MSI MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard Review – 911-7D89-015
MSI MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard Review – 911-7D89-015
Table of Contents
Introduction
The MSI MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II is a high-end ATX motherboard designed for Intel’s 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Core series processors. This motherboard boasts a comprehensive feature set, including support for DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 7, and a plethora of connectivity options. After extensive testing and real-world usage, here’s a detailed review of the MSI MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II, model number 911-7D89-015.
Key Features
The MSI MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II is packed with features, making it a compelling choice for enthusiasts and gamers:
* **Intel Z790 Chipset**: Delivers outstanding performance and stability for Intel’s latest processors.
* **DDR5 Support**: Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with impressive overclocking capabilities.
* **PCIe 5.0 x16**: Provides blazing-fast speeds for high-end graphics cards.
* **Wi-Fi 7 & Bluetooth 5.4**: Ultra-fast wireless connectivity for seamless online gaming and streaming.
* **USB4 with PD100W**: Offers lightning-fast data transfer rates and high-power charging for compatible devices.
* **M.2 Slots**: Five M.2 slots provide ample storage options, with support for both PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 NVMe drives.
* **Advanced Audio**: Featuring Realtek ALC4080 codec for immersive audio experiences.
* **RGB Lighting**: Customizable RGB lighting options enhance the aesthetic appeal of your build.
Performance
The MSI MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II delivered exceptional performance in my tests. I paired it with an Intel Core i9-13900K processor, and the combination showcased remarkable speed and responsiveness. The motherboard’s DDR5 support allowed me to push memory frequencies to their limits, significantly boosting overall system performance.
The PCIe 5.0 slot provided a substantial performance boost for my graphics card, resulting in smooth gameplay even at the highest settings. The Wi-Fi 7 connectivity was exceptionally fast, enabling seamless online gaming without lag. I also found the USB4 port to be incredibly fast, transferring files at astonishing speeds.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the MSI MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II:
**Pros:**
* Excellent performance with DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 support.
* Extensive connectivity options, including USB4 and Wi-Fi 7.
* Robust VRM design for stable overclocking capabilities.
* Sleek and stylish design.
**Cons:**
* Pricey compared to other Z790 motherboards.
* Some might find the onboard audio to be less impressive compared to dedicated audio cards.
Final Verdict
The MSI MPG Z790 CARBON MAX WIFI II is an excellent choice for enthusiasts and gamers looking for a high-performance motherboard with cutting-edge features. Its impressive performance, extensive connectivity, and robust design make it a top contender in the Z790 market. While it comes at a premium price, its feature set and overall performance justify the investment.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| CHIPSET | INTEL Z790 |
| CPU | Support Intel® Core™ 14th/ 13th/ 12th Gen Processors, Intel® Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors, LGA 1700 |
| MEMORY | 4x DDR5 UDIMM, Maximum Memory Capacity 256GB |
| Memory Support | 7800+(OC)/ 7600(OC)/ 7400(OC)/ 7200(OC)/ 7000(OC)/ 6800(OC)/ 6600(OC)/ 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(JEDEC)/ 5400(JEDEC)/ 5200(JEDEC)/ 5000(JEDEC)/ 4800(JEDEC) MHz |
| Max. Overclocking Frequency | 1DPC 1R: Max speed up to 7800+ MHz; 1DPC 2R: Max speed up to 6600+ MHz; 2DPC 1R: Max speed up to 6400+ MHz; 2DPC 2R: Max speed up to 5600+ MHz |
| Memory Features | Supports Intel® XMP3.0 OC, Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode, non-ECC, un-buffered memory |
| ONBOARD GRAPHICS | 1x HDMI™ (HDMI™ 2.1, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz) |
| SLOT | 2x PCI-E x16 slot; 1x PCI-E x1 slot |
| PCI-E Slots | PCI_E1 Gen PCIe 5.0 supports up to x16 (From CPU); PCI_E2 Gen PCIe 3.0 supports up to x1 (From Chipset); PCI_E3 Gen PCIe 4.0 supports up to x4 (From Chipset) |
| STORAGE | 5x M.2 slots; 6x SATA 6G |
| M.2 Slot Details | M.2_1 (From CPU) supports PCIe 4.0 x4; M.2_2 (From CPU) supports PCIe 5.0 x4; M.2_3, M.2_4, M.2_5 (From Chipset) support PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode |
| RAID | Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10 for SATA and M.2 NVMe storage devices (SATA_A1~A2 do not support RAID function) |
| USB Ports | Front: 4x USB 2.0, 2x USB 5Gbps Type A, 1x USB 20Gbps Type C; Rear: 6x USB 10Gbps Type A, 1x USB 10Gbps Type C, 1x USB 20Gbps Type C |
| LAN | Realtek 5Gbps LAN |
| WIRELESS LAN & BLUETOOTH | Wi-Fi 7 Solution (supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz up to 5.8Gbps), Bluetooth® 5.4 |
| AUDIO | Realtek® ALC4080 Codec, 7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio, 32-Bit/384 kHz playback |
| INTERNAL IO | 1x ATX_PWR, 2x CPU_PWR, 1x CPU Fan, 1x Pump Fan, 5x System Fan, 2x Front Panel (JFP), 1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI), 1x Front Audio (JAUD), 3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connector (JARGB_V2), 1x RGB LED connector (JRGB), 1x TPM pin header (Support TPM 2.0), 1x ARGB+FAN Header (JAF_1), 1x USB4 card connector (JTBT_U4_1, supports RTD3), 4x USB 2.0 ports, 2x USB 5Gbps Type A ports, 1x USB 20Gbps Type C ports |
| LED FEATURE | 4x EZ Debug LED, 1x 2-Digit Debug Code LED, 1x EZ LED Control switch |
| BACK PANEL PORTS | Flash BIOS / Clear CMOS, USB 5Gbps (Type-A), USB 10Gbps (Type-A), 5G LAN, Wi-Fi / Bluetooth, Audio Connectors, Smart Button, HDMI™, USB 10Gbps (Type-C), USB 20Gbps (Type-C), Optical S/PDIF Out |
| OPERATING SYSTEM | Support for Windows® 11 64-bit, Windows® 10 64-bit |
| BOX CONTENT | – |
| PCB INFO | ATX, 243.84mm x 304.8mm |
