CES 2016: MSI’s Golden Idea for Motherboards
by Ian Cutress on January 13, 2016 4:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- Gaming
- Intel
- MSI
- Trade Shows
- Skylake
- CES 2016
- H150
The problem with a gold motherboard color is that it often looks too much like copper, and several companies have tried it in recent years (ASUS on Z77, ECS’ Golden Series) with limited success. Back during Z77 launch, one group of users seems to not like the scheme, or couldn’t found a combination that works. There is the old gold themed specialist modded PC that looks good, but I’ll be honest and say I have not seen that many in general when red and black themes tend to win out. I have heard proponents of gold components suggest that the color scheme works in certain markets, such as China and the Middle East, but until I see those numbers I’d take it with a grain of salt.
Nonetheless, for Skylake, MSI has you covered.
As part of the Gaming range, this model is aimed at the H150/B150 crowd more than the high end, and while I have heard remarks that it looks like the brown PCBs of old, that is actually a gold colored PCB that seems to have glitter embedded in it. The booth lighting didn’t help capture the effect properly, but I wonder if this isn’t part of a bigger idea.
MSI has been playing around with color schemes for a while, such as the ECO and the Krait series of motherboards which are both separate from the regular Gaming line or something like the OC Certified line. It is only going to be a matter of time before we try all colors, but it makes me wonder if this model was done at the request of a regional SI who wanted a few thousand units for their customers as part of a custom order. I have seen other motherboard companies put custom product runs into the mainstream before, and this might be the case here.
No word on regional release or pricing as of yet. I’m not sold on the color scheme straight away, and the glittery effect made me think about putting it in pink and slapping a Hello Kitty logo on it. I would be interested in seeing the scope of the sales though, especially where and to which retailers/system integrators.
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Oxford Guy - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
Anything is an improvement over black. Black screws. Black connectors. Black headers. Black PCB. Black everything. Good luck seeing anything without a flashlight or very bright lighting.azrael- - Thursday, January 14, 2016 - link
You evidently didn't live in the age of brown and beige... ;-)lorribot - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
The red bits don't help. Black RAM and PCI-e slot would help and in a matt black case.Still by the time you put a clashing full sized cooler and two slot graphics card no one will see much anyway.
WorldWithoutMadness - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
It can't be helped because this is MSI, designer of many fugly laptops. If they have an award for most beautiful and ugly, MSI would win the ugly one.They don't have any sense of elegance in designing.
They could've put some glittering gold in that, or make refrence from MJ's costume in dangerous world tour black and gold, not the best but much better than this.
lorribot - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
Another thought, what does it look like under coloured lighting?Ashinjuka - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
I guess I'm not the market for products like this, but the color of the motherboard is /really/ not something I care about in the slightest. On the other hand, I actually kind of like it, though. Motherboards should be available in all sorts of interesting colors, but it wouldn't influence my buying decision. The specs per price are what matter to me.hansmuff - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
I want white motherboards. There were some in the past but haven't seen any recently. This one's ugly.angrypatm - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
"Tacky as hell" yes, but that does work in some markets. Purple Ferrari's (the death penalty should be applied here), gold Lambo's, diamond encrusted phones ....boozed - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
I struggle to understand why anyone cares what colour the PCBs in their computer are.lehtv - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
It's because different colors look different, and people have different preferences. Some people like black, others like red or blue, and so on. I hope that clears it up.