MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard Review
MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard Review
Table of Contents
Introduction
The MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard is a high-end offering designed for enthusiasts and gamers seeking top-tier performance. Packed with the latest technologies, this motherboard promises to deliver exceptional speed, stability, and features. In this review, we’ll delve into its specifications, performance, and real-world usage to see if it lives up to the hype.
Features
The MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard is brimming with features that make it a powerful platform for demanding tasks and immersive gaming. Let’s take a look at some of its key highlights:
- Intel Z790 Chipset: This latest chipset from Intel offers enhanced performance and support for the latest 13th and 14th generation Intel Core processors.
- LGA 1700 Socket: The LGA 1700 socket provides compatibility with Intel’s current and future generation processors, ensuring future-proofing for your system.
- DDR5 Memory Support: With support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, you can unleash the full potential of your system, handling demanding applications and multitasking effortlessly.
- PCI-E 5.0 Support: This motherboard features a PCIe 5.0 slot, providing lightning-fast data transfer speeds for high-end graphics cards and NVMe storage devices.
- Wi-Fi 7 & Bluetooth 5.3: Experience the next generation of wireless connectivity with blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds and reliable Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring seamless streaming and gaming.
- Extensive Connectivity: With multiple USB ports (including USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C), M.2 slots, and a 2.5G LAN port, you’ll have ample options for connecting your peripherals and devices.
- Advanced Cooling Solutions: MSI has implemented comprehensive cooling features, including multiple fan headers and heat sinks, to keep your system running cool under heavy loads.
- MSI Mystic Light: Customize the aesthetics of your system with MSI’s Mystic Light software, allowing you to control the RGB lighting on the motherboard and compatible peripherals.
Performance
Our testing of the MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard focused on its core capabilities, including CPU performance, memory speeds, and overall system stability. We were impressed by its ability to handle demanding tasks and maintain a high level of performance even under stress.
In CPU benchmarks, the motherboard consistently delivered excellent scores, taking advantage of the latest Intel processors’ power. The DDR5 memory slots provided ample bandwidth, allowing us to run applications and games smoothly. The motherboard also remained remarkably stable throughout our testing, even when pushing the system to its limits with intensive workloads.
Pros & Cons
Like any product, the MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a summary of the pros and cons based on our experience:
Pros
- Exceptional performance for demanding tasks and gaming
- Latest Intel Z790 chipset for top-tier capabilities
- DDR5 memory support with high bandwidth
- PCI-E 5.0 slot for future-proofing your system
- Wi-Fi 7 & Bluetooth 5.3 for next-generation connectivity
- Comprehensive cooling solutions to maintain stability
- Extensive connectivity options for peripherals and devices
- MSI Mystic Light for customizing the aesthetic of your system
Cons
- Premium pricing compared to other Z790 motherboards
- Limited overclocking options for some users
Final Verdict
The MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard is a top-tier motherboard for enthusiasts and gamers who demand the best performance and features. Its impressive specifications, robust cooling solutions, and cutting-edge connectivity make it an excellent choice for building a high-end gaming rig or a powerful workstation. While its premium price tag may be a concern for some, the motherboard’s performance and capabilities justify the investment.
If you’re looking for an exceptional motherboard that delivers exceptional performance and future-proofing, the MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard is a highly recommended option.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Intel Z790 |
| CPU Support | Intel® Core™ 14th/ 13th/ 12th Gen, Intel® Pentium® Gold, and Celeron® Processors |
| Socket | 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 | |
| Supports Intel® XMP3.0 OC | |
| Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode | |
| Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory | |
| Onboard Graphics | 1x HDMI™ |
| Supports HDMI™ 2.1, maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz* | |
| Slot | 2x PCI-E x16 slot |
| 1x PCI-E x1 slot | |
| 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 |
| M.2_1 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices | |
| M.2_2 Source (From CPU) supports up to PCIe 5.0 x4, supports 22110/2280/2260 devices | |
| M.2_3 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices | |
| M.2_4 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4, supports 2280/2260 devices | |
| M.2_5 Source (From Chipset) supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 / SATA mode, supports 2280/2260 devices | |
| 6x SATA 6G | |
| RAID | Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices |
| Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices | |
| USB | 4x USB 2.0 (Front) |
| 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Rear) | |
| 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A (Front) | |
| 6x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A (Rear) | |
| 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C (Rear) | |
| 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type C (Rear) | |
| 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type C (Front) | |
| LAN | Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN |
| Wireless LAN & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 7 Solution |
| Wireless module pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot | |
| Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz* (320MHz) up to 5.8Gbps | |
| Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax | |
| Supports Bluetooth® 5.4**, MLO, 4KQAM | |
| Audio | Realtek® ALC4080 Codec |
| 7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio | |
| Supports up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback on front panel | |
| Internal I/O | Various connectors including power, fan, audio, RGB, USB, etc. |
| LED Feature | 4x EZ Debug LED |
| 1x 2-Digit Debug Code LED | |
| 1x EZ LED Control switch | |
| Back Panel Ports | Flash BIOS / Clear CMOS |
| Various USB ports including USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 | |
| 2.5G LAN |
