other RGB solutions for customization
ram memory installed size: 64
memory storage capacity: 64
Specifications
Chipset
AMD X470
Socket
AM4
CPU Compatibility
1st, 2nd, 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen / Ryzen with Radeon Vega / Athlon with Radeon Vega
Memory Type
DDR4
Max Memory Speed
Up to 4133MHz (OC)
Max Memory Capacity
64GB
Storage Interface
Turbo M.2 (PCIe Gen 3 x4), AMD StoreMI
USB
AMD Turbo USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gb/s)
RGB
Mystic Light (7 colors, 7 effects), Mystic Light Sync
Form Factor
ATX
Brand
MSI
Model
X470GPLMAX
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Supports all three generations of AM4 Ryzen CPUs, extending platform longevity for existing and future upgrade paths
- DDR4 overclocking ceiling of 4133MHz gives headroom for high-frequency memory kits tuned for Ryzen performance
- Turbo M.2 slot at PCIe Gen 3 x4 supports full NVMe SSD throughput without bandwidth sharing penalties
- USB 3.2 Gen2 port delivers 10 Gb/s to eliminate external storage transfer bottlenecks
- Core Boost power delivery design provides stable VRM output under sustained multi-core CPU loads
👎 Cons
- X470 chipset does not support PCIe 4.0 even with 3rd Gen Ryzen CPUs, limiting future NVMe SSD and GPU bandwidth options
- Third-generation Ryzen compatibility may require a BIOS update that needs an older compatible CPU to execute
- DDR4-4133MHz OC headroom is rated but real-world stability at that frequency depends heavily on the specific memory kit and die quality
- Mystic Light RGB implementation is purely aesthetic — the software adds system overhead and complexity without performance benefit
- No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth onboard; wireless connectivity requires an additional PCIe or USB adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AMD Ryzen processor generations are compatible with the X470 GAMING PLUS MAX?
This board supports 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors in the AM4 socket, including Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics APUs and Athlon with Radeon Vega Graphics. Note that 3rd Gen Ryzen (Matisse) compatibility may require a BIOS update prior to use — if buying a 3rd Gen CPU with this board, verify that the retailer has pre-flashed the latest BIOS or that you have access to an older compatible CPU for the initial update.
What does DDR4-4133(OC) support actually mean for real-world performance?
The board's rated ceiling of DDR4-4133MHz is an overclocked speed requiring XMP/DOCP profile activation in BIOS and compatible memory kits. At that frequency, bandwidth increases noticeably over baseline DDR4-2133, benefiting CPU-bound workloads like gaming, video encoding, and data processing. However, not all memory kits will achieve 4133MHz stably on this platform — DDR4-3200 to DDR4-3600 is typically the practical sweet spot for Ryzen.
How does the Turbo M.2 slot compare to a standard M.2 connection on this board?
The X470 GAMING PLUS MAX's M.2 slot runs at PCIe Gen 3 x4, delivering up to 32 Gb/s of bandwidth — enough to saturate most NVMe SSDs. AMD StoreMI technology can further accelerate the storage subsystem by tiering a fast SSD with a larger HDD into a single logical volume, improving effective read latency for frequently accessed data.
Does this board support PCIe 4.0?
No. The X470 chipset is limited to PCIe Gen 3. Even with a 3rd Gen Ryzen CPU that supports PCIe 4.0, the X470 platform does not expose PCIe 4.0 lanes — that capability requires a 500-series (X570 or B550) board.
What is AMD Turbo USB 3.2 Gen2 and what does it provide over standard USB 3.0?
USB 3.2 Gen2 doubles the maximum data transfer rate to 10 Gb/s compared to USB 3.1 Gen1's 5 Gb/s. For users transferring large files to external SSDs or connecting high-throughput peripherals, this eliminates a common USB bandwidth bottleneck present on older boards.
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