MSI Demonstrates External Video Card and Mobile Overclocking

An external laptop video card that connects via a Thunderbolt interface was demonstrated by MSI at the Consumer Electronics Show. The company also showed smartphone software to overclock systems via WiFi.

The software to overclock a desktop system works via an iPhone app that is expected in the App Store in February. Android users will have to wait until about May to download the free software. A server application on the PC must be installed in order to be able to adjust settings via a mobile phone. The system can then be tweaked extensively via a WiFi connection. Not only voltages, but also baseclocks and multipliers can be changed via the MSI MultiConnect Panel.

In addition, MSI motherboards come with an optional Voice Genie module for about $30 that supports eight voice commands, including shutting down the PC. The module, an x1 plug-in card with microphone, is optionally included with all future X79 and Z77 motherboards.

MSI also showed an external video card connected via Thunderbolt, which can boost the GPU built into a laptop processor. The video card comes in the GUS II and is connected via a Thunderbolt interface, along with a hefty power supply. The power supply can deliver up to 150W, limiting the graphics card to a card with a single six-pin PCI Express connector. MSI supplies the GUS II with a Radeon HD 6850 on board: the bundle will then cost $250. To use the external video card, you need to reboot.