MSI Big Bang XPower II Motherboard Review

MSI Big Bang XPower II Retail Packaging

The retail packaging for the MSI Big Bang XPower II is eye catching to say the least. The front features very little marketing text, and only a couple of the logos for the various technologies, including NVIDIA SLI, AMD CrossFireX, Windows 7, Intel Core i7 Extreme processors, and the Intel X79 Chipset logo.

The MSI Big Bang XPower II features a front cover that can be opened up to catch a glimpse of the motherboard inside the packaging. The window inside is shaped to put emphasis on the LGA2011 socket, Minigun heatsink along the left and the crayons bullet designed heatsink on the Intel X79 chipset.

The marketing text that is missing from the front of the Big Bang XPower II package can be found inside the removable cover. The inside cover draws attention to the ‘Xtreme’ features as listed by MSI; Xtreme Standard, Xtreme Power Design, Xtreme Components, and the Xtreme Overclocking.

The back of the retail packaging lists out the key specifications of the MSI Big Bang XPower II as well as drawing some attention to features like Click BIOS II, Super Charger, SuperSpeed USB 3.0, SATA III 6Gbps, and Instant OC.

Once we remove the outer shell of the MSI Big Bang XPower II we find ourselves with a pair of boxes, the first contains the MSI Big Bang XPower II motherboard securely packaged within.

The second of the two boxes is a bit less flashy, though not any less important. Inside this box we will find all of the accessories that accompany the MSI Big Bang XPower II.

Removing the protective plastic cover we can get a nice first look at the MSI Big Bang XPower II in all of its glory.

Opening up the second box we are first presented with the Quick Guide for the MSI Big Bang XPower II and a obstructed view of some of the remaining bundle.

Removing the paperwork that sits on top of the bundle we can see that each individual piece of the bundle is indivisually wrapped and spread out among several compartments within the box.

Included in the MSI Big Bang XPower II bundle is six SATA cables, MSI Intel X79 Platforms Overclocking guide, Big Bang XPower II Quick Guide, an expansion slot bracket for eSATA (with power adapters and a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 expansion bracket.

Continuing with the MSI Big Bang XPower II bundle we find three NVIDIA SLI bridges, a single AMD CrossFireX bridge, I/O shield, manuals, driver and utility DVD, quick installation guide, Certificate of Quality and Stability, M-Connectors, and a couple of cables for the V-Check points.