A few weeks ago, we reported that 100-series boards will allow support for Intel's Kaby Lake processors. Well, it looks like MSI just confirmed this by offering early BIOS support for the next-gen LGA 1151 processors. Intel's next-generation Kaby Lake processors are expected to hit market in Q1 2017, featuring both unlocked and mainstream chips for desktop users.
Intel Kaby Lake Processors Will Run on 100-Series Motherboards - MSI Offers Full BIOS Support
Intel's 100-series motherboards were introduced with Skylake in the second half of 2015. These chips feature updated I/O functionality and support for Skylake based processors. Since Kaby Lake is a more optimized part of Skylake based on the same 14nm (Plus) architecture, it should work with current-gen motherboards too. Intel is known for limiting support for future processors to new chipsets but that doesn't seem to be the case this time.
MSI is the first board manufacturer to offer support for Kaby Lake processors across their 100-series motherboards. This includes the entirety of 100-series products, including those based on Z170, B150 and H110 chipsets. MSI is offering a new BIOS that will allow support for the upcoming 7th generation processors which will be available to download from their web page.
MSI, world leading and most popular gaming component brand, is pleased to announce that all current MSI 100 series chipset motherboards fully support the next generation LGA 1151 socket processors. The BIOS updates are now made available for download via the official MSI website.
This move would be warmly welcomed by the mainstream users on current-gen boards who are looking forward to upgrade their Skylake processors. You will only have to replace your processor if you are going to upgrade to Kaby Lake and that's a plus point that saves a lot of money for other upgrades. Of course, there are benefits of getting a 200-series chipset board that are detailed below.
MSI 100-Series Boards Compatible With Kaby Lake Processors:
Here’s What To Expect From The Kaby Lake Platform (200-Series)
Intel Kaby Lake processors in general would be getting increased core performance (expect the usual 5-10% improvement) unless Intel plans to do something very different with Kaby Lake which seems highly unlikely. The processors will retain the basic features such for enthusiasts such as enhanced full range BCLK overclocking and 95W “Unlocked” options to choose from.
The Intel 200-Series PCH is a crucial update for the upcoming family of processors as it will allow support for them. The Intel 200-series PCH will include several SKUs such as Z270, H270, Q270, Q250 and B250. While the new chipset doesn’t include any major changes over the Skylake PCH, it does include support for Intel Optane technology. The new tech utilizes Intel’s 3D XPoint memory to deliver high-performance SSDs and memory solutions.
The KBL-PCH will be able to support Mansion Beach (Optane SSD PCIe/NVMe Gen3 x4), Brighton Beach (Optane SSD PCIe/NVMe Gen3 x4) and Stony Beach (Optane Memory PCIe/NVMe Gen 3 x2 (m.2)) solutions. We covered this topic in more detail over here.
Intel Kaby Lake Desktop Processor Lineup:
Intel 7th Generation 'Kaby Lake' Desktop Lineup
| SKU Name | Cores/Threads | Core Clock | Boost Clock | L3 Cache | TDP | Socket | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-7700K | 4/8 | 4.2 GHz | 4.5 GHz | 8 MB | 91W | LGA1151 | $339 US |
| Core i7-7700 | 4/8 | 3.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz | 8 MB | 65W | LGA1151 | $303 US |
| Core i7-7700T | 4/8 | 2.9 GHz | 3.8 GHz | 8 MB | 35W | LGA1151 | $303 US |
| Core i5-7600K | 4/4 | 3.8 GHz | 4.2 GHz | 6 MB | 91W | LGA1151 | $242 US |
| Core i5-7600 | 4/4 | 3.5 GHz | 4.1 GHz | 6 MB | 65W | LGA1151 | $213 US |
| Core i5-7600T | 4/4 | 2.8 GHz | 3.7 GHz | 6 MB | 35W | LGA1151 | $213 US |
| Core i5-7500 | 4/4 | 3.4 GHz | 3.8 GHz | 6 MB | 65W | LGA1151 | $192 US |
| Core i5-7500T | 4/4 | 2.7 GHz | 3.3 GHz | 6 MB | 35W | LGA1151 | $192 US |
| Core i5-7400 | 4/4 | 3.0 GHz | 3.5 GHz | 6 MB | 65W | LGA1151 | $182 US |
| Core i5-7400T | 4/4 | 2.4 GHz | 3.0 GHz | 6 MB | 35W | LGA1151 | $182 US |
| Core i3-7350K | 2/4 | 4.2 GHz | N/A | 4 MB | 60W | LGA 1151 | $168 US |
| Core i3-7320 | 2/4 | 4.1 GHz | N/A | 4 MB | TBD | LGA 1151 | $149 US |
| Core i3-7300 | 2/4 | 4.0 GHz | N/A | 4 MB | 51W | LGA1151 | $138 US |
| Core i3-7300T | 2/4 | 3.5 GHz | N/A | 4 MB | 35W | LGA1151 | $138 US |
| Core i3-7100 | 2/4 | 3.9 GHz | N/A | 4 MB | 51W | LGA 1151 | $117 US |
| Core i3-7100T | 2/4 | 3.4 GHz | N/A | 4 MB | 35W | LGA 1151 | $117 US |
| Pentium G4620 | 2/4 | 3.7 GHz | N/A | 3 MB | 51W | LGA1151 | $86 US |
| Pentium G4600 | 2/4 | 3.6 GHz | N/A | 3 MB | 51W | LGA 1151 | $75 US |
| Pentium G4560 | 2/4 | 3.5 GHz | N/A | 3MB | 54W | LGA 1151 | $64 US |
| Pentium G3950 | 2/2 | 3.0 GHz | N/A | 2 MB | 35W | LGA1151 | $52 US |
| Pentium G3930 | 2/2 | 2.9 GHz | N/A | 2 MB | 35W | LGA1151 | $42 US |
With these BIOS updates users can benefit from better performance and compatibility using the latest Intel processors with better specification and higher frequencies. Highly acclaimed, MSI continues to push for outstanding performance, a unique and attractive look & feel and solid reliability for its 100 series motherboards.
MSI 100 series motherboards latest BIOS list with next gen. of CPU support, available for download at msi.com.
With MSI rolling out BIOS support for Kaby Lake, we can expect other vendors to follow them very soon. As for Kaby Lake, we expect it to bring in some nice improvements in the architectural efficiency sector as its based on the most refined 14nm + process. Users currently running a Skylake based Core i3 or Core i5 processor will have the opportunity to upgrade to Kaby Lake without ending up in the hassle to upgrade motherboards.
